In 1812, a French general nearly overthrew Napoleon by claiming he was dead
In 1812, a daring French general nearly seized control of Paris by spreading a false rumor that Napoleon Bonaparte had died during his disastrous invasion of Russia.
While Napoleon was retreating from Moscow in 1812, General Claude François de Malet launched one of history's boldest bluffs. Malet escaped from prison and presented forged documents to city officials, claiming the Emperor had died of a fever in Russia. He successfully convinced several high-ranking officers to follow his orders, briefly taking control of key government buildings in Paris.
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