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Events on Thursday 31 December 1812 1
1758 – 1812Jean-Baptiste Eble (1758-1812)Died 31 December 1812, aged 54Jean-Baptiste Eble was a French general of artillery and engineers whose pontoneers built the bridges across the Berezina River that saved the remnants of Napoleon's army during its retreat from Russia. He died of exhaustion and illness contracted during the campaign shortly after reaching safety. His bridging operation is remembered as one of the few successes of the disastrous retreat.