The Battle of Gross-Jägersdorf. The history of the great victories of the Russian army

In our military history there are "blank spots". Some battles are known only by professional historians. And this despite the fact that many of them played a significant role not only in the development of our country, but also in the history of other states. This is the battle of Gross-Jägersdorf. It had an important influence on the outcome of the Seven Years' War, but they do not remember this event very often.

A Brief Historical Reference

Gross-Jägersdorf (Gross-Jägersdorf) is the site of the battle that took place on August 19 (30), 1757. It was attended by Russia and Prussia. On one side were 28,000 Prussian soldiers, commanded by Field Marshal Levald. On the other - 55,000 Russian soldiers, commanded by another field marshal, SF Apraksin.

The battle is known to have become the baptism of the Russian troops in the Seven Years' War. Paradoxically, the history of the great victories of the Russian army continued here. Nothing other than the corpses of comrades and the subsequent shameful retreat, our soldiers did not fall. So, where did the 18th century begin in the history of Russia?

Prehistory

In those years, Europe had already forgotten about the fighting qualities of the Russian troops. Of course, even before the war the Polish and Austrian "legacy" happened, but both times the troops expelled by Russia to help the allies are "out of work". So, Peter Lassi in 1735 has time to reach the most Rhine coast, and the detachment of Prince Repnin (13 years after this) generally receives news of the end of hostilities during the march through the territory of the Czech Republic and Moravia. Simply put, the great battles in those years somehow did not work out (fortunately, for the soldiers).

The opinion of the officers of Friedrich

Some of the data on Russian troops Frederick II had from his officers. At one time, the service of the Russian Empire included Kate, Treshkov, Fink, Manstein and Grant. They spoke with great indulgence about the command structure of the Russian army. However, Frederick was not at all a fool, and the war on two fronts was not his plan. Whatever he saw the army of a potential adversary, he did not want to clash with Russia.

Thus, even Levald, who fought at Gross-Jägersdorf from the Prussian side, had imperial powers not only to fight, but also to peace negotiations. In addition, Frederick strictly punished him in case of victory over the Russians to persuade those precisely to the world. Only the 18th century in the history of Russia, unfortunately, turned out to be rich precisely for wars.

Opinion of the Russian side

The moods in the Russian camp (among the officers) were decadent: only Friedrich's invincibility did not make up the legends. His great battles had already broken the spirit of those who did not even start fighting with him!

Differing from the completely "autonomous" Levald, Apraksin was a true puppet, being forced to report to Petersburg on every little thing. In 1757, he does not even know yet where he will have to lead the troops. The "strategists" from the city on the Neva command: "To follow such a route, if necessary, with equal success, turn to Prussia, even to Silesia." Great, what can I say ...

The state of the armies of the warring parties

In May 1757, Apraksin's army began its military campaign. The army has in its composition up to 100 thousand soldiers, and 20 thousand belong to a motley militia. The army leaves Livonia, heading towards the Neman. At that time, the detachment (20 thousand people) of the General-Anshef Fermor besieged Memel, using the support of the Russian fleet. Finally, on June 25, the old style of Memel was taken, after which the campaign officially begins. Field Marshal Apraksin, taking with him the main forces, is moving in the direction of Verzhbolovo and Gumbinen.

At the same time, Levald with the army is spending a good time resting on the well-arranged positions at Velau. The actions of the Russians are followed by a small sentinel detachment. But when the Prussian field marshal finds out that his Russian colleague, after uniting with Fermor, leaves on August 23 (August) in the direction of the city of Allenburg (the village of Druzhba in the Kaliningrad region), Levald interrupts the "vacation" and comes forward to meet the enemy, intending to attack him on the run . He is not embarrassed by the past victories of the Russian army ...

What were the conditions of the area?

At the end of August (according to a new style), Apraksin crosses the Pregel River, which flows southwest of Norkiten. After that, the commander decides to give the army a rest, encamped between the water streams of Pregel and Auxin (Priti tributary). The place was not chosen by chance: Pregel proceeded from the North before a possible enemy, from the east direction the positions of Russian troops were covered by Auxina, in the south-west direction there was a dense forest, through which it was problematic to secretly conduct an army. Enter the camp could only be on three small trails, which are perfectly guarded.

The infantry lined up with an elongated phalanx, and its left flank literally rested against Auxin. Nearby there was Schlossberg Castle. The flags were guarded by the cavalry, which was located in front of the village of Weinoten. The worst was the left flank, which in the event of an attack was the only obstacle to the main attack of the enemy.

So the troops of Apraksin stood for a couple of days, and the commander for all this time did not bother to make any reconnaissance operation, being completely ignorant about both the dislocation of the enemy and its strength. This is especially stupid in the light of the fact that the commander had 16 thousand Russian light cavalry commanders, which was ideal for reconnaissance. In addition, many defectors broke through to the camp, which immediately warned of the intention of Levald to attack, starting the battle at Gross-Jägersdorf. The date was also quite specific: the morning of August 30th.

On the need for reconnaissance

Levald, by the way, already on August 29 makes a full-scale reconnaissance of the area, sending out for this purpose two groups at a time: small and large. The latter numbered as many as 40 squadrons, the leader of which was appointed General Shorlemer. However, Levald was not lucky. For example, Shorlemer could not find the left flank of the Russian army near Zitenfeld. Just at this moment a small detachment, led by lieutenant Lieven, is sent to Zitenfeld. There goes the second division, the command of which is entrusted to the general-anshefa Lopukhin.

Simply put, on August 30, a situation was created worthy of the theater of the absurd: two huge armies begin the battle, although they do not know anything about the enemy's strength or his weapons.

Forces of the Russian and Prussian armies

So, in the battle of Gross-Jegersdorf from the side of the Prussians come: 22 infantry battalions, as well as up to 50 cavalry squadrons. The total number is about 25 or 28 thousand people. Artillery support turns out to be 35 field guns, "a tone" is set at once by two dozen heavy guns.

Apraksin commands 89 battalions of mixed infantry, four dozen mouths of grenadiers, and 46 squadrons of selected cavalry. "Moral support" turned out to be an irregular light cavalry. In total, under the Russian Field Marshal, there were about 50-55 thousand soldiers. The artillerymen had at once 154 regimental, as well as 79 field guns. As a surprise for the Prussians were prepared three dozen heavy Shuvalov howitzers.

Many Western historians note with disregard that with such a superiority of Russians in people and artillery, "it was no surprise to win", but they completely forget about some details: up to 40-50% of the Russian army in general (!) Did not take part in the battle, being Are associated with vague orders and conditions of the terrain. If it were not for the bravery of soldiers and officers, the battle of Gross-Jägersdorf could be an epic example of a stupid defeat.

How did the battle go on?

In the evening of August 29, Apraksin gives the troops an order to begin the speech in the early morning. As some historians say, he did not trust the reports of defectors and decided to break his way out of a likely trap. Others are of the opinion that the field marshal intended to fight in a more open place (he did not like Gross-Jägersdorf), which was better suited for cavalry operations. In the morning, an incident occurred: the advanced parts of the Russians are in utter amazement, suddenly facing each other face to face with the advanced frequent Prussians.

The latter came to their senses more quickly, and on the narrow forest trails a real chaos arose: the distraught horses trampled on people, and the rear regiments could not help their perishing comrades because of the tightness. The battle began at Gross-Jägersdorf.

Building Prussians

The advance of the Russians was also a big surprise for the attacking Prussians: Levald intended to attack the camp on purpose, and not to fight with the stretched marching columns. Before that, the Prussians left their location at night and began to be built at 3.30 am, having Gross-Jägersdorf as a reference point. The construction scheme was as follows: two infantry battalions occupy a central place, two more battalions and some cavalry units cover the flanks.

Before each flank there were three artillery batteries, each with six guns. At this moment the Prussians do not see the Russian troops at all, but they hear the commands and the drumming that are heard from his camp. The order for the performance is given exactly at 4.00 in the morning. Already in half an hour the Prussian army is on the march, with the drums fighting invading Russian territory. At the same time, the take-off and cavalry are gaining on both flanks. First, the battle of Gross-Jägersdorf developed in favor of the Prussians.

Initial success of the Prussian

Due to the "surprise factor" Prussia is lucky at first. 30 squadrons of cavalry crumble the cavalry of the Russians and go straight to the rear of the infantry, which was located at Weinoten. Prince Holstein, who leads several squadrons, at this time attacks light cavalry, which is forced to go under the protection of artillery batteries. However, at that time the bulk of the infantry was already assembled, and, acting together with the regular cavalry, managed to discard the Prussians.

The main blow fell on two divisions Lopukhin. It is here that the most fierce battle begins. The brigades of Saltykov and Vilboa, to which the whole power of the Prussian army is crashing down, bear serious losses. Wilboa lost almost half of his soldiers, but not courage: pushed to the side of the forest, he continues to "snap", inflicting sensitive blows to the Prussians. The gunners also distinguished themselves: guided by their skilled hands, the Shuvalov howitzers make huge holes in the troops of Friedrich. In general, many great victories of the Russian army were possible precisely due to the masterful use of artillery.

Crucial moment

On the edge of the ill-fated forest, the battle now and then begins to pass into terrible hand-to-hand fights. The reserve comes from the third division and strikes the Shorlemera's cavalry on the move, after which he is forced to retire, bearing huge losses. Prince Holstein tried again to attack, but his second offensive was successfully repulsed. At this point, the second Russian division, stretched and drained, is in dangerous proximity to the environment and rout. The situation is saved by Major General PA Rumyantsev, striking four fresh regiments in the strength of the Prussians.

This blow was decisive. In both ranks of the Prussian echelons there is growing confusion, which quickly turns into a real panic and confusion. The second echelon somehow manages to cover its own soldiers with artillery and rifle fire from the first line, after which the panic flight of the Prussians begins. Shorlemera's cavalry showed excellent performance, whose fighters, being under a dense Russian fire, managed to calmly and organizedly retreat. Other parts of the Prussian army fled so successfully that it took them more than one day to collect them.

So, what are the results of the battle that occurred in the year 1757? The war has just begun to collect its bloody crop: the losses of the Prussian side are estimated at 4,500 people, our troops lost 5.5 thousand. Killed on our side was about one and a half thousand.

What in the end?

Apraksin, defeating Levald in an open battle, behaves as if the victory was won by the Prussians. The Prussian field marshal quite calmly leads the army to Velau. Apraksin, arriving at approximately the place where the second echelon of the Prussian army was before the battle, does nothing at all. Only by September 5, he makes a sluggish attempt to attack Levald's left flank. He prudently retreats, preferring to save the soldiers.

Russian troops will meet with him in 1760, when he, being the commandant of Berlin, will organize the defense of the capital of Prussia from the actions of the Russian general Totleben.

At the end of August, Apraksin finally withdrew from his place and, making rapid and hasty forcing of Pregel, begins to hastily retreat to the Neman. With a delay of a week, the Prussians begin to constantly pursue our troops, following them to their borders. Smallpox begins in the Russian army. Kalmyk horsemen suffered such losses from its epidemic that they were forced to return to their homeland.

Apraksin was removed from office, sentenced to trial, but before he died of a stroke. The reasons for his panic retreat are unknown to this day. It is possible that some orders from the capital were forced upon him. We have already mentioned that the Field Marshal could not make independent decisions and fully understood the extent of his responsibility for such a flight, so this was hardly his decision.