"Bridge Builders at the Brezina" Topic

I just read, in a book without footnotes, that most of the bridge builders at the Brezina were actually Dutch. Can anyone comment on that?

Thanks

The Dutch didn't need bridges to cross the Barezina River. They were all wearing wooden shoes and were able to walk accross.

I don't have any references as proof. But just read what I wrote. Its all right here in black and white.

"… most of the bridge builders at the Brezina were actually Dutch." Not accurate, however the Dutch were present, which is NOT mentioned in some French sources. I provide the following for your perusal:

"Historique du 1er Régiment de Pontonniers", pp 104-113:

link

"Campagne de 1812 en Russie: Bérézina" by Francois Claude Chapuis is the standard French work.

Relation impartiale du passage de la Berezina, par l'armée française, en 1812 by Frédéric Guillaume de Vaudoncourt (2nd edition of 1815):

link

The following work is written by a Hollander:

Vers la Bérésina (1812) D'apres des documents nouveaux by B. R. F. van Vlijmen (2nd edition of 1908):

link

The memoires of Capt. George Diederich Benthien (1797-1825)2nd bat, 11e companie, who was present are quite interesting. These were published in the "Bijdragen en mededelingen van het Historisch Genootschap", Volume 32 (1911). [J. EYSTEN, "Doorloopend verhaal van de dienstverrichtingen der Nederlandsche pontonniers onder den majoor G.D. Benthien, 1797-1825", in: BMHG 32, 1911, pp. 100-177]
See:

PDF link

Also:
link

PDF link

See:
Bouw van een brug door Nederlandse pioniers bij de overtocht over de Berezina. Prent door J. Hoynck van Papendrecht. NIMH:

1812%20Berezina_tcm5-3269.jpg

A Russian perspective:

Le passage de la Bérésina / traduit du russe du général Danilewski, d'après des documens authentiques… – impr. de Cosson (Paris) – 1842:
link

I see my friend Alex has an item of interest coming out:

The Battle of the Berezina: Napoleon's Great Escape by Alexander Mikaberidze. Hardcover: 256 pages Published by Pen & Sword Military (March 18, 2010).
ISBN-13: 978-1844159208

Thanks for all the great references, but I don't own the sources and do not read French.

All I'm asking is, were there Dutchmen in those French named units? I ask because I know that many so-called French units were actually recruited in the Empire outside French boarders--Italy, Belgium, Holland come to mind.

The book in Question, "The First Total War," is anti-French in its slant, and the mention of Dutchmen building the bridges seems a dig against the French. Despite the lack of footnotes, the author must have seen or heard that assertion SOMEWHERE. I am wondering if anyone else has, and can remember the source.

Sorry! Contact information for David A. Bell can be found at:

link

Give Dave my regards.

Big Al

Excellent "stuff", a very nice handy bibliography.

Thank you,
Frayer

I be the 'King of Stuff', my friend! And modest too! <;^}

Big Al

This is how we were taught in (Dutch) school, the heroic building and defense of the Berezina bridges, allowing the Imperial army to retreat, so it must be true:

picture

Hanging over my desk right now.

I have the same J. Hoynck van Papendrecht print in my collection. It is the largest one I have:

"Hollands(ch)e infanterie bij de bruggen over de Berezina, 1812" (1911)

I had also heard that most of the bridge builders were Dutch. I'm not really that much into serious historical books, so it must've been mentioned in something relatively light, as well as the book you mentioned, Widowson.

Ah … I've just found it … page 463 of Adam Zamoyski's "1812". Names in that text, like Captain Busch and Benthien, sound quite Dutch, too.

I love that painting, Gungnir – very atmospheric indeed.

Salut,

While writing my upcoming book on Berezina, I used, among other works, all the sources that Steven has cited. The bridges were built by the French, Dutch and Polish troops. Captain Benthien led some 200 men (more than half Dutch) from the 7th and 11th Companies of the 1st Battalion and Captain Busch led another team of Dutchmen working on a second bridge. Polish involvement in bridge construction is frequently overlooked but some 80 men from the 3rd Engineer Company (Captain Jean Fiedorowicz) and 5th Engineer Company (Captain Salvator Rakowiecki), assisted by Captain Jean Bujalski's 20 pontonniers and supervised by 5 officers contributed to the work.

Rusty,

I only listed materials that centered on the pontonier actions and that were mostly available on-line.

I look forward to reading your new book!

Another volume, with a much improved Google copy:

Der Beresina-Uebergang des Kaisers Napoleon: unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Theilnahme der Badischen Truppen by Curt W. F. von Lindenau. Published by E. S. Mittler und Sohn, 1896. 50 pages:

link

Yours, in firm research,

Big Al