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Napoleon’s Retreat 1812

Napoleon’s Retreat from Moscow 1812, Painting by Adolph Norton

Tin below 0 °C changes to grey tin, which is soft and crumbly. There have been theories that the tin buttons on the tunics of Napoleon’s soldiers crumbled in the cold weather and this contributed to their death. Today this is almost wholly accepted as myth due to the lack of any evidence.

Painting by Adolph Norton (1828-1876).

Rights: Public domain
Published:17 September 2009Size: 142.48 KB