A French night river crossing of the Wkra forced Russian withdrawal east, opening further French advances during the War of the Fourth Coalition.
Key Facts
- Date
- Night of 23–24 December 1806
- River crossed
- Wkra River
- French formation
- Part of Marshal Davout's III Corps
- Russian commander
- Lt. Gen. Alexander Ostermann-Tolstoy
- Distance from Warsaw
- 33 kilometres north-northwest km
- Conflict
- War of the Fourth Coalition
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the War of the Fourth Coalition, French forces under Napoleon sought to cross the Wkra River to press eastward against Russian defensive positions. Russian troops under Lieutenant General Ostermann-Tolstoy held the west bank near Czarnowo, blocking French advances in the region north of Warsaw.
On the night of 23–24 December 1806, elements of Marshal Davout's III Corps launched an evening assault crossing of the Wkra at its mouth. After an all-night struggle, the French successfully crossed the river and pushed eastward to the village of Czarnowo, engaging the Russian defenders throughout the night.
Unable to hold their positions, the Russian commander withdrew his forces to the east, ceding the crossing point to the French. This action was one of several coordinated engagements that week, including actions at Kołoząb, Sochocin, and Soldau, collectively advancing French control in the region.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Napoleon I, Louis-Nicolas Davout.
Side B
1 belligerent
Alexander Ivanovich Ostermann-Tolstoy.