Siege of Izmail
Storming of Izmail | |||||||
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Part of General-in-Chief A. V. Suvorov on 11 December 1791, Mikhail Ivanov | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
José de Ribas[e] |
Aydoslu Mehmed Pasha (POW) Qaplan Geray † | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Southern Army[f] Black Sea Rowing Flotilla | |||||||
Strength | |||||||
28,000–32,000 500[7] to 600[1] guns |
40,000–42,000[h] 265 guns[10][7] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
4,582 to 10,000 killed & wounded[i] |
23,000 to 26,000+ killed,[j] including 60 pashas[10] up to 400 standards[10] |
The siege of Izmail or Ismail / Ishmael / İzmail (
The fortress was considered to be impregnable and was referred to as "a fortress without weak points",[16] and was commanded by one of the best Ottoman generals, Aydoslu Mehmed Pasha.[17]
Background
The siege of Izmail in December 1790 was undertaken due to order of the
Austrian actions
More recently in 1790,
Preparations
Trainings
Arriving at Izmail on 13 December, Suvorov immediately began preparations for an assault. His troops were positioned in a semicircle 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) from the fortress; their flanks rested on the river, where Deribas' flotilla and the detachment on Çatal Island (5 battalions of infantry with 8 artillery batteries) started the blockade. Reconnaissance was underway for several days in a row, with the participation of both Suvorov himself and his superiors; ladders and fascines were being prepared at the same time; Suvorov went among the soldiers, egging them on, joking with them. He would point towards Izmail and say, "There is the fortress. Its walls are high, its ditches deep, but we must take it. Our Mother, the Empress, has ordered it, and we must obey her". In order to inspire the Turks with the idea that the Russian meant to conduct a proper siege, on the night of 18 December, on both flanks were laid batteries, each with 10 guns: two — on the west side, 300 m. from the fortification, and two — on the east side, not more than 370 m. from the hedge. To train troops for make an assault, a moat was dug in the distance and poured ramparts like Izmail; secretly on the night of 19 and 20 December Suvorov personally showed the troops escalade techniques and taught them to act with a bayonet, with the fascines represented by the Turks.[1][13][7] On 18, 2 December o'clock in the afternoon, Suvorov sent a note to the commandant of Izmail:[1]
To Serasker, elders and all your society: I arrived here with the troops. Twenty-four hours to think about surrender and twenty-four hours of liberty; my first shots mean that liberty is gone; the assault is death. This is what I leave you for consideration.
The next day came a reply from serasker, who asked permission to send two men to the Grand Vizier for a command and offered to conclude an armistice for 10 days. By 20 December Suvorov replied that he could not agree to the serasker's request and gave a deadline until the morning of the 21st day. In the appointed time there was no reply and the fate of Izmail was decided.[1]
Short bombardment
The Russians had only 40 field guns, but not siege guns at all. Field artillery had no more than one set of ammunition; there was an extreme shortage of food, which could not be replenished due to winter conditions and lack of time; there were many sick soldiers. On the whole the state of Russian affairs there seemed very disappointing; nevertheless the assault was militarily and politically necessary.[5] Alexander Suvorov's aim was to squeeze the fortress into pincers from three sides. The Ottomans would greatly disperse their forces and would not be able to support each other in the event of a possible breakthrough of any of the sections. This applies not only to the Ottoman soldiers, but also to their guns, many of which would also go to defend against Deribas' flotilla, rather than against Suvorov's own assault columns.
One day before the assault (21 December), Suvorov ordered to bombard Izmail (with naval and ground cannons).[7] The only unprotected section of this fortress was on the Danube side,[7] which was supposed to be defended by ships. Yet the Ottoman fleet had already been defeated by the Russian one during the Battle of Tendra by the great Russia's admiral of those times — Fyodor Ushakov.[22]
An artillery duel took place. At sunrise the assault preparation was begun by fire from the flank batteries, Çatal, and flotilla ships; cannons were smashing Izmail until late at night; the Turkish artillery answered, but soon the firing from the fortress became weaker and finally stopped. Thanks to the fleet, the Russians had an advantage in guns.[1] The firefight started unsuccessfully for the Russians, since the lucky Ottoman cannonball hit the powder chamber of the frigate Konstantin, after which it took off into the air, but this did not help the Ottomans win the duel either. The bombardment continued until 3:00 am, but since there were no siege guns on land, the walls could not be breached.[citation needed]
The assault and its planning
Disposition
Numbers
On the early dusky morning of 22 December 1790, the Russians hoped to take their enemy by surprise,[7] however, information about Suvorov's plans of assault was leaked to the Turkish camp.[citation needed] The Russians began the assault on Izmail, which had a garrison of 35,000 soldiers[10] (or 40,000[6]), of which around 15,000 regular troops and ~20,000 militias,[12] under the leadership of Aydoslu Mehmed Pasha, a firm, resolute, and battle-tested commander.[1] Suvorov had 31,000 troops, of which 15,000 were irregular and poorly armed.[10]
Plan of attack
Suvorov's troops consisted of: the right wing, commanded by Pavel Potyomkin, formed out of the columns of Lvov, Lacy, and Meknob; the left wing, commanded by Alexander Samoylov, formed out of the columns of Orlov, Platov, and Golenishchev-Kutuzov (Kutuzov); the fleet — Iosif Deribas — his landing columns under the command of Arsenyev, Chepiha, and Markov.[7] The detachment of Deribas (9,000) was to attack from the river side, with the right column of Major General Arsenyev (3 battalions and 2,000 Cossacks) was given the task to attack the New Fortress, the middle column of Brigadier Chepiha (3 battalions and 1,000 Cossacks) — the center of the coastal front, the left column of Major General Markov (5 battalions and 1,000 Cossacks) — the Old Fortress. The flotilla was ordered to approach Izmail, being built in two lines: the 1st — 145 light ships and Cossack boats with landing troops, the 2nd — 58 large ships, which by fire of heavy guns were to cover the landing. The detachment of Lieutenant General Potyomkin (7,500) was to lead the assault against the fortress' western side with the right column of Major General Lvov to seize the redoubt of Tabia and then spread to the left; the middle column of Major General Lacy to seize the curtain wall at the Bros gate and spread to the left all the way to the Khota gate; the left column of Major General Meknob was to seize the curtain wall at the Khota gate and spread to the left. Each column consisted of 5 battalions; 150 jaegers were to go at the head, followed by 50 workers with tools, then 3 battalions with fascines and ladders, and a reserve of 2 battalions at the tail. The detachment of Lieutenant General Samoylov (12,000) was to go against the eastern front, with the leading column of Brigadier Orlov (2,000 Cossacks) was to seize the rampart east of the Bender gate and spread to the left to support the middle column of Brigadier Platov (5,000 Cossacks), which was to climb the rampart through the valley that divided the Old and New Fortress, and then contribute to the Deribas troops; 150 selected Cossacks with rifles were to march in front of each column, followed by 50 workers, and then the remaining Cossacks on foot; two battalions of infantry were to serve as a reserve for both columns, given under the command of Major General Bezborodko; left column of Major General Golenishchev-Kutuzov (5 battalions and 1,000 Cossacks) was to seize the rampart at Cilic gate, then spread to the right and left. Westphalen's cavalry (2,500) was assigned to the reserve; 10 squadrons were divided into 3 detachments, which stood against the Bros, Khota and Bender gates; 4 Cossack regiments were positioned further to the east and 1 squadron was left at wagon fort.[1]
Storming
To the walls
At 3 a.m. on the 22th the 1st signal flare went up, by which the troops moved to the positions; at 5:30 a.m. by the 3rd flare the troops moved to the assault. Turks opened fire with cannons. Lacy's column was the first to climb the rampart. Lvov's column failed to take Tabia redoubt, despite the heroism of
Inside the stronghold
By 8 a.m. the Russian troops firmly established themselves on the ramparts of Izmail; the Bros, Khota, and Bender gates were opened, and the cavalry reserves entered the fortress.[1][6] The first to step on the fortress walls was Major Nekludov;[10] and after a short rest, the assault columns from different sides moved toward the center of the city. A new fierce fighting began; the Turks resisted stubbornly; every building, every scrap of land in the fortress had to be taken with the fight.[1] The Russians made their way into the Old and the New Fortresses, as well as the Citadel.[13][7] Garrisoned Crimean Tatars and some Turks, commanded by Qaplan Geray (cousin of the last Crimean Khan and winner of the Austrians at Giurgiu in 1789[24]), then made a desperate attempt to recapture Izmail with 3,000-4,000 men in the Old Fortress. They overturned the Black Sea Cossacks, taking away two of their guns, but the regular infantry stopped this onslaught.[25] 5 of Qaplan's sons were killed with Qaplan Geray in person, and including Maqsud Geray, descendant of Genghis Khan himself.[25][24] By about 4 o'clock in the afternoon the battle subsided; Izmail was taken by the Russians.[1][13]
Result
Many ships, munitions and various riches (
"such an extraordinary storm could be dared only once in a lifetime." [30]
Immediately after the complete conquest of the fortress, Suvorov ordered measures to ensure order. Mikhail Golenishchev-Kutuzov was appointed commandant of the fortress for his courage in battle, guards were placed in the most important places, patrols were sent in different directions of the city.[31][25][7] And Catherine II awarded Suvorov the rank of lieutenant colonel of the Preobrazhensky Life Guards Regiment, where she herself was a colonel.[32] The dead were being cleaned up, and help was being given to the wounded. A huge hospital was opened inside the city because the number of wounded was huge. The bodies of the murdered Russians were taken out of this city and buried according to the church rite. There were so many Turkish corpses that there was no way to bury all the dead, and yet their decomposition could lead to the spread of infection; therefore, it was ordered to throw the bodies into the Danube and prisoners were used for this work, divided into turns. But even with this method, it was only after 6 days that Izmail was cleared of corpses.[31]
The conquest of Izmail was of great political importance, as it influenced the further course of the war and the conclusion of peace in 1791.[33]
The impression made by the storming of Izmail on
The storming of Izmail marked an important stage in the development of military art. The advantages of an open assault on fortresses as compared to the then prevailing methods of conquering them by means of a long siege were revealed. The preparation of the assault is instructive by training troops in conditions close to the combat situation. Artillery was effectively used in the assault, the interaction of land forces with the flotilla and between the assaulting detachments and columns was well established, it was also an example of skilful street fighting. With the capture of Izmail the Russian army completed the campaign of 1790.[7]
Award Cross "For the Capture of Izmail" [ru] was established in 1791.
Legacy
To the victory was dedicated the anthem "
The siege is dramatized in cantos 7 and 8 of Lord Byron's verse-novel Don Juan (1823).[36] His principal source, he states in the preface, was Gabriel de Castelnau's account of the siege in Essai sur l'histoire ancienne et moderne de la Nouvelle Russie (1820).[37]
The monument to Alexander Suvorov in Izmail's city centre was placed in temporary storage on 12 November 2022, until city deputies decide where it will be kept permanently.[38]
Notes
- ^ Excluding bombardment on the 21st N.S. (10 December O.S.)
- ^ Suvorov's left wing (12,000 men[1]).
- Patriotic War of 1812. For courage at the storming he became fortress' commandant.
- ^ Suvorov's right wing (7,500 men[1]).
- ^ Riverside (9,000 men[1]).
de Ribas was also under Suvorov disposal.[2][3] There is a point of view that de Ribas drew up the plan for the capture of Izmail approved by Suvorov. In any case, Ribas got one of the most important parts of the assault's organization. While 6 columns supported by coastal artillery batteries were to attack the walls and gates from land, the flotilla was to land a landing force and attack from the less fortified riverside.[4] - ^ Grigory Potemkin — commander-in-chief of the Southern Army.
Alexander Suvorov — chief of the troops gathered at Izmail. - ^
- ^
- ^
- ^
- ^ Gudovich took it.[18]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Velichko et al. 1912, pp. 572–577.
- ^ Orlov 1890, pp. 51–53.
- ^ Skritsky 2002, pp. 367–369.
- ^ Skritsky 2002, pp. 369–370.
- ^ a b c d e f Petrushevsky, Alexander (1884). Generalissimo Prince Suvorov (in Russian). Vol. 1 (1st ed.). St. Petersburg: Типография М. М. Стасюлевича. pp. 383–384.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Duffy C. Russia's Military Way to the West: Origins and Nature of Russian Military Power 1700–1800. Routledge & Kegan Paul Books Ltd. 1985. p. 188
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Kolganov 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Bodart 1908, p. 267.
- ^ a b Orlov 1890, p. 52.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Arsenyev & Petrushevsky 1894, pp. 849–851.
- ^ a b Grant 2017, p. 478.
- ^ a b c Valery Pоsternak. Ismail Gechidi. – Kharkiv, 2015. – p. 146.
- ^ a b c d e f g Longworth 1966.
- ^ a b c Orlov 1890, p. 81.
- ^ a b Orlov 1890, p. 80.
- ^ "24 декабря – День воинской славы России: День взятия турецкой крепости Измаил - Российское историческое общество". historyrussia.org (in Russian). 24 December 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ Osipov, K. (1939). Alexander Suvorov: A Biography. Hutchinson & Co. p. 86.
- ^ a b Petrushevsky, Alexander (1884). Generalissimo Prince Suvorov (in Russian). Vol. 1 (1st ed.). St. Petersburg: Типография М. М. Стасюлевича. pp. 378–379.
- ^ Petrushevsky, Alexander (1884). Generalissimo Prince Suvorov (in Russian). Vol. 1 (1st ed.). St. Petersburg: Типография М. М. Стасюлевича. p. 382.
- ^ Witzleben 1859, pp. 425–443.
- ^ a b Petrushevsky, Alexander (1884). Generalissimo Prince Suvorov (in Russian). Vol. 1 (1st ed.). St. Petersburg: Типография М. М. Стасюлевича. pp. 369–371.
- ^ Petrushevsky, Alexander (1884). Generalissimo Prince Suvorov (in Russian). Vol. 1 (1st ed.). St. Petersburg: Типография М. М. Стасюлевича. p. 378.
- ^ Orlov 1890, p. 65.
- ^ a b Orlov 1890, p. 75.
- ^ a b c Petrushevsky, Alexander (1884). Generalissimo Prince Suvorov (in Russian). Vol. 1 (1st ed.). St. Petersburg: Типография М. М. Стасюлевича. pp. 393–394.
- ^ Orlov 1890, pp. 80–81.
- ^ J. Goodwin, Lords of the Horizons, p. 244, 1998, Henry Holt and Company, ISBN 0805063420
- ^ a b Orlov 1890, p. 78.
- ^ Orlov 1890, pp. 78–79.
- ^ Orlov 1890, p. 82.
- ^ a b Orlov 1890, p. 79.
- ^ Petrushevsky, Alexander (1884). Generalissimo Prince Suvorov (in Russian). Vol. 1 (1st ed.). St. Petersburg: Типография М. М. Стасюлевича. p. 403.
- ^ a b Orlov 1890, pp. 83–84.
- ^ Orlov 1890, p. 20 (note 3).
- ^ Petrushevsky, Alexander (1884). Generalissimo Prince Suvorov (in Russian). Vol. 1 (1st ed.). St. Petersburg: Типография М. М. Стасюлевича. pp. 403–404.
- ^ Byron 1905, pp. 868, 870, 872, 894.
- ^ Byron 1905, p. 851.
- Ukrayinska Pravda(in Ukrainian). 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
Sources
- Grant, R. G. (2017). 1001 Battles That Changed the Course of History. Chartwell Books. ISBN 978-0-7858-3553-0.
- Longworth, Philip (1966). The Art of Victory: The Life and Achievements of Field-Marshal Suvorov, 1729–1800. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. pp. 165–174.
- Duffy C. Russia's Military Way to the West: Origins and Nature of Russian Military Power 1700–1800. Routledge & Kegan Paul Books Ltd. 1985.
- Byron, George Gordon, Lord (1905). The Complete Poetical Works (Cambridge ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ISBN 0805063420.
- Witzleben, A. von (1859). Prinz Friedrich Josias von Coburg-Saalfeld, Herzog zu Sachsen. Vol. 1. Berlin: Königliche Geheime Ober-Hofbuchdruckerei. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
- Bodart, Gaston (1908). Militär-historisches Kriegs-Lexikon (1618–1905) (in German). Vienna and Leipzig: C. W. Stern. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ISBN 978-5-4460-0232-0. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- Skritsky, N. V. (2002). "Основатель Одессы. О. М. де Рибас" [Founder of Odessa. O. M. de Ribas]. Георгиевские кавалеры под Андреевском флагом [St. George's Cavaliers under St. Andrew's flag]. Россия забытая и неизвестная. Moscow: Centrepolygraph. ISBN 5-9524-0053-1.
- Arsenyev, Konstantin; Petrushevsky, Fyodor (1894). Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary (in Russian). Vol. XIIа: "Земпер — Имидокислоты". Friedrich A. Brockhaus (Leipzig), Ilya A. Efron (St. Petersburg). Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- Velichko, Konstantin; Novitsky, Vasily; Schwarz, Alexey; Apushkin, Vladimir; Schulz, Gustav (1912). Sytin Military Encyclopedia (in Russian). Vol. X: "Елисавета Петровна – Инициатива". Moscow: Типография Т-ва И. Д. Сытина. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- Kolganov, A. M. (2016). "ИЗМАИЛА ШТУРМ 1790". Great Russian Encyclopedia. Electronic version. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
External links
- Map: "Storming of Izmail 22.12.1790"
- Russian armies captured a Turkish fortress Izmail (Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library)