Famous WWII battles. Great battles of the Great Patriotic War
Invaders came from both the West and the East. They spoke different languages, they had different weapons. But their goals were the same - to ruin and plunder the country, to kill or take its inhabitants into captivity and slavery.
Today, in connection with this holiday, we decided to remember the most significant battles in the history of our Fatherland. If we forgot something, you can write it in the comments.
1. Defeat of the Khazar Kaganate (965)
The Khazar Khaganate was for a long time the main rival of the Russian state. The unification of Slavic tribes around Rus', many of which had previously been dependent on Khazaria, could not but increase tension in relations between the two powers.
In 965, Prince Svyatoslav subjugated the Khazar Khaganate to his power, and then organized a campaign against the strong tribal union of the Vyatichi, who paid tribute to the Khazars. Svyatoslav Igorevich defeated the Kagan’s army in battle and raided his entire state, from the Volga to the North Caucasus. Important Khazar cities were annexed to Rus' - the fortress of Sarkel (White Vezha) on the Don, which controlled the route from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea (now at the bottom of the Tsimlyansk Reservoir), and the port of Tmutarakan on the Taman Peninsula. The Black Sea Khazars fell into the sphere of Russian influence. The remnants of the Kaganate on the Volga were destroyed in the 11th century by the Polovtsians.
2. Battle of the Neva (1240)
The Novgorod prince was only 19 years old when, in the summer of 1240, Swedish ships, probably led by Birger Magnusson, entered the mouth of the Neva. Knowing that Novgorod was deprived of the support of the southern principalities, the Swedes, instructed from Rome, hoped, at a minimum, to seize all the lands north of the Neva, simultaneously converting both pagans and Orthodox Karelians to Catholicism.
The young Novgorod prince led a lightning attack by his squad and destroyed the Swedes' camp before they had time to strengthen it. When getting ready for the campaign, Alexander was in such a hurry that he did not gather all the Novgorodians who wanted to join, believing that speed would be decisive, and he turned out to be right. In the battle, Alexander fought in the front ranks.
The decisive victory over superior forces brought Prince Alexander great fame and the honorary nickname - Nevsky.
However, the Novgorod boyars feared the growing influence of the prince and tried to remove him from governing the city. Soon Alexander left Novgorod, but within a year the threat new war forced the Novgorodians to turn to him again.
3. Battle of the Ice (1242)
In 1242, German knights from Livonian Order captured Pskov and approached Novgorod. The Novgorodians, who had quarreled with Prince Alexander a year before, turned to him for help and again transferred power to him. The prince gathered an army, expelled the enemies from the Novgorod and Pskov lands and went to Lake Peipsi.
On the ice of the lake in 1242, in a battle known as the Battle of the Ice, Alexander Yaroslavich destroyed an army of German knights. The Russian riflemen, despite the onslaught of the Germans who were breaking through the regiments in the center, bravely resisted the attackers. This courage helped the Russians surround the knights from the flanks and win. Pursuing the survivors for seven miles, Alexander showed the firmness of the Russian army. Victory in the battle led to the signing of a peace agreement between Novgorod and the Livonian Order.
4. Battle of Kulikovo (1380)
The Battle of Kulikovo, which took place on September 8, 1380, was a turning point that showed the strength of the united Russian army and the ability of Rus' to resist the Horde.
The conflict between Mamai and Dmitry Donskoy became more and more aggravated. The Principality of Moscow strengthened, Rus' won many victories over the troops of the Horde. Donskoy did not listen to Mamai when he gave Prince Mikhail Tverskoy a label for Vladimir, and then stopped paying tribute to the Horde. All this could not help but lead Mamai to the idea of the need for a quick victory over the enemy who was gaining strength.
In 1378, he sent an army against Dmitry, but it was defeated on the Vozha River. Soon Mamai lost influence on the Volga lands due to the invasion of Tokhtamysh. In 1380, the Horde commander decided to attack the Donskoy army in order to completely defeat his forces.
On September 8, 1380, when the armies clashed, it became clear that there would be a lot of losses on both sides. The legendary exploits of Alexander Peresvet, Mikhail Brenk and Dmitry Donskoy were described in “The Tale of the Massacre of Mamaev.” The turning point for the battle was the moment when Bobrok ordered to delay the ambush regiment, and then cut off the retreat of the Tatars who had broken through to the river. The Horde cavalry was driven into the river and destroyed, meanwhile the remaining forces mixed up other enemy troops, and the Horde began to retreat in disorder. Mamai fled, realizing that he no longer had the strength to continue the fight. According to various estimates, on September 8, 1380, from 40 to 70 thousand Russians and from 90 to 150 thousand Horde troops fought in the decisive battle. The victory of Dmitry Donskoy significantly weakened the Golden Horde, which predetermined its further collapse.
5. Standing on the Ugra (1480)
This event marks the end of the Horde's influence on the politics of the Russian princes.
In 1480, after Ivan III tore up the khan's label, Khan Akhmat, having concluded an alliance with the Lithuanian prince Casimir, moved to Rus'. Seeking to unite with the Lithuanian army, on October 8 he approached the Ugra River, a tributary of the Oka. Here he was met by the Russian army.
Akhmat's attempt to cross the Ugra was repulsed in a four-day battle. Then the khan began to wait for the Lithuanians. Ivan III, in order to gain time, began negotiations with him. At this time, the Crimean Khan Mengli Giray, an ally of Moscow, attacked the lands of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which did not allow Casimir to assist Akhmat. October 20 in reinforcements Ivan III the regiments of his brothers, Boris and Andrei Bolshoi, arrived. Having learned about this, Akhmat turned his army back to the steppe on November 11. Soon Akhmat was killed in the Horde. So Rus' finally broke the Horde yoke and gained independence.
6. Battle of Molodi (1572)
On July 29, 1572, the Battle of Molodi began - a battle whose outcome decided the course of Russian history.
The situation before the battle was very unfavorable. The main forces of the Russian army were stuck in a fierce struggle in the west with Sweden and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was possible to gather only a small zemstvo army and guardsmen under the command of Prince Mikhail Ivanovich Vorotynsky and governor Dmitry Ivanovich Khvorostinin against the Tatars. They were joined by a 7,000-strong detachment of German mercenaries and Don Cossacks. The total number of Russian troops was 20,034 people.
To fight the Tatar cavalry, Prince Vorotynsky decided to use the “walk-gorod” - a mobile fortress, behind the walls of which archers and gunners took refuge. Russian troops not only stopped the enemy, which was six times superior, but also put him to flight. The Crimean-Turkish army of Devlet-Girey was almost completely destroyed.
Only 20 thousand horsemen returned to Crimea, and none of the Janissaries escaped. The Russian army, including the oprichnina army, also suffered heavy losses. In the fall of 1572, the oprichnina regime was abolished. The heroic victory of the Russian army in the Battle of Molodin - the last major battle between Rus' and the Steppe - was of enormous geopolitical significance. Moscow was saved from complete destruction, and Russian state- from defeat and loss of independence. Russia retained control over the entire course of the Volga - the most important trade and transport artery. The Nogai horde, convinced of the weakness of the Crimean Khan, broke away from him.
7. Battle of Moscow (1612)
The Battle of Moscow became the decisive episode of the Time of Troubles. The occupation of Moscow was lifted by the forces of the Second Militia, led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. The garrison, completely blocked in the Kremlin and Kitay-Gorod, having received no help from King Sigismund III, began to experience an acute shortage of provisions, it even reached the point of cannibalism. On October 26, the remnants of the occupation detachment surrendered to the mercy of the winner.
Moscow was liberated. “The hope of taking possession of the entire Moscow state collapsed irrevocably,” wrote a Polish chronicler.
8. Battle of Poltava (1709)
On June 27, 1709, the general battle of the Northern War took place near Poltava with the participation of 37,000-strong Swedish and 60,000-strong Russian armies. Little Russian Cossacks participated in the battle on both sides, but most fought for the Russians. The Swedish army was almost completely destroyed. Charles XII and Mazepa fled to Turkish possessions in Moldavia.
Sweden's military forces were undermined, and its army was forever left among the best in the world. After the Battle of Poltava, Russia's superiority became obvious. Denmark and Poland resumed participation in the Nordic Alliance. Soon the end of Swedish domination in the Baltic was put to an end.
9. Battle of Chesma (1770)
The decisive naval battle in Chesme Bay took place at the height of the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774.
Despite the fact that the balance of forces in the battle was 30/73 (not in favor of the Russian fleet), the competent command of Alexei Orlov and the valor of our sailors allowed the Russians to gain strategic superiority in the battle.
The Turkish flagship Burj u Zafer was set on fire, followed by many more ships of the Turkish fleet.
Chesmen was a triumph for the Russian fleet, secured the blockade of the Dardanelles and seriously disrupted Turkish communications in the Aegean Sea.
10. Battle of Kozludzhi (1774)
During the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774, Russia achieved another important victory. The Russian army under the command of Alexander Suvorov and Mikhail Kamensky near the city of Kozludzha (now Suvorovo in Bulgaria), with an unequal balance of forces (24 thousand versus 40 thousand), was able to win. Alexander Suvorov managed to knock the Turks out of the hill and put them to flight without even resorting to a bayonet attack. This victory largely determined the outcome of the Russian-Turkish war and forced the Ottoman Empire to sign a peace treaty.
11. Capture of Ishmael (1790)
On December 22, 1790, Russian troops under the command of Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov stormed the previously impregnable Turkish fortress of Izmail.
Shortly before the war, with the help of French and German engineers, Izmail was turned into a fairly powerful fortress. Defended by a large garrison, it withstood two sieges undertaken by Russian troops without any particular difficulties.
Suvorov took command just 8 days before the final assault. He devoted all the remaining time to training soldiers. The troops trained to overcome obstacles and ramparts specially created near the Russian camp, and practiced hand-to-hand combat techniques on stuffed animals.
A day before the assault, a powerful artillery shelling of the city began from all guns. It was fired upon both from land and sea.
At 3 a.m., long before dawn, a flare was launched. This was a sign of preparation for the assault. Russian troops left the location and formed into three detachments of three columns.
At half past five the soldiers launched an attack. The fortress was attacked from all sides at once. By four o'clock the resistance was completely suppressed in all parts of the city - the impregnable fortress fell.
The Russians lost more than 2,000 soldiers killed and about 3,000 wounded in the battle. Significant losses. But they could not be compared with the losses of the Turks - they only lost about 26,000 people killed. The news of the capture of Ishmael spread throughout Europe like lightning.
The Turks realized the complete futility of further resistance and signed the Treaty of Jassy the following year. They renounced claims to Crimea and a protectorate over Georgia, and ceded part of the Black Sea region to Russia. The border between the Russian and Ottoman empires moved towards the Dniester. True, Ishmael had to be returned back to the Turks.
In honor of the capture of Izmail, Derzhavin and Kozlovsky wrote the song “Thunder of Victory, Ring Out!” Until 1816 it remained the unofficial anthem of the Empire.
12. Battle of Cape Tendra (1790)
The commander of the Turkish squadron, Hasan Pasha, managed to convince the Sultan of imminent defeat navy Russia, and at the end of August 1790 moved the main forces to Cape Tendra (not far from modern Odessa). However, for the anchored Turkish fleet, the rapid approach of the Russian squadron under the command of Fyodor Ushakov was an unpleasant surprise. Despite the superiority in the number of ships (45 versus 37), the Turkish fleet tried to flee. However, by that time, Russian ships had already attacked the front line of the Turks. Ushakov managed to remove all the flagship ships of the Turkish fleet from the battle and thereby demoralize the rest of the enemy squadron. The Russian fleet did not lose a single ship.
13. Battle of Borodino (1812)
On August 26, 1812, significant forces of the French and Russian armies clashed in the battle near the village of Borodino, 125 kilometers west of Moscow. The regular troops under the command of Napoleon numbered about 137 thousand people, the army of Mikhail Kutuzov with the Cossacks and militia that joined it reached 120 thousand. The rugged terrain made it possible to move reserves unnoticed, and to install artillery batteries on hills.
On August 24, Napoleon approached the Shevardinsky redoubt, which stood near the village of the same name, three miles in front of the Borodino field.
The Battle of Borodino began a day after the battle at the Shevardinsky redoubt and became the largest battle in the War of 1812. The losses on both sides were colossal: the French lost 28 thousand people, the Russians - 46.5 thousand.
Although Kutuzov gave the order to retreat to Moscow after the battle, in his report to Alexander I he called the Russian army the winner of the battle. Many Russian historians think so.
French scientists see the battle at Borodino differently. In their opinion, “in the Battle of the Moscow River” Napoleonic troops won. Napoleon himself, reflecting on the results of the battle, said: “The French showed themselves worthy of victory, and the Russians acquired the right to be invincible.”
14. Battle of Elisavetpol (1826)
One of the key episodes Russian-Persian war 1826-1828 was the battle near Elisavetpol (now the Azerbaijani city of Ganja). The victory then achieved by Russian troops under the command of Ivan Paskevich over Persian army Abbas Mirza, became an example of military leadership. Paskevich managed to use the confusion of the Persians who had fallen into the ravine to launch a counterattack. Despite the superior enemy forces (35 thousand against 10 thousand), the Russian regiments began to push back Abbas Mirza’s army along the entire front of the attack. The losses of the Russian side amounted to 46 killed, the Persians were missing 2,000 people.
15. Capture of Erivan (1827)
The fall of the fortified city of Erivan was the culmination of numerous Russian attempts to establish control over the Transcaucasus. Built in the middle of the 16th century, the fortress was considered impregnable and more than once became a stumbling block for the Russian army. Ivan Paskevich managed to competently besiege the city from three sides, placing cannons along the entire perimeter. “The Russian artillery acted wonderfully,” recalled the Armenians remaining in the fortress. Paskevich knew exactly where the Persian positions were located. On the eighth day of the siege, Russian soldiers burst into the city and dealt with the fortress garrison with bayonets.
16. Battle of Sarykamysh (1914)
By December 1914, during the First World War, Russia occupied a 350 km front from the Black Sea to Lake Van, while a significant part of the Caucasian Army was pushed forward - deep into Turkish territory. Turkey came up with a tempting plan to outflank the Russian forces, thereby cutting off railway Sarykamysh-Kars.
The tenacity and initiative of the Russians who defended Sarakamysh played a decisive role in the operation, the success of which literally hung by a thread. Unable to take Sarykamysh on the move, two Turkish corps fell into the arms of an icy cold, which became fatal for them.
Turkish troops lost 10 thousand people due to frostbite in just one day, December 14th.
The last attempt by the Turks to take Sarykamysh on December 17 was repulsed by Russian counterattacks and ended in failure. At this point, the offensive impulse of the Turkish troops, suffering from frosts and poor supplies, was exhausted.
The turning point has arrived. On the same day, the Russians launched a counteroffensive and drove the Turks back from Sarykamysh. The Turkish military leader Enver Pasha decided to intensify the frontal attack and transferred the main blow to Karaurgan, which was defended by parts of the Sarykamysh detachment of General Berkhman. But here, too, the fierce attacks of the 11th Turkish Corps, advancing on Sarykamysh from the front, were repelled.
On December 19, Russian troops advancing near Sarykamysh completely surrounded the 9th Turkish Corps, frozen by snow storms. Its remnants, after stubborn three-day battles, capitulated. Units of the 10th Corps managed to retreat, but were defeated near Ardahan.
On December 25, General N.N. Yudenich became commander of the Caucasian Army, who gave the order to launch a counteroffensive near Karaurgan. Having thrown back the remnants of the 3rd Army by 30–40 km by January 5, 1915, the Russians stopped the pursuit, which was carried out in a 20-degree cold. And there was almost no one to pursue.
Enver Pasha's troops lost 78 thousand people (over 80% of their personnel) killed, frozen, wounded and captured. Russian losses amounted to 26 thousand people (killed, wounded, frostbitten).
The victory at Sarykamysh stopped Turkish aggression in Transcaucasia and strengthened the position of the Caucasian Army.
17. Brusilovsky breakthrough (1916)
One of the most important operations on the Eastern Front in 1916 was the offensive on the Southwestern Front, designed not only to turn the tide of military operations on the Eastern Front, but also to cover the Allied offensive on the Somme. The result was the Brusilov breakthrough, which significantly undermined military power Austro-Hungarian army and pushed Romania to enter the war on the side of the Entente.
The offensive operation of the Southwestern Front under the command of General Alexei Brusilov, carried out from May to September 1916, became, according to military historian Anton Kersnovsky, “a victory such as we have never won in a world war.” The number of forces that were involved on both sides is also impressive - 1,732,000 Russian soldiers and 1,061,000 soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian and German armies.
18. Khalkhin-Gol operation
Since the beginning of 1939, in the area of the border between the Mongolian People's Republic (on the territory of which, in accordance with the Soviet-Mongolian protocol of 1936, there were Soviet troops) and the puppet state of Manchukuo, which was actually ruled by Japan, several incidents occurred between the Mongols and the Japanese-Manchus. Mongolia, behind which stood the Soviet Union, announced the passage of the border near the small village of Nomon-Khan-Burd-Obo, and Manchukuo, behind which stood Japan, drew the border along the Khalkhin-Gol River. In May, the command of the Japanese Kwantung Army concentrated significant forces at Khalkhin Gol. The Japanese managed to achieve superiority in infantry, artillery and cavalry over the Soviet 57th separate rifle corps deployed in Mongolia. However, Soviet troops had an advantage in aviation and armored forces. Since May, the Japanese held the eastern bank of Khalkhin Gol, but in the summer they decided to cross the river and seize a bridgehead on the “Mongolian” bank.
On July 2, Japanese units crossed the “Manchu-Mongolian” border officially recognized by Japan and tried to gain a foothold. The command of the Red Army brought into action all the forces that could be delivered to the conflict area. Soviet mechanized brigades, having made an unprecedented forced march through the desert, immediately entered the battle in the area of Mount Bayin-Tsagan, in which about 400 tanks and armored vehicles, over 300 guns and several hundred aircraft took part on both sides. As a result, the Japanese lost almost all of their tanks. During the 3-day bloody battle, the Japanese were pushed back across the river. However, now Moscow was insisting on a forceful solution to the issue, especially since there was a threat of a second Japanese invasion. G.K. Zhukov was appointed commander of the rifle corps. Aviation was strengthened by pilots with experience of fighting in Spain and China. On August 20, Soviet troops went on the offensive. By the end of August 23, Japanese troops were surrounded. An attempt to release this group made by the enemy was repulsed. Those surrounded fought fiercely until August 31. The conflict led to the complete resignation of the command of the Kwantung Army and a change of government. The new government immediately asked the Soviet side for a truce, which was signed in Moscow on September 15.
19. Battle of Moscow (1941-1942)
The long and bloody defense of Moscow, which began in September 1941, moved into the offensive phase on December 5, ending on April 20, 1942. On December 5, Soviet troops launched a counteroffensive and German divisions rolled west. The plan of the Soviet command - to encircle the main forces of Army Group Center east of Vyazma - could not be fully implemented. The Soviet troops lacked mobile formations, and there was no experience of a coordinated offensive of such masses of troops.
However, the result was impressive. The enemy was driven back 100–250 kilometers from Moscow, and the immediate threat to the capital, which was the most important industrial and transport hub, was eliminated. In addition, the victory near Moscow had enormous psychological significance. For the first time in the entire war, the enemy was defeated and retreated tens and hundreds of kilometers. German General Gunter Blumentritt recalled: “It was now important for Germany’s political leaders to understand that the days of the blitzkrieg were a thing of the past. We were confronted by an army whose fighting qualities were far superior to all other armies we had ever encountered.”
20. Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943)
The defense of Stalingrad became one of the most fierce operations of that war. By the end of the street fighting, which lasted from August to November, Soviet troops held only three isolated bridgeheads on the right bank of the Volga; There were 500–700 people left in the divisions of the 62nd Army that defended the city, but the Germans failed to throw them into the river. Meanwhile, since September, the Soviet command had been preparing an operation to encircle the German group advancing on Stalingrad.
On November 19, 1942, Soviet troops launched an offensive north of Stalingrad, and the next day - south of it. On November 23, the striking wedges of the Soviet troops met near the city of Kalach, which marked the encirclement of the enemy’s Stalingrad group. 22 enemy divisions (about 300 thousand people) were surrounded. This was the turning point of the entire war.
In December 1942, the German command tried to release the encircled group, but Soviet troops repelled this onslaught. The fighting in the Stalingrad area continued until February 2, 1943. Over 90 thousand enemy soldiers and officers (including 24 generals) surrendered.
Soviet trophies included 5,762 guns, 1,312 mortars, 12,701 machine guns, 156,987 rifles, 10,722 machine guns, 744 aircraft, 166 tanks, 261 armored vehicles, 80,438 cars, 10,679 motorcycles, 240 tractors, 571 tractors, 3 armored trains and other military property .
21. Battle of Kursk (1943)
The Battle of Kursk is one of the greatest in the history of the Great Patriotic War, marking a radical turning point in hostilities. After it, the strategic initiative completely passed into the hands of the Soviet command.
Building on the success achieved at Stalingrad, Soviet troops launched a large-scale offensive on the front from Voronezh to the Black Sea. At the same time, in January 1943, besieged Leningrad was released.
Only in the spring of 1943 did the Wehrmacht manage to stop the Soviet offensive in Ukraine. Although units of the Red Army occupied Kharkov and Kursk, and the advanced units of the Southwestern Front were already fighting on the outskirts of Zaporozhye, German troops, transferring reserves from other sectors of the front, pulling up troops from Western Europe, actively maneuvering mechanized formations, went on a counteroffensive and re-occupied Kharkov . As a result, the front line on the southern flank of the confrontation acquired a characteristic shape, which later became known as the Kursk Bulge.
It was here that the German command decided to inflict a decisive defeat on the Soviet troops. It was supposed to cut it off with blows at the base of the arc, encircling two Soviet fronts at once.
The German command planned to achieve success, among other things, through the widespread use of the latest types of military equipment. It was on the Kursk Bulge that heavy German Panther tanks and Ferdinand self-propelled artillery guns were first used.
The Soviet command knew about the enemy's plans and deliberately decided to cede the strategic initiative to the enemy. The idea was to wear down the Wehrmacht shock divisions in pre-prepared positions and then launch a counteroffensive. And we must admit: this plan was a success.
Yes, not everything went as planned and on the southern front of the arc German tank wedges almost broke through the defense, but on the whole Soviet operation developed according to the original plan. One of the largest tank battles in the world took place in the area of Prokhorovka station, in which over 800 tanks simultaneously took part. Although Soviet troops also suffered heavy losses in this battle, the Germans lost their offensive potential.
More than 100 thousand participants in the Battle of Kursk were awarded orders and medals, more than 180 were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. In honor of the victory in the Battle of Kursk, an artillery salute was fired for the first time.
22. Capture of Berlin (1945)
The assault on Berlin began on April 25, 1945 and continued until May 2. Soviet troops had to literally chew through the enemy’s defenses - battles took place for every crossroads, for every house. The city's garrison numbered 200 thousand people, who had about 3,000 guns and about 250 tanks, so the assault on Berlin was an operation quite comparable to the defeat of the encircled German army at Stalingrad.
On May 1, the new chief of the German General Staff, General Krebs, informed Soviet representatives about Hitler's suicide and proposed a truce. However, the Soviet side demanded unconditional surrender. In this situation, the new German government set a course for achieving an early surrender to the Western allies. Since Berlin was already surrounded, on May 2 the commander of the city’s garrison, General Weindling, capitulated, but only on behalf of the Berlin garrison.
It is characteristic that some units refused to carry out this order and tried to break through to the west, but were intercepted and defeated. Meanwhile, negotiations between German and Anglo-American representatives were taking place in Reims. The German delegation insisted on the surrender of troops on the western front, hoping to continue the war in the east, but the American command demanded unconditional surrender.
Finally, on May 7, it was signed unconditional surrender Germany, which was supposed to attack at 23.01 on May 8. On behalf of the USSR, this act was signed by General Susloparov. However, the Soviet government considered that the surrender of Germany should, firstly, take place in Berlin, and secondly, be signed by the Soviet command.
23. Defeat of the Kwantung Army (1945)
Japan during World War II was an ally of Nazi Germany and waged a war of conquest with China, during which all known species weapons mass destruction, including biological and chemical weapons.
Marshal Vasilevsky was appointed commander-in-chief of the Soviet troops in the Far East. In less than a month, Soviet troops defeated the million-strong Kwantung Army stationed in Manchuria and liberated all of Northern China and part of Central China from Japanese occupation.
The Kwantung Army was fought by a highly professional army. It was impossible to stop her. Military textbooks include the operation of Soviet troops to overcome the Gobi Desert and the Khingan Range. In just two days, the 6th Guards tank army crossed the mountains and found herself deep behind enemy lines. During this outstanding offensive, about 200 thousand Japanese were captured and many weapons and equipment were captured.
Through the heroic efforts of our fighters, the “Ostraya” and “Camel” heights of the Khutou fortified area were also taken. The approaches to the heights were in hard-to-reach swampy areas and were well protected by scarps and wire fences. The Japanese firing points were carved into granite rock.
The capture of the Hutou fortress cost the lives of over a thousand Soviet soldiers and officers. The Japanese did not negotiate and rejected all calls for surrender. During the 11 days of the assault, almost all of them died, only 53 people surrendered.
As a result of the war, the Soviet Union regained the territories lost to the Russian Empire in 1905 following the Peace of Portsmouth, but Japan has not yet recognized the loss of the Southern Kuril Islands. Japan capitulated, but a peace treaty with the Soviet Union was not signed.
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This reference and information collection "Frontiers of the military glory of the Fatherland: people, events, facts", prepared by the team of authors of the Institute of Military History of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, is part of the practical implementation of the State program "Patriotic education of citizens of the Russian Federation for 2001-2005", adopted on 16 February 2001 by the Government of the Russian Federation. The state status of the Program requires for its implementation to combine the efforts of federal executive authorities, executive authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, scientific, creative, public and other organizations of the country. The program determines the main ways of developing the system of patriotic education of citizens of the Russian Federation.
The content of the Program was based on the Federal Laws of the Russian Federation “On Education”, “On Higher and Postgraduate Professional Education”, “On Military Duty and Military Service”, “On Veterans”, “On the Days of Military Glory (Victory Days) of Russia” , "On the perpetuation of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945." Law of the Russian Federation “On perpetuating the memory of those killed in defense of the Fatherland”, as well as Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated December 31, 1999 N 1441 “On approval of the Regulations on the preparation of citizens of the Russian Federation for military service” and the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated January 10, 2000 . N 24 "On the Concept of National Security of the Russian Federation".
As part of the implementation of this State program, aimed at maintaining socio-political stability in society, restoring the economy and strengthening the country’s defense capability, a real work. In the book in short form stated reference material based on the most significant battles and battles in the military history of Russia, military reforms and some prominent domestic military reformers are assessed. The work reflects the biographical data of prominent commanders, naval commanders and military leaders of Russia, and military ministers. The work shows the evolution of power structures in Russia and the USSR from ancient times to beginning of the XXI V. For convenience, information is given in chronological order. The book is intended for everyone who is interested in the glorious military past of our Motherland.
The most significant battles and battles in the military history of Russia
Until the second half of the 19th century. It was customary to call a battle a decisive clash of the main forces of the warring parties, which unfolded in a limited space and had the character of a mass bloody and relatively fleeting hand-to-hand combat in order to defeat the enemy.
In the wars of the 20th century. a battle is a series of simultaneous and sequential offensive and defensive operations of large groupings of troops in the most important directions or theaters of military operations.
An operation is usually understood as a set of battles, battles, strikes and maneuvers coordinated and interconnected in terms of purpose, objectives, place and time, carried out simultaneously and sequentially according to a single concept and plan to solve problems in a theater of military operations or a strategic direction.
The battle is integral part operations and is a set of the most important battles and strikes carried out sequentially or simultaneously on the entire front or in a separate direction. Until the beginning of the 20th century. battles were divided into private and general, and in many cases the concept of “battle” was identified with the concepts of “battle” and “battle”.
Battles and battles of the X - early XX centuries. Battle of Dorostol 971
Prince of Kyiv Svyatoslav in 969 undertook a campaign to Bulgaria. The military successes of the Rus near Philippopolis and Adrianople and the likelihood of creating a strong Russian-Bulgarian state alarmed Byzantium. The commander Tzimiskes with 30 thousand infantry and 15 thousand cavalry opposed Svyatoslav, who had an army of 30 thousand.
On April 23, 971, the Byzantine army approached Dorostol (now the city of Silistria in Bulgaria). On the same day, the first battle took place, which began with an ambush attack by a small Russian detachment on the Byzantine vanguard. Svyatoslav's troops stood in the usual battle formation, shields closed and spears extended. Emperor Tzimiskes lined up horsemen in iron armor on the flanks of the infantry, and behind were riflemen and slingers who constantly showered the enemy with stones and arrows. Two days later, the Byzantine fleet approached Dorostol, and Tzimiskes launched an assault on the city walls, but it failed. By the end of the day on April 25, the city was completely surrounded by the Byzantines. During the blockade, Svyatoslav’s warriors made forays more than once, inflicting damage on the enemy.
On July 21, it was decided to give the last battle. The next day the Rus left the city, and Svyatoslav ordered the gates to be locked so that no one could think about escaping. According to the chronicler, before the battle, Svyatoslav addressed the squad with the following words: “Let us not disgrace the Russian lands, but let us lie down with their bones: the dead have no shame.” The battle began with Svyatoslav's warriors attacking the enemy army. By noon, the Byzantines began to gradually retreat. Tzimiskes himself rushed to the aid of the retreating troops with a select detachment of cavalry. To make better use of his numerical superiority, Tzimiskes lured the Rus to the plain with a false retreat. At this time, another detachment of Byzantines came to their rear and cut them off from the city. Svyatoslav's squad would have been destroyed if there had not been a second line of troops behind their battle formation - the "wall" -. The soldiers of the second line turned to the Byzantines, who struck from the rear, and did not allow them to approach the “wall.” Svyatoslav’s army had to fight surrounded, but thanks to the courage of the warriors, the encirclement ring was broken.
The next day, Svyatoslav invited Tzimiskes to begin negotiations. Svyatoslav undertook not to fight with Byzantium, and Tzimiskes had to let the Rus' boats through without hindrance and give two measures of bread to each warrior for the road. After this, Svyatoslav’s army moved home. The treacherous Byzantines warned the Pechenegs that the Rus were coming in a small force and with booty. On the Dnieper rapids, Svyatoslav was ambushed by the Pecheneg Khan Kurei and was killed.
Battle of the Ice 1242
In the early 40s of the 13th century. Swedish feudal lords, taking advantage of the weakening of Rus', decided to seize its northwestern lands, the cities of Pskov, Ladoga, Novgorod. In 1240, a 5,000-strong Swedish landing force on 100 ships entered the Neva and set up camp at the confluence of the Izhora River. Prince of Novgorod Alexander Yaroslavich, having gathered 1,500 soldiers, launched a sudden pre-emptive strike against the invading enemy and defeated him. For the brilliant victory, the Russian people named the 20-year-old commander Alexander Nevsky.
The German knights of the Livonian Order (a branch of the Teutonic Order in the Baltic states), taking advantage of the distraction of the Russian army to fight the Swedes, captured Izborsk, Pskov in 1240 and began to advance towards Novgorod. However, troops under the command of Alexander Nevsky launched a counteroffensive and stormed the Koporye fortress on the coast of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, and then liberated Pskov. In the spring of 1242, Russian troops (12 thousand people) reached Lake Peipus, bound by ice. Alexander Nevsky, taking into account the peculiarity of the tactics of the knights, who usually carried out a frontal attack with an armored wedge, called a “pig” in Rus', decided to weaken the center of the combat formation of the Russian army and strengthen the regiments of the right and left hands. He placed the cavalry, divided into two detachments, on the flanks behind the infantry. Behind the “chelo” (the regiment of the center of the battle formation) was the prince’s squad. On April 5, 1242, the crusaders (12 thousand people) attacked the advanced Russian regiment, but got bogged down in a battle with the “brow”. At this time, the regiments of the right and left hands covered the flanks of the “pig”, and the cavalry struck the rear of the enemy, who was completely defeated. As a result of this victory, the knightly expansion to the east was stopped and the Russian lands were saved from enslavement.
Battle of Kulikovo 1380
In the second half of the 14th century. The Principality of Moscow began an open struggle to overthrow the yoke of the Golden Horde. This fight was led by Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich. In 1378 Russian army under his command on the river. The leader was defeated by a strong Mongol-Tatar detachment of Murza Begich. In response to this, the ruler of the Golden Horde, Emir Mamai, launched a new campaign against Rus' in 1380. The Russian army, led by Dmitry Ivanovich, came out to meet the enemy, who decided to forestall the enemy and not give him the opportunity to unite with the allied army Lithuanian prince Jagiello. Before the battle, Russian troops (50-70 thousand people) lined up on the Kulikovo field in a battle formation that had great depth. In front was a guard regiment, behind it was an advanced regiment, in the center was a large regiment and on the flanks were regiments of the right and left hands. Behind the large regiment there was a reserve (cavalry), and in “Green Dubrava” behind the left flank of the main forces there was an ambush regiment. Mamai's army (over 90-100 thousand people) consisted of a vanguard (light cavalry), main forces (infantry in the center, and cavalry deployed in two lines on the flanks) and reserve. On September 8 at 11 o'clock the guard regiment, in which Dmitry himself was located, attacked swipe, crushed the intelligence of the Mongol-Tatars and forced Mamai to begin the battle even before the approach of the Lithuanian army. During the fierce battle, all enemy attempts to break through the center and right wing of the Russian army failed. However, the enemy cavalry managed to overcome the resistance of the left wing of the Russian army and reach the rear of its main forces. The outcome of the battle was decided by a sudden attack by an ambush regiment on the flank and rear of the Mongol-Tatar cavalry that had broken through. As a result, the enemy could not withstand the blow and began to retreat, and then fled. For the victory on the Kulikovo field, Prince Dmitry Ivanovich was nicknamed Donskoy. This victory marked the beginning of the liberation of Rus' from the Golden Horde yoke.
100 years later, in October 1480, the Russian and Golden Horde troops met again, but now on the river. Ugra. All attempts by the enemy to cross to the opposite bank of the river were repulsed, and after a long confrontation he began to retreat, not daring to go on the offensive. This event, which took place on November 12, 1480, marked the complete liberation of Rus' from the yoke of the Golden Horde.
Battle of Molodi 1572
In 1572, the Crimean Khan Devlet-Girey, taking advantage of the fact that the main forces of the Russian army were in Livonia, decided to make a lightning raid on Moscow. He gathered significant forces under his banner: strong cavalry detachments of Nogais joined the 60,000-strong horde along the way. Numerous Khan's artillery was served by Turkish gunners. At the disposal of the governor M.I. Vorotynsky there were no more than twenty thousand warriors. But the campaign of the Krymchaks did not come as a surprise to the Russian command. The village and guard service, created shortly before, warned of the approach of the enemy. In July, the Tatars approached Tula and, having crossed the Oka, moved towards Moscow. The commander of the advanced regiment, Prince D.I. Khvorostinin, in the battle at Senka Ford, managed to delay the vanguard of the Tatar army, but when the main forces of the enemy crossed the Oka, the governor decided to withdraw the regiment.
Prince Vorotynsky, standing at the head of the Great Regiment in Kolomna, decided to use flank attacks to delay the advance of the Tatar horde to the capital, and with his main forces to catch up with the enemy and impose a decisive battle on him on the outskirts of Moscow. While Vorotynsky and his main forces were making a roundabout maneuver, the regiments of governors Khvorostinin, Odoevsky and Sheremetev struck at the rear of the Tatar army. Odoevsky and Sheremetev on the Nara River inflicted significant damage on the Tatar cavalry, and on August 7 Khvorostinina defeated the rearguard of the Crimean army, which consisted of selected cavalry detachments. By this time, Voivode Vorotynsky had managed to move the main forces from Kolomna and hid them in a mobile fortress ("walk-city") 45 km from Moscow "on Molodi". When the Tatars arrived there on August 10, they came under heavy artillery fire and suffered significant losses.
Decisive battle happened on August 11th. The Tatars launched an assault on the mobile fortress, which was defended by Khvorostinin with small forces. Time after time, Tatar waves rolled onto the walls of the “walk-city”. The archers beat them at point-blank range with arquebuses, and cut down the Tatars with sabers, “children of the boyars.” While the Krymchaks unsuccessfully attacked the hiding archers, Vorotynsky with his main forces quietly reached the rear of the Khan’s army along the bottom of the ravine. At the agreed signal, Khvorostinin opened fire from all arquebuses and cannons, and then launched a sortie. At the same time, Vorotynsky struck from the rear. The Tatars could not withstand the double blow. A panicked retreat began, an example of which was shown by Devlet-Girey himself. The army abandoned by the khan completely scattered. The Russian cavalry rushed after the Tatars, completing a complete rout.
The victory of the Moscow regiments at Molodi permanently eliminated the threat to the southern borders of Rus' from the Crimea.
Heroic defense of Pskov August 1581 - January 1582
Under Tsar Ivan IV (1530-1584) Russian state led a fierce struggle: in the southeast - with the Kazan, Astrakhan and Crimean khanates, in the west - for access to the Baltic Sea. In 1552, the Russian army captured Kazan. In 1556-1557 The Astrakhan Khanate and the Nogai Horde recognized vassal dependence on the Russian state, and Chuvashia, Bashkiria and Kabarda voluntarily became part of it. With the security of the southeastern borders secured, it became possible to break the blockade in the west, where the Livonian Order was persistently pushing Russia away from the countries of Western Europe. In January 1558, the Livonian War began, which lasted 25 years.
The troops of the Livonian Order could not resist for long, and in 1560 Livonia fell apart. On its territory the Duchy of Courland and the Bishopric of Riga, dependent on Poland and Sweden, were formed. In 1569 Poland and Lithuania formed single state- Rzeczpospolita. These countries presented a united front against Russia. The war became protracted.
In 1570, Sweden began military operations against the Russians in the Baltic states. Nine years later, the army of the Polish king Stefan Batory captured Polotsk and Velikiye Luki. In August 1581, more than 50,000 troops (according to some sources, about 100,000 people) of Batory surrounded Pskov, which was defended by a 20,000-strong garrison. The defenders repelled all enemy attacks for four and a half months, withstanding more than 30 assaults. Having failed to achieve success near Pskov, Batory was forced on January 15, 1582 to conclude a truce with Russia for 10 years, and a year later a truce was signed between Russia and Sweden, putting an end to the Livonian War.
Liberation of Moscow from Polish invaders in 1612
After the death of Ivan IV in 1584 and his son Fyodor in 1589, the Rurik dynasty was interrupted. The boyars took advantage of this and fought among themselves for power. In 1604, Polish troops invaded Russian territory, and in 1610, the Swedes.
On September 21, 1610, Polish invaders, taking advantage of the betrayal of the boyars, captured Moscow. Residents of the capital and other Russian cities rose up to fight them. In the fall of 1611, on the initiative of the town head of Nizhny Novgorod, Kozma Minin, a militia (20 thousand people) was created. It was headed by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and Kozma Minin. At the end of August 1612, the militia blocked the 3,000-strong Polish garrison in Kitay-Gorod and the Kremlin, thwarted all attempts of the Polish army (12,000 people) of Hetman Jan Chodkiewicz to release the besieged, and then defeated it. After careful preparation, the Russian militia took Kitay-Gorod by storm on October 22. On October 25, the Poles holed up in the Kremlin released all the hostages, and capitulated the next day.
With the expulsion of the interventionists from Russia, the restoration of its statehood began. Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov was elected to the throne in 1613. But the struggle with the Poles continued for many years, and only on December 1, 1618, a truce was signed between Russia and Poland.
Battle of Poltava 1709
During the reign of Peter I (1682-1725), Russia faced two difficult problems related to access to the seas - the Black and Baltic. However Azov campaigns 1695-1696, which ended with the capture of Azov, did not allow the issue of access to the Black Sea to be completely resolved, since Kerch Strait remained in Turkish hands.
Peter I's trip to the countries of Western Europe convinced him that neither Austria nor Venice would become Russia's allies in the war with Turkey. But during the “great embassy” (1697-1698), Peter I became convinced that a favorable situation had developed in Europe for solving the Baltic problem - getting rid of Swedish rule in the Baltic states. Denmark and Saxony, whose elector Augustus II was also the Polish king, joined Russia.
The first years of the Northern War 1700-1721. turned out to be a serious test for the Russian army. The Swedish king Charles XII, having a first-class army and navy in his hands, brought Denmark out of the war and defeated the Polish-Saxon and Russian armies. In the future, he planned to capture Smolensk and Moscow.
Peter I, anticipating the advance of the Swedes, took measures to strengthen the northwestern borders from Pskov to Smolensk. This forced Charles XII to abandon his attack on Moscow. He took his army to Ukraine, where, counting on the support of the traitor Hetman I.S. Mazepa, intended to replenish supplies, spend the winter, and then, joining the corps of General A. Levengaupt, move to the center of Russia. However, on September 28 (October 9), 1708, Levengaupt’s troops were intercepted near the village of Lesnoy by a flying corps (corvolant) under the command of Peter I. In order to quickly defeat the enemy, about 5 thousand Russian infantry were mounted on horses. They were assisted by about 7 thousand dragoons. The corps was opposed by Swedish troops numbering 13 thousand people, who guarded 3 thousand carts with food and ammunition.
The Battle of Lesnaya ended in a brilliant victory for the Russian army. The enemy lost 8.5 thousand people killed and wounded. Russian troops captured almost the entire convoy and 17 guns, losing over 1,000 people killed and 2,856 people wounded. This victory testified to the increased fighting strength of the Russian army and contributed to the strengthening of its morale. Peter I later called the battle at Lesnaya “the Mother of the Poltava Battle.” Charles XII lost much-needed reinforcements and convoys. Overall, the Battle of Lesnaya had a great influence on the course of the war. It prepared the conditions for a new, even more magnificent victory of the Russian regular army near Poltava.
During the winter of 1708-1709. Russian troops, avoiding a general battle, exhausted the forces of the Swedish invaders in separate battles and clashes. In the spring of 1709, Charles XII decided to resume the attack on Moscow through Kharkov and Belgorod. In order to create favorable conditions To carry out this operation, it was planned to first capture Poltava. The city garrison under the command of Colonel A.S. Kelina consisted of only 4 thousand soldiers and officers, who were supported by 2.5 thousand armed residents. They heroically defended Poltava, withstanding 20 assaults. As a result, the Swedish army (35 thousand people) was detained under the walls of the city for two months, from April 30 (May 11) to June 27 (July 8), 1709. The persistent defense of the city made it possible for the Russian army to prepare for a general battle.
Peter I at the head of the Russian army (42 thousand people) was located 5 km from Poltava. In front of the position of the Russian troops stretched a wide plain, bordered by forests. On the left there was a copse through which the only possible path for the Swedish army to advance passed. Peter I ordered the construction of redoubts along this route (six in a line and four perpendicular). They were quadrangular earthen fortifications with ditches and parapets, located one from the other at a distance of 300 steps. Each of the redoubts housed two battalions (over 1,200 soldiers and officers with six regimental guns). Behind the redoubts there was cavalry (17 dragoon regiments) under the command of A.D. Menshikov. Peter I's plan was to exhaust the Swedish troops at the redoubts and then deal them a crushing blow in a field battle. In Western Europe, Peter's tactical innovation was applied only in 1745.
The Swedish army (30 thousand people) was built in front at a distance of 3 km from the Russian redoubts. Its battle formation consisted of two lines: the first - infantry, built in 4 columns; the second is cavalry, built in 6 columns.
Early in the morning of June 27 (July 8), the Swedes went on the offensive. They managed to capture two unfinished forward redoubts, but were unable to take the rest. During the passage of the Swedish army through the redoubts, a group of 6 infantry battalions and 10 cavalry squadrons was cut off from the main forces and captured by the Russians. With heavy losses, the Swedish army managed to break through the redoubts and reach the open. Peter I also withdrew his troops from the camp (with the exception of 9 reserve battalions), who prepared for the decisive battle. At 9 o'clock in the morning, both armies converged and hand-to-hand combat began. The right wing of the Swedes began to press the center of the combat formation of the Russian troops. Then Peter I personally led a battalion of the Novgorod regiment into battle and closed the emerging breakthrough. The Russian cavalry began to cover the Swedes' flank, threatening their rear. The enemy wavered and began to retreat, and then fled. By 11 o'clock the Battle of Poltava ended in a convincing victory for Russian weapons. The enemy lost 9,234 soldiers and officers killed and over 3 thousand captured. The losses of Russian troops amounted to 1,345 people killed and 3,290 people wounded. The remnants of the Swedish troops (more than 15 thousand people) fled to the Dnieper and were captured by Menshikov’s cavalry. Charles XII and Hetman Mazepa managed to cross the river and leave for Turkey.
Most of the Swedish army was destroyed on the Poltava field. The power of Sweden was undermined. The victory of Russian troops near Poltava predetermined the victorious outcome of the Northern War for Russia. Sweden was no longer able to recover from the defeat.
In the military history of Russia, the Battle of Poltava rightfully ranks with Battle on the ice, Battle of Kulikovo and Borodino.
Battle of Gangut northern war 1714
After the victory at Poltava, the Russian army during 1710-1713. expelled Swedish troops from the Baltic states. However, the Swedish fleet (25 warships and auxiliary vessels) continued to operate in the Baltic Sea. The Russian rowing fleet consisted of 99 galleys, half-galleys and scampaways with a landing force of about 15 thousand people. Peter I planned to break through to the Abo-Aland skerries and land troops to reinforce the Russian garrison in Abo (100 km northwest of Cape Gangut). On July 27 (August 7), 1714, a naval battle between the Russian and Swedish fleets began at Cape Gangut. Peter I, skillfully using the advantage of rowing ships over the enemy's linear sailing ships in the conditions of a skerry area and calm wind, defeated the enemy. As a result, the Russian fleet received freedom of action in the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia, and the Russian army received the opportunity to transfer military operations to Swedish territory.
The battle of the Russian rowing fleet at Gangut in 1714, the Ezel naval battle in 1719, and the victory of the Russian rowing fleet at Grengam in 1720 finally broke the power of Sweden at sea. On August 30 (September 10), 1721, a peace treaty was signed in Nystadt. As a result of the Peace of Nystadt, the shores of the Baltic Sea (Riga, Pernov, Revel, Narva, Ezel and Dago islands, etc.) were returned to Russia. It became one of the largest European states and in 1721 officially became known as the Russian Empire.
Battle of Kunersdrof 1759
During the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763. On August 19 (30), 1757, Russian troops defeated the Prussian army at Gross-Jägersdorf, occupied Königsberg on January 11 (22), 1758, and on August 14 (25) of the same year defeated the troops of Frederick II at Zorndorf. In July 1759, the Russian army captured Frankfurt an der Oder, posing a threat to Berlin. On August 1 (12), on the right bank of the Oder, 5 km from Frankfurt, near Kunersdorf, the largest battle of the Seven Years' War took place, in which 60 thousand people took part from the Russian and allied Austrian army, and 48 thousand people from Prussia. The allies under the command of Chief General P.S. Saltykov repelled all attacks of the Prussian troops, and then launched a counter-offensive, which ended in the defeat of the Prussian army. The victory at Kunersdorf was achieved thanks to the superiority of the tactics of the Russian troops over the standard tactics of the Prussian army. The enemy lost about 19 thousand people, and the allies - 15 thousand.
Battle of Chem 1770
With the beginning of the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774. Empress Catherine II decided to lead it offensively. To implement the planned plan, three armies were deployed in the south of the country, and on July 18 (29) a squadron under the command of G.A. set off from the Baltic to the Mediterranean Sea. Spiridova. The general leadership of military operations in the Mediterranean Sea was entrusted to Count A.G. Orlova.
On June 24 (July 5), 1770, a Russian squadron consisting of 9 battleships, 3 frigates, 1 bombardier ship and 17 auxiliary ships in the Chios Strait entered into battle with the Turkish fleet, consisting of 16 battleships, 6 frigates and about 50 auxiliary ships , under the command of Admiral Hasan Bey. During the battle, the Turkish flagship Real Mustafa was destroyed, but the Russian ship Eustathius was also killed. Deprived of control, the enemy fleet retreated in disarray to Chesme Bay, where it was blocked by a Russian squadron.
On the night of June 26 (July 7), the Russian vanguard consisting of 4 battleships, 2 frigates, 1 bombardment ship and 4 fire ships under the command of S.K. was sent to Chesme Bay to destroy it. Greig. Entering the bay, the battleships anchored and opened fire on the Turkish fleet. The frigates fought with the Turkish coastal batteries. Then 4 fire ships went on the attack, one of which, under the command of Lieutenant D.S. Ilyin, set fire to a Turkish ship, the fire from which spread to the entire Turkish fleet. As a result of the battle, the enemy fleet lost 15 battleships, 6 frigates and about 40 smaller ships. Turkish personnel losses amounted to 11 thousand people.
The victory in the Battle of Chesme contributed to the successful conduct of hostilities in the main theater of war and marked the beginning of the permanent naval presence of the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean Sea.
Battle of the Cahul River 1770
During the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774. one of its largest battles took place near the river. Cahul. On July 21 (August 1), 1770, the Turkish command concentrated 100 thousand cavalry and 50 thousand infantry near the river. The 80,000-strong cavalry of the Crimean Tatars entered the rear of the army of Field Marshal P. A. Rumyantsev (38 thousand people) moving towards Cahul. In order to cover his rear and convoy, Rumyantsev allocated over 10 thousand soldiers against the Crimean cavalry, and with the rest of his forces (27 thousand people) he decided to attack the Turkish army. During a fierce battle, the 150,000-strong Turkish army was defeated. The enemy's losses amounted to 20 thousand people, and the Russian army - 1.5 thousand. During the battle, Rumyantsev skillfully used a square of battle formation, which allowed him to maneuver on the battlefield and repel attacks of the Turkish cavalry.
Battle of the Rymnik River 1789
The period of the Russian-Turkish war 1787-1791. marked by a number of battles on land and sea. One of them was the battle on the river. Rymnik September 11 (22), 1789 between the 100,000-strong Turkish army and the allied army (7,000-strong Russian and 18,000-strong Austrian detachments). Turkish troops occupied three fortified camps located at a distance of 6-7 km from one another. A.V. Suvorov, who commanded the Russian detachment, decided to defeat the enemy piecemeal. For this purpose, he used battalion squares in two lines, behind which the cavalry advanced. During a stubborn battle that lasted 12 hours, the Turkish army was completely defeated. The Russians and Austrians lost 1 thousand people killed and wounded, and the Turks - 10 thousand.
Battle of Tendra Island 1790
The naval battle off Tendra Island took place during the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-1791. between the Russian squadron (37 ships and auxiliary vessels) of Rear Admiral F.F. Ushakov and the Turkish squadron (45 ships and auxiliary vessels). On August 28 (September 8), 1790, the Russian squadron suddenly attacked the enemy on the move, without changing into battle formation. During a fierce battle that ended on August 29 (September 9), the Turkish squadron was defeated. As a result of this victory, the lasting dominance of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea was ensured.
Storm of Ishmael 1790
Special significance during the Russian-Turkish war of 1787-1791. had the capture of Izmail, the citadel of Turkish rule on the Danube.
Izmail, called "Ordu-kalessi" ("army fortress") by the Turks, was rebuilt by Western engineers in accordance with the requirements of modern fortification. From the south the fortress was protected by the Danube. A ditch 12 m wide and up to 10 m deep was dug around the fortress walls. Inside the city there were many stone buildings convenient for defense. The fortress garrison numbered 35 thousand people with 265 guns.
Russian troops approached Izmail in November 1790 and began its siege. However, bad autumn weather made combat operations difficult. Sickness began among the soldiers. And then the commander-in-chief of the Russian army, Field Marshal General A. Potemkin, decided to entrust the capture of Izmail to A. V. Suvorov, who arrived in the army on December 2 (13). Suvorov had 31 thousand people and 500 guns under his command.
Suvorov immediately began preparing for the assault. The troops were trained to overcome obstacles using fascines and assault ladders. Much attention was paid to raising the morale of Russian soldiers. The plan for the assault on Izmail was a sudden night attack of the fortress from three sides at once with the support of a river flotilla.
After completing preparations for the assault, A.V. Suvorov sent a letter to the commandant of the fortress Aidos Mehmet Pasha on December 7 (18) demanding surrender. The commandant's envoy conveyed the answer that “it would be more likely for the Danube to stop in its flow, for the sky to fall to the ground, than for Ishmael to surrender.”
On December 10 (21), Russian artillery opened fire on the fortress and continued it all day. On December 11 (22), at 3 o'clock in the morning, at a signal from a rocket, columns of Russian troops began to advance to the walls of Izmail. At 5.30 the assault began. The Turks opened strong rifle and cannon fire, but it did not hold back the rush of the attackers. After a ten-hour assault and street fighting, Ishmael was taken. During the capture of Izmail, Major General M.I. Kutuzov, who was appointed commandant of the fortress, distinguished himself.
Enemy losses amounted to up to 26 thousand killed and about 9 thousand captured. The Russian army lost 4 thousand killed and 6 thousand wounded.
Izmail was taken by an army that was inferior in number to the garrison of the fortress - an extremely rare case in the history of military art. The advantage of an open assault on fortresses compared to the then dominant methods in the West of capturing them through a long siege was also revealed. The new method made it possible to take fortresses in a shorter time and with few losses.
The thunder of the cannons near Izmail announced one of the most brilliant victories of Russian weapons. The legendary feat of Suvorov's miracle heroes, who crushed the strongholds of the impregnable fortress, became a symbol of Russian military glory. The assault on the Izmail fortress ended the military campaign of 1790. However, Türkiye did not lay down its arms. And only the defeat of the Sultan’s army near Machin in the Balkans, the capture of Anapa in the Caucasus, and the victory of Rear Admiral F.F. Ushakov in the naval battle of Kaliak-ria forced the Ottoman Empire to enter into peace negotiations. On December 29, 1791 (January 9, 1792), the Treaty of Jassy was concluded. Türkiye finally recognized Crimea as part of Russia.
Battle of Cape Kaliakra 1791
There was a Russian-Turkish war of 1787-1791. After the defeat at Izmail in December 1790, Türkiye did not lay down its arms, placing last hopes to your fleet. July 29 (August 9) Admiral F.F. Ushakov led the Black Sea Fleet out to sea from Sevastopol, consisting of 16 battleships, 2 frigates, 2 bombardment ships, 17 cruising ships, 1 fire ship and a rehearsal ship (998 guns in total) with the goal of searching for and destroying the Turkish fleet. On July 31 (August 11), on the approach to Cape Kaliakria, he discovered the Turkish fleet of Kapudan Pasha Hussein at anchor, consisting of 18 battleships, 17 frigates and 43 smaller ships (1,800 guns in total). The Russian flagship, having assessed the enemy’s position, decided to win the wind and cut off the Turkish ships from the coastal batteries covering it in order to give a general battle on the high seas in favorable conditions.
The rapid approach of the Russian fleet took the enemy by surprise. Despite the powerful fire from the coastal batteries, the Russian fleet, having reorganized into a battle formation as it approached the enemy, passed between the shore and the Turkish ships, and then attacked the enemy with short distance. The Turks desperately resisted, but could not withstand the fire of Russian cannons and, cutting off the anchor ropes, began to retreat randomly to the Bosphorus. The entire Turkish fleet was scattered across the sea. Of its composition, 28 ships did not return to their ports, including 1 battleship, 4 frigates, 3 brigantines and 21 gunboats. All surviving battleships and frigates were seriously damaged. Most of the crews of the Turkish fleet were destroyed, while Russian ships 17 people were killed and 28 injured. The Black Sea Fleet had no losses in its ship composition.
Since the Chesme fire (1770), the Turkish fleet has not known such a crushing defeat. As a result of the victory, the Russian fleet gained complete dominance in the Black Sea, and Russia finally established itself as an influential Black Sea power. The defeat of the Turkish fleet in the battle of Cape Kaliakria largely contributed to the final defeat of Turkey in the war with Russia. On January 9 (20), 1792, a peace treaty was signed in Iasi, according to which Russia secured Crimea and the entire northern coast of the Black Sea.
Battle of Borodino 1812
During the Patriotic War of 1812, the commander-in-chief of the united Russian armies M.I. Kutuzov decided to stop the advance of Napoleon's army towards Moscow near the village of Borodino. Russian troops went on the defensive in a strip 8 km wide. The right flank of the position of the Russian troops adjoined the Moscow River and was protected by a natural barrier - the Koloch River. The center rested on the Kurgannaya height, and the left flank abutted the Utitsky forest, but had open space in front of it. To strengthen the position on the left flank, artificial earthen fortifications were built - flashes, which were occupied by the army of P. I. Bagration. Napoleon, who adhered to offensive tactics, decided to strike at the left flank of the combat formation of the Russian troops, break through the defenses and reach their rear, and then, pressing them to the Moscow River, destroy them. On August 26 (September 7), after powerful artillery preparation, the French army (135 thousand people) attacked Bagration’s flushes. After eight attacks, by 12 noon they were captured by the enemy, but the retreating Russian troops (120 thousand people) prevented his breakthrough on the left flank. The onslaught of the French in the center on Kurgan Heights (Raevsky's battery) ended just as fruitlessly. Napoleon's attempt to introduce the guard, the last reserve, into the battle was thwarted by a raid by the Cossacks of M. I. Platov and the cavalry of F. P. Uvarov. By the end of the day, the Russian army continued to stand firmly in the Borodino positions. Napoleon, convinced of the futility of the attacks and fearing that the Russian troops would take active action, was forced to withdraw his troops to the starting line. During the battle, the French lost 58 thousand, and the Russians - 44 thousand people. On the Borodino field the myth of the invincibility of Napoleonic army was dispelled.
Navarino naval battle 1827
The battle in Navarino Bay (the southwestern coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula) between the united squadrons of Russia, England and France, on the one hand, and the Turkish-Egyptian fleet, on the other, took place during the Greek national liberation revolution of 1821-1829.
The united squadrons included: from Russia - 4 battleships, 4 frigates; from England - 3 battleships, 5 corvettes; from France - 3 battleships, 2 frigates, 2 corvettes. Commander - English Vice Admiral E. Codrington. The Turkish-Egyptian squadron under the command of Muharrem Bey consisted of 3 battleships, 23 frigates, 40 corvettes and brigs.
Before the start of the battle, Codrington sent an envoy to the Turks, then a second one. Both envoys were killed. In response, the united squadrons attacked the enemy on October 8 (20), 1827. The Battle of Navarino lasted about 4 hours and ended with the destruction of the Turkish-Egyptian fleet. His losses amounted to about 60 ships and up to 7 thousand people. The Allies did not lose a single ship, with only about 800 men killed or wounded.
During the battle, the following distinguished themselves: the flagship of the Russian squadron "Azov" under the command of Captain 1st Rank M.P. Lazarev, which destroyed 5 enemy ships. Lieutenant P. S. Nakhimov, midshipman V. A. Kornilov and midshipman V. I. Istomin - future heroes of the Battle of Sinop and the defense of Sevastopol in the Crimean War of 1853-1856 - skillfully acted on this ship.
Battle of Sinop 1853
At the beginning of the Crimean War of 1853-1856, actions at sea became decisive. The Turkish command planned to land a large assault force in the area of Sukhum-Kale and Poti. For these purposes, it concentrated large naval forces in the Sinop Bay under the command of Osman Pasha. To destroy it, a squadron of the Black Sea Fleet under the command of P.S. left Sevastopol. Nakhimov. On the approach to Sinop, Nakhimov discovered a Turkish squadron consisting of 7 large frigates, 3 corvettes, 2 steam frigates, 2 brigs and 2 military transports, which were under the protection of coastal batteries. Nakhimov blocked the enemy in Sinop Bay and decided to attack him. Nakhimov had 6 battleships, 2 frigates and 1 brig at his disposal.
The signal for battle was raised on Nakhimov’s flagship at 9:30 a.m. on November 18 (30). On the approach to the bay, the Russian squadron was met with fire from Turkish ships and coastal batteries. The Russian ships continued to approach the enemy without firing a single shot, and only when they arrived at the designated places and anchored did they open fire. During the battle, which lasted 3 hours, 15 of 16 enemy ships were set on fire, and 4 of 6 coastal batteries were blown up.
The Battle of Sinop ended in the complete victory of Russian weapons. The Turks lost almost all their ships and over 3,000 killed. The wounded commander of the Turkish squadron, Vice Admiral Osman Pasha, the commanders of three ships and about 200 sailors surrendered. The Russian squadron had no losses in ships. The defeat of the Turkish squadron significantly weakened Turkey's naval forces and thwarted its plans to land troops on the Caucasus coast.
The Battle of Sinop was the last major battle of the era of the sailing fleet.
Defense of Sevastopol 1854-1855.
During the Crimean War, the 120,000-strong Anglo-French-Turkish army began an assault on Sevastopol on October 5 (17), 1854, which was defended by a garrison of 58 thousand people. For 11 months, Russian troops steadfastly held the defense of the city, despite the enemy's superiority in forces and means. The organizers of the defense of Sevastopol were Vice Admiral V.A. Kornilov, and after his death - P.S. Nakhimov and V.I. Istomin. Attempts by the Russian field army to lift the siege of the city were unsuccessful. On August 27 (September 8), 1855, its defenders left the South Side and crossed to the North Side via a floating bridge.
Defense of Shipka 1877-1878
During the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. A Russian-Bulgarian detachment under the command of N. G. Stoletov occupied the Shipka Pass in the Stara Planina Mountains (Bulgaria). For 5 months, from July 7 (19), 1877 to January 1878, Russian and Bulgarian soldiers repelled all attempts by Turkish troops to seize the pass, holding it until the Russian Danube Army launched a general offensive.
Siege of Plevna in 1877
During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878. The combined Russian-Romanian troops, after unsuccessful assaults on Plevna, moved on to a siege, blocking the Turkish troops. On the night of November 27 to 28 (December 9 to 10), parts of the Turkish garrison attempted to break the blockade, but, having lost 6 thousand people killed and 43 thousand prisoners, capitulated. The losses of the Russian-Romanian troops amounted to 39 thousand people killed. In the battles near Plevna from July 8 (20) to November 28 (December 10), 1877, the tactics of rifle chains were developed, and the need to increase the role of howitzer artillery in preparing the attack was revealed.
Shutrm of Kars in 1877
One of the important achievements of Russian military art is the skillful assault on the Kare fortress during the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878. Before the start of the assault, artillery bombardment of the fortress, whose garrison consisted of 25 thousand people, was carried out for 8 days (with interruptions). After which, on November 5 (17), 1877, a simultaneous attack began by five columns of a detachment (14.5 thousand people) under the command of General I. D. Lazarev. During a fierce battle, Russian troops broke the enemy's resistance and captured the fortress on November 6 (18). More than 17 thousand Turkish soldiers and officers were captured.
Defense of Port Arthur in 1904
On the night of January 27 (February 9), 1904, Japanese destroyers suddenly attacked a Russian squadron stationed in the outer roadstead in Port Arthur, damaging 2 battleships and one cruiser. This act started the Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905.
At the end of July 1904, the siege of Port Arthur began (garrison - 50.5 thousand people, 646 guns). The 3rd Japanese Army, which stormed the fortress, numbered 70 thousand people, about 70 guns. After three unsuccessful assaults, the enemy, having received reinforcements, launched a new assault on November 13 (26). Despite the courage and heroism of the defenders of Port Arthur, the commandant of the fortress, General A. M. Stessel, contrary to the opinion of the military council, surrendered it to the enemy on December 20, 1904 (January 2, 1905). In the fight for Port Arthur, the Japanese lost 110 thousand people and 15 ships.
The cruiser "Varyag", part of the 1st Pacific squadron, together with the gunboat "Koreets" during Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905 entered on January 27 (February 9), 1904, into an unequal battle with the ships of the Japanese squadron, sank one destroyer and damaged 2 cruisers. "Varyag" was scuttled by the crew to avoid its capture by the enemy.
BATTLE OF MUKDE 1904
The Battle of Mukden took place on February 6 (19) - February 25 (March 10), 1904 during the Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905. Three Russian armies (293 thousand bayonets and sabers) took part in the battle against five Japanese armies (270 thousand bayonets and sabers).
Despite the almost equal balance of forces, Russian troops under the command of General A.N. Kuropatkin were defeated, but the goal of the Japanese command - to encircle and destroy them - was not achieved. The Battle of Mukden, in concept and scope (front - 155 km, depth - 80 km, duration - 19 days), was the first front-line defensive operation in Russian history.
Battles and operations of the First World War 1914-1918.
World War I 1914-1918 was caused by the aggravation of contradictions between the leading powers of the world in the struggle for the redistribution of spheres of influence and investment of capital. 38 states with a population of over 1.5 billion people were involved in the war. The reason for the war was the assassination of the heir to the Austrian throne, Archduke Ferdinand, in Sarajevo. By August 4-6 (17-19), 1914, Germany fielded 8 armies (about 1.8 million people), France - 5 armies (about 1.3 million people), Russia - 6 armies (over 1 million people). people), Austria-Hungary - 5 armies and 2 army groups (over 1 million people). Military actions covered the territory of Europe, Asia and Africa. The main land fronts were the Western (French). Eastern (Russian), the main naval theaters of military operations are the Northern, Mediterranean, Baltic and Black Sea. There were five campaigns during the war. The most significant battles and operations involving Russian troops are given below.
The Battle of Galicia is a strategic offensive operation of the troops of the Southwestern Front under the command of General N.I. Ivanov, carried out on August 5 (18) - September 8 (21), 1914 against the Austro-Hungarian troops. The offensive zone of the Russian troops was 320-400 km. As a result of the operation, Russian troops occupied Galicia and the Austrian part of Poland, creating the threat of an invasion of Hungary and Silesia. This forced the German command to transfer some troops from the Western to the Eastern Theater of Operations (TVD).
Warsaw-Ivangorod offensive operation of 1914
The Warsaw-Ivangorod offensive operation was carried out by the forces of the North-Western and South-Western fronts against the 9th German and 1st Austro-Hungarian armies from September 15 (28) to October 26 (November 8), 1914. In the oncoming battles, Russian troops stopped advancing the enemy, and then launching a counter-offensive, threw him back to his original positions. Large losses (up to 50%) of the Austro-German troops forced the German command to transfer part of their forces from the Western to the Eastern Front and weaken their attacks against Russia’s allies.
The Alashkert operation was carried out by Russian troops in the Caucasian theater of operations on June 26 (July 9)—July 21 (August 3), 1915. From July 9 to July 21, the strike force of the 3rd Turkish Army pushed back the main forces of the 4th Corps of the Caucasian Army and created the threat of a breakthrough her defense. However, Russian troops launched a counterattack on the left flank and rear of the enemy, who, fearing an encirclement, began to hastily retreat. As a result, the plan of the Turkish command to break through the defenses of the Caucasian Army in the Kara direction was thwarted.
Erzurum operation 1915-1916
The Erzurum operation was carried out by the forces of the Russian Caucasian army under the command of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, December 28, 1915 (January 10, 1916) - February 3 (16), 1916. The purpose of the operation was to capture the city and fortress of Erzurum, defeat the 3rd Turkish army until reinforcements arrive. The Caucasian army broke through the heavily fortified defenses of the Turkish troops, and then, with attacks on directions converging from the north, east and south, took Erzurum by storm, throwing the enemy 70-100 km to the west. The success of the operation was achieved thanks to the right choice direction of the main attack, careful preparation offensive, wide maneuver of forces and means.
Brusilovsky breakthrough 1916
In March 1916, at the conference of the Entente powers in Chantilly, the actions of the allied forces in the upcoming summer campaign were agreed upon. In accordance with this, the Russian command planned to launch a major offensive on all fronts in mid-June 1916. The main blow was to be delivered by the troops of the Western Front from the Molodechno region to Vilno, and auxiliary attacks by the Northern Front from the Dvinsk region and the Southwestern Front from the Rivne region to Lutsk. During the discussion of the campaign plan, differences emerged among the top military leadership. Commander of the Western Front, Infantry General A.E. Evert expressed concern that the front troops would not be able to break through the enemy’s well-prepared engineering defenses. The recently appointed commander of the Southwestern Front, cavalry general A.A. Brusilov, on the contrary, insisted that his front not only could, but should, intensify its actions.
At the disposal of A.A. Brusilov there were 4 armies: the 7th - General D.G. Shcherbachev, 8th - General A.M. Kaledin, 9th - General P.A. Lechitsky and 11th - General V.V. Sakharov. The front forces numbered 573 thousand infantry, 60 thousand cavalry, 1770 light and 168 heavy guns. They were opposed by an Austro-German group consisting of: 1st (commander - General P. Puhallo), 2nd (commander General E. Bem-Ermoli), 4th (commander - Archduke Joseph Ferdinand), 7th ( commander - General K. Pflanzer-Baltina) and the South German (commander - Count F. Bothmer) army, totaling 448 thousand infantry and 27 thousand cavalry, 1300 light and 545 heavy guns. The defense, up to 9 km deep, consisted of two, and in some places three, defensive lines, each of which had two or three lines of continuous trenches.
In May, the Allies, due to the difficult situation of their troops in the Italian theater of operations, turned to Russia with a request to speed up the start of the offensive. The headquarters decided to meet them halfway and set out 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
The offensive began along the entire front on May 22 (June 4) with a powerful artillery bombardment, which lasted in different areas from 6 to 46 hours. The greatest success was achieved by the 8th Army, which advanced in the Lutsk direction. After only 3 days, its corps took Lutsk, and by June 2 (15) they defeated the 4th Austro-Hungarian Army. On the left wing of the front in the zone of action of the 7th Army, Russian troops, having broken through the enemy’s defenses, captured the city of Yazlovets. The 9th Army broke through an 11-kilometer front in the Dobronouc area and defeated the 7th Austro-Hungarian Army, and then cleared all of Bukovina.
The successful actions of the Southwestern Front should have supported the troops of the Western Front, but General Evert, citing the incompleteness of the concentration, ordered the offensive to be postponed. The Germans immediately took advantage of this mistake by the Russian command. 4 infantry divisions from France and Italy were transferred to the Kovel area, where units of the 8th Army were supposed to advance. On June 3 (16), German army groups of generals von Marwitz and E. Falkenhayn launched a counterattack in the direction of Lutsk. In the Kiselin area, a fierce defensive battle began with the German group of General A. Linsingen.
From June 12 (25) there was a forced calm on the Southwestern Front. The offensive resumed on June 20 (July 3). After a powerful bombardment, the 8th and 3rd armies broke through the enemy's defenses. The 11th and 7th advancing in the center did not achieve much success. Units of the 9th Army captured the town of Delyatin.
When, at last, Headquarters realized that the success of the campaign was being decided on the Southwestern Front, and transferred reserves there, time had already been lost. The enemy concentrated large forces there. Special army (commander - General V.M. Bezobrazov), consisting of selected guards units and the help of which Nicholas II really counted on, in fact turned out to be ineffective due to the low combat skills of the senior officers. The fighting became protracted, and by mid-September the front had finally stabilized.
The offensive operation of the troops of the Southwestern Front was completed. It lasted more than a hundred days. Despite the fact that the initial success was not used by the Headquarters to achieve a decisive result on the entire front, the operation was of great strategic importance. The Austro-Hungarian army in Galicia and Bukovina suffered complete defeat. Its total losses amounted to about 1.5 million people. Russian troops alone captured 8,924 officers and 408,000 soldiers. 581 guns, 1,795 machine guns, and about 450 bomb throwers and mortars were captured. The losses of Russian troops amounted to about 500 thousand people. To eliminate a breakthrough; the enemy was forced to transfer 34 infantry and cavalry divisions to the Russian front. This eased the situation for the French at Verdun and the Italians in Trentino. The English historian L. Hart wrote: “Russia sacrificed itself for the sake of its allies, and it is unfair to forget that the allies are Russia’s unpaid debtors for this.” The immediate result of the actions of the Southwestern Front was Romania's renunciation of neutrality and its accession to the Entente.
Military actions during the period between the Civil and Great Patriotic Wars
Soviet-Japanese military conflict in the area of Lake Khasan in 1938
In the second half of the 30s of the XX century. The situation in the Far East sharply worsened, where cases of violation of the state border of the USSR by the Japanese, who occupied the territory of Manchuria, became more frequent. The Main Military Council of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA), taking into account the growing tension in the Far East, on June 8, 1938, adopted a resolution on the creation on the basis of the Separate Red Banner Far Eastern Army (OK-DVA) of the Red Banner Far Eastern Front under the command of Marshal of the Soviet Union V.K. Blucher.
In early July, the command of the Posyet border detachment, having received information about the impending capture of the Zaozernaya heights by the Japanese (the Manchu name is Zhangofeng), sent a reserve outpost there. The Japanese side regarded this step as provocative, considering that Zhangofeng is located on the territory of Manchuria. By decision of the Japanese government, the 19th Infantry Division was transferred to the Lake Khasan area, and two more infantry divisions, one infantry and one cavalry brigade were preparing for relocation. On July 15, 5 Japanese violated the border in the area of Lake Khasan, and when Soviet border guards tried to detain them, one person was killed. This incident led to an escalation in late July and early August of hostilities between Soviet and Japanese troops in the area of the Zaozernaya and Bezymyannaya heights.
To defeat the enemy, the commander of the Red Banner Far Eastern Front formed the 39th Rifle Corps (about 23 thousand people), which included the 40th and 32nd Rifle Divisions, the 2nd Mechanized Brigade and reinforcement units.
On August 6, 1938, after aviation and artillery preparation, units of the 39th Rifle Corps went on the offensive with the goal of defeating Japanese troops in the zone between the Tumen-Ula River and Lake Khasan. Overcoming fierce enemy resistance, the 40th rifle division in cooperation with the 96th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Infantry Division, on August 8, they captured the Zaozernaya height, and the main forces of the 32nd Infantry Division stormed the Bezymyannaya height the next day. In this regard, on August 10, the Japanese government proposed to the USSR government to begin negotiations, and on August 11, hostilities between the Soviet and Japanese forces ceased.
The losses of Japanese troops, according to Japanese sources, amounted to about 500 people. killed and 900 people. wounded. Soviet troops lost 717 people killed and 2,752 people wounded, shell-shocked and burned.
Battle of the Khalkhin Gol River 1939
In January 1936, in the context of an increased threat of attack on the Mongolian People's Republic (MPR) from Japan, the Mongolian government turned to the USSR government with a request for assistance military assistance. On March 12, in Ulaanbaatar, the Soviet-Mongolian Protocol on Mutual Assistance was signed for a period of 10 years, which replaced the 1934 agreement. In accordance with this protocol, by May 1939, the 57th separate rifle corps was stationed on the territory of Mongolia, the base of which was subsequently deployed by the 1st Army Group.
The situation on the eastern border of the Mongolian People's Republic began to heat up after a surprise attack on May 11, 1939 by Japanese-Manchurian troops on the border outposts eastern of the Khalkhin Gol River. By the end of June 1939, the Japanese Kwantung Army had 38 thousand soldiers and officers, 310 guns, 135 tanks, 225 aircraft. The Soviet-Mongolian troops, which were taken over by Divisional Commander K. Zhukov on June 12, 1939, numbered 12.5 thousand soldiers and commanders, 109 guns, 266 armored vehicles, 186 tanks, 82 aircraft.
The enemy, using numerical superiority, went on the offensive on July 2 with the goal of encircling and destroying Soviet-Mongolian units and seizing an operational bridgehead on the western bank of Khalkhin Gol for the deployment of subsequent offensive actions in the direction of Soviet Transbaikalia. However, during three days of bloody battles, all Japanese troops that managed to cross the river were destroyed or driven back to its eastern bank. Subsequent attacks by the Japanese throughout most of July did not bring them success, as they were repulsed everywhere.
In early August, the Japanese 6th Army was created under the command of General O. Rippo. It consisted of 49.6 thousand soldiers and officers, 186 artillery and 110 anti-tank guns, 130 tanks, 448 aircraft.
The Soviet-Mongolian troops, consolidated in July into the 1st Army Group under the command of Corps Corps G. K. Zhukov, numbered 55.3 thousand soldiers and commanders. They included 292 heavy and light artillery, 180 anti-tank guns, 438 tanks, 385 armored vehicles and 515 aircraft. For ease of control, three groups of troops were created: Northern, Southern and Central. Having forestalled the enemy, after powerful air strikes and almost three hours of artillery preparation, the Northern and Southern groups went on the offensive on August 20. As a result of the decisive actions of these groups on the enemy flanks, on August 23, four Japanese regiments were encircled. By the end of August 31, the group of Japanese troops was completely defeated. Air combat continued until September 15, and on September 16, at Japan’s request, a Soviet-Japanese agreement on a cessation of hostilities was signed.
During the battles at Khalkhin Gol, the Japanese lost 18.3 thousand people killed, 3.5 thousand wounded and 464 prisoners. Soviet troops suffered the following losses: 6,831 people killed, 1,143 people missing, 15,251 people wounded, shell-shocked and burned.
Soviet-Finnish War 1939-1940
By the end of the 30s, relations between the Soviet Union and Finland worsened, which feared great-power aspirations on the part of the USSR, and the latter, in turn, did not exclude its rapprochement with the Western powers and their use of Finnish territory to attack the USSR. Tension in relations between the two countries was also caused by the construction by the Finns of powerful defensive fortifications on the Karelian Isthmus, the so-called Mannerheim Line. All attempts to normalize Soviet-Finnish relations through diplomatic means were unsuccessful. The USSR government, guaranteeing the inviolability of Finland, demanded that it cede part of the territory on the Karelian Isthmus, offering in return an equivalent territory within the Soviet Union. However, this demand was rejected by the Finnish government. On November 28, 1939, the Soviet government broke off diplomatic relations with Finland. The troops of the Leningrad Military District were given the task of “crossing the border and defeating the Finnish troops.”
By the end of November 1939, the Finnish armed forces, together with a trained reserve, numbered up to 600 thousand people, about 900 guns of various calibers, and 270 combat aircraft. 29 ships. Almost half ground forces(7 infantry divisions, 4 separate infantry and 1 cavalry brigades, several separate infantry battalions), united in the Karelian Army, was concentrated on the Karelian Isthmus. Special groups of troops were created in the Murmansk, Kandalaksha, Ukhta, Rebolsk and Petrozavodsk directions.
On the Soviet side, the border from the Barents Sea to the Gulf of Finland was covered by four armies: in the Arctic - the 14th Army, which was supported by the Northern Fleet; in northern and central Karelia - the 9th Army; north Lake Ladoga- 8th Army; on the Karelian Isthmus - the 7th Army, for the support of which the Red Banner Baltic Fleet and the Ladoga Military Flotilla were allocated. In total, the group of Soviet troops numbered 422.6 thousand people, about 2,500 guns and mortars, up to 2,000 tanks, 1,863 combat aircraft, more than 200 warships and vessels.
The military operations of the Soviet troops in the war with Finland are divided into two stages: the first lasted from November 30, 1939 to February 10, 1940, the second from February 11 to March 13, 1940.
At the first stage, troops of the 14th Army, in cooperation with the Northern Fleet, captured the Rybachy and Sredniy peninsulas, the city of Petsamo in December and closed Finland’s access to Barents Sea. At the same time, the troops of the 9th Army, advancing to the south, penetrated 35-45 km deep into the enemy’s defenses. Units of the 8th Army fought forward up to 80 km, but some of them were surrounded and forced to retreat.
The most difficult and bloody battles took place on the Karelian Isthmus, where the 7th Army was advancing. By December 12, army troops, with the support of aviation and navy, crossed the support zone (forefield) and reached leading edge the main strip of the Mannerheim line, but they could not break through it on the move. Therefore, the Main Military Council at the end of December 1939 decided to suspend the offensive and plan a new operation to break through the Mannerheim Line. On January 7, 1940, the North-Western Front, disbanded at the beginning of December 1939, was recreated. The front included the 7th Army and the 13th Army, created at the end of December. For two months, Soviet troops underwent training on overcoming long-term fortifications at special training grounds. At the beginning of 1940, part of the forces was separated from the 8th Army, on the basis of which the 15th Army was formed.
On February 11, 1940, after artillery preparation, the troops of the Northwestern Front under the command of Army Commander 1st Rank S.K. Timoshenko went on the offensive. On February 14, units of the 123rd Infantry Division of the 7th Army crossed the main strip of the Mannerheim Line and the 84th Infantry Division from the front reserve and a mobile group (two tanks and a rifle battalion) were introduced into the breakthrough.
On February 19, the main forces of the 7th Army reached the second stripe, and the left flank formations of the 13th Army reached the main stripe of the Mannerheim Line. After regrouping and the approach of artillery and rear forces, Soviet troops resumed their offensive on February 28. After heavy and lengthy battles, they defeated the main forces of the Karelian army and by the end of March 12 captured Vyborg. On the same day, a peace treaty was signed in Moscow between the USSR and Finland, and from 12 o'clock the next day hostilities ceased. According to the agreement, the border on the Karelian Isthmus was moved back by 120-130 km (beyond the Vyborg-Sortavala line). The USSR also received a small territory north of Kuolajärvi, several islands in the Gulf of Finland, the Finnish part of the Sredniy and Rybachy peninsulas in the Barents Sea, and was given the Hanko Peninsula for a period of 30 years with the right to create a naval base on it.
The war between the Soviet Union and Finland came at a high price for both countries. According to Finnish sources, Finland lost 48,243 people killed and 43,000 wounded. The losses of the Soviet troops amounted to: 126,875 people killed, missing, died from wounds and illnesses, as well as 248 thousand wounded, shell-shocked and frostbitten.
Such large losses of the Soviet troops were due not only to the fact that they had to break through heavily fortified defenses and operate in difficult natural and climatic conditions, but also to shortcomings in the preparation of the Red Army. Soviet troops were not prepared to overcome dense minefields or to take decisive action during a breakthrough complex system long-term fortifications on the Karelian Isthmus. There were serious shortcomings in command and control of troops, organization of operational and tactical cooperation, in providing personnel with winter uniforms and food, in providing medical care.
The enemy turned out to be better prepared for war, although he also suffered significant losses in people. The Finnish army, its equipment, weapons and tactics were well adapted to conducting combat operations in terrain with numerous lakes and large forests, in conditions of heavy snow and harsh winters, using natural obstacles.
The most important battles and operations of the Second World War 1939-1945.
The largest war in human history was prepared and unleashed by the main aggressive states of that period: Nazi Germany, fascist Italy and militaristic Japan. The war is usually divided into five periods. First period (September 1, 1939 - June 21, 1941): the beginning of the war and the invasion of German troops into Western Europe. Second period (June 22, 1941 - November 18, 1942): Nazi Germany's attack on the USSR, expansion of the war, the collapse of Hitler's blitzkrieg doctrine. Third period (November 19, 1942 - December 31, 1943): a turning point in the course of the war, the collapse of the offensive strategy of the fascist bloc. Fourth period (January 1, 1944 - May 9, 1945): the defeat of the fascist bloc, the expulsion of enemy troops from the USSR, liberation from the occupation of European countries, the complete collapse of Nazi Germany and its unconditional surrender. Fifth period (May 9—September 2, 1945): the defeat of militaristic Japan, the liberation of the peoples of Asia from Japanese occupation, the end of the Second World War.
The USSR took part in World War II in the European Theater of Operations during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, and in the Asian and Pacific Theater of Operations during the Soviet-Japanese War of 1945.
Based on the Barbarossa plan developed by Hitler’s leadership fascist Germany, violating the Soviet-German non-aggression pact, at dawn on June 22, 1941, suddenly, without declaring war, attacked the Soviet Union.
Battle of Moscow 1941-1942
The battle consisted of two stages. The first stage is the Moscow strategic defensive operation September 30 - December 5, 1941. The operation was carried out by troops of the Western, Reserve, Bryansk and Kalinin fronts. During the fighting, the following additional units were added to the Soviet troops: the directorates of the Kalinin Front, the 1st Shock Army, the 5th, 10th and 16th armies, as well as 34 divisions and 40 brigades.
During the operation, the Oryol-Bryansk, Vyazemsk, Kalinin, Mozhaisk-Maloyaroslavets, Tula and Klin-Solnechnogorsk frontal defensive operations were carried out. The duration of the operation is 67 days. The width of the combat front is 700–1,110 km. The depth of withdrawal of Soviet troops is 250-300 km. Beginning on September 30, the operation marked the beginning of the Battle of Moscow, which became the main event of 1941 not only on the Soviet-German front, but throughout the entire Second World War.
During fierce battles on the distant and near approaches to Moscow, by December 5, Soviet troops stopped the advance of the German Army Group Center literally at the walls of the capital. The highest self-sacrifice, mass heroism of soldiers of various branches of the Red Army, the courage and fortitude of Muscovites, fighters of destruction battalions, militia formations
The heroism and courage of Soviet soldiers shown during the battles of the Great Patriotic War deserve eternal memory. The wisdom of military leaders, which became one of the most important components of the overall victory, continues to amaze us today.
Over the long years of the war, so many battles took place that even some historians disagree on the meaning of certain battles. And yet, the largest battles that have significant influence on the further course of hostilities are known to almost every person. It is these battles that will be discussed in our article.
| Name of the battle | Military leaders who took part in the battle | Outcome of the battle |
|---|---|---|
Aviation Major A.P. Ionov, Aviation Major General T.F. Kutsevalov, F.I. Kuznetsov, V.F. Tributs. | Despite the stubborn struggle of the Soviet soldiers, the operation ended on July 9 after the Germans broke through the defenses in the area of the Velikaya River. This military operation smoothly turned into the fight for the Leningrad region. |
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G.K. Zhukov, I.S. Konev, M.F. Lukin, P.A. Kurochkin, K.K. Rokossovsky | This battle is considered one of the bloodiest in the history of the Second World War. At the cost of millions of losses, the Soviet army managed to delay the advance of Hitler's army on Moscow. |
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Popov M.M., Frolov V.A., Voroshilov K.E., Zhukov G.K., Meretskov K.A. | After the siege of Leningrad began, local residents and military leaders had to fight fierce battles for several years. As a result, the blockade was lifted and the city was liberated. However, Leningrad itself suffered horrific destruction, and the death toll of local residents exceeded several hundred thousand. |
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I.V. Stalin, G.K. Zhukov, A.M. Vasilevsky, S.M. Budyonny, A.A. Vlasov. | Despite huge losses, Soviet troops managed to win. The Germans were thrown back 150-200 kilometers, and Soviet troops managed to liberate the Tula, Ryazan and Moscow regions. |
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I.S. Konev, G.K. Zhukov. | The Germans were pushed back another 200 kilometers. Soviet troops completed the liberation of the Tula and Moscow regions and liberated some areas of the Smolensk region |
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A.M. Vasilevsky, N.F. Vatutin, A.I. Eremenko, S.K. Timoshenko, V.I. Chuikov | It is the victory at Stalingrad that many historians call one of the most important turning points during the Second World War. The Red Army managed to win a strong-willed victory, throwing the Germans far back and proving that the fascist army also has its vulnerabilities. |
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CM. Budyonny, I.E. Petrov, I.I. Maslennikov, F.S. October | Soviet troops were able to win a landslide victory, liberating Checheno-Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Stavropol region and Rostov region. |
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Georgy Zhukov, Ivan Konev, Konstantin Rokossovsky | The Kursk Bulge became one of the bloodiest battles, but ensured the end of the turning point during the Second World War. Soviet troops managed to push the Germans back even further, almost to the country’s border. |
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V.D. Sokolovsky, I.Kh. Baghramyan | On the one hand, the operation was unsuccessful, because Soviet troops failed to reach Minsk and capture Vitebsk. However, the fascist forces were severely wounded, and as a result of the battle, tank reserves were practically running out. |
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Konstantin Rokossovsky, Alexey Antonov, Ivan Bagramyan, Georgy Zhukov | Operation Bagration turned out to be incredibly successful, because the territories of Belarus, part of the Baltic states and areas of Eastern Poland were recaptured. |
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Georgy Zhukov, Ivan Konev | Soviet troops managed to defeat 35 enemy divisions and directly reach Berlin for the final battle. |
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I.V. Stalin, G.K. Zhukov, K.K. Rokossovsky, I.S. Konev | Soviet troops, after prolonged resistance, managed to take the capital of Germany. With the capture of Berlin, the Great Patriotic War officially ended. |
The Second World War left its own small piece in the history of every nation. This truly terrifying and at the same time great period changed the world beyond recognition. Almost every country played its role in this war. For the states of the former USSR, the Second World War occupies a special place in history. It even has a completely different name - the Great Patriotic War. This historical period was truly a turning point for the peoples of modern Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries of the USSR. This war became a test of the courage, bravery and will of the great Soviet people.
The Soviet army proved its professionalism and indestructibility even in the face of such a terrible ideological enemy as Nazism.
Today, historians are constantly discussing the main battles of the Great Patriotic War. Many facts have still not been disclosed, due to the “great love” for the secrets of the Soviet government. we can highlight the main stages and battles of the Great Patriotic War. But, before characterizing them, it is necessary to remember the reasons that led to the military conflict between Hitler's Germany and Stalin's USSR.
Great Patriotic War - reasons
As we know, the Second World War began. The main escalation of the conflict was from Germany in the West. During this time, German Nazism developed in its classical form. Hitler's power was limitless. Although the leader actually declared war on all states, the USSR was in no hurry to enter into it due to the concluded Non-Aggression Pact.
It was signed on August 23, 1939. The agreement stipulated the neutral attitude of the USSR to the war that Germany would wage against Western and European countries. Cooperation with other countries was also approved. Both parties were prohibited from participating in alliances that in one way or another were contrary to their interests. For such “tolerance” on the part of the Soviet Union, Germany pledged to return part of the territory it had lost. There is also a secret protocol in which the parties stipulated the division of power in Eastern Europe and Poland. In fact, this agreement was concluded with the aim of establishing mutual world domination in the future. But there was one problem. From the very beginning, Germany did not want peace with the USSR. Of course, it was beneficial in the early stages of the war, but there was no talk of any mutual domination.
Germany's further actions can only be described in one word - betrayal. This vile step gave rise to the great battles of the Great Patriotic War. Already on June 22, 1941, Germany officially attacked the USSR. From this time on, the Great Patriotic War began. Next we will look at the main battles of the Great Patriotic War, which play an important role in the history of this period.
Moscow Battle
Wehrmacht troops used specific offensive tactics. Their attack was based on the cooperation of all branches of the military. At first, the enemy was subjected to heavy bombardment from the air. The planes were immediately followed by tanks, which literally burned out the enemy troops. At the very end, the German infantry began its action. Thanks to these tactics, enemy troops, led by General Bock, made their way to the center of the Soviet Union, Moscow, in September 1941. At the very beginning of the offensive, the German army consisted of 71.5 divisions, which is approximately 1,700,000 people. It also included 1,800 tanks, 15,100 guns, and 1,300 aircraft. According to these indicators, the German side was approximately five times larger than the Soviet side.
On September 30, 1941, the Germans launch an attack on Moscow. From the very first stages of the Moscow offensive, the Wehrmacht troops suffered significant setbacks. Already on October 17, the Soviet army under the command of Zhukov stopped the offensive by implementing Operation Typhoon. The bloodless enemy only had the strength to fight a positional war, so in January 1942 the Germans were defeated and driven back 100 kilometers from Moscow. This victory dispelled the myth of the indestructibility of the Fuhrer's army. Moscow was the frontier that had to be overcome on the path to victory. The German army failed to cope with this task, so Hitler ultimately lost the war. But the battles of the Great Patriotic War do not end there. Below we look at the true turning point in this global conflict.
Battle of Stalingrad
Today we can highlight a lot of events for which the Great Patriotic War is known. The Battle of Stalingrad is the turning point that led to a devastating series of failures for the German army. The period of the Battle of Stalingrad can be divided into two stages: the beginning and the counteroffensive. On July 17, 1942, the famous Battle of Stalingrad began.
At this stage, German troops stopped in the city area. The Soviet army did not want to surrender it until the very end. The forces of the Soviet Union were also commanded by Marshal Timoshenko. They managed to completely paralyze the Germans, but the Soviet troops were surrounded. There were constant skirmishes in the city between small groups of Soviet and German soldiers. According to the recollections of veterans: “There was real hell in Stalingrad.” One of the Museums of Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) houses a rather interesting exhibit: bullets hitting each other. This indicates the intensity of hostilities in the city. As for strategic significance, it actually did not exist. This city was important to Hitler as a symbol of Stalin's power. Therefore, it was necessary to take him, and most importantly, to keep him. It follows that the city became the center of a clash of interests during the period when the Great Patriotic War took place. The Battle of Stalingrad made it possible to evaluate and compare the power of two ideological titans of the 20th century.
Counterattack at Stalingrad
The German army, led by General Paulus, at the time of the counteroffensive numbered 1,010,600 men, 600 tanks, 1,200 combat aircraft and about 10,000 guns. On the Soviet side there was almost the same number of military personnel and military equipment. The significant forces that our side brought up during the siege allowed us to go on the offensive on November 20, 1942 and encircle the Germans.
By the evening of January 31, 1943, the Stalingrad German group was eliminated. Such results were achieved thanks to the coordinated work of the three main fronts of the USSR. The Battle of Stalingrad is glorified along with other major battles of the Great Patriotic War. Because this event significantly undermined the strength of the German army. In other words, after Stalingrad, Germany was never able to resume its combat power. In addition, the German command could not even imagine that the city would emerge from encirclement. But this happened, and further events were not in the Fuhrer’s favor.
Great Patriotic War: Battle of Kursk
After the events in the city of Stalingrad, the German army was never able to recover, however, it still posed a serious threat. On (the formed front line after the victory at Stalingrad) German troops gathered a significant number of their forces. The Soviet side was going to carry out a powerful attack in the area of the city of Kursk. In the early stages, German troops had significant victories. They were commanded by such famous German military leaders as G. Kluge and Manstein. The main task of the USSR troops was to prevent a new advance of the Nazi Army Center into the interior of the mainland. The situation changed radically on July 12, 1943.
Battle of Prokhorov 1943
They were unpredictable. One of these battles is the tank confrontation near the village of Prokhorovka. Over 1,000 tanks and self-propelled guns from both sides took part in it. After this battle, there were no questions left about who would prevail in the war. The German army was defeated, although not completely. After the Battle of Prokhorov, USSR troops were able to launch a large-scale attack on Belgorod and Kharkov. This actually ends the story of the Kursk confrontation, the largest battle of the Great Patriotic War, which opened the doors of the USSR to the conquest of Berlin.
Capture of Berlin 1945
The Berlin operation played the final role in the history of the German-Soviet confrontation. Its purpose was to defeat the German troops that had formed near the city of Berlin.
Near the city, the army of the "Center" group was stationed, as well as the military group "Vistula" under the command of Heinritz and Scherner. From the USSR side, an army came out consisting of three fronts under the command of Marshals Zhukov, Konev and Rokossovsky. The capture of Berlin ended with German surrender on May 9, 1945.
The main battles of the Great Patriotic War are ending at this stage. Just a few months later, namely on September 2, 1945, the Second World War ended.
Conclusion
So, the article examined the most important battles of the Great Patriotic War. The list can be supplemented with other equally important and famous events, but our article identifies the most epic and memorable battles. Today it is impossible to imagine a person who would not know about the feat of the great Soviet soldiers.
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