Dawn at Eylau

Fought in abysmal winter conditions from the 7th to 8th February 1807, Eylau was to prove, at best, a technical rather than complete victory for Napoleon, it certainly was no Austerlitz or Jena.

Eylau was to see arguably the greatest cavalry charge in history when, Napoleon conscious of increasing threat to the French centre, following the near destruction of Augerau's VII corps, ordered Murat to counter attack with the entire massed cavalry reserve. The charge was a resounding success, winning precious time for the battered French forces. Here, a French gun belonging to a horse battery of the line, prepares to return fire against Russian artillery positions. Behind the gun team is a line of light horse, only partly visible in the grim morning mist and snow flurries.