The capture of Plevna by Russian troops: a description, history and interesting facts

The capture of Plevna by the troops of Alexander II broke the course of the war against the Ottoman Empire. A prolonged siege claimed the lives of many soldiers on both sides. This victory allowed the Russian troops to open the road to Constantinople and free the Balkan countries from Turkish oppression. The operation to capture the fortress entered military history as one of the most successful. The results of the campaign have forever changed the geopolitical situation in Europe and the Middle East.

Prerequisites

Until the mid-nineteenth century, the Ottoman Empire controlled much of the Balkans and Bulgaria. The Turkish yoke spread to almost all the South Slavic peoples. The Russian empire always acted as a defender of all Slavs, and foreign policy was largely aimed at their liberation. However, following the results of the previous war, Russia lost its fleet in the Black Sea and a number of territories in the south. Allied treaties between the Ottoman Empire and Great Britain were also concluded. In the event of a declaration by the Russians of the war, the British undertook to render military assistance to the Turks. This situation precluded the possibility of expelling the Ottomans from Europe. In return, the Turks promised to respect the rights of Christians and not pursue them on religious grounds.

The oppression of the Slavs

However, the sixties of the 19th century were marked by new persecutions against Christians. Muslims had great privileges before the law. In court, the Christian's voice against the Muslim had no weight. Also, most of the state posts in the field were occupied by the Turks. Dissatisfaction with this state of affairs caused mass protests in Bulgaria and the Balkans. In the summer of 1975, an uprising began in Bosnia. And a year later, in April, popular riots cover Bulgaria. As a result, the Turks fiercely suppress the uprising, killing tens of thousands of people. Such atrocities against Christians cause discontent in Europe.

Under pressure from public opinion, Great Britain rejects pro-Turkish politics. This unleashes the hands of the Russian Empire, which is preparing a campaign against the Ottomans.

The War Begins

On April 12, the Russian-Turkish war began. Taking Plevna will actually complete it in six months. But before that it was a long way to go. According to the plan of the Russian headquarters, the troops were to advance from two directions. The first group to go through the Romanian territory to the Balkans, and another to strike from the Caucasus. On both these tracks there were insurmountable obstacles. The Balkan range prevented a quick strike from the Caucasus, and the "quadrangle" of fortresses - from Romania. The situation was also complicated by the possible intervention of Great Britain. Despite the public pressure, the British still continued to support the Turks. Therefore, it was necessary to win the war as soon as possible, so that the Ottoman Empire capitulated before the reinforcements arrived.

Rapid offensive

The capture of Plevna was conducted by troops under the command of General Skobelev. In early July, the Russians crossed the Danube and reached the road to Sofia. In this campaign, the Romanian army joined them. Initially, the Turks were going to meet allies on the banks of the Danube. However, the impetuous offensive forced Osman Pasha to retreat to the fortresses. In fact, the first capture of Plevna occurred on June 26. Elite detachment under the command of Ivan Gurko entered the city. However, the unit had only fifty scouts. Almost simultaneously with the Russian Cossacks, three battalions of Turks entered the city, which replaced them.

Realizing that the capture of Plevna will give the Russians a full strategic advantage, Osman Pasha decides to occupy the city before the arrival of the main forces. At this time, his army was in the city of Vidin. From there the Turks had to advance along the Danube in order not to allow the Russians to cross. However, the danger of encirclement forced Muslims to abandon the original plan. On July 1st 19 battalions come from Vidin. For six days they passed more than two hundred kilometers with artillery, wagons, provisions and so on. At dawn on July 7, the Turks entered the fortress.

The Russians had the opportunity to take the city before Osman Pasha. However, the negligence of some commanders played. In the absence of military intelligence, the Russians did not know in time about the march of the Turks to the city. As a result, the capture of the fortress of Plevna by the Turks took place without battles. Russian general Yuri Schilder-Schuldner was late just for a day. But during this time the Turks have already managed to dig in and take up the defense. After a brief hesitation, the headquarters decides to storm the fortress.

First Attempt Attack

Russian troops marched on the city from two sides. General Schilder-Schuldern had no idea of the number of Turks in the city. He headed the right column of troops, while the left was at a distance of four kilometers. According to the original plan, both columns were to enter the city at the same time. However, due to an incorrectly drawn map, they only moved away from each other. At about one o'clock in the afternoon the main column approached the city. Suddenly they were attacked by the advance detachments of the Turks, who occupied Plevna just a few hours before. The battle began, which turned into an artillery duel.

Schilder-Schuldner had no idea about the actions of the left column, so he ordered to withdraw from the positions being fired and to break up the camp. The left column under the command of Kleinhaus went to the city from the side of Grivica. Cossack intelligence was sent. Two hundred soldiers advanced along the river in order to reconnoitre the nearest villages and the fortress itself. However, hearing the sounds of the battle, they retreated to their own.

Offensive

On the night of July 8, it was decided to storm. From Grivice came the left column. The general with the most part of the soldiers went from the north. Osman Pasha's main positions were near the village of Opanets. About eight thousand Russians went to the front about three kilometers from them. Because of the lowland, Schilder-Schuldner lost the ability to maneuver. His troops had to go into a frontal attack. At five o'clock in the morning the artillery preparation began. The Vanguard of the Russians launched an offensive against Bukovlek and in two hours knocked out the Turks from there. The road to Plevna was opened. Archangel Regiment went to the main battery of the enemy. The soldiers were within a shot from the artillery positions of the Ottomans. Osman Pasha understood that he had numerical superiority on his side, and gave the order to counterattack. Under the pressure of the Turks, two regiments withdrew into the ravine. The general asked for support from the left column, but the enemy was advancing too fast. So Schilder-Schuldner ordered the retreat.

Blow from the other flank

At the same time, Criedener was advancing from the side of Grivitz. At six o'clock in the morning (when the main forces had already started artillery preparation), the Caucasian Corps struck the right flank of the Turkish defense. After the uncontrollable onslaught of the Cossacks, the Ottomans began to run into the fortress in panic. However, by the time Grivica took up positions, Schilder-Schuldner had already retreated. Therefore, the left column also began to retreat to the starting positions. The capture of Plevna by Russian troops was stopped with great losses for the latter. In many respects the lack of intelligence and the inept decisions of the general have affected.

Preparation of a new offensive

After an unsuccessful assault, preparations for a new attack began. Russian troops received significant reinforcements. Cavalry and artillery units arrived. The city was surrounded. The shadowing of all roads began, especially for those leading to Lovchu. For several days, reconnaissance was conducted by fighting. Constant exchanges of fire were heard both day and night. However, it was not possible to find out the strength of the Ottoman garrison in the city.

The new assault

While the Russians were preparing for the assault, the Turks were rapidly erecting defensive installations. The construction took place in the conditions of shortage of tools and constant shelling. On the eighteenth of July, another storm began. Taking Plevna by the Russians would mean defeat in the war. Therefore, Osman Pasha ordered his men to fight to the death. Attack was preceded by a long artillery preparation. After that, the soldiers rushed into battle from two flanks. Troops under the command of Criedener managed to capture the first lines of defense. However, near the redoubt they were met by overwhelming fire. After bloody skirmishes, the Russians had to step back. The left flank was attacked by Skobelev. His soldiers also failed to break through the defense lines of the Turks. The battle lasted all day. Towards evening the Turks launched a counteroffensive and beat out the soldiers of Krinder from their trenches. The Russians had to retreat again. After this defeat, the government turned to the Romanians for help.

Blockade

After the arrival of the Romanian troops, the blockade and capture of Plevna became inevitable. Therefore, Osman Pasha decided to break through from the besieged fortress. On August 31, his troops committed a distracting maneuver. After that, the main forces withdrew from the city and struck at the nearest outposts. After a short battle they managed to drive out the Russians and even grab one battery. However, soon reinforcements arrived. Close combat began. The Turks faltered and fled back to the city, leaving almost one and a half thousand of their soldiers on the battlefield.

For the complete siege of the fortress it was necessary to capture the Lovchu. It was through her that the Turks received reinforcements and supplies. The city was occupied by Turkish troops and auxiliary detachments of Bashi-Bazouks. They coped well with punitive operations against civilians, but quickly left their positions on the prospect of meeting with the regular army. So when the Russians attacked the city on August 22, the Turks fled from there without much resistance. After the capture of the city, a siege began, and the capture of Plevna became only a matter of time. Reinforcements came to the Russians. Reserves received and Osman Pasha.

Taking the fortress of Plevna: December 10, 1877

After full encirclement of the city, the Turks remained completely cut off from the outside world. Osman Pasha refused to capitulate and continued to strengthen the fortress. By this time, 50,000 Turks were hiding in the city against 120,000 Russian and Romanian soldiers. Siege fortifications were built around the city. From time to time, Plevna was fired upon by artillery. The Turks ran out of provisions and ammunition. The army suffered from disease and hunger.

Osman Pasha decided to break through the blockade, realizing that the inevitable taking of Plevna was inevitable. The breakthrough date was set for December 10. In the morning Turkish troops installed scarecrows in fortifications and began to break out of the city. But on their way became the Little Russian and Siberian regiments. And the Ottomans came with a stolen property and a large wagon train. Of course, this complicated maneuverability. After the start of the battle, reinforcements were sent to the place of the breakthrough. At first, the Turks managed to drop forward detachments, but after the blow to the flank they retreated to the lowland. After including in the artillery battle, the Turks ran erratically and eventually capitulated.

After this victory, General Skobelev ordered to celebrate 10 December as the Day of Military History. The capture of Plevna is celebrated in Bulgaria in our time. As a result of this victory, Christians got rid of Muslim oppression.