BATTLE // December 23, 1806

Battle of Czarnowo

Name: Battle of Czarnowo
Start: 1806-12-23
End: 1806-12-23
Location: Battle of Czarnowo

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Significance

The Battle of Czarnowo secured a French crossing of the Wkra River during the winter operations of the War of the Fourth Coalition. Davout's III Corps forced the passage at the river's mouth and drove eastward to the village of Czarnowo, compelling Ostermann-Tolstoy to withdraw his Russian forces to the east after an all-night engagement. The action extended French operational reach north-northwest of Warsaw along the Narew, maintaining pressure on Russian positions as the campaign continued into early 1807. Casualties on both sides were roughly equal despite the disparity in engaged strength, indicating the difficulty of the night river assault.

Tactics

Davout's troops conducted an evening assault crossing of the Wkra River at its mouth, advancing under cover of night. After completing the crossing, the attacking force pressed eastward toward the village of Czarnowo, engaging Ostermann-Tolstoy's defending Russian forces through the night until the Russian commander ordered a withdrawal to the east.