St. Petersburg - one of the oldest cities in the country -
It situated on both banks of the Dnieper. According chronicles known as
City Slavic tribes - Krivichy. Smolensk as the main stronghold in the western
the borders of our country entered the many heroic pages in defense
fatherland. One of the feats in the history of the city - in defense 1609-1611 years from
Polish invaders during the period of the Troubles. Smoot in the Russian State was
caused by a complex of reasons, internal and external, one of its causes
was the intervention of the Western powers - Sweden, Poland.
In mid-September to Smolensk came forward detachments,
a few days later they were joined by the main forces, to 20 September already
the siege of the city. Delivered an ultimatum to the inhabitants of the Polish king
Smolensk left unanswered, and deliver a message from the messenger was ousted warlord
Sheynыm with the orders, breakwater, if yavyatsya Poles even with such proposals, to them
"I will give to drink water from the Dnieper" (ie drown).
On arms fort were about 170 guns,
set at four levels of engagement, defeat the enemy at a distance
fire reached 800 m. Inside the walls of a huge store
rods (handguns), food and ammunition. Garrison
there were about five and a half thousand people, during the siege, he replenished
at the expense of the inhabitants of the tenements and urban population, number totaled
forty to forty-five thousand.
The siege of Smolensk Poles 1609-1611 years
voivod, who led the defense of Smolensk, I had a great
combat experience and different tenacity, perseverance, personal courage,
knowledge of military affairs. No wonder after the battle of Dobrynichami in 1605 year
Mikhail Shein received the highest rank for that time - Boyar. Preparation for the defense
the city began in the summer 1609 years after undercover intelligence news. Began
strengthening, set datochnyh people, development of a "siege policeman mural" (plan
defense). With the approach of the enemy to Smolensk Shein ordered to burn around town Posad
(about 6 thousands of homes) - it has improved the fire and review, It deprived the enemy
shelters, but it created a large density of people inside the fortress.
Given these factors, The Polish team after discussion
ways to capture and reconnaissance fortifications had to Smolensk
recognize, that the army does not have the necessary powers and means to attack. At first it was
asked to leave some troops in the siege of Smolensk, and the main force forward
to Moscow. King of Poland rejected all offers. He made the decision certainly
seize a fortified city. The first assault was nominated to 25 September,
Polish forces decided to destroy subversive shells Avramievsky and Kopytenskie
goal, They rushed through the castle. But this governor foresaw Shein
the possibility of an attack and ordered in advance to all the gate tower supply
log houses with land, gravel and stones, which would have covered the entrance of the fire siege
weapons.
in the evening 24 September from nightfall Polish miners
We went to the gate, accompanied by trumpeters. But to get to the desired point
only one was able to, and a strong explosion firecrackers were destroyed Avraamievkie gates.
However, the trumpeter has reached the goal miner for some unknown reason not signaled
during, and ready to storm the Polish troops did not move. At the same
while the defenders on the wall lit torches and lit the enemy for
artillery, immediately opened fire. The enemy's cavalry and infantry suffered
heavy losses, stepping back with nothing. So first attempt was thwarted by the Poles
to seize a fortress. It played a significant role in this outcome vigilance and
high combat readiness garnizona.Otrazhaya attack Poles, Smolyan
improved defense: damaged areas of the fortress wall immediately
recovered, gates covered with earth and stones, log cabins near them
strengthened palisades.
Having the eastern part of the wall failure, the enemy suffered
efforts on the northern and western areas. The assault lasted three days - 25 by 27
September. But here, waiting for the invaders failure, had resulted in large
losses.
In late September, the Poles came to completion - army
Cossacks. With renewed vigor King Sigismund III began to prepare for
ocherednomu assault. In this case, the main hope was given to the technical
facilities. But the effectiveness of the new weapon was low, because the
Polish army did not have a heavy siege artillery, and small tools
caliber could cause serious damage to the fortifications.
In this way, Smolyan, Having outgunned, brought serious damage to the enemy. Heavy guns of the fortress, even the royal camp was able to fire a couple of times. Under such circumstances, Zygmunt III abandoned assault, clicking 5 October to the siege of the city. Initially, the enemy tried to conduct a "mine warfare". but learning, that the enemies are preparing the mine gallery, Shein governor commanded enhance intelligence about fortress, equipped with additional protection and to start work countermine. After a series of successful actions Smolyan enemy realized the futility of such a process of siege.
The fighting in the Smolensk fortress, 1610 year
With the arrival of spring 1610 Smolensk, the defense held back
the main forces of the invaders without the possibility of passage to Moskvu.Ogromnuyu
load carrying residents of the city, as well as that part of the population, found shelter in
fortress, - they were the main defense force. Hunger, epidemic, disasters
besieged did not break their courage. But defenders of the power of the Smolensk fortress
ebbed, and the enemy at the same time came the new reinforcements. spring 1610 of the year
commercialize new Polish troops. Hopes for outside help in Smolyan melted, however,
the enemy's attempts to persuade the inhabitants and the garrison to surrender were not successful.
In early July, the enemy began to move to the tower at Kopytitskih
the gate, but I could not even make a dent in its solid foundation. After
the concentration of the tower almost the entire siege artillery 19 July the Polish army
I started to storm Smolensk, but the two-day attempt to take the fortress is not
crowned uspehom.Esche more bitter were the actions of the invaders 11 August.
During the attack the invaders lost up to a thousand people, and again suffered
failure. The fourth assault, who made an enemy 21 November, It was successfully
reflected.
the storming of Smolensk, 3 June 1611 year
In winter, the situation has worsened Smolyan. By epidemics and hunger
He added cold: extract fuel was none, I lacked a
ammunition. The garrison of the beginning of June 1611 , only two hundred people were,
able to contain the pressure of the enemy. But they are only enough to observe the walls.
Polish command, well-informed about the state of affairs
the fortress, It decided to hold the fifth assault. It happened after
defector, A. Dedeşin, Polish command said about the disastrous state
Garrison Affairs and Defense have a weak spot.
In early June, the Polish troops took the starting position.
Poles managed, imperceptibly using scaling ladders, climb the wall, a
after break into the fortress. In a fierce battle, almost all the defenders of the city fell
heroic death. Only a few people and the governor Mikhail Shein were encased in
chain and tortured.
After heroic resistance Smolensk defenders
Polish army was not able to go on to Moscow. dismissing their
army,Zygmunt IIInapravilsya back to Warsaw.
Gabriel Tsobehiya
