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140-611: German medical data only : Total : 70,593 killed, missing or wounded The second Smolensk operation (code naming " Suvorov "; 7 August – 2 October 1943) was a Soviet strategic offensive operation conducted by the Red Army as part of the Summer-Autumn Campaign of 1943. Staged almost simultaneously with the Lower Dnieper Offensive (13 August – 22 September), the offensive lasted two months and

280-822: A Day of Military Honour in Russia. In this war Fyodor Ushakov also won many famous naval victories, as in the battle of Tendra , which deprived the Ottomans of Izmail's support from the Danube. Suvorov announced the capture of Ismail in 1791 to the Empress Catherine in a doggerel couplet. The war ended with the treaty of Jassy . From 1774 to 1797, Suvorov stayed and served in Russia itself, that is, in Transvolga or "Zavolzhye", in Astrakhan , Kremenchug ,

420-662: A cavalry squadron attacked and routed Prussian dragoons ;—he was serving in General-Major Mikhail Volkonsky 's brigade . The following month Suvorov participated in the complete victory over Frederick the Great at the battle of Kunersdorf , after which the so-called Miracle of the House of Brandenburg happened. At the time when Pyotr Semyonovich Saltykov , upon his Kunersdorf victory, remained unmoved and did not even send Cossacks to pursue

560-579: A Stavka member, analysed the stalemate in his memoirs, publishing what he saw as the eight primary causes: With all these factors considered, Voronov demanded that the 4th Tank Army and the 8th Artillery Corps be transferred from the Bryansk Front and committed to support the attack near Smolensk. The stalemate was far from what had been desired by the Stavka, but it had at least one merit: it tied down as much as 40% of all Wehrmacht divisions on

700-751: A further 25 km (16 mi) as of 13 August, liberating Spas-Demensk. As ordered by the Stavka (the Soviet Armed Forces Command ), the Dukhovshchina-Demidov Offensive Operation near Dukhovshchina started almost a week later, on 13 August. As on other parts of the front, the 39th Army and the 43rd Army encountered serious opposition. During the first day alone, Wehrmacht troops attempted 24 regimental -sized counterattacks . Soviet troops managed to advance only 6–7 km (3.7–4.3 mi) over

840-581: A general to assist him, who could replace him in case of illness or death. On the very day of the news' arrival of Pugachev's passage to the right bank of the Volga , Rumyantsev sent orders – to send Suvorov to Moscow as soon as possible. Suvorov, who was in Moldavia , immediately rushed out at full speed, met in Moscow with his wife and father. On the order left by Panin, in one caftan and without luggage, raced to

980-407: A good understanding of engineering, siege warfare , artillery , and fortification . His father, however, insisted that he was unfit for military affairs. However, when Alexander was young, General Gannibal asked to speak to the child, and was so impressed with the boy that he persuaded the father to allow him to pursue the career of his choice. Suvorov entered the military in 1745 and served in

1120-496: A halt on the entire front, with Soviet troops advancing only 2 km (1.2 mi) each day. On the right flank, heavy fighting broke out in the woods near Yartzevo. On the center, advancing Soviet troops hit the Dnieper defense line. On the left flank, Soviet rifle divisions were slowed as they entered forests southwest of Yelnya . Moreover, Soviet divisions were tired and depleted, at less than 60% nominal strength. On 7 September,

1260-539: A letter to Johann von Zimmerman in 1790: "It is beyond doubt that the name of the Suvorovs has long been noble, is Russian from time immemorial and resides in Russia", and Count Semyon Vorontsov in 1811, a person familiar with the Suvorovs. Their views were supported by later historians: it was estimated that by 1699 there were at least 19 Russian landlord families of the same name in Russia, not counting their namesakes of lower status, and they all could not descend from

1400-720: A letter to Platon Zubov , in which, congratulating Zubov "with local victories," he proceeded: "I recommend to your favour my brothers and children, squires of the Great Catherine, who is so illustrious thanks to them". Suvorov sent to his daughter poems, where he described his working life: The heavens have given us Twenty-four hours. I do not indulge my fate, But sacrifice it to my Monarch, And to end [die] suddenly, I sleep and eat when at leisure. Hello, Natasha and her household. On 4 November 1794, Suvorov's forces stormed Warsaw , held by Józef Zajączek 's troops, and captured Praga , one of its boroughs (a suburb or

1540-564: A lot of horses went to Pugachev, there was a lack of them, and Suvorov was forced to continue the journey by water. Defeated by Mikhelson, Pugachev slipped away; having somehow crossed the Volga with a small number of his loyalists, he disappeared into the vast steppe . Hasty arrival of Suvorov in Tsaritsyn drew the attention of the Empress, who announced her pleasure to Count Panin. But Suvorov

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1680-540: A month. Suvorov was also soon involved in the costly siege of Ochakov (Özi) . Energetic and courageous as usual, Alexander Suvorov proposed to take the fortress by storm, but Potemkin was cautious. "That's not how we beat the Poles and the Turks," Suvorov said in a close group of people; "one look will not take the fortress. If you had listened to me, Ochakov would have been in our hands long ago". The siege that took place

1820-590: A new city, named Nor Nakhichevan by the Armenians. In addition, Alexander Suvorov would later found the city of Tiraspol (1792), now the capital of Transnistria . In 1778 Alexander as well prevented a Turkish landing on the Crimean Peninsula, thwarting another Russo-Turkish war. In 1780 he became a lieutenant-general and in 1783 – General of the Infantry , upon completion of his tour of duty in

1960-526: A period, specifically the heavy rains of October and the thaw of the frozen steppe in March. These conditions in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine are caused by high moisture storage capacity of black clay soils but not limited solely to the area of chernozem found in the region and works as a sponge . Roads are subject to weight limitations and closures during the period in certain districts. The phenomenon

2100-523: A report to his sovereign consisting of only three words: "Hurrah, Warsaw's ours!" ( Russian : Ура, Варшава наша! ) Catherine replied in two words: "Hurrah, Field-Marshal!" ( Russian : Ура, фельдмаршал!  – that is, awarding him this rank) The newly appointed field marshal remained in Poland until 1795, when he returned to Saint Petersburg. But his sovereign and friend Catherine died in 1796, and her son and successor Paul I dismissed

2240-518: A result of this operation, the Red Army was able to start planning for the liberation of Belarus . However, the overall advance was quite modest and slow in the face of heavy German resistance, and the operation was therefore accomplished in three stages: 7–20 August, 21 August – 6 September, and 7 September – 2 October. Although playing a major military role in its own right, the Smolensk operation

2380-448: A rowing fleet under the command of General-Major Osip Deribas , who was dependent on Suvorov only for troops in the fleet. Suvorov was ordered to inspect the troops to ascertain their condition and replenish what was missing, to survey the coast and borders, and submit his opinion on bringing them to safety from accidental attack; he was also allowed to change the disposition of the troops without giving any reason for neighbors to think that

2520-450: A set of firing points connected with trenches. It was protected with barbed wire, and also with minefields in some places where heavy tank offensives were anticipated. Between the outer and the second defense zones, a set of small firing points and garrisons was also created in order to slow down a Soviet advance should the Red Army break through the outer defense zone. Behind the second zone, heavy guns were positioned. Finally, deep behind

2660-456: A similar instantaneous storming of a fortress in terms of numbers and casualties as that of Izmail, much less without a proper siege. An unofficial Russian national anthem in the late 18th and early 19th centuries " Grom pobedy, razdavaysya! " ("Let the Thunder of Victory Rumble!"; by Gavrila Derzhavin and Józef Kozłowski ) immortalized Suvorov's victory and 24 December is today commemorated as

2800-443: A simultaneous breakthrough taking place further north, towards Yartzevo. Both attacks were stopped by heavy German resistance. In the following five days, Soviet troops slowly made their way through German defenses, repelling heavy counterattacks and sustaining heavy losses. By feeding reserve troops to battle, the Red Army managed to advance to a depth varying from 15–25 km (9.3–15.5 mi) by 11 August. Subsequent attacks by

2940-548: A single foreigner who arrived only in 1622. Moreover, genealogy studies indicated a Russian landowner named Suvor mentioned under the year 1498, whereas documents of the 16th century mention Vasily and Savely Suvorovs, with the last of them being a proven ancestor of General Alexander Suvorov. The Swedish version of Suvorov's genealogy had been debunked in the Genealogical collection of Russian noble families by V. Rummel and V. Golubtsov (1887) tracing Suvorov's ancestors from

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3080-556: A small escort of 50 men. Panin reported to the Empress on the rapid performance of his new subordinate, which "promised in the circumstances of the time a lot of good ahead and therefore worthy of attention". Thanking him for such zeal and speed, the Empress granted him 2,000 chervonets to equip the crew. Reaching Saratov, Suvorov learned that tireless Ivan Mikhelson , who "like a shadow" followed everywhere after Pugachev and repeatedly defeated him, again defeated him badly. Strengthening his detachment here, Suvorov hurried to Tsaritsyn , but

3220-572: A total depth extending from 100–130 km (62–81 mi). The first (tactical or outer) defensive zone included the first (main) and the second defense lines, for a total depth of 12–15 km (7.5–9.3 mi), and located, whenever possible, on elevated ground. The main defense line, 5 km (3.1 mi) deep, possessed three sets of trenches and firing points, linked by an extensive communication network. The density of firing points reached six or seven per kilometer (0.6 mi) of front line. In some places, where heavy tank attacks were feared,

3360-477: A year later, when the case was almost submitted to the archives, Suvorov still felt as if he had a moral obligation towards the settlers and wrote to Potemkin: "The Crimean settlers suffer many shortcomings in their present state; look upon them with a merciful eye, who have sacrificed so much to the throne; relish their bitter remembrance." After Suvorov organized the resettlement of Armenian migrants displaced from Crimea, Catherine gave them permission to establish

3500-643: Is accurate. At the skirmish of Schweidnitz , in a third assault, Suvorov managed to take the hill occupied by the hussar picket ; in this clash 60 Cossacks opposed 100 hussars. For another example, in the combat of Landsberg on 15 September 1761, his Cossack-hussar cavalry unit defeated 3 squadrons of the Prussian hussars. On leaving the Friedberg Forest, he hit General Platen 's side units and took many prisoners. He also fought minor battles at Bunzelwitz , Birstein, Weisentine, Költsch , and seized

3640-462: Is complete harmony can act in this way". Despite early successes on a battlefield, the organizer of the uprising , Tadeusz Kościuszko , was captured by the Don Cossack general Fyodor P. Denisov at the battle of Maciejowice , where Kościuszko was defeated at the hand of Baron Fersen's larger forces. Suvorov's and other Russians' victories led to the third partition of Poland . He sent

3780-401: Is taken and I am there too. The war ended with the treaty of Küçük Kaynarca . Suvorov's astuteness in war was uncanny and he also proved a self-willed subordinate who acted upon his own initiative. Rumyantsev's putting Suvorov on trial for his arbitrary reconnaissance of Turtukaya belongs to the realm of pure fiction. Rumyantsev was not dissatisfied with Suvorov, but with Ivan Saltykov. There

3920-472: Is too iced over for boats but not strong enough to cross on foot or in other vehicles. Finnish eastern dialects also have the Russian loanword rospuutto ( IPA: [ˈrospuːtːo] ), which has the same usage as rasputitsa . In countries of the former Soviet Union, the concept is applied to two periods during the year – spring and autumn – and also refers to impassable road conditions during such

4060-479: The 10th Guards Army , 21st Army and the 33rd Army , supported by three tank corps , a mechanized corps and the 1st Air Army . These four armies were covering a front of only 36 km (22 mi), creating a very high concentration of troops. The troops, however, had fuel and supplies for two weeks at most. Soviet troops moved forward after an intense 90-minute artillery barrage . The artillery bombardment as well as ground attack aircraft significantly damaged

4200-707: The 33rd Army . The attack quickly encountered heavy opposition and stalled. German troops attempted numerous counterattacks from their well-prepared defense positions, supported by tanks, assault guns, and the fire of heavy guns and mortars. As Konstantin Rokossovsky recalled, "we literally had to tear ourselves through German lines, one by one". On the first day, the Soviet troops advanced only 4 km (2.5 mi), with all available troops (including artillery, communications, and engineers) committed to battle. Despite violent Soviet attacks, it quickly became obvious that

4340-801: The Battles of Ypres in December 1916. During World War II, the months-long muddy period slowed the German advance into the Soviet Union during the Operation Typhoon on the Eastern Front , and may have helped save Moscow from falling under a German military occupation. The advent of Blitzkrieg had the disadvantage that while tanks could operate effectively in summer or in winter, they proved less useful in spring and autumn, when

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4480-513: The Bolshoy Uzen in different directions. Soon they stumbled on Pugachev's trail; they found out that Pugachev was here in the morning, that his men, seeing an unstoppable pursuit, lost faith in the success of their cause, revolted, tied Pugachev and took him to Yaitsk , to extradite the leader to save themselves. And indeed Pugachev was arrested, as it turned out later, at this time, some 53 km (33 mi) from Suvorov. Suvorov arrived at

4620-759: The Chancellor Count Alexey Bestuzhev-Ryumin . From 1756 to 1758 Alexander next worked on the College of War ; from 1758 he was engaged in forming reserve units , and was commandant of Memel . Suvorov gained his first battle experience fighting against the Prussians during the Seven Years' and the Third Silesian wars (1756–1763). His first skirmish occurred on 25 July 1759 under Crossen , when Suvorov with

4760-599: The Confederation of Bar . Leading a unit of the army of Ivan Ivanovich Weymarn , he dispersed the Polish forces under Pułaski at Orzechowo , captured Kraków (1768), overthrew the Poles of Moszyński near Nawodzice in the spring of 1770, before defeating Moszyński's Polish troops at Opatów in July. The following year Alexander Suvorov won a small combat with Charles Dumouriez 's army at Lanckorona , but he failed in

4900-604: The Eastern Front near Smolensk, making the task for troops fighting in the south and near Kursk much easier. The Stavka planned to resume the offensive on 21 August, but decided to postpone it slightly to give Soviet units time to resupply and reinforce. By mid-August, the situation on the Eastern Front had changed as the Red Army started a general offensive, beginning with the Belgorod-Khar'kov Offensive Operation (Operation Polkovodets Rumyantsev; 3–23 August) and

5040-603: The Kalinin Front and the Western Front . After a preliminary artillery bombardment, Soviet troops attempted to break through the Wehrmacht lines. On the Kalinin Front 's attack sector, the Red Army created a salient 30 km (19 mi) wide and 3–13 km (1.9–8.1 mi) deep by the end of the day. After four days of battle, Soviet rifle divisions captured Dukhovshchina , another "key" to Smolensk. On

5180-491: The Kursk Defensive Operation (5–23 July) proceeded relatively easily for the Red Army around Oryol, creating a large salient south of Smolensk and Bryansk. In this situation, the former attack axis, directed southwest towards Roslavl and Bryansk, became useless. The Stavka decided instead to shift the attack axis west to Yelnya and Smolensk. The Yelnya-Dorogobuzh Offensive Operation was considered

5320-676: The Orel Offensive Operation (Operation Polkovodets Kutuzov; 12 July – 18 August) otherwise known as the Battle of Kursk , and continuing with the Wehrmacht's defensive Battle of the Dnieper line in North Ukraine . Nevertheless, the Wehrmacht command was still reinforcing its troops around Smolensk and Roslavl , withdrawing several divisions from the Oryol region. As a result, the two Soviet counteroffensives that followed

5460-747: The Russian capital Saint Petersburg ; in Crimea , or, more accurately, Little Tartary ( Kuban which is in the North Caucasus , and Kherson ); in the recently former Poland ( Tulchin , Kobrin ); and in the Vyborg Governorate , on the border with Swedish Finland . In 1774, Suvorov was dispatched to suppress Pugachev's Rebellion , whose leader Yemelyan Pugachev claimed to be the assassinated Tsar Peter III . Count Pyotr Panin , appointed for operations against Pugachev, asked to appoint

5600-520: The Semyonovsky Lifeguard Regiment for nine years. During this period he continued his studies attending classes at Cadet Corps of Land Forces. He spent most of his time in the barracks : the troops loved him, though everyone considered him eccentric. Besides, he was sent with diplomatic dispatches to Dresden and Vienna ; to carry out these assignments on 16 March 1752, he received a diplomatic courier passport, signed by

5740-658: The Suzdals restored their reputation in Suvorov's eyes, not only at Kraśnik but also in Rachów. He wrote to Weymarn: The infantry acted with great subordination, and I made my peace with them. Follow-up clashes rectify Suvorov's situation: the battle of Lanckorona one day after an incident at Tyniec, where Dumouriez, the future hero of the French Republic , was severely defeated; the combat of Zamość on 22 May 1771;

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5880-603: The War of the Bar Confederation included the capture of Kraków and victories at Orzechowo , Lanckorona , and Stołowicze . His reputation rose further when, in the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774 , he captured Turtukaya twice and won a decisive victory at Kozludzha . After a period of little progress, he was promoted to general and led Russian forces in the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792 , participating in

6020-597: The Western Front 's attack sector, where the offensive started one day later, the breakthrough was also promising, with a developing salient 20 km (12 mi) large and 10 km (6.2 mi) deep. The same day, Yartsevo , an important railroad hub near Smolensk, was liberated by Soviet troops. On the Western Front's left flank, Soviet rifle divisions reached the Desna and conducted an assault river crossing, creating several bridgeheads on its western shore. As

6160-596: The battle of Stołowicze ; and the siege of the Wawel Castle ( Kraków Castle ), where the French and the szlachta , under the leadership of Brigadier Marquess Gabriel de Claude, made a sortie from the fortifications, and a force of Tyniec moved towards them – the Poles and their French allies were "defeated by brutal shooting and put to flight", paving the way for the first partition of Poland between Austria , Prussia and Russia . Suvorov meanwhile reached

6300-418: The outposts , wrapped himself in a cloak and went to bed not far from the Danube shore. It was not yet daybreak when he heard loud shouts: "alla, alla"; jumping to his feet, he saw several Turkish horsemen, who with raised sabres were rushing towards him. He had barely time to jump on his horse and gallop away. Carabiniers were immediately sent to assist the attacked Cossacks, and those first-mentioned attacked

6440-464: The rearguard of Platen, during which Suvorov cut into the enemy cavalry and infantry, during which it was reported that "many were taken and beaten from the enemy". Suvorov managed to avoid heavy losses. All the battles described took place at the same time as the siege of Kolberg (1761) in Pomerania . It is stated that Suvorov visited Prussian Masonic lodge . But it is doubtful that he himself

6580-543: The siege of Ochakov , as well as victories at Kinburn and Focșani . Suvorov won a decisive victory at the Battle of Rymnik , and afterwards defeated the Ottomans in the storming of Izmail . His victories at Focșani and Rymnik established him as the most brilliant general in Russia, if not in all of Europe. In 1794, he put down the Polish uprising , defeating them at the battle of Praga and elsewhere. After Catherine

6720-519: The storming of the Lanckorona Castle , being injured here; and then on 20 May 1771, he unsuccessfully stormed the mountain near Tyniec Abbey , which included a strong redoubt enclosed by a palisade , trous de loup , and strengthened with two guns. The Russians under Suvorov and Lieutenant Colonel Shepelev captured the fortification twice, but were beaten back. Fearing to lose a lot of troops and time, Suvorov retreated. It were among

6860-400: The "key" to Smolensk and Wehrmacht troops created a massive fortified defensive position around the city. Swampy areas on the Desna and Ugra rivers were mined and heavy guns set up on hills overlooking the city. The Soviet armies, aware of the Wehrmacht preparations, were reinforced with tanks and artillery during the week from 20–27 August. The offensive finally commenced on 28 August by

7000-473: The 10th Army to break through German lines and advance 10 km (6.2 mi) in two days. The 5th Mechanized Corps, relocated from Kirov and committed to battle in order to exploit the breakthrough, failed in its mission, mainly because a poorly organized anti-aircraft defense enabled Luftwaffe dive bombers to attack its Valentine tanks with some impunity. The corps sustained heavy losses and had to pull away from combat. Soviet troops eventually advanced

7140-421: The 13th century. The 'season of bad roads' also proved to be a great hindrance in and after the Battle of Krasnoi , when many horses, carriages and cannon were stuck in the snow or mud and left behind during the French retreat from Russia . Rasputitsa reduced the mobility of both armies but it seemed to be more favorable to the defender. "General Mud" is a nickname (sometimes) used in the Western Front in

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7280-878: The 17th-century Tver gentry. In 1756 Alexander Suvorov's first cousin, Sergey Ivanovich Suvorov, in his statement of background ( skazka ) for his son said that he did not have any proof of nobility; he started his genealogy from his great-grandfather, Grigory Ivanovich Suvorov, who served as a dvorovy boyar scion at Kashin . As a boy, Suvorov was a sickly child and his father assumed he would work in civil service as an adult. However, he proved to be an excellent learner, avidly studying mathematics, literature, philosophy, and geography, learning to read French, German, Polish , and Italian, and with his father's vast library devoted himself to intense study of military history , strategy, tactics, and several military authors including Plutarch , Quintus Curtius , Cornelius Nepos , Julius Caesar , and Charles XII . This also helped him develop

7420-732: The Armenians near Rostov and generally on the Don . Rumyantsev reported to the Empress that "the withdrawal of the Christians can be regarded as a conquest of a noble province". 130,000 rubles were spent for transportation and food. Petrushevsky suggests that food itself cost very cheap, because Suvorov bought from the same Christians 50,000 quarters of bread, which, coming locally to the shops, cost half as much as delivered from Russia, what resulted in savings of 100,000 rubles. "Suvorov's orders were distinguished by remarkable and calculated prudence, he had put his heart into this business". More than half

7560-590: The Army Group Center many signs show a continuous preparation to a yet limited offensive (Roslavl, Smolensk, Vitebsk) and of a maneuver of immobilization of the Army Group Center... The front had been more or less stable for four to five months (and up to 18 months in several places) before the battle, and possessed geographical features favorable for a strong defensive setup. Thus, German forces had time to build extensive defensive positions, numbering as many as five or six defensive lines in some places, for

7700-553: The Bryansk Front from June to October 1943. This meant that the Soviet offensive was probably not expected along that particular axis. Therefore, the boundary between the First Belorussian Front and the Western Front was shifted south, and two "new" armies executed a single- pincer movement to Dubrovka and around Bryansk, forcing German forces to withdraw. By 6 September, the offensive slowed almost to

7840-539: The Caucasus and Crimea. Going to Kherson (1792), Suvorov received quite a detailed instruction. He was entrusted with command over the troops in the Yekaterinoslav Governorate , Taurida Oblast and the territory newly annexed from Ottoman Turkey , with the responsibility to manage the fortification works there. Black Sea Fleet was under the command of Vice-Admiral Nikolay Mordvinov , and

7980-403: The Dnieper's western bank, which was held by German troops, was higher and steeper than the eastern. There were very few available bridges or ferries. For the Soviet troops, the offensive was further complicated by a lack of transport in the area in which the offensive was to be staged. The road network was not well developed and paved roads were rare. After rainfall, which was quite common during

8120-699: The General Staff in 1943) wrote in his memoirs : This plan was enormous both in regard of its daring and of forces committed to it, was executed through several operations: the Smolensk operation, ...the Donbass [Operation], the left-bank Ukraine operation... The territory on which the offensive was to be staged was a slightly hilly plain covered with ravines and possessing significant areas of swamps and forests that restricted military movement. Its most important hills reached heights over 270 m (890 ft), allowing for improved artillery defense. In 1943,

8260-452: The German army capable of only reacting to Soviet moves. On the Soviet side, Joseph Stalin was determined to pursue the liberation of occupied territories from German control, a course of action that had its first major success at the end of 1942 with Operation Uranus , which led to the liberation of Stalingrad . The Battle of the Dnieper was to achieve the liberation of Ukraine and push

8400-661: The Great died in 1796, her successor Paul I often quarrelled with Suvorov. After a period of ill-favour, Suvorov was recalled to a field marshal position at the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars . He was given command of the Austro-Russian army, and after a series of victories, such as the battle of the Trebbia , he captured Milan and Turin , and nearly erased all of Napoleon 's Italian conquests of 1796–97 . After an Austro-Russian army

8540-425: The Ottomans bolstered the morale of his soldiers who were usually outnumbered, such as the stormings of Turtukaya from 21 May to 28 June 1773, and the repelling of the assault on Hirsovo fortress with a subsequent counterattack on 14 September that year. In Suvorov's first reconnaissance to Turtukaya the troops pulled up to the tract of Oltenița , not far from the Danube , waiting for dawn. Suvorov stayed at

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8680-405: The Russian government. From the end of January 1777, Suvorov set about building new fortifications at Kuban, despite the severe cold and predator raids, suggesting that the entire cordon should be shortened, and that it should be connected to the Azov-Mozdok fortified line . There were only about 12,000 men under Suvorov's command. He explored the region, more than 30 fortifications were built, and

8820-516: The Russian summer, most of them were turned into mud (a phenomenon known as rasputitsa ), greatly slowing down any advance of mechanized troops, and raising logistical issues as well. The only major railroad axis available for Soviet troops was the Rzhev - Vyazma - Kirov line. The Wehrmacht controlled a much wider network of roads and railroads, centered on Smolensk and Roslavl . These two cities were important logistical centers, allowing quick supply and reinforcements for German troops. By far

8960-416: The Russians were anxious; – finally, he was ordered to collect and submit notifications from abroad. Engineering occupied the most prominent place in Suvorov's activities in the south, as well as in Finland. The plans signed by him were preserved: the project of the Phanagoria fortress, three projects of fortifications of the Kinburn Spit and the Dnieper–Bug estuary , the plan of the Kinburn Fortress ,

9100-548: The Soviet front line on this part of the Eastern Front was a concave with a re-entrant around Orel . The re-entrant exposed the Wehrmacht to flank attacks from the north but the main attack carried out on the Kalinin and Western fronts would be quite difficult. The Western Front had assigned for the operation the 10th Guards Army , 5th Army , 10th Army , 21st Army , 33rd Army , 49th Army , 68th Army , 1st Air Army , 2nd Guards Tank Corps , 5th Mechanised Corps , 6th Guards Cavalry Corps . The Kalinin Front would have for

9240-427: The Turks in the flank, while they, having struck down the Cossacks, carried on to the heights. The Turks were repulsed, throwing themselves to the ships and hurriedly departed from the shore; there were only 900 of them, of whom 85 were killed, more were sunk; several men were taken prisoners, including the chief of the detachment. According to the testimony of the prisoners Suvorov managed to find out how many men were in

9380-436: The Turtukaya stronghold, and following its capture, even before sunrise, Suvorov wrote in pencil on a small piece of paper and sent to Lieutenant-General Count Ivan Saltykov , in whose division he served, the following short report: "Your Excellency , we have won; thank God, thank you". Suvorov also sent another report to the Commander-in-Chief Rumyantsev, consisting of couplets: Glory to God, glory to you, Turtukaya

9520-398: The Wehrmacht lines, allowing the Red Army to execute a breakthrough on a 25 km (16 mi) front and advance 6–8 km (3.7–5.0 mi) by the end of the day. The following day, 29 August, Red Army rifle divisions advanced further, creating a salient 30 km (19 mi) wide and 12–15 km (7.5–9.3 mi) deep. In order to exploit the breakthrough, the 2nd Guards Tank Corps

9660-434: The aim of achieving a breakthrough in the direction of Smolensk. It became clear that the salient—projecting far to the east—in which the 9th Army was positioned could no longer be held." Alexander Suvorov Born in Moscow, he studied military history as a young boy and joined the Imperial Russian Army at the age of 17. Promoted to colonel in 1762 for his successes during the Seven Years' War , his victories during

9800-479: The area was for the most part covered with pine and mixed forests and thick bushes. Numerous rivers also passed through the area, the most important of them being the Donets Basin , Western Dvina , Dnieper , Desna , Volost' and Ugra rivers. The Dnieper is by far the largest of them and strategically most important. The surrounding wide, swamp-like areas proved difficult to cross, especially for mechanized troops. Moreover, like many south-flowing rivers in Europe,

9940-429: The armored and cavalry forces of the 6th Guards Cavalry Corps had no further effect and resulted in heavy casualties because of strong German defenses, leading to a stalemate . During the Spas-Demensk Offensive Operation (Russian: Спас-Деменская наступательная операция) in the region of Spas-Demensk , things went better for the 10th Army. The Wehrmacht had fewer troops and only limited reserves in this area, enabling

10080-400: The basis of the law and used this means to communicate his decision to others, to make his view their view, his conviction – their conviction." Petrushevsky further observes: "This is very difficult for ordinary commanders who do not tower over their subordinates in anything other than their position; but easy for such as Suvorov. There is no need for ranting, or intricately woven evidence; it is

10220-402: The battle at Kobyłka . The cavalry attacks at Brest and Kobyłka resemble of Suvorov's offence at Lanckorona 22 years earlier, which ended in the defeat of Dumouriez. The battle showed that there was stability in his tactical rules, and he did not act on momentary impulse. Suvorov was praised and exalted, anecdotes were told about him, his letters were quoted. It became known that he wrote

10360-421: The besiegers to storm, Potemkin still continued the siege, which Rumyantsev wryly called the siege of Troy , and Suvorov described in couplet that he was: Sitting on a stone so cold, Watching Ochakov as of old. The mortality rate was extreme, from one cold 30–40 people a day: the soldiers were stiff in their dugouts , suffering terrible want of essentials, and so were the horses. During Potemkin's visit to

10500-643: The bold flanking maneuver of Suvorov and the resilience of the Austrians, together they routed the Ottoman army within a few hours, losing only 500 men in the process. Suvorov earned the nickname "General Forward" in the ranks of the Austrian corps for the latter victory; the word combination came to his attention and gave him sincere pleasure, as he later recalled this martial assessment of his person, smugly grinning. Suvorov's 11th Fanagoriysky Grenadier Regiment

10640-431: The camp, the soldiers took the courage to personally ask him to storm, but this did not work. At last there was a deafening murmur among the whole army. Only having reached such a hopeless situation Potemkin decided to storm, setting it for 17 December, in which Suvorov did not participate due to a bullet wound that penetrated his neck and stopped at the back of his head. This happened during a successful Ottoman sortie from

10780-514: The diminutive suffix -иц ( it͡s ) + the feminine noun ending а ( a ). The Ukrainian term бездоріжжя , bezdorizhzhia , 'roadlessness' ( pronunciation ) usually refers to spring, and occasionally to autumn, when rain and/or melting snow on unpaved roads, tracks, paths, or any poorly-drained off-road area turns the route into impassable deep mud. Swedish menföre 'bad going' and Finnish kelirikko 'broken state of roads' (lit. 'weather-break') also apply to when water

10920-400: The disposition to storm it without delay, in order to give the enemy no time for further strengthening, and therefore there is no need for reference to his lordship the commander-in-chief [Grigory Potemkin]. Serasker ' s request is to be refused. The siege must not be turned into a blockade. Retreat is reprehensible to Her Imperial Majesty 's victorious troops. By virtue of chapter fourteen of

11060-538: The eastern shore of the Dniepr. Near Bryansk , things went equally well for the Soviet armies, despite heavy German resistance. However, an identified weakness changed all the previous plans. A surprisingly easy capture of several hills commanding the Dubrovka region north of Bryansk, with numerous German soldiers captured in total absence of battle readiness, came to the attention of General Markian Popov , commander of

11200-423: The enemy's character, properties and general strength, a correct estimation of their own resources, moral and material, and a choice of means based on these data. But even more than the plan (the storming programme), what is striking is its execution, in which some features of the plan turned out to be additional steps to the Russian victory. Only troops who are perfectly trained and between whom and their leader there

11340-547: The fall, and it is not considered a rasputitsa by name. Climate change in Russia and warmer winters in the Russian Arctic are a big disadvantage: Rasputitsa lasted previously for 2–3 weeks, and now it reaches two months. The rasputitsa seasons are well-known as a defensive advantage in wartime. Spring thaw was a factor that helped prevent Novgorod from being overrun during the Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus' in

11480-527: The few tactical setbacks in his career, however, these were not field engagements. Slightly earlier than at Tyniec, however, Suvorov had won small victories over the Confederates at Rachów and Kraśnik (27 & 28 February 1771), capturing an entire wagon train in the first of these clashes. By a "happy coincidence", Suvorov survived in it. After their failure at the Lanckorona Castle ,

11620-420: The fleeing enemy, Suvorov said to William Fermor : "if I were commander-in-chief, I would go to Berlin right now". Fortunately for Frederick, he faced not Suvorov. Then, Alexander served under the command of General-Major Maxim Berg . Suvorov successfully defended his positions at Reichenbach , but contrary to his future rules did not pursue the retreating enemy, if the only surviving account of this action

11760-410: The fortress. In 1789, after the joint Russian and Habsburg victorious battle of Focșani , he and the talented Austro - Bavarian general Josias of Coburg fought most decisive victories in their career. First at the battle of Rymnik , where, despite the vast inferiority in numbers (a Russian–Austrian force of 25,000 against 100,000 Turks), Suvorov persuaded the Austrian commander to attack; with

11900-495: The front line, three or four more defense lines were located, whenever possible, on the western shore of a river. For instance, important defense lines were set up on the western side of the Dnieper and Desna . Additionally, the main urban centers located on the defense line (such as Yelnya , Dukhovshchina and Spas-Demensk ) were reinforced and fortified, preparing them for a potentially long fight. Roads were mined and covered with antitank devices and firing points were installed in

12040-424: The functioning of an efficient railway system came into its own. Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine , some analysts identified the logistical challenges of the mud season as a likely hindrance to any large-scale invasion in spring. When Russia crossed the border, many of its mobile units found themselves stranded in fields and limited to major roads, where resistance and logistical issues significantly slowed

12180-562: The main logistics center of Tiraspol, the fort of Hacıdere (Ovidiopol) on the Dnieper – Bug estuary, Khadjibey (Odessa) and Sevastopol (Akhtiar) fortifications. Some of these were built during his time there and have progressed considerably, others had only just begun; there were also fortifications remained in the project due to short time and lack of money. At Sevastopol four forts were started, including 2 casemated ; in Khadjibey

12320-541: The massacre was the deed of Cossacks who were semi-independent and were not directly subordinate to Suvorov. Suvorov supposedly tried to stop the massacre and even went to the extent of ordering the destruction of the bridge to Warsaw over the Vistula River with the purpose of preventing the spread of violence to Warsaw from its suburb. Other historians dispute this, but most sources make no reference to Suvorov either deliberately encouraging or attempting to prevent

12460-472: The massacre. "I have shed rivers of blood," the troubled Suvorov confessed, "and this horrifies me". A total of 11,000 to 13,000 Poles were taken prisoner (approximately 450 officers ), including captured with weapons, unarmed and wounded. Of the men taken alive and wounded, more than 6,000 were sent home; up to 4,000 were sent to Kiev , – from the regular army , without the scythemen , who were set at liberty with other non-military men. Many writers call

12600-454: The measure conceived by the Russian government, was in favor of the feasibility of resettlement. Thus the matter was resolved and Suvorov was entrusted with its execution. In the second half of September 1778 the resettlement ended. More than 31,000 souls were evicted; the Greeks were mostly settled between the rivers Berda and Kalmius , along the river Solyonaya and all the way to Azov ;

12740-504: The mention of Alexander Vasilyevich. In one "decent, but rather unpleasant" letter to Saltykov, he amuses himself about the second Turtukaya victory of Suvorov and the inaction of Saltykov himself. Plus, a little earlier several reconnaissances had been made from Saltykov's division and one of them very unsuccessful. Colonel Prince Repnin was taken prisoner with 3 staff officers , more than 200 Russians were killed and missing, 2 ships, and 2 cannons were recaptured. From 1787 to 1791, under

12880-548: The military regulations ." Turkish forces inside the fortress had the orders to stand their ground to the end and haughtily declined the Russian ultimatum . Despite the fact that Mehmed Pasha was a resolute and firm commander, and inflicted serious losses on the Russians, his army was destroyed. Their defeat was seen as a major catastrophe in the Ottoman Empire , and in Russian military history there has never been

13020-487: The most capable Russian commanders of the era as per statistician Gaston Bodart and historian K. Osipov , routed the Ottomans at the battle of Kagul . Petrushevsky states the following: "The battles of Larga , Chesma , and Kagul were balm for the Russian heart of Suvorov, but at the same time a vexation stirred up in him from the fact that he had not participated there. While in Poland, Suvorov's displeasure, inflated by his self-love and unsatisfied thirst for activity,

13160-415: The most important and tallest buildings. After a day of probing, the goal of which was to determine whether German troops would choose to withdraw or not from the first set of trenches, the offensive started on 7 August 1943 at 06:30 (with a preliminary bombardment starting at 04:40) with a breakthrough towards Roslavl . Three armies were committed to this offensive: the 5th Army , the 10th Guards Army, and

13300-424: The most important approach for a western attack on Moscow . The strategic operations included smaller operations: By the end of the Battle of Kursk in July 1943, Germany had lost all hope of regaining the initiative on the Eastern Front . Losses were considerable and the whole army was less effective than before, as many of its experienced soldiers were killed during the previous two years of fighting. This left

13440-531: The most important railroads for German troops were the Smolensk- Bryansk axis and the Nevel - Orsha - Mogilev axis, linking German western troops with troops concentrated around Oryol . As part of the Soviet planning the German railroad communications were attacked by the partisans during the conduct of Operation Concert , one of the largest railroad sabotage operations of World War II. In July 1943

13580-432: The mud. In conjunction with the general conditions of winter , rasputitsa has been credited with encumbering the military campaigns of Napoleonic France in 1812 and Nazi Germany during Operation Barbarossa , as well as all belligerents in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine . The Russian term rasputitsa is derived from the root путь ( put′ ), 'road, way, travel' + the prefix рас- ( ras ) 'discrepancy, divergence' +

13720-607: The next five days and, although they inflicted heavy casualties on Wehrmacht troops, their own losses were also heavy. By mid-August, Soviet operations all along the Smolensk front stabilized. The resulting stalemate, while not a defeat per se , was stinging for Soviet commanders, who provided several explanations for their failure to press forward. Deputy Chief of General Staff General A. I. Antonov reported "We have to deal both with forests and swamps and with increasing resistance of enemy troops reinforced by divisions arriving from Bryansk region" while Marshal Nikolai Voronov , formerly

13860-504: The offensive was stopped, and the second stage of the Smolensk operation was over. In the week from 7–14 September, Soviet troops were once again reinforced and were preparing for another offensive. The next objectives set by the Stavka were the major cities of Smolensk, Vitebsk and Orsha . The operation resumed on 14 September with the Smolensk-Roslavl Offensive Operation , involving the left flank of

14000-405: The operation the 4th Shock Army , 39th Army , 43rd Army , 3rd Air Army , and the 31st Army . As a result of the shape of the front, a significant number of divisions of Army Group Center were kept on this part of the front because of a (quite legitimate) fear of a major offensive in this sector. For instance, at the end of July 1943, a German staff briefing stated: On the front... held by

14140-530: The order of service at the cordon was changed. Attacks from across the Kuban ceased; Tatars , guarded against the unrest of Turkish Zakuban emissaries and from the raids of predators, were pacified, and began to make sure that the Russians really had good intentions towards them. But the peace was short-lived, however. "Intelligent Rumyantsev could not fail to appreciate the fruitful activities of Suvorov in Kuban" and spoke of him with pleasure and praise. By 1781,

14280-455: The overall command of Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin , he again fought the Turks during the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792 and won many victories; he was wounded twice at the hard-won Kinburn engagement (1787) and saved only thanks to the intervention of the grenadier Stepan Novikov. Novikov heard the call of his chief, threw himself at the Turks; he stabbed one, shot another and turned to

14420-544: The quiet, turned to the steppe. This vast steppe, which stretched for several hundred km., desolate, woodless, homeless, was a "dead desert, where even without the enemy's weapons was threatened with death". Suvorov had very little bread; he ordered to kill, salt and bake on fire some of the taken cattle and use the slices of meat for people instead of bread, as he did in the last campaign of the Seven Years' War. Thus secured for some time, Suvorov's detachment went deeper into

14560-414: The rank of major-general . More than two years after the signing of the treaty of Iași (Jassy) with the Ottoman Empire , Suvorov was yet again transferred to Poland where he assumed the command of one of the corps and led the victorious battles of Dywin , Kobryń , Krupczyce , and the battle of Brest where he vanquished the forces of the Polish commander Karol Sierakowski ; afterwards, Suvorov won

14700-521: The record the historical account of his family to his aide, colonel Anthing , telling particularly that his Swedish-born ancestor was of noble descent, having engaged under the Russian banner in the wars against the Tatars and Poles . These exploits were rewarded by Tsars with lands and peasants . This version, however, was questioned recently by prominent Russian linguists , professors Nikolay Baskakov and Alexandra Superanskaya , who pointed out that

14840-543: The result, the Wehrmacht defense line protecting Smolensk was overrun, exposing the troops defending the city to envelopment . General Kurt von Tippelskirch , Chief of Staff of the German 4th Army during the Smolensk operation and later commander of the 4th Army, wrote that: "The forces of the Soviet Western Front struck the left wing of Army Group Center from the Dorogobuzh-Yelnya line with

14980-500: The right, which consisted of three Hussar, two Cossack, and Tver Dragoon regiments, he entrusted to Suvorov. In the village of Naugard the Prussians positioned themselves with 2 battalions of infantry and a weak dragoon regiment. Forming his unit in two lines, Suvorov began the attack. He felled the dragoons, struck one of the battalions, killed many on the spot and took at least a hundred prisoners. At Stargard , Suvorov attacked

15120-600: The scene only in time to conduct the first interrogation of the rebel leader, but Suvorov missed the chance to defeat him in battle, who had been betrayed by his fellow Cossacks and was eventually beheaded in Moscow. As a result of the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774 , the Crimean Khanate became independent of the Ottomans, but in fact became a Russian protectorate (1774 to 1783). The Russian-imposed Şahin Giray proved unpopular. The Kuban Nogais remained hostile to

15260-678: The situation in the Crimean Khanate, especially in the North-West Caucasus , had "heated up to the limit". Dissatisfaction with the Khan and the withdrawal of Russian troops led to an uprising of the Kuban Nogais at the beginning of the year. By July 1782, the uprising had spread to Crimea . In September to October 1782, Suvorov was engaged in "restoring order" on the territory of north-west Caucasus. The first insurrection

15400-495: The small fortified town of Golnau. After repeatedly distinguishing himself in battle Suvorov will become a colonel in 1762, aged around 33. Soon afterwards, following the capture of Golnau, he was given temporary command of the Tver Dragoon Regiment until the regimental commander recovered. Prussian observation detachments had spread far from Kolberg ; Berg moved there in two columns, the left he led himself, and

15540-727: The so-called faubourg ). The massacre of 12,000 civilians in Praga broke the spirits of the defenders and soon put an end to the Kościuszko Uprising . During the event, Russian forces looted and burned the entire borough. This carnage was committed by the troops in revenge for the slaughter of the Russian garrison in Warsaw during the Warsaw Uprising in April 1794 , when up to 4,000 Russian soldiers died. According to some sources

15680-491: The southern part of the front towards the west. In order to weaken the German defenses even further, however, the Smolensk operation was staged simultaneously, in a move that would also draw German reserves north, thereby weakening the German defense on the southern part of the front. Both operations were a part of the same strategic offensive plan, aiming to recover as much Soviet territory from German control as possible. Thirty years later, Marshal Aleksandr Vasilevsky (Chief of

15820-514: The steppe. "They followed the sun by day and the stars by night; there were no roads, they followed the traces and moved as fast as they could, not paying attention to any atmospheric changes, because there was no place to hide from them". In different places Suvorov was overtaken and joined by several detachments, who went before him from Tsaritsyn; on 23 September, he came to the Maly Uzen River, divided his squad into four parts and went to

15960-475: The storming of Praga a simple slaughterhouse. As historian Alexander Petrushevsky notes, Suvorov's dispositions of the troops were characterised by remarkable thoroughness; such was that of Praga according to Petrushevsky. "It is homogeneous with the Izmailian at its core and identical to it in many basic details. Both show a remarkable military calculation, which includes not only figures, but knowledge of

16100-414: The third set of trenches was in fact a solid antitank moat with a steep western side integrating artillery and machine guns emplacements. The forward edge of the battle area was protected by three lines of barbed wire and a solid wall of minefields . The second defense zone, located about 10 km (6.2 mi) behind the outer defense zone and covering the most important directions, was composed of

16240-441: The third, but that one fled, and with him the rest. The retreating Russian grenadiers noticed Suvorov and shouted: "Brothers, the general stayed in front", – rushed again upon the Ottomans. The fight resumed, and the bewildered Turkish soldiers began again to rapidly lose one trench after another. Suvorov suffered greatly from grievous wounds and huge loss of blood; although he kept on his feet, he often fainted, and this went on for

16380-489: The three armies would not be able to get through the German lines. Soviet commanders decided therefore to commit the 68th Army, heretofore kept in reserve, to battle. On the German side, three additional divisions ( 2nd Panzer Division , 36th Infantry Division , and 56th Infantry Division ) were sent to the front from the Oryol sector to try to stop the Soviet advance. The attack resumed the following day with another attempt at

16520-412: The time of rasputitsa, some farm products cannot be delivered to the city (i.e. to market) and must be destroyed. Autumn thawing occurs when the average daily air temperature drops to +5°C, which reduces the evaporation of moisture, and the frequency of rains saturating the upper soil layer increases. In Canada there is definitely a rasputitsa period, though it does not occur everywhere or necessarily in

16660-544: The veteran in disgrace. The Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774 saw his first successful campaigns against the Turks between 1773 and 1774, and particularly in the battle of Kozludža (1774) ; Suvorov laid the foundations of his reputation there. During the same conflict, the Imperial Russian Navy triumphed over the Ottoman Navy at the battle of Cheshme , and Peter (Pyotr) Rumyantsev , likewise one of

16800-504: The village of Ukholovo , between Shatsk and Pereyaslavl Ryazansky . He arrived in Ukholovo on September 3 ( NS ), just at the time when Panin received notice of Alexander Vasilyevich's appointment. Panin gave him broad powers and ordered the military and civil authorities – to execute all Suvorov's orders. After receiving instructions, Suvorov the same day set out on the road, in the direction of Arzamas and Penza to Saratov , with

16940-460: The winning authority that persuades, the unbending will that fascinates". Suvorov spoke a little in council and nevertheless brought everyone into raptures, he enthralled the very people who a few days ago considered the same assault unrealisable. The youngest of those present, Brigadier Platov , said the word assault , and the decision to assault was taken by all 13 persons without exception. The council determined: "approaching Izmail, according to

17080-424: The word Suvorov more likely comes from the ancient Russian male name Suvor based on the adjective suvory , an equivalent of surovy , which means "severe" in Russian. Baskakov also pointed to the fact that the Suvorovs' family coat of arms lacks any Swedish symbols, implying its Russian origins. Among the first of those who pointed to the Russian origin of the name were Empress Catherine II , who noted in

17220-469: Was supported by a blockade of the Black Sea flotilla of Charles Henri de Nassau-Siegen under John Paul Jones , a renowned fighter for American independence . After a fierce naval combat , the Russian rowing vessels surrounded the flagship and took it; only Kapudan-ı Derya Hasan Pasha managed to escape. However, when great damage was done to the Ottoman fortress plus fleet, "as if inviting"

17360-436: Was a notable hindrance in the early 20th century, since 40% of rural villages in the erstwhile Soviet Union were not served by paved roads. The problem is less pronounced in elevated areas than in lowlands. Roads that run through wetlands are particularly susceptible to damage. This phenomenon not only affects motorists but also pedestrians, mining, logging and agricultural companies creating deep ruts and furrows . During

17500-598: Was achieved by resettling Christians, mainly of Greek and Armenian nationalities, from Crimea: they had industry, horticulture and agriculture, which constituted a significant part of the Crimean Khan's income. The fact that the Crimean Christians were burdened "to the last degree" by the Khan's extortions and, therefore, the tax exemption granted to them in the new place should have inclined them in favor of

17640-533: Was also admired by his soldiers throughout his whole military life, and was respected for his honest service and truthfulness. Alexander Suvorov was born into a noble family originating from Novgorod at the Moscow mansion in Arbat , given as dowry from his maternal grandfather, Fedosey Manukov . His father, Vasily Ivanovich Suvorov , was a general-in-chief and a senator in the Governing Senate , and

17780-465: Was also important for its effect on the Battle of the Dnieper. It has been estimated that as many as 55 German divisions were committed to counter the Smolensk operation – divisions which would have been critical to prevent Soviet troops from crossing the Dnieper in the south. In the course of the operation, the Red Army also definitively drove back German forces from the Smolensk land bridge, historically

17920-547: Was credited with translating Vauban 's works into Russian. His mother, Avdotya Fedoseyevna (née Manukova), was the daughter of judge Fedosey Manukov, and was an ethnic Russian. According to a family legend his paternal ancestor named Suvor had emigrated from Karelia , at the time ruled by the Swedish Empire , with his family in 1622 and enlisted at the Russian service to serve Tsar Michael Feodorovich (his descendants became Suvorovs ). Suvorov himself narrated for

18060-691: Was defeated in Switzerland, Suvorov, ordered to reinforce them, was cut off by André Masséna and later surrounded in the Swiss Alps . His successful extraction of the exhausted, ill-supplied, and heavily-outnumbered Russian army was rewarded by a promotion to Generalissimo . Masséna himself would later confess that he would exchange all of his victories for Suvorov's passage of the Alps. Suvorov died in 1800 of illness in Saint Petersburg . He

18200-728: Was ever a Freemason . Just before his career in 1761, he took part in the raid on Berlin by Zakhar Chernyshev 's forces (one year after the Kunersdorf). Suvorov took in a young boy, took care of him during the whole campaign , and on arrival at the quarters sent to the widow, the boy's mother, a letter reading: "Dear mother, your little son is safe with me. If you want to leave him with me, he will not lack anything and I will take care of him as if he were my own son. If you wish to keep him with you, you can take him from here or write me where to send him." Suvorov next served in Poland during

18340-526: Was fed by news from the Turkish theatre of war . There was (or he thought there was) what he wanted, that "comfort" about which he wrote to Yakov Bulgakov in January 1771. Especially strong was to ignite in Suvorov is the desire to go to the main army after its glorious deeds of 1770 ". It was then that he had already started pushing for a transfer from Poland to Turkey. His later earned victories against

18480-704: Was formed from soldiers who took part at Rymnik. Catherine the Great, in turn, made Suvorov a count with the name Rymniksky (or Rimniksky ) as a victory title in addition to his own name, and the Emperor Joseph II made him a count of the Holy Roman Empire . The second one came at the storming of Izmail in Bessarabia on 22 December 1790. On 20 December Suvorov convened a military council . Petrushevsky writes as follows: "Suvorov had nothing to consult about, but by doing so, he acted on

18620-462: Was inactivity in Wallachia after Suvorov's initial capture of Turtukaya; Saltykov did not take advantage of the successful Turtukaya engagement despite the insistence of Rumyantsev; and Ottoman communications on the Danube became unimpeded. Lieutenant-General Mikhail Kamensky , with whose help Suvorov defeated the Turks at Kozludzha , not liking Suvorov, at the same time teased Ivan Saltykov with

18760-611: Was instrumental in expanding the Russian Empire, as his success ensured Russia's conquering of Kuban , Crimea , and New Russia . One of the foremost generals in all of military history, and considered the greatest military commander in Russian history, Suvorov has been compared to Napoleon in military generalship. Undefeated, he has been described as the best general Republican France ever fought, and noted as "one of those rare generals who were consistently successful despite suffering from considerable disadvantages." Suvorov

18900-519: Was led by General Andrei Yeremenko , commanding the Kalinin Front , and Vasily Sokolovsky , commanding the Western Front . Its goal was to clear the German presence from the Smolensk and Bryansk regions. Smolensk had been under German occupation since the first Battle of Smolensk in 1941. Despite an impressive German defense, the Red Army was able to stage several breakthroughs, liberating several major cities, including Smolensk and Roslavl . As

19040-704: Was placed a military harbor with a merchant pier, according to François Sainte de Wollant 's plans, under the direct supervision of Deribas and supreme surveillance of Suvorov. Rasputitsa Rasputitsa (from Russian : распу́тица [rɐsˈputʲɪtsə] ; literally "season of bad roads" ) is the mud season that occurs in various rural areas of Eastern Europe , when the rapid snowmelt or thawing of frozen ground combined with wet weather in spring, or heavy rains in autumn lead to muddy conditions that make travel on unpaved roads problematic and even treacherous. Rasputitsa has repeatedly affected wars by causing military vehicles and artillery pieces to become mired in

19180-505: Was still essentially late. However, Suvorov did not stop it, he assigned to his detachment 2 squadrons , 2 Cossack sotnias , using horses captured by Mikhelson put on horseback 300 infantrymen, seized 2 light guns, and after spending less than a day on it all, crossed the Volga. Apparently, for reconnaissance on the rebels, he first moved upriver, came to a large village, which kept the Pugachev side, took 50 oxen, and then seeing that around

19320-586: Was suppressed by the force of returning Russian troops directly by Alexander Suvorov and Anton de Balmen at the end of 1782 (Balmen put down a rebellion on the Crimean Peninsula territory). In 1783, Suvorov with complete surprise for the rebels crossed the Kuban River and in the battle of the Laba on 1 October (near Kermenchik tract ) decisively quelled the second Nogai uprising , which, in turn,

19460-492: Was thrown into the battle. In one day, its troops advanced 30 km (19 mi) and reached the outskirts of Yelnya. Leaving the Germans no time to regroup, Red Army troops attacked the city and started to form an encirclement. On 30 August, Wehrmacht units were forced to abandon Yelnya, sustaining heavy casualties. This commenced a full-scale retreat by Wehrmacht troops from the area and by 3 September, Soviet forces had reached

19600-454: Was triggered by Catherine's manifesto , declaring Crimea, Taman , and Kuban as Russian possessions. At the Laba, Nogai losses amounted to 4,000. On behalf of Empress Catherine II, Suvorov participated in an incident – the forced resettlement of Christians from Crimea. The possession of Crimea did not seem secure for Russia at that time. Russia had to extract all it could from Crimea, and this

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