art, was the founder of maneuverable tactics of the sailing fleet, which was based on a skillful combination of fire and maneuver. His tactics differed from the linear tactics accepted at that time by the decisiveness of combat operations, the use of uniform marching and combat formations, approaching the enemy at a short distance without rebuilding the marching formation into a combat one, concentrating fire on the decisive object and disabling primarily the enemy’s flagship ships. , creating a reserve in battle to develop success in the main directions, conducting combat at the distance of a grape shot in order to achieve the greatest effectiveness of strikes, a combination of aimed artillery fire and maneuver, pursuing the enemy to complete his complete defeat or capture. Great importance Ushakov emphasized naval and fire training among personnel, was a supporter of Suvorov’s principles of educating subordinates, an opponent of drill and senseless hobbies for parades, and followed the principle: teach what is needed in war. Best school for sailors he considered sailing in conditions close to combat reality. He instilled in the personnel patriotism, a sense of camaraderie and mutual assistance in battle. He was fair, caring and demanding of his subordinates, for which he enjoyed universal respect.
Russia has always been rich in outstanding commanders and naval commanders.
1. Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky (ca. 1220 - 1263). - commander, at the age of 20 he defeated the Swedish conquerors on the Neva River (1240), and at 22 he defeated the German “dog knights” during the Battle of the Ice (1242)
2. Dmitry Donskoy (1350 - 1389). - commander, prince. Under his leadership it was won greatest victory on the Kulikovo field over the hordes of Khan Mamai, which was an important stage in the liberation of Rus' and other peoples of Eastern Europe from the Mongol-Tatar yoke.
3. Peter I - Russian Tsar, an outstanding commander. He is the founder of the Russian regular army and navy. He showed high organizational skills and talent as a commander during the Azov campaigns (1695 - 1696) and in the Northern War (1700 - 1721). During the Persian campaign (1722 - 1723) under the direct leadership of Peter in the famous Battle of Poltava (1709), the troops of the Swedish king Charles XII were defeated and captured.
4. Fyodor Alekseevich Golovin (1650 - 1706) - count, general - field marshal, admiral. Companion of Peter I, greatest organizer, one of the founders of the Baltic Fleet
5 Boris Petrovich Sheremetyev (1652 - 1719) - count, general - field marshal. Member of the Crimean, Azov. Commanded an army in a campaign against Crimean Tatars. In the battle of Eresphere, in Livonia, a detachment under his command defeated the Swedes and defeated Schlippenbach's army at Hummelshof (5 thousand killed, 3 thousand captured). The Russian flotilla forced the Swedish ships to leave the Neva into the Gulf of Finland. In 1703 he took Noteburg, and then Nyenschanz, Koporye, Yamburg. In Estland Sheremetev B.P. Wesenberg occupied. Sheremetev B.P. besieged Dorpat, which surrendered in 13 IL 1704. During the Astrakhan uprising, Sheremetev B.P. was sent by Peter I to suppress it. In 1705 Sheremetev B.P. took Astrakhan.
6 Alexander Danilovich Menshikov (1673-1729) - His Serene Highness Prince, associate of Peter I. Generalissimo of the Marines and ground forces. Participant in the Northern War with the Swedes, the battle of Poltava.
7. Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev (1725 - 1796) - count, general - field marshal. Participant Russian-Swedish war, Seven Years' War. His biggest victories were won during the first Russian-Turkish war (1768 - 1774), especially in the battles of Ryabaya Mogila, Larga and Kagul and many other battles. Turkish army was destroyed. Rumyantsev became the first holder of the Order of St. George, 1st degree, and received the title of Transdanubian.
8. Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov (1729-1800) - His Serene Highness Prince of Italy, Count of Rymnik, Count of the Holy Roman Empire, Generalissimo of the Russian land and naval forces, Field Marshal of the Austrian and Sardinian troops, Grandee of the Kingdom of Sardinia and Prince of the Royal Blood (with the title “cousin” King"), holder of all Russian and many foreign military orders awarded at that time.
He was never defeated in any of the battles he fought. Moreover, in almost all these cases he convincingly won despite the numerical superiority of the enemy.
he took it by storm impregnable fortress Ishmael, defeated the Turks at Rymnik, Focsani, Kinburn, etc. The Italian campaign of 1799 and victories over the French, the immortal crossing of the Alps was the crown of his military leadership.
9. Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov (1745-1817) - an outstanding Russian naval commander, admiral. Russian Orthodox Church Canonized as a saint as the righteous warrior Theodore Ushakov. He laid the foundations for new naval tactics, founded the Black Sea Navy, led it with talent, winning a number of remarkable victories on the Black Sea and Mediterranean seas: in the Kerch naval battle, in the battles of Tendra, Kaliakria, etc. Ushakov’s significant victory was the capture of the island of Corfu in February 1799, where the combined actions of ships and land landings were successfully used.
Admiral Ushakov fought 40 naval battles. And they all ended in brilliant victories. People called him “Navy Suvorov”.
10. Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov (1745 - 1813) - famous Russian commander, Field Marshal General, His Serene Highness Prince. Hero Patriotic War 1812, full holder of the Order of St. George. He fought against the Turks, Tatars, Poles, and French in various positions, including Commander-in-Chief of armies and troops. Formed light cavalry and infantry that did not exist in the Russian army
11. Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly (1761-1818) - prince, outstanding Russian commander, field marshal general, minister of war, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, full holder of the Order of St. George. He commanded the entire Russian army at the initial stage of the Patriotic War of 1812, after which he was replaced by M. I. Kutuzov. In the foreign campaign of the Russian army of 1813-1814, he commanded the united Russian-Prussian army as part of the Bohemian Army of the Austrian Field Marshal Schwarzenberg.
12. Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration (1769-1812) - prince, Russian general from infantry, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812. Descendant of the Georgian royal house of Bagration. The branch of the Kartalin princes Bagrations (ancestors of Peter Ivanovich) was included in the number of Russian-princely families on October 4, 1803, when Emperor Alexander I approved the seventh part of the “General Armorial
13. Nikolai Nikolaevich Raevsky (1771-1829) - Russian commander, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, cavalry general. During thirty years of impeccable service, he participated in many of the largest battles of the era. After his feat at Saltanovka, he became one of the most popular generals in the Russian army. The fight for the Raevsky battery was one of the key episodes of the Battle of Borodino. When the Persian army invaded Georgia in 1795, and, fulfilling its obligations under Treaty of Georgievsk, the Russian government declared war on Persia. In March 1796, the Nizhny Novgorod regiment, part of the corps of V. A. Zubov, set off on a 16-month campaign to Derbent. In May, after ten days of siege, Derbent was taken. Together with the main forces, he reached the Kura River. In difficult mountain conditions, Raevsky showed his best qualities: “The 23-year-old commander managed to maintain complete battle order and strict military discipline during the grueling campaign.”
14. Alexey Petrovich Ermolov (1777-1861) - Russian military leader and statesman, participant of many major wars, which Russian empire led from the 1790s to the 1820s. General of Infantry. General of Artillery. Hero Caucasian War. In the campaign of 1818 he supervised the construction of the Grozny fortress. Under his command were the troops sent to pacify the Avar Khan Shamil. In 1819, Ermolov began construction of a new fortress - Sudden. In 1823 he commanded military operations in Dagestan, and in 1825 he fought with the Chechens.
15. Matvey Ivanovich Platov (1753-1818) - count, cavalry general, Cossack. Participated in all wars of the late XVIII - early XIX century. Since 1801 - Ataman of the Don Cossack Army. He took part in the battle of Preussisch-Eylau, then in the Turkish war. During the Patriotic War, he first commanded all the Cossack regiments on the border, and then, covering the retreat of the army, had successful dealings with the enemy near the towns of Mir and Romanovo. During the retreat French army Platov, relentlessly pursuing her, inflicted defeats on her at Gorodnya, Kolotsky Monastery, Gzhatsk, Tsarevo-Zaimishch, near Dukhovshchina and when crossing the Vop River. For his merits he was elevated to the rank of count. In November, Platov captured Smolensk from battle and defeated the troops of Marshal Ney near Dubrovna. At the beginning of January 1813, he entered Prussia and besieged Danzig; in September he received command of a special corps, with which he participated in the battle of Leipzig and, pursuing the enemy, captured about 15 thousand people. In 1814, he fought at the head of his regiments during the capture of Nemur, Arcy-sur-Aube, Cezanne, Villeneuve.
16. Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev (1788-1851) - Russian naval commander and navigator, admiral, holder of the Order of St. George IV class and discoverer of Antarctica. Here in 1827, commanding the warship Azov, M.P. Lazarev took part in the Battle of Navarino. Fighting with five Turkish ships, he destroyed them: he sank two large frigates and one corvette, burned the flagship ship under the flag of Tagir Pasha, forced the 80-gun ship to run aground battleship, after which he lit it and blew it up. In addition, the Azov, under the command of Lazarev, destroyed the flagship of Muharrem Bey. For his participation in the Battle of Navarino, Lazarev was promoted to rear admiral and awarded three orders at once (Greek - "Commander's Cross of the Savior", English - Baths and French - St. Louis, and his ship "Azov" received the St. George flag.
17. Pavel Stepanovich Nakhimov (1802-1855) - Russian admiral. Under the command of Lazarev, M.P. committed in 1821-1825. circumnavigation on the frigate "Cruiser". During the voyage he was promoted to lieutenant. In the Battle of Navarino, he commanded a battery on the battleship "Azov" under the command of Lazarev M.P. as part of the squadron of Admiral L.P. Heyden; for distinction in the battle he was awarded the Order of St. on December 21, 1827. George IV class for No. 4141 and promoted to captain-lieutenant. In 1828 took command of the corvette Navarin, a captured Turkish ship that previously bore the name Nassabih Sabah. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1828–29, commanding a corvette, he blockaded the Dardanelles as part of the Russian squadron. During the Sevastopol defense of 1854-55. showed strategic approach to the defense of the city. In Sevastopol, although Nakhimov was listed as the commander of the fleet and port, from February 1855, after the sinking of the fleet, he defended, by appointment of the commander-in-chief, the southern part of the city, leading the defense with amazing energy and enjoying the greatest moral influence on soldiers and sailors, who called him “father.” -a benefactor."
18. Vladimir Alekseevich Kornilov (1806-1855) - vice admiral (1852). Participant in the Battle of Navarino in 1827 and the Russian-Turkish War of 1828-29. From 1849 - chief of staff, from 1851 - de facto commander of the Black Sea Fleet. He advocated the re-equipment of ships and the replacement of the sailing fleet with steam. IN Crimean War- one of the leaders of the Sevastopol defense.
19. Stepan Osipovich Makarov (1849 - 1904) - He was the founder of the theory of unsinkability of a ship, one of the organizers of the creation of destroyer ships and torpedo boats. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877 - 1878. carried out successful attacks on enemy ships with pole mines. He committed two round the world travel and a number of Arctic flights. Skillfully commanded the Pacific squadron during the defense of Port Arthur in Russian-Japanese war 1904 - 1905
20. Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov (1896-1974) - The most famous Soviet commander is generally recognized as Marshal Soviet Union. Development of plans for all major operations of united fronts and large groupings Soviet troops and their implementation took place under his leadership. These operations always ended victoriously. They were decisive for the outcome of the war.
21. Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky (1896-1968) - outstanding Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Marshal of Poland. Twice Hero of the Soviet Union
22. Ivan Stepanovich Konev (1897-1973) - Soviet commander, Marshal of the Soviet Union, twice Hero of the Soviet Union.
23. Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov (1897-1955) - Soviet commander, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Soviet Union
24. Kirill Afanasyevich Meretskov (1997-1968) - Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Soviet Union
25. Semyon Konstantinovich Timoshenko (1895-1970) - Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, twice Hero of the Soviet Union. In May 1940 - July 1941 People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR.
26. Fyodor Ivanovich Tolbukhin (1894 - 1949) - Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Soviet Union
27. Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov (1900-1982) - Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, during the Great Patriotic War - commander of the 62nd Army, which especially distinguished itself in the Battle of Stalingrad. 2nd Hero of the USSR.
28. Andrei Ivanovich Eremenko (1892-1970) - Marshal of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Soviet Union. One of the most prominent commanders of the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War in general.
29. Radion Yakovlevich Malinovsky (1897-1967) - Soviet military leader and statesman. Commander of the Great Patriotic War, Marshal of the Soviet Union, from 1957 to 1967 - Minister of Defense of the USSR.
30. Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov (1904-1974) - Soviet naval figure, Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union, headed the Soviet Navy (as People's Commissar of the Navy (1939-1946), Minister of the Navy (1951-1953 ) and Commander-in-Chief)
31. Nikolai Fedorovich Vatutin (1901-1944) - army general, Hero of the Soviet Union, belongs to the galaxy of the main commanders of the Great Patriotic War.
32. Ivan Danilovich Chernyakhovsky (1906-1945) - an outstanding Soviet military leader, army general, twice Hero of the Soviet Union.
33. Pavel Alekseevich Rotmistrov (1901-1982) - Soviet military leader, Hero of the Soviet Union, Chief Marshal of the Armored Forces, Doctor of Military Sciences, Professor.
And this is only a part of the commanders who are worthy of mention.
Perevezentsev S.V., Volkov V.A.
Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin-Tavrichesky (1739–1791)
The future His Serene Highness Prince of Tauride and Field Marshal General was born in the village. Chizhovo, Dukhovishchensky district, Smolensk province, in the family of a retired officer. In 1755 he entered the military service. With the rank of sergeant, he participated in the palace coup of 1762 and after the accession of Empress Catherine II, he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant and awarded the court rank of chamber cadet. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1768–1774. participated in the battles of Focsani, Brailov, Ryaboya Mogila, Larga and Kagul. In 1774 he was promoted to the rank of general-in-chief and appointed vice-president of the Military Collegium. The rapid rise of G.A. Potemkin was facilitated by his close acquaintance with Empress Catherine II, who appreciated his talent as an organizer and zeal in his service. In 1766, he was appointed governor-general of Novorossiysk, Azov, and Astrakhan. While in this post, he contributed to Russia's development of the Northern Black Sea region and contributed to the creation and strengthening of the Black Sea Fleet. In 1775, on the initiative of Potemkin, the Zaporozhye Sich was liquidated. In 1783, he implemented his project of annexing Crimea to Russia, after which he received the title of His Serene Highness Prince of Tauride, and in 1784 he was appointed president of the Military Collegium. In this post, he carried out a number of measures aimed at a more rational organization of service, and significantly changed the equipment of military personnel. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1787–1791. G.A. Potemkin was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian Yekaterinoslav army. The Black Sea Fleet was transferred to his subordination. In 1788, he led the siege and assault of the strategically important fortress of Achi-Kale (Ochakov), which fell on December 6, 1788. Subsequently, having chosen Iasi for his headquarters, the commander-in-chief directed the actions of the army and navy from there. Among G.A.’s subordinates Potemkin were outstanding Russian military leaders and naval commanders A.V. Suvorov, N.V. Repnin, F.F. Ushakov.
Samuil Karlovich Greig (1735–1788)
A native of Inverkeithing, Scotland, he served in the British Navy. In 1764 he went to serve in Russian fleet, receiving the rank of captain 1st rank. Participant in the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774, commanding the battleship "Three Hierarchs", as part of the squadron G.A. Spiridov made a trip to the Mediterranean Sea. Commanding a corps de battalion, he distinguished himself during the naval battle in the Chios Strait on June 24, 1770. During the destruction of the Turkish fleet in Chesme Bay on June 26, 1770, he directly supervised the actions of the Russian ships that took part in this operation. It was S.K. In 1775, Greig delivered to Kronstadt the self-proclaimed princess E. Tarakanova, captured by A.G. Orlov-Chesmensky. In gratitude for this, he was appointed chief commander of the Kronstadt port. In 1782 Greig was elevated to the rank of admiral. During the Russian-Swedish war of 1788-1790. commanded the Baltic Fleet, defeated the Swedish squadron of Duke K. Südermanland in the Battle of Hogland (July 6, 1788), blocking enemy ships in the Sveaborg sea area. Soon he became seriously ill and was evacuated to Revel, where he died.
Vasily Yakovlevich Chichagov (1726–1809)
He studied at the School of Mathematical and Navigational Sciences, after which he continued his education in England. He was enlisted in the naval service in the Russian fleet as a midshipman in 1742. He was promoted to the first officer rank of midshipman in 1745. In 1764 he was appointed head of an expedition of three ships to find a sea route along the coast of the Arctic Ocean from Arkhangelsk to the Bering Strait and beyond. to Kamchatka. Twice, in 1765 and 1766, he tried to complete the task assigned to him, but both expeditions of Chichagov attempted to pass the Northern by sea ended in vain. However, he managed to reach high polar latitudes (in the first case, 80?26?N latitude, in the second - 80?30?N latitude). During the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774. Rear Admiral Chichagov commanded a detachment of ships of the Don Flotilla defending Kerch Strait. In 1775 he was promoted to the rank of vice admiral and appointed a member of the Admiralty Board, in 1782 he was promoted to the rank of admiral. During the Russian-Swedish war of 1788-1790. commanded the Baltic Fleet, led the actions of Russian squadrons in the Eland and Revel naval battles. After the breakthrough of the Swedish fleet from Vyborg on the night of June 22, 1790, he led the pursuit of enemy ships, during which Russian sailors destroyed and captured 7 battleships, 3 frigates, 6 boats, 5 galleys, 21 gunboats, 3 fire ships, 16 transport ships and 3 bots. For this victory he was awarded the Order of St. George, 1st class. Since 1797 - retired.
Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov (1730–1800)
Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov - famous Russian commander, Count of Rymniksky (1789), Prince of Italy (1799), Generalissimo (1799).
Born into the family of Chief General V.I. Suvorov. In 1742, he was enlisted as a musketeer in the Semenovsky Life Guards Regiment, but began to perform his duties only in 1748, with the rank of corporal. In 1754 he was promoted to lieutenant and transferred to the Ingria Infantry Regiment. During the Seven Years' War 1756–1763. participated in the battles of Kunersdorf, near Frankfurt-on-Oder, in the capture of Berlin and the siege of Kolberg.
In August 1762, Suvorov received the rank of colonel and was appointed commander of the Astrakhan infantry regiment, from 1763 - commander of the Suzdal infantry regiment. In 1764–1765, when the Suzdal regiment was in permanent quarters in Novaya Ladoga, he wrote “The Regimental Establishment” - a manual for the training and education of troops. In 1768–1772 participated in military operations in Poland against the troops of the Bar Confederation; for military distinction in 1770, Suvorov was promoted to the rank of major general.
During the Russian-Turkish war of 1768–1774. The detachment under the command of Suvorov inflicted several defeats on the superior forces of the Turks. Here he successfully used a formation that was new for that time - an attack in columns covered by a loose formation of rangers. His victory over 40 thousand made him even more famous. by the Turkish corps at Kozludzha, won at the very end of the war on June 8, 1774.
In August 1774, Suvorov was sent against the detachments of E.I. operating in the Volga region. Pugachev, but the rebels were defeated even before his arrival at the site of the fighting. In 1776–1787 Suvorov commanded troops in the Crimea, Kuban, then the Vladimir, St. Petersburg and Kremenchug divisions. In 1786 he was promoted to the rank of general-in-chief.
With the beginning of the Russian-Turkish war of 1787–1791. Suvorov was appointed to the post of chief of defense of the Kherson-Kinburn region. On October 1, 1787, troops under the command of Suvorov destroyed the Turkish landing force that landed on the Kinburn Spit. In 1788, Suvorov, as part of the Ekaterinoslav Army, Field Marshal General G.A. Potemkin, participated in the siege of Ochakov, during which he was seriously wounded and was out of action for a long time. Having recovered, Suvorov received a separate corps under his command. In 1789, the Russian commander defeated Turkish troops in the battles of Focsani and Rymnic. On December 11, 1790, Russian troops under the command of Suvorov stormed the fortified fortress of Izmail.
After the end of hostilities, Suvorov commanded Russian troops in Finland and supervised the construction of fortifications on the border with Sweden. In 1794 he took part in military operations against the Polish Confederates. He led a successful assault on the right bank suburb of the Polish capital Prague, after which Warsaw capitulated. The keys to the surrendered city were handed over to A.V. Suvorov. For this brilliant operation, Suvorov was promoted to the rank of field marshal.
In 1795–1796 Suvorov was with the troops in Little Russia, in the city of Tulchin, where he wrote the book “The Science of Victory” - a treatise that outlined the principles of his victorious tactics and gave instructions on the training and education of troops.
At the beginning of the reign of Paul I, he fell into temporary disgrace for criticizing the changes carried out by the emperor in the army, its reorganization according to the Prussian model. In February 1797, Suvorov was dismissed and exiled to one of the estates in the village. Konchanskoe. But in 1798, at the insistence of Russia’s allies, he was returned to service and appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian and Austrian troops in Northern Italy. During the Italian campaign of 1799, he defeated French troops in battles on the river. Adde, on the river Trebbia and Novi, displacing the enemy from the Apennine Peninsula. After these victories, he planned to launch an invasion of France, but received orders to set out on the Swiss campaign. For victorious actions in Italy and Switzerland A.V. Suvorov was elevated to the rank of generalissimo.
A.V. Suvorov died in St. Petersburg shortly after returning from the Swiss campaign. He was buried in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, where the inscription was carved on the tombstone: “Here lies Suvorov.”
Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov (1744–1817)
The great Russian naval commander was born in the village. Burnakovo, Romanovsky district, Yaroslavl province, in a poor noble family. In 1766 he graduated from the Naval Cadet Corps, then served in the Baltic Fleet. In 1769, Ushakov was assigned to the Don (Azov) flotilla and participated in the Russian-Turkish War of 1768–1774. From 1775, Ushakov commanded a frigate, in 1780 he was appointed commander of the imperial yacht, but soon abandoned his court career. In 1780–1782, commanding the ship "Victor", Ushakov made several trips from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean, where he protected Russian merchant ships from the piracy of the English fleet.
In 1783, Ushakov was transferred to the Black Sea Fleet. Here he supervised the construction of fleet ships in Kherson, participated in the construction of Sevastopol - the city and main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. At the beginning of the Russian-Turkish war of 1787–1791. Ushakov commanded the battleship "St. Paul".
In 1789, Ushakov was promoted to rear admiral, and in 1790 he was appointed commander of the entire Black Sea Fleet. Raising his flag on the ship "St. Alexander", Ushakov moved the squadron to the shores of Asia Minor, where he bombarded the Turkish sea fortress of Sinop and destroyed more than 26 enemy ships. In 1790, a squadron under the command of Ushakov repelled an attack by the Turkish fleet, which had a large numerical superiority, on Kerch and defeated it near Tendra Island. In the decisive battle at Cape Kaliakria near Varna (July 31, 1791), the fleet under the command of Ushakov destroyed the Turkish fleet, which led to a quick end to the war.
Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov - the great Russian commander
Born on November 24, 1730 in a military family, General-in-Chief Vasily Ivanovich Suvorov (godson of Peter I the Great), in Moscow.
He spent his childhood on his father's estate in the village. Suvorov grew up as a weak boy and was often sick. His father prepared it for civil service. However, from childhood, Suvorov showed a passion for military affairs, using his father’s rich library, he studied artillery, fortification, military history. Having decided to become a military man, Suvorov began to harden himself and study physical exercise. General Hannibal, a friend of the Suvorov family, had a great influence on the fate of Suvorov, who, noticing the boy’s desire for military affairs and education, influenced his father to choose a military career for his son.
In 1742, Suvorov was enlisted as a musketeer in the Semenovsky Life Guards Regiment (to begin the length of service required by law for the officer rank), in which he began active military service in 1748, gradually increasing in rank. Suvorov served in the Semenovsky regiment for six and a half years. At this time, he continued his studies, both independently and by attending classes at the Land Noble Cadet Corps.
In 1754, Suvorov received the first rank of lieutenant and was assigned to the Ingermanland infantry regiment. From 1756 to 1758 served in the Military Collegium.
The beginning of Suvorov's military activity dates back to the Seven Years' War of 1756 - 1763. In the first years of the war, he was in the rear service with the rank of chief provisions officer, then major and prime major, where he became acquainted with the principles of organizing rear units and supplying the army in the field.
In 1758 he was transferred to the active army and appointed commandant of Memel, from 1759 - officer of the main headquarters of the Russian active army. Suvorov took part in his first military skirmish on July 25, 1759, when he and his squadron of dragoons attacked and put German dragoons to flight. Soon Suvorov was appointed duty officer under the division commander V.V. Fermor. In this position, he participated in the battle of Kunersdorf (August 13, 1759). In 1760, Suvorov was appointed duty officer under the commander-in-chief of the Russian army, General-Chief Fermor, and in this capacity participated in the capture of Berlin by Russian troops.
In 1761, he commanded separate detachments (dragoons, hussars, Cossacks), the purpose of which was to first cover the retreat of Russian troops to Breslau and continuously attack Prussian troops. Inflicted a number of defeats on the Prussian army in Poland. During numerous skirmishes, he proved himself to be a talented and brave partisan and cavalryman.
At the beginning of the Russian-Polish war of 1768 - 1772. A.V. Suvorov, already with the rank of brigadier, defeated the confederates in a series of battles near Orekhov, Lanckrona (in the south of Poland), Stalovichi, Krakow. His swift marches and strikes played a decisive role in the outcome of the war. After its completion, he was sent to the Danube Theater against the Turks, which he had long asked for - the glory of Rumyantsev’s victories haunted him.
In the spring of 1773, Suvorov, already a major general, fought on the Danube and won his first and brilliant victories: in May and June 1773 at Turtukai and in June 1774 at Kozludzha.
Moreover, in all the battles he was not embarrassed by either the three or fivefold superiority of the enemy in strength, or his own illness (fever), his tactics - precise calculation, speed, determination, the main trump card - to beat the enemy "with the courage of the fury of Russian soldiers."
After the Turkish War, Suvorov is sent to war against Pugachev. But he arrives in the Volga region when the main leader of the uprising was captured by the Cossacks after the final defeat. Lieutenant General Suvorov escorts a captured impostor with a detachment, then pacifies the last pockets of movement, trying to do this “without bloodshed, but especially with imperial mercy.”
At the end of the reign of Catherine II, A.V. Suvorov distinguished himself in another Russian-Polish war - during the suppression of the T. Kosciuszko uprising, defeated rebel detachments near Kobrin and Brest, then stormed Prague, a suburb of Warsaw, which soon capitulated. The humane attitude of the Russian general towards the vanquished led to the rapid pacification of Poland. The winner received a new title.
On the Adda River, Suvorov defeated the French, after which Milan was taken. This was followed by a brilliant victory over superior enemy forces on the Trebbia River. Having increased its troops and appointed the young talented General Joubert as commander-in-chief, the French government tried to take revenge. Joubert stationed his forces on the mountainside near the city of Novya. On August 15, 1799, the bloody battle continued for 15 hours. Despite the advantageous position, the enemy was unable to hold back the Russian onslaught. The French lost 13 thousand people in the battle, including Joubert. Only the opposition of the Austrian generals did not allow Suvorov to completely destroy the enemy.
The phenomenal successes of Suvorov's "miracle heroes" aroused strong fears among Russia's allies. The Austrian emperor ordered Suvorov to follow to Switzerland, where Russian troops, together with the Austrians, also fought the French. Suvorov's Swiss campaign began. Overcoming enemy resistance, the commander crossed the Saint Gotthard Pass. At the famous Devil's Bridge, the Russians thwarted the enemy's attempt to stop their advance.
For the Italian and Swiss campaigns, the great Russian commander received the title of Prince of Italy and the rank of generalissimo. However, in St. Petersburg he was greeted by the emperor rather coolly and soon died (May 6, 1800).
Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev - an outstanding commander of the Russian army of the 18th century
A representative of an old noble family, Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev was born on January 4, 1725. His father was close to the first emperor. He was a participant in the main battles of the Northern War, the wars of the 30-40s, and died in 1749. The son far surpassed his father as a military leader not only in rank, but also, most importantly, in talent. He distinguished himself already in the Seven Years' War - his fiery nature showed itself in the battles of Gross-Jägersdorf, Kunersdof, the capture of Kolberg, army actions in East Prussia and Polarania. At the beginning of the reign of Catherine II, he was the head of the Little Russian Collegium and governed Left Bank Ukraine.
With the outbreak of the war with Turkey in 1768, Count Pyotr Alexandrovich led the second army, which, operating from Elizavetgrad, was supposed to help the first army of A. M. Golitsyn.
Rumyantsev defeats the Crimean detachments in Ukraine, then leads the regiments to the west, to the Bug, the Dniester, to the aid of A. M. Golitsyn. His actions helped the first army take Khotyn. He launched rapid offensive actions: his troops liberated Moldova from the Turks, and Wallachia also acted along the Danube. In 1770, the commander achieved his most brilliant victories over the enemy. His main trump card is an offensive, a decisive battle.
For the victory at Kaluga he received the rank of Field Marshal, adding “Zadunaisky” to his surname. He made a very big contribution to the victorious outcome of the war. Decisive role played by his transition from army maneuvering, ousting the enemy from cities and fortresses to an offensive strategy of a general battle, from linear tactics and tactics of columns and scattered formations. His fame resounded throughout Europe.
In the second half of the 70s and the first half of the 80s. P. A. Rumyantsev deals with the affairs of Little Russia and Crimea. In the second Russian-Turkish war, Potemkin took the place of commander-in-chief, having entered into force at court: Rumyantsev was pushed into the background, and then removed from participation in the war altogether. He was seriously ill for a long time and died on December 8, 1796. He was buried in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg.
P. A. Rumyantsev contributed to the development of military art. He was the first to use the tactics of forming divisional pairs in combination with a loose formation of riflemen. It was this tactical technique that marked the beginning of the emergence of new tactics in the Russian army.
Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov - naval "Suvorov"Next to the great commanders who were born by the era of the Seven Years and Turkish wars, there are figures of glorious Russian naval commanders - Spiridov, Senyavin, Klokachev and many others; undoubtedly, the most outstanding of them is Ushakov.
Coming from a small noble family, Fedor Fedorovich was born in 1745 in the village of Alekseevka, Temnikovsky district. His parents had estates in Romanovsky and Rybinsk districts on the banks of the Volga. From his childhood, under the influence of his father, the Preobrazhensky, and his beloved uncle, who left the guard to become a monk, he dreams of serving the Fatherland, and not just anywhere, but at sea, on ships - the proximity of the Russian river had its effect.
In 1761 he entered the naval cadet corps and graduated five years later. The building was then taught by highly professional specialists, experts in their field. Many came out of it famous people, who glorified Russia with geographical and other discoveries, victories at sea, and achievements in science.
Upon completion of his studies, F. F. Ushakov sailed on sailboats around Scandinavia, along the Don, Azov and Black Seas, and in the Mediterranean. He masters the intricacies of navigation and shipbuilding, protects the Crimea from the Turks, and Russian merchant ships from Mediterranean pirates. Commands ships of different classes.
F. F. Ushakov also served in St. Petersburg as commander of the yacht of Catherine II herself. But this service did not satisfy him. He asks for time off to go to sea, on a ship - there is his home, his whole world. Since 1783, Ushakov was in the Black Sea Fleet. He supervises construction in Kherson, and then receives command of the large battleship "St. Paul", which became part of the Sevastopol squadron. Soon Ushakov won his first victories during the Russian-Turkish war.
In March 1790, G. A. Potemkin, commander-in-chief of the Black Sea Fleet, appointed Ushakov as its military commander. Brilliant victories of Rear Admiral Ushakov followed near Kerch, Tendra Island, and Cape Kaliakria (July 31, 1791), where he destroys almost the entire Turkish fleet. His actions as a naval commander marked courage, swiftness, and a break with conventional linear tactics.
Having liberated the Ionian Islands, Ushakov proved himself to be an outstanding diplomat and statesman. Under his leadership, a meeting of representatives of the local population was created, which proclaimed the first and modern Greek state and developed its constitution. At the insistence of Ushakov, the constitution took into account the interests of not only the upper, but also the middle strata of Greek society.
In the spring of 1799, Ushakov's squadron appeared off the coast of Italy. Russian landings quickly cleared the coast of Southern and Central Italy from French garrisons. Their exploits were legendary. One day, a Russian detachment of 120 people met a column of French Republicans of more than a thousand people. Without waiting for reinforcements, the Russians decisively attacked the enemy. More than three hundred enemy soldiers were killed on the battlefield, many were captured. Soon the Russians liberated Naples, then entered Rome. Contemporaries noted that only landings were able to prevent massacres of Republicans and French soldiers in Italy by detachments consisting of Italian peasants led by the clergy, who took revenge for the violence of the Republicans and occupiers.
Ushakov had to face difficulties and obstacles in Italy. During the siege of Genun, Austrian troops shamefully fled from the battlefield, abandoning a small Russian detachment to the mercy of fate. However, the sailors, despite the numerous numerical superiority of the enemy, paved their way to the shore with bayonets and were transported to the ships by boats.
Russia's foreign policy is once again undergoing a sharp turn. Paul begins rapprochement with France and preparations for war with England. The Emperor decided to strike at the “main pearl of the English crown” - India, from which Great Britain received a lot at that time. The trek to India begins from Orenburg. However, it was interrupted by the news of the death of Emperor Paul I on March 11, 1801.
Ushakov clearly did not come to court under Paul’s successor, Alexander I. He was transferred to the Baltic Fleet and appointed there to a secondary position. Then the prevailing opinion was that Russia was generally striving to possess large naval forces. Surrounded by envious land admirals, Ushakov could not withstand a long struggle with numerous enemies. In 1807 he was forced to resign. F. F. Ushakov died in 1817. on his estate in the Tambov province.
F. F. Ushakov - admiral, commanded the Black Sea Fleet from 1790 to 1802. He took part in forty military campaigns and did not know defeat. He was called the sea "Suvorov".
In the Russian-Turkish war he used the tactics of free maneuvering and won a number of brilliant victories.
Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin – His Serene Highness Prince of Tauride
A younger contemporary of P. A. Rumyantsev, Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin was born on September 13, 1739 in the family of a small nobleman. An ambitious and well-read man, he studied at Moscow University under Empress Elizabeth. At first he was among the best students, but then - among the laggards. And he, along with the later famous journalist and book publisher N.I. Novikov, was expelled from the university “for laziness and not going to class.” But he continued to read and think a lot.
Soon the young Smolyansky nobleman went to St. Petersburg, which captivated him with a luxurious and hectic life. He served in the palace coup on June 28, 1762, and was noticed by the Empress. G. A. Potemkin receives ranks, is promoted, distinguishes himself in the Russian-Turkish war - first in the army of A. M. Golitsyn, then in P. A. Rumyantsev, in the battles of Khotin near the Danube fortresses, at Ryaba Mogila, Larga , Kaluga and other places. The young general is praised by both commanders.
Towards the end of the war, his favor with the empress begins. He becomes adjutant general, a member of the State Council and, according to contemporaries, “the most influential person in Russia.” A man of a broad soul, sweeping, but disorderly and sloppy in business, he was distinguished by the deep mind of a statesman, energy, firmness and devotion to his mistress. And she valued him highly, despite the fact that he was firmly discouraged by failures. Moreover, the intelligent and prudent empress, who brought many talented people closer to her, emphasized that she ruled Russia with G. A. Potemkin. Moreover, he owned her heart for quite a long time; according to some reports, they even got married secretly. She makes him a count, and the Viennese court, at her request, makes him his Serene Highness.
Prince Gregory devotes a lot of energy and time to the most important matters in St. Petersburg and Novorossiya. His merit is the settlement of the Black Sea region with labor and military people, the construction of cities and harbors, and the creation of the Black Sea Fleet. In a note addressed to Catherine, he proves the need to annex Crimea and his plan is accepted for execution; No wonder they began to call him Potemkin-Tavrichesky. He becomes a field marshal general, president of the military college, i.e. Minister of War.
In the army he resolutely rejects Russian drill, clothes that are uncomfortable for soldiers, braids, and powder. G. A. Potemkin forbade punishing soldiers unless absolutely necessary, but demanded strict discipline from them, and from commanders to take care of their food, clothing, and health.
G. A. Potemkin carried out reforms in the army: he increased the composition of the cavalry, formed a number of regiments (grenadier, chasseurs, musketeers), shortened the terms of service, etc. His military activity puts him on a par with Peter I, P. A. Rumyantsev, A. V. Suvorov, although he did not compare with them as a commander. In the Russian-Turkish war of 1787-1791. in addition to leading the siege and assault of Ochakov, this “southern Kronstadt,” he made a significant contribution to the development and implementation of the strategic plan of military operations. Distinguished, like Kutuzov later, by some slowness, prudence and prudence, he preferred to act for sure, taking care of the soldiers. However, he really appreciated P.A. Rumyantsev and A.V. Suvorov with their courage and onslaught, and envied their talent. Military historians of the 19th century distinguish him for his originality, even genius, as a military figure.
G. A. Potemkin died when the end of the war with Turkey was approaching, on October 5, 1791 in the steppe, on the road from Iasi to Nikolaev, which he founded. Thus, Potemkin G. A. is not only a commander, field marshal general, but also a statesman.
G. A. Potemkin was in the position of an all-powerful nobleman for 17 years; Catherine II considered him her best adviser and listened to his opinion. After the death of G. A. Potemkin, the Empress said with bitterness: “Now I have no one to rely on.”
Great commanders and naval commanders of Russia in the 18th century. Peter I He showed high organizational skills and talent as a commander during the Azov campaigns (1695 - 1696), in the Northern War (1700 - 1721), the Prut campaign of 1711, during the Persian campaign (1722-1723). He personally commanded the troops during the capture of Noteburg in 1702, in the battle of the village of Lesnoy in 1708. Under the direct leadership of Peter I, in the famous Battle of Poltava on June 27 (July 8), 1709, the troops of the Swedish king Charles XII were defeated and captured. Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev Zadunaisky. (1725 1796) Field Marshal, outstanding Russian commander and statesman. His biggest victories were won during the first Russian-Turkish War (1768 -1774), especially in the battles of Ryabaya Mogila, Larga and Kagul and many other battles. The Turkish army was defeated. Rumyantsev became the first holder of the Order of St. George, 1st degree, and received the title of Transdanubian. As a commander, theorist and practitioner of military art, Rumyantsev was brave and wise, knew how to concentrate the main forces in decisive directions, and carefully developed a plan of military operations. He became one of the initiators of the transition from linear tactics to the tactics of columns and loose formation. In battle formations, he preferred to use divisional, regimental and battalion squares in combination with a loose formation of riflemen, and gave preference to light cavalry over heavy cavalry. He was convinced of the superiority of offensive tactics over defensive ones, and attached great importance to the training of troops and their morale. Rumyantsev outlined his views on military affairs in the “General Rules” and “Rite of Service.” Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin-Tavrichesky (1739 - 1791) Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army, an outstanding commander, statesman, general field marshal. Under the direct leadership of this talented commander, the Turkish fortress of Ochakov was taken. For military and political achievements, Field Marshal G.A. Potemkin received the title of “His Serene Highness Prince of Tauride.” In addition, he was the favorite and closest assistant of Empress Catherine II Alekseevna. He supervised the development of the Northern Black Sea region and the construction of the Black Sea Fleet. Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov (1730-1800) Over 55 years of military activity, he went through all levels of army service - from private to generalissimo. In two wars against Ottoman Empire Suvorov was finally recognized as the “first sword of Russia.” It was he who, on December 24, 1790, stormed the impregnable fortress of Izmail, defeated the Turks at Rymnik and Focsani in 1789, and at Kinburn in 1787. The Italian and Swiss campaigns of 1799, victories over the French on the Adda and Trebbia rivers and at Novi, the immortal crossing of the Alps were the crown of his military leadership. Suvorov entered the history of Russia as an innovative commander who made a huge contribution to the development of military art, developed and implemented an original system of views on the methods and forms of warfare and combat, education and training of troops. Suvorov's strategy was offensive in nature. Suvorov's strategy and tactics were outlined by him in his work “The Science of Victory.” The essence of his tactics is the three martial arts: eye, speed, pressure. In all my life legendary commander fought 63 battles, all of them victorious. His name became synonymous with victory, military excellence, heroism and patriotism. Suvorov's legacy is still used in the training and education of troops. Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov (1745 1817) Admiral. He laid the foundations of new naval tactics, founded the Black Sea Navy, talentedly led it, winning a number of remarkable victories in the Black and Mediterranean Seas: in the Kerch naval battle of 1790, in the battles of Tendra Island on August 28 (September 8), 1790, and Cape Kaliakria in 1791. Ushakov’s significant victory was the capture of the island of Corfu in February 1799, where combined actions of ships and land landings were successfully used. Ushakov paid great attention to improving naval art and was the founder of maneuverable tactics of the sailing fleet, which was based on a skillful combination of fire and maneuver. His tactics differed from the linear tactics accepted at that time by the decisiveness of combat operations, the use of uniform marching and combat formations, approaching the enemy at a short distance without rebuilding the marching formation into a combat one, concentrating fire on the decisive object and disabling primarily the enemy’s flagship ships. , creating a reserve in battle to develop success in the main directions, conducting combat at the distance of a grape shot in order to achieve the greatest effectiveness of strikes, a combination of aimed artillery fire and maneuver, pursuing the enemy to complete his complete defeat or capture. Ushakov attached great importance to the naval and fire training of personnel, was a supporter of Suvorov’s principles of educating subordinates, an opponent of drill and senseless hobbies for parades, and followed the principle: teach what is needed in war. He considered sailing in conditions close to combat reality to be the best school for sailors. He instilled in the personnel patriotism, a sense of camaraderie and mutual assistance in battle. He was fair, caring and demanding of his subordinates, for which he enjoyed universal respect. Samuel Karlovich Greig (1735-1788) A native of the Scottish city of Inverkeithing, he served in the British fleet. In 1764 he joined the Russian fleet, receiving the rank of captain 1st rank. Participant in the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774, commanding the battleship "Three Hierarchs", as part of the squadron G.A. Spiridov made a trip to the Mediterranean Sea. Commanding a corps de battalion, he distinguished himself during the naval battle in the Strait of Chios on June 24, 1770. During the destruction of the Turkish fleet in Chesme Bay on June 26, 1770, he directly supervised the actions of the Russian ships that took part in this operation. It was S.K. In 1775, Greig delivered to Kronstadt the self-proclaimed princess E. Tarakanova, captured by A.G. Orlov-Chesmensky. In gratitude for this, he was appointed chief commander of the Kronstadt port. In 1782 Greig was elevated to the rank of admiral. During the Russian-Swedish War of 1788-1790. commanded the Baltic Fleet, defeated the Swedish squadron of Duke K. Südermanland in the Battle of Hogland (July 6, 1788), blocking enemy ships in the Sveaborg sea area. Soon he became seriously ill and was evacuated to Revel, where he died. Vasily Yakovlevich Chichagov (1726-1809) Promoted to the first officer rank of midshipman in 1745. In 1764 he was appointed head of an expedition of three ships to find a sea route along the coast of the Arctic Ocean from Arkhangelsk to the Bering Strait and further to Kamchatka. Twice, in 1765 and 1766, he tried to complete the task assigned to him, but both of Chichagov’s expeditions to attempt to navigate the Northern Sea Route ended in vain. However, he managed to reach high polar latitudes. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774. Rear Admiral Chichagov commanded a detachment of ships of the Don Flotilla defending the Kerch Strait. In 1775 he was promoted to the rank of vice admiral and appointed a member of the Admiralty Board, in 1782 he was promoted to the rank of admiral. During the Russian-Swedish war of 1788-1790. commanded the Baltic Fleet, led the actions of Russian squadrons in the Eland and Revel naval battles. After the breakthrough of the Swedish fleet from Vyborg on the night of June 22, 1790, he led the pursuit of enemy ships. For this victory he was awarded the Order of St. George, 1st class. Since 1797 - retired. Grigory Andreevich Spiridov (1713-04/08/1790) Naval commander, admiral. Born into the family of an officer. Enlisted in the naval service in 1723, in 1733 he was promoted to midshipman, and from 1741 - commander of a battleship. Participated in the Russian-Turkish War (173539), the Seven Years' War (1756-63), and the Russian-Turkish War (1768-74). During the siege of Kolberg, Spiridov commanded a two-thousand-strong amphibious assault. From 1762 Spiridov was a rear admiral, in 1764 he was the chief commander of the Revel port, and in 1766 of the Kronstadt port. In 1769, Spiridov was an admiral, commander of one of the five squadrons that first made the transition from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean.