Navarino sea battle that took place on a sunny day, October 20, 1927 in the eponymous bay, not only is one of the most glorious pages in the history of the domestic fleet, but also serves as an example of what Russia and the countries of Western Europe can find common ground,when it comes to infringement of the rights and freedoms of various peoples.Present a united front against the decrepit Ottoman Empire, England, Russia and France have provided invaluable assistance to the Greek people in their struggle for independence.
Russia and Europe in the first half of the XIX century
Russian Empire in the 19th century, especially after the defeat of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna, became a full member of the international political process.Moreover, its impact in the 1810-1830-ies.It was so great that it sought support in all more or less important situations.Created at the initiative of Alexander I, the Holy Alliance, the main purpose of which was the fight for the preservation of existing in European countries, political regimes, has become an important tool of influence on all intra-European affairs.
One of the weak points of Europe first quarter of the XIX century is the gradual crumbling Ottoman Empire.Despite all attempts to reform, Turkey is increasingly lagging behind the leading countries is gradually losing control over the territories, a member of its empire.The special position in this process occupied the Balkan countries, which with an eye on possible assistance to Russia and other European states are increasingly began to fight for their independence.
In 1821, the Greek uprising began.The Russian government has found itself in a difficult situation: on the one hand, points the Holy Alliance was not allowed to support those who advocated the revision of the existing situation, and on the other - Orthodox Greeks have long been regarded as our allies, while the relations with Turkey almost always been farfrom optimal.Rather cautiously at first attitude to these events gradually replaced by increasingly growing pressure on the descendants of Osman.Battle of Navarino in 1827 was the logical conclusion of this process.
Background and basic reasons
In opposition to the Greeks and the Turks for a long time, none of the parties could not achieve a decisive superiority.The status quo has recorded so-called Akkerman Convention, then the cause of the peaceful settlement of actively took Russia, France and England.Nicholas I made it clear to the Sultan Mahmud II, which will have to go to the very serious concessions to save the Balkan states as a part of his empire.These requirements have been fixed protocol Petersburg in 1826, where the Greeks had been promised broad autonomy, including the right to elect to public office of its officials.
Despite these agreements, Turkey at every opportunity aspired to unleash against the proud Hellenes real genocide.This eventually led Russia and its European allies to go to more drastic action.
alignment of forces before the Battle of Navarino Battle of Navarino
shown that the time when the Turkish fleet is considered one of the best in Europe, irrevocably gone.Sultan and Pasha kapudan Muharram Bey managed to raise in the Mediterranean region is quite an impressive force.Besides the actual Turkish frigates are focused powerful battleships of Egypt and Tunisia.In general, this armada consisted of 66 pennants, which has more than 2,100 guns.The Turks could also count on the support of coastal artillery, the organization of which a large role in his time played the French engineers.
Allied squadron, commanded by general seniority exercised Englishman Codrington, there were only twenty-six pennants with nearly 1,300 guns.However, the ships of the line - the main force in any naval battle of the time - they had more - ten to seven.As for the Russian squadron, then it included four battleships and frigates, and commanded by an experienced soldier L. Heyden, who kept his flag on the flagship "Azov".
disposition before the battle
already in the area of the Greek archipelago, the Allied command has made a final attempt to resolve the conflict peacefully.Ibrahim Pasha during the negotiations on behalf of the sultan promised three-week truce that almost immediately it was broken.After that, the allied fleet series of flanking maneuvers locked Turks in Navarino Bay, where those under the protection of powerful coastal batteries intended to give a general battle.
Battle of Navarino was largely lost by the Turks before it starts.Choosing this rather narrow bay, they actually have deprived themselves of the numerical advantage, as only a small part of their ships can simultaneously participate in the battle.Coast Artillery also relied on the horseshoe of the Turkish fleet, a special role in the battle has not played.
Allies were planning to attack two columns: the British and French had to crush the right flank, and the Russian military fleet - completed the rout, leaning on the left side of the Turkish fleet.
battle began
the morning of October 8, 1827 Anglo-French squadron, which is closer to the opponent lined up in a column, start slow motion toward the Turks.Going up to a distance of a cannon shot, the ships stopped, and Admiral Codrington had sent envoys to the Turks, who were shot with rifles.Shots signaled the beginning of the battle: on both sides at the same time talking about two thousand guns, the whole bay quickly clouded with acrid smoke.
At this stage, the allied fleet was unable to achieve a decisive superiority.Moreover, the Turkish missiles caused serious enough damage system Muhharey Bey was unmoved.
Battle of Navarino: the entry of the Russian fleet, and a radical change
At a time when the outcome of the battle was still far from clear, for active combat operations started Heyden Russian squadron, which was a blow aimed at the left flank of the Turks.The first frigate "Gangut" shot coastal battery, which has not had time to do ten volleys.Then, standing at a distance of a pistol shot, the Russian ships to take fire from the enemy fleet duel.
main burden of the battle fell on the flagship "Azov", the commander of which was known domestic admiral Mikhail Lazarev.As head of Russian combat unit, he immediately joined the battle with five enemy ships quickly sinking two of them.Then he hurried to the rescue of the British "Asia", which opened fire against the enemy flagship.Russian battleships and frigates have behaved in an exemplary battle: taking up space intended for them in battle formation, they are under fierce enemy fire made clear and timely maneuvers flushing one after the other, Turkish and Egyptian courts.That effort Heyden squadron provided a radical change in the battle.
end of the battle: the complete victory of the allied fleet
Navarino battle lasted just over four hours and has a very high concentration and saturation fire maneuvers.Despite the fact that the battle was fought on the Turkish territory, namely the Turks turned it worse prepared.Several of their ships during the movement ran aground and became easy prey.By the end of the third hour of the battle became clear, the Allies began to compete in who is more sink ships.
As a result, without losing a single ship combat, Allied fleet defeated the entire Turkish fleet: escape was only one ship, and he received a very serious injury.Such an outcome dramatically changed all the balance of power in the region.
Results
Battle of Navarino in 1827 was the prelude to the next Russian-Turkish war.Another of its outcome was a sharp change in the ratio of Greek and Turkish forces.After suffering a crushing defeat, Turkey has entered a period of serious political crisis.She was not up to the ancestors of the Greeks, who were not only able to win broad autonomy, but also to achieve full independence soon.
1827 in the history of Russia - it is yet another confirmation of its military and political power.Enlisting the support of countries such as Britain and France, it was able to capitalize on the situation to strengthen its position in the European arena.
