The Battle of Grunwald is a battle that changed the course of history

Battle of Grunwald. A pothole that was repeatedly described by writers in books, which brought a huge number of victims from both sides. In history this battle is included as one of the most large-scale, bloody, changing the course of history.

Prehistory and preparation for battle

Knights of the Teutonic Order of the XIV-early XV century especially sucked by raids on nearby states. Most of all fell to Poland and the Principality of Lithuania. The main advantage of the Germans was a much better outfit and weapons. Despite this, the Battle of Grunwald showed that the decisive factor is the correct choice of strategy and tactics. In the winter of 1409-1410 negotiations began between the allies: Poland and the Principality of Lithuania. An offensive plan was set for mid-summer under the command of Polish King Vladislav II Yagello. At the end of June, the Polish king received news that Lithuanian and Russian troops lined up on the banks of the Narew River for inspection. The most combat-capable of these were the Smolensk regiment, which played a very important role in the battle called the Battle of Grunwald. On June 30, the army moved on a campaign, on June 7, all units of the fighting squad were inspected, and the 9th Allied troops crossed the territory where the Teutonic Order reigned. The Great Grunwald battle was inexorably approaching, and meanwhile on July 13, the troops peeked into the fortress of Gilbenburg, which they immediately captured.

July 15. Battle

For the first time, with the army of many thousands of opponents, Jagiello's troops converged on July 10, but the leadership was not able to cross the Drvencu River, where the Germans were located. It was decided to move to the source of Soldau. Finally, between the villages of Grunwald and Tannenberg, the two armies came together. So the Battle of Grunwald began in 1410. July 15 at 12:00 the army of Jagiello received from the opponents a parcel: two crossed swords. Having perceived this as an insulting sign, the command gave the order to go on the offensive. In a field of 11x9 km, 130,000th Allied troops were deployed, which included the Poles, Lithuanians, Russians, Tatars, Armenians, Volokhs, as well as Czechs, Hungarians and morals as mercenaries. The army of the Teutonic Order had 85 thousand soldiers, who were 22 nationalities, most of whom were Germans. Despite the advantage of the Allies in the warriors, the Teutons had better weapons. The battle began with the offensive of Lithuanian troops, the Germans responded with artillery cores. Then the Lithuanian army was thrown back by the Germans. The Smolensk regiments remained on the battlefield and stubbornly repulsed the attacks, while the Lithuanians retreated. Poles at this time attacked the banners of Liechtenstein, and on their right covered the Smolensk regiments. And then there was a cry: "Lithuania comes back." And indeed, Vitovt gathered the scattered army and returned to the field. With new forces they struck the Teutonic Order, which could not withstand the last battle. Part of the army was killed, some were taken prisoner, wounded, fled, and almost nothing left the Battle of Grunwald from the Teutonic Order. The year 1410 was remembered for a long time by both sides as a year of great battle.

Effects

The Battle of Grunwald greatly weakened the Teutonic Order, which was on the verge of ending its existence. And for the Allies, the threat from the West in the form of crusaders was eliminated. And only in 1422 a peace treaty was concluded between the participants of the war, according to which the Order lost Zanemanya, Zemaitija, Neshava lands and Pomorie.