635 years ago, Russian troops defeated on the field of Kulikovo
armed to the teeth and well-prepared Mongol army. In this way,
Golden Horde suffered their first serious defeat during his stay in Russia.
Reason for victory military historians explain the different, but the vast
most of them said, that due to have taken place during the long
finding the enemy in our country battles Russian princes had to deal
and learn the tactics of fighting the Mongol army. Our shelves were already
to counter their tactics flank dangerous impact of the Mongol army,
including Tatar archers, which caused great damage to Russian infantry.
But it must be said, that victory only reason this is not
is. At first, by Russian troops war was a domestic -
against the conquerors and oppressors; Secondly, for the time spent on the Horde
our land a new generation of people, among whom were gifted
commanders, whose martial art was above, than the horde of generals.
Leading place among them, certainly, It belongs to Prince Dmitry Ivanovich
Don. He was able to achieve success and to strengthen the power in Russia. The main concern
Grand Duke was to protect the southern borders, where the threat to the country.
Rid the Russian people from the yoke of foreign invaders was more important to him
task. But the Russian people to the great victory of Kulikovo had
to pass a long and difficult path.
Let us discuss some important facts to combat
Mongol-Tatar army before the Battle of Kulikov. Dmitry Donskoy took seriously
for work. With the help of intelligence from now all the way to the Horde were monitored by observers
capital outposts. Since then, already knew in advance about the plans and campaigns Horde.
Prince Don moved from defense to action, I did not expect the appearance of enemy,
and he went out to meet the invaders. Defensive line was held by Russian
bank of the Oka River. And our shelves located in Kolomna and Kaluga, that
blocked the way to the enemy. A further, for Okoye, He stretched the line and spotted
storozhevыh razъezdov.
Russian army led by Prince Dmitry Donskoy
In Russian chronicles tell about the number of
Russian prince marches. But, perhaps, I focus on one of them. It happened
at 1578 year Vozha River. Russian army under the command of Dmitry Ivanovich
marched toward Ryazan. Such daring escapades Russian prince Tatars
expected, so as soon as Russian troops so far from Moscow did not make trips.
The commander of the Horde army Begich decided not to cross the river. this
developments not included in the plans of the Don, Prince wanted to give battle to the enemy.
Russian commander employed cunning tactics - deliberately moved away from the coast and the
most succumbed to his enemy. Cunning trick of the Russian prince Begich, apparently, I have not given
value and gave the command to cross to the other side. Russian order of battle
troops called polchny number was as follows: in the center was a large regiment
headed by Dmitry Ivanovich, on the flanks - the shelves left and right hands. By
plan of battle, large forces regiment had to resist the onslaught of
Orda cavalry, and then organized a general offensive move, press
Horde to the river and destroy. Russian plans to materialize: large regiment sustained
offensive Horde. Advanced hundreds of Tatar troops began to wrap
horses, they pressed forward other cavalry troops, all mixed up. Then go ahead
Russian shelf, Horde ran to the river, many of them were drowned. In this battle on
battlefield commanders were five Horde, among them was itself
Commander of the Mongol-Tatar army Begich. The onset of darkness
allowed the remnants of the enemy's escape. The victory showed, that Russian soldiers on
currently they are in excellent alert and ready to fight
adversary larger battle.
And this war was approaching - the hordes of Mamai ruler prepared
make inroads into the Russian land. By that time, I changed the order of battle
Russian troops. Instead of the former system is now used trehpolkovogo
shestipolkovoy: added watchdog, advanced and ambush shelves. Battle system
It became deeper and more flexible, it was a complete surprise to the enemy.
Dmitri Donskoi before the battle of Kulikovo
Mamaia The campaign began in June 1380 of the year. Prince Dmitry Ivanovich
immediately sent out messengers through towns and villages, He began to gather an army. Don
I took advantage of, Mom is not particularly in a hurry, and managed to collect the Russian shelf.
In this way, Prince seized the initiative from the enemy. Morning of the Battle of Kulikov
described by the author of "Tales of Mamay": "It is 8 day of the month of September.
At dawn on Friday at sunrise was a mist like smoke. The shelves and the Russian
Tatar still do not see each other. Extensive field Kulikovo bends, river
made its banks, because it has never been so many people on the
place ". After returning from another bypass the combat order of troops Dmitry
Ivanovic told to give him armor ordinary retainer. Prince said, What will happen
beat the enemy as a simple soldier. Military historians such decision prince gave
different assessment, Some of them said,, that the control over the army could be
lost. But it must be said, that was previously prepared plan. according to
this plan, each of the governor knew his task. Don solution had many
benefits: At first, this psychological move was aimed, first of all,
to uplifting the spirit warriors, - dissolving among the troops, He became commander
immortal; Secondly, last belligerent warrior could be Prince. death
captains of bands usually undermined morale - Horde tried to withdraw from the
building primarily Russian princes. There are many examples of military
our history: when in combat died commander, subordinate covered
panic. (So, eg, during the Battle of Borodino commander of the 2nd Russian army
PI Prince. Bagration in front of the soldiers was wounded and fell from his horse, and this
adversely affected his entire army. Chief of the Russian Army MI.
Kutuzov then reported to Emperor Alexander I: "After being wounded Bagration series
2-Second Army upset. ") Contemporary accurately presents the climax
turning point and action ambush regiment: "The enemy did not expect an attack from
the rear of our troops, It caught him by surprise. Their cavalry was cut
in two: front even tried to cross the Nepryadva, but horses fell from
cliff, Riders drowned in the water risen. The rest of the cavalry
It turned into a rout ".
battle of Kulikovo
In this way, formidable enemy in the face of Mamaia was utterly
divided. The Grand Duke was able during the feudal fragmentation collect military
of force, unite them under one command. It should be noted this fact, as
deliberate destruction by the Russian prince crossings over the River Don. Therefore
Russian action to provide cover their rear. such tactical
maneuver was not yet known in world military history. Also it should be noted,
that the Russian general in advance take care of the allocation of the reserve,
thereby it reached a very important, necessary and timely victory over
conquerors.
Gabriel Tsobehiya
