The Italian campaign of Suvorov. The great Russian commander Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov

Alexander Suvorov is an unsurpassed Russian commander, innovator and one of the founders of the national martial art. For half a century of his career, he did not know any setbacks on the battlefield. In addition, Suvorov was a brilliant innovator theorist, the author of works on military affairs, in which he, ahead of his time, was able to significantly enrich his traditions. Let us become acquainted with the person and activity of this great man. The final stage of the career of the famous military leader was the Italian and Swiss campaigns of Suvorov. Even today they still delight the descendants.

Childhood and the young years of the great commander

Alexander Suvorov was born into the family of the army general. Therefore, his future fate did not choose. The year of birth is not known exactly. His father, Vasily Ivanovich, was famous for his harsh temper, and he closely followed the upbringing of his son. Therefore, when I reached the necessary age, I identified a son in a military school.

Most of all, Alexander loved history, in addition, he learned seven languages. As a child, the future warlord had poor health, but he regularly hardened and strengthened him. In 1742 enlisted in the Semenovsky regiment of the Life Guards. And at the age of seventeen, Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov began to serve as a corporal. From this time his whole activity was devoted to military art.

Carier start

In the Semenov regiment, Suvorov spent more than six years, constantly developing his abilities and continuing his studies. Already at this time he showed himself on the best side. In 1754, Suvorov was promoted to the first officer rank - lieutenant. He began his fighting career in the Seven Years' War, where he participated in numerous battles and skirmishes, commanding some detachments. At this time Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov was able to prove himself not only a brave officer and partisan, but also a talented leader.

Since 1761, he successfully commanded a regiment of cavalry. For valor, valor and endurance, he was given a new rank. So he managed to become a colonel, having made the way to this title in just over six years.

Career under Catherine II

Formation of the career of the commander had for the years of the reign of Catherine II. For six years, Suvorov led the Suzdal Infantry Regiment. In those years he developed and wrote his first work - "Regimental Institution". It described in detail the main rules of education and combat training of soldiers.

The developed and constantly improving system was applied in many subsequent campaigns of the commander, one of which was Suvorov's Italian campaign of 1799.

In 1768 he was promoted again and awarded him the title of foreman. In 1769-1772 he took an active part in the battles against the Barskoy Confederation. During the campaign in Poland, the results of training soldiers by Suvorov's methods were obvious. His brigade was able to go through huge distances in the shortest possible time, while the number of cases was minimal.

In the campaign itself, the system of training and tactics developed by Suvorov was also applied. For numerous victories in battles, he received his first awards and was promoted to the rank of major general. It is known that the actions of the commander played a decisive role, significantly influencing the development of the whole campaign and leading to success.

The Russian-Turkish War and the role of Suvorov

And to enroll Suvorov in the great Russian commanders could have been for his actions during the two wars with the Turks. At the end of the first of them he ruled a separate detachment. The most famous operations were victorious captures of the fortress of Turtukai and the famous battle near the town of Kozludji.

There, by his efforts, the Turkish army was defeated 40,000 . The actions of the commander in Kozludzhi largely predetermined the outcome of the campaign and became the most important factor in the success of the Russian army. It is interesting that the city has since been called in its honor - Suvorovo.

The most significant victories

However, to the full extent, the genius of Alexander Vasilyevich opened during the second war with the Turks. It was her truly brilliant victory Suvorov. The first two of them were in 1789. July 21, there was a famous battle near Focsan, when Suvorov, along with the seven thousandth detachment hurried to the aid of the Austrian corps. Together they completely defeated the Ottoman army, which exceeds their number by more than four times.

And on September 11, there was a battle on the Rymnik River, when the Turkish army, consisting of one hundred thousand soldiers, attacked the small corps of the Austrians. Then Suvorov hurried to the rescue, less than three days after going 100 kilometers. Heading a detachment of seven thousand men, the commander showed miracles of maneuvering, partially destroying a huge enemy army. Then the losses of the Ottoman army numbered 18-20 thousand soldiers, half of whom were killed.

The battle on the river Rymnik for centuries is inscribed in the history of Russian military art. For his success in it, Suvorov was given the title of Count. It was after this battle that the glory of an unsurpassed military leader was fixed.

Storm of the Izmail Fortress

When they say: "Great Russian generals," Suvorov immediately remembers. In many ways, thanks to the capture of Ishmael - the battle, which became the brightest star in his career. This fortress was one of the most powerful, it was considered impregnable, yes, in general, and was such.

The siege of Ishmael was conducted by Potemkin, but after unsuccessful attempts to storm her, he instructed Alexander Suvorov. The commander spent more than a week preparing soldiers, building a training camp, imitating the ditch and ramparts of the fortress. After that, Ishmael was stormed in less than eleven hours.

This battle entered the world history as the most bloody, unmatched by losses on both sides. It largely predetermined the outcome of the whole war and was recognized as the true feat of Alexander Suvorov.

The final stage of the career

The career of the commander developed quite rapidly. After the Russian-Turkish wars, Suvorov participated in many battles, confirming his fame as a fearless warrior and a brilliant commander. However, with the advent of Paul I, he was sent into exile. This was due to the fact that the commander openly opposed the Prussian traditions introduced by the new emperor and the rules of conducting the battle, alien and unaccustomed to the Russian army. Despite the highest orders, he continued to educate and train soldiers according to his rules.

Suvorov's reference in his Konchansky estate lasted about two years, until 1798, when the political and military situation on the continent escalated. Russia entered the anti-French coalition. Then the heads of Austria and England insisted that Pavel I turn to Suvorov for help. He was again accepted for military service.

So, the brilliant completion of the career of the famous commander was the Italian and Swiss campaigns of Suvorov. The first one still astonishes with its power, speed and maneuverability, so it is worthwhile to dwell on it in more detail.

The Italian campaign. The alignment of forces

The Italian campaign of Suvorov (year 1799) is the common name for the military operations of the combined army of Russians and Austrians against the French. With the commander was planned to nominate an army of 65 thousand people. The Austrians were already in their position. There were about 85,000 of them, and as many expected in a martial law.

The French, in turn, occupied the entire territory of Italy. In the north, there were 58,000 soldiers under the command of Moreau, and in the southern part of the country - the army of McDonald.

Campaign progress

Speaking in the famous Italian campaign, Suvorov from the very beginning demonstrated his brilliant skills as a commander and perfection of martial art. Immediately after arriving at the scene of the fighting, he managed to capture about five thousand French soldiers, who are subordinate to Moreau. The latter had to retreat behind the Addu River, clearing the territory of Milan.

Thus, the beginning of the Italian campaign of Suvorov was marked by rapid victories. After taking Milan, the Allied forces were stationed on either side of the Po River, in order to simultaneously monitor the armies of Moreau and McDonald and prevent their connection. Turin was also quickly captured. Then followed Suvorov's convincing victories over the French at Trebia and Novi.

During the month the north of Italy was completely cleared of enemy troops. However, the army of MacDonald went to the aid of Moreau. Suvorov decided to attack them separately. First of all, he turned his attention to McDonald and went out to meet him with the army. A swift march, having passed 85 miles in less than two days, completely defeated the French army, not expecting such an onslaught. This brilliant maneuver for centuries entered the history of martial art.

Brilliant finish and the Swiss campaign

Heading the Italian campaign, Suvorov showed all his talent as a commander. The state was released in record time. Success was achieved mainly thanks to the fearlessness and valor of the Russian soldiers and Suvorov's unrivaled command talent. In the meantime, the relationship between the allies has significantly deteriorated. The Austrians feared the success of the Russian commanders.

Speaking in the Italian campaign, Suvorov was endowed with full authority. However, the Austrians restricted her, giving him the right to dispose of only on the battlefield. And after the army of Suvorov liberated all territories, the Austrians demanded that the Russian troops, instead of going further to France, keep the way to Switzerland.

So the final stage of Suvorov's career began. They became the Italian and Swiss campaigns. The famous path through the Alpine peaks, the storming of the Devil's Bridge and the most difficult passages along the mountain ranges. This time, Suvorov defeated not only the enemy troops, but also the very power of nature. In the battles for these points, the military commander and his soldiers displayed genuine miracles of heroism and courage.

Suvorov's contribution to the development of Russian military art

For his Italian campaign Suvorov received the highest of the ranks - Generalissimo. The fact that over half a century of his career he has not suffered a single defeat speaks of his talent. And most of the battles were won with a significant numerical advantage of the enemy. And Suvorov's Italian campaign, briefly, became the apotheosis of his career.

The ingenious commander raised Russian military art to extraordinary heights. Ahead of his time, he claimed the most progressive tendencies in the conduct of the battle. One of its main principles was suddenness. The commander was characterized by the lightning speed of attacks, brilliant maneuvering and an amazing ability to assess the overall situation.

Gold letters are inscribed in the history of Russian military glory taking Ishmael, Suvorov's campaign of 1799, the Swiss campaign and other battles and battles. Today he remains one of the favorite national heroes.