in our military history have enough "white spots".Some battles are aware perhaps that professional historians.And this despite the fact that many of them have played a significant role not only in the development of our country, but also in the history of other countries.Such is the battle of Gross-Egersdorf.It has had no small influence on the outcome of the Seven Years War, but remember this event is not too often.
Brief History
Gross Egersdorf (Gross-Jägersdorf) - this is the place of the battle, which occurred on 19 (30) in August 1757.It was attended by Russia and Prussia.On one side there were 28,000 Prussian soldiers, commanded by Field Marshal that Loewald.On the other - 55 000 Russian soldiers, the command of Field Marshal by a different, SF Apraksin.
known battle of the fact that it was the baptism of Russian troops in the Seven Years' War.It is ironic that here continue the story of the great victories of the Russian army.Nothing other than the bodies of comrades and the subsequent shameful retreat, our soldiers not perepalo.So, where do we begin from the 18th century in the history of Russia?
Background
In those years, Europe has managed to forget about the fighting qualities of the Russian troops.Of course, there were also before the War of the Polish and Austrian "legacy", but both times the exiled Russian troops to the aid of allies are "irrelevant."So, Peter Lacy in 1735 manages to reach the very shores of the Rhine, and a detachment of Prince Repnin (13 years after that) all received the news of the end of hostilities during the march through the territory of Bohemia and Moravia.Simply put, the great battles in those years like something does not work (fortunately, for the soldiers).
Opinion officers Friedrich
some data on Russian troops from Frederick II had his officers.In his time in the service of the Russian Empire consisted Kate treshka Fink, Manstein and Grant.They spoke with great gentleness of the command staff of the Russian army.However, Friedrich was not a fool, and the war on two fronts in his plans not included.What he saw no potential enemy army, shlestyvayutsya with Russia he did not want.
So even Loewald, who led the battle of Gross-Egersdorf with the Prussian side, the imperial powers had not only to fight, but also to the peace negotiations.In addition, Frederick severely punish him in case of victory over the Russian persuade it to the world.That's only in the history of 18th century Russia, unfortunately, it was rich in the war.
opinion of the Russian side
The mood in the camp of Russian (including officers) was dominated by decadent: the invincibility of Frederick legends not only terms.His great battles already break the spirit of those who are with him not even started to fight!
Differing thus from a completely "autonomous" Loewald, Apraksin was this puppet, being forced to report to St. Petersburg just about every little detail.In 1757, he did not yet know where he would have to lead troops."Strategy" out of the city on the Neva, the precepts: "To go this route, that in case of need with equal success to turn even in Prussia, even in Silesia."Amazing, to say nothing ...
condition armies warring parties
In May 1757 the army Apraksina begins his battle campaign.The army is composed of up to 100 thousand soldiers, and 20 thousand are motley militia.Army out of Livonia, heading towards the Niemen.While the squad (20 thousand people), General-in-Chief Fermor precipitates Memel, with the support of the Russian fleet.Finally, on June 25, old style Memel was taken, after which the campaign officially begins.Field Marshal Apraksin, taking the main force moving towards Verzhbolovo and Gumbinnen.
At the same time, the army of Loewald nice to spend time relaxing on the well-appointed positions at Vela.Monitors the actions of a small Russian sentinel squad.But when the Prussian Field Marshal learns that his Russian counterpart, united with Fermor, 23 (12) August, goes in the direction of Allenburg (Village of Friendship in the Kaliningrad region), Loewald interrupts "vacation" and serves to meet the enemy, intending it to go attack.It does not confuse the last victory of the Russian army ...
What were the conditions of the terrain?
the end of August (new style) Apraxin carries river crossing Pregel flowing southwest Norkitena.Then the team decides to give the rest of the army, encamped between water flows and Pregel auxin (a tributary of Preti).The site was chosen is no coincidence: the North before a possible opponent Pregel flowed from the eastern direction of the position of the Russian troops were covered by auxin, in the south-west was a dense forest, through which to conduct covert army was problematic.Log in to the camp could only three small trails that are perfectly protected.
infantry formed a phalanx extended, and its left flank just rested on auxin.Nearby is the castle Schlossberg.The wings were covered horse, situated in front of the villages Veynoten.Worse had left side, which in case of an attack is the only obstacle in the way of the main enemy attack.
So Apraksina troops stood a couple of days, and the team for all that time did not bother to make any intelligence operation, being in the dark about how the dislocation of the enemy and its population.This is especially silly in the light of the fact that the disposal of the commander was 16 thousand Russian light cavalry, which is ideal for exploration.In addition, the camp broke many defectors who once warned of the intention to attack Loewald, starting the battle of Gross-Egersdorf.The date is also called very specific: morning of August 30th.
about the need intelligence
Loewald, incidentally, on August 29 produces a full-scale reconnaissance by sending for this purpose just two groups: small and large.As part of the latter, there were already 40 squadrons, the leader of which he was appointed General Shorlemer.However, Loewald no luck.For example, Shorlemer could not find the left flank of the Russian army under the Zitenfelde.Just at this moment in Zitenfelde sent a small detachment led by Lieutenant-General downpour.There also is a second division, commanded by the responsibility of the General-in-Chief Lopuchin.
Simply put, August 30 there was a situation worthy of the theater of the absurd: two huge armies start the battle, but at the same time know nothing about the number of the enemy, or his arms.
Force Russian and Prussian armies
So, in the battle of Gross-Egersdorf by the Prussians come: 22 infantry battalions and 50 cavalry squadrons.The total number - about 25 or 28 thousand people.Artillery support is provided 35 field guns, "set the tone" at once two dozen heavy guns.
Apraxin commanded 89 infantry battalions, a mixed, four dozen mouth grenadiers and 46 squadrons of cavalry selective."Moral support" provided irregular light cavalry.Total under the Russian field marshal, there were about 50-55 thousand soldiers.Gunners had just 154 regimental and 79 field guns.As a surprise for the Prussians were prepared three dozen heavy howitzer Shuvalov.
Many Western historians have noted with disdain that with such Russian superiority in men and artillery to "win was not surprising," they are just completely forget about some of the details: up to 40-50% of the Russian army general (!) Did not participate in the battleThey are connected vague orders and terrain conditions.If not for the courage of the soldiers and officers, the battle of Gross-Egersdorf could become epic example stupidest defeat.
How was the battle?
evening of August 29 Apraksin sends troops to the beginning of appearances in the early morning.As they say some historians, he did not trust the reports of deserters and decided to punch his way out of the likely pitfalls.Others are of the opinion that Field Marshal intended to give battle to a more open place (he did not like Grosse Egersdorf), which is better suited for cavalry action.In the morning there was an incident: Russian advance units are in utter amazement, suddenly face to face with the advanced part of the Prussians.
last come to their senses quickly, and in the narrow forest trail originated chaos: mad horse tread down the people, and the rear shelf could do nothing to help their comrades in distress because of the tightness.The battle of Gross-Egersdorf.
Building Prussians
Nomination Russian was a big surprise and attacked the Prussians: Loewald suggested the move to attack the camp, not to fight with Stretched marching columns.Before that night, the Prussians had left its location at 3:30 am and began to build, having to guide himself Gross Egersdorf.The scheme of construction was: a central place is occupied by two infantry battalions, cover the flanks of two more battalions and some cavalry units.
Before each flank were three artillery batteries, each of which had six guns.At this point, the Prussians did not see the Russian troops, but good teams and hear the drumbeat that was coming from his camp.Order to the statement given at exactly 4.00 am.Half an hour later the Prussian army is on the march, with the battle drums intruding on Russian territory.At the same time, it is gaining momentum, and the cavalry on both flanks.First Battle of Gross-Egersdorf developed in favor of the Prussians.
initial success Prussians
Due to "surprise factor" Prussians first lucky.30 squadrons of cavalry crushes Russian cavalry and go directly to the rear of the infantry, which was located at the Veynotena.Prince of Holstein, who heads several squadrons at this time attacking a light cavalry, which had to go under the protection of artillery.However, at the time the bulk of the infantry had already gathered, and, acting together with the regular cavalry, managed to tilt the Prussians.
brunt two divisions Lopuchin.It is here that the most fierce battle erupted.Saltykov and Vilboa Brigade, which falls on the full power of the Prussian army, bear heavy losses.Vilboa lost almost half of their soldiers, but not courage: ousted in the forest, he continues to "snap" to inflict painful blows Prussians.Distinguished and gunners: directed their skillful hands, Shuvalovsky howitzers doing in the army of Frederick the huge gaps.In general, many of the great victory of the Russian army have been possible precisely by the masterful use of artillery.
turning point
forest on the edge of the ill-fated battle and then starts to move in the terrible melee.It comes from the third division reserve and immediately strikes the cavalry Shorlemera, after which he is forced to retire, carrying huge losses.Prince Holstein tries to attack again, but his second attack was successfully repulsed.At this point, the second Russian division, stretched and bloodless, is dangerously close to the encirclement and defeat.Regulation saves Major General PA Rumyantsev, struck by four fresh regiments of Prussia.
The strike proved decisive.In both the ranks of the Prussian echelons increases confusion that quickly turns into a real panic and confusion.The second echelon somehow manages to cover the artillery and rifle fire as its own soldiers from the first line, followed by a stampede of Prussia.Excellent proved Shorlemera cavalry, fighters which turned out under tight Russian fire, managed to calm and orderly retreat.Other parts of the Prussian army ran so successfully that their collection took more than one day.
So, what are the results of the battle that took place in the year 1757?The war has just started to collect their bloody harvest: the loss of the Prussian side are estimated at 4.5 thousand people, our forces have lost 5,500.Deaths from our side were about one and a half thousand.
What is the result?
Apraxin defeating Loewald in open battle, behaves as if won by the Prussians.Prussian field marshal calmly leads the army to Vela.Apraxin same, arriving approximately at the place where the battle was to the second tier of the Prussian army, does nothing.Only by 5 September, he takes a lukewarm attempt to attack the left flank Loewald.He wisely retreats, preferring to keep the soldiers.
Russian troops will meet with him in 1760, when he was a commandant of Berlin, will organize the defense of the capital of Prussia on the actions of the Russian General Totleben.
In late August Apraxin finally removed from the scene and, having made sudden and hasty forcing Pregel begins hastily retreat to the Niemen.With a delay of a week, the Prussians begin consistently pursue our troops followed them up to its border.In the Russian army begins pox.Kalmyk horsemen suffered from its epidemic such losses, which were forced to return to their homeland.
Apraksin was dismissed and sentenced to court, but before he died of a stroke.The reasons for his panicked retreat unknown to this day.It is possible that he was forced to it any orders from the capital.We have already mentioned that the Field Marshal was unable to take independent decisions and fully understand the extent of their responsibility for such flight, so it was hardly his decision.
