One of the brightest pages of Russian history, which for many centuries excites the imagination boys and interested historians - is the Ice, or the Battle of Lake Peipus.In this battle the Russian forces from two towns of Novgorod and Vladimir, led by the young Alexander Nevski, already bore the nickname Nevsky defeated the troops of the Livonian Order.
In what year was the Ice?Battle of Lake Chud occurred April 5, 1242.It was the decisive battle in the war against the forces of order, under the pretext that spread their faith to discover new mined land.By the way, about this war is often said, as the war with the Germans, however, this is not true.Livonian Order was located in the Baltic States.The composition of the troops were actually Knights with his entourage, vassals of the Danish and militia from the tribe of Chud, the ancestors of modern Estonians.And the word "German" in those days called those who do not speak in Russian.
war, which ended in the ice of Lake Chud, started in 1240, and at first was a preponderance towards Livonians: they were taken to cities like Pskov and Izhora.After that, the invaders began to seize Novgorod lands.Until Novgorod they reached some 30 km away.I must say that by the time Alexander Yaroslavovich rules in Pereslavl-Zalessky, where he was forced to resign from Novgorod.In the late 40, residents of the city were called back to the prince, and he did not regard the old grievances, headed the Novgorod troops.
Already in 1241, he stole most of the Livonians of Novgorod and Pskov.In the spring of 1242 the forces of the Livonian Order stronghold, the town of Dorpat came out reconnaissance unit.At 18 miles from the starting point, they met with a group of Rus.It was a small detachment, which went before the main forces of Prince Alexander Nevsky.Due to an easy victory, the Knights were inclined to believe that the main force will be able to win is easy.That is why they decided to give a decisive battle.
Towards Nevsky came all the army of the Order, headed by the Master himself.With the forces of Novgorod, they met at Lake Chud.The chronicles mention that the Ice took place near Raven stone, however, to determine exactly where it happened, historians are not taken.There is a version that the battle took place near the island, which to this day is called the Ravens.Others believe that the Ravens called small stone rock, which is now under the influence of wind and water turned into sandstone.And some historians on the basis of the Prussian chronicles, which states that the knights fell dead in the grass, it is concluded that the battle actually took place near the shore, so to speak, in the reeds.
Knights lined up at his usual pig.This name was of battle formation, where all the weak troops were placed in the middle, and from the front and flanks of their cavalry covered.Nevsky also met his opponents, having built his weakest forces, namely the infantry in battle order, called the heel.War lined up like a Roman letter V, a notch ahead.Enemy of the war were part of the recess, and immediately caught between two lines of the opponents.
Thus, Alexander Yaroslavovich imposed knights long battle, instead of the usual his victorious march through enemy troops.Mired in a battle with the infantry invaders attacked from the flanks more heavily armed forces of the left and right hand.This turn of events for them was completely unexpected, and in confusion they began to retreat, but after some time a shameful escape.At this point, the battle came horse ambush regiment.
Russian drove his opponent through Lake Chud.It is believed that at this point of the enemy's troops went under the ice.Everywhere it is widely believed that this is due to heavier weaponry Knights.It is fair to say that this is not so.Heavy plate armor of knights was invented a few centuries later.In the XIII century, their arms did not differ from the arms of the prince Russian warrior helmet, chain mail, chest, shoulders, greaves and bracers.Yes, and this equipment was not all.They fell through the ice as the Knights completely different reason.Presumably Nevsky drove them to the part of the lake, where due to various features of the ice was not as robust as in other places.
There are other versions.Some facts, namely that the record sunk knights appears only in the chronicles since the XIV century, and in those that were made on the heels of this there is no word, and that at the bottom of the lake is still not found anytraces of knights of the Livonian Order, suggests that this is just a beautiful legend that has nothing to do with reality.
Whatever it was, the Ice ended with the complete defeat of the Order.We saved only by those who brought up the system, that is, the master himself and some of his associates.Later peace was concluded at an extremely favorable conditions for Russia.Invaders renounced all claims to the conquered city, and stopped fighting.The boundaries established at the time, were still relevant for several centuries.
thus be seen that the Battle of the Ice in 1242 proved the superiority of Russian troops and Russian fighting techniques, tactics and strategy of the European.
