Headland of frýdlant battle of 1807: the commanders, the course of the battle, the results

The headland of frýdlant battle (the year 1807) that occurred between the troops of Napoleon and the Russian army under the command of L. L. Bennigsen, showed the world the unconditional superiority of the French army – the strongest in the world at that time. Hardened in numerous battles and hard times of the great French revolution, the Napoleonic troops had a beautiful training and a discipline. Thanks to this victory in the battle of Friedland was another strong argument, forced to leave Russia out of the war and begin peace negotiations. Data on the number of troops and the battle is very contradictory. However, everything in order.

Conditions on the eve of a Grand battle

Friedland was located about 45 miles from Konigsberg. It is there and hurrying cavalry General Leonti Leontievich Benningsen. Had been brought in the assistance which England rendered in this war. Battle prior to the events described, led to a strategic advantage of Napoleon 1, but the war was still far from completion. Had a General battle.

However, opponents with the same enthusiasm estimating their chances of success. The battle of Eylau in January 1807, when Russian troops moved towards the rate of the French Emperor, gave Leontiou Leontyevich Bennigsen hope for the laurels of the winner. The end of the spring thaw meant the resumption of full-scale hostilities, which both sides expected the same enthusiasm.

What are betting Napoleon I ?

It is Necessary to note the strategic vision of the Napoleonic wars. Threatening Konigsberg, they had lured Bennigsen for a General engagement. And Russian troops had nothing to do but to leave their well-prepared positions and rush to save the main city of East Prussia.

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The Battle of Heidelberg, on the eve of the decisive battle of Friedland, battered the French army, but did not stop. 1 Napoleon continued his pursuit of the Konigsberg and the Russian troops had no how to take Friedland – a small provincial town.

The Number of troops on both sides

The Data, as in most cases different. And these numbers are so inconsistent in additional historical research. Of Russian troops participated from 45 to 60 thousand people. The latter figure is more likely. Napoleon I possessed the strength of about 80 thousand manpower, that also looks quite significantly.

It is Suggested that the French could only win through numerical superiority. This hypothesis is not wealthy. Suffice it to recall the quantitative ratio of the forces of the French and the Russians in the battle of Eylau. Much depended on the commanders of the headland of frýdlant battle. Their leadership talents and abilities of soldiers and officers to show initiative and proficiency in the field. However, as in all armed conflicts, a few words must be said about the commanders of the headland of frýdlant battle.

General Jean Lunn

This ambitious Gascon was born in a peasant's house on 10 April 1769. The family was large: 4 brothers and 3 sisters, but that didn't stop a young guy to learn to read and write. Worked as a Dyer's apprentice, but this was not the dream boy and so at the first opportunity, volunteered. Very soon he gained the respect of not only colleagues, but also command and received the rank of Lieutenant.

His baptism of fire, as an officer, occurred in the battle with the Spaniards at the pass Saint-Laurent-de-Serdan. When the battalion started to panic and the soldiers ran, the Lieutenant did not stand on ceremony. With kicks and curses, he restored the morale of the unit entrusted to him and has inspired the conduct of counterattacks. Very quickly received the rank of captain and his first injury. The management highly appreciated his merits and appointed to command a brigade.

Jean Lunn did a fantastic career. But in France there was a Directory, which reorganized the armed forces of France. The result - Lunn resigned. He considered an insulting reduction in rank and reduction in salary. However, the relaxation did not last long. In early 1796, France again needs experienced officers. The talents of Jean Lanna noticed Napoleon I. frontage roads that led great military leader not only in Europe but also the middle East.

In 1800 Lunn has taken an active part in the overthrow of the Directory and was honored by command of the Consular guard-the most elite unit in the armed forces of France. But his irrepressible energy and a shortage of 200 000 francs to the cashier at the Consular guard forced Napoleon I to send your friend on a diplomatic mission to Portugal. You can continue to list the virtues of the great French commander Jean Lanna. Interesting is the fact that before the battle of Friedland he already had the experience of meeting with the Russian troops. The battle of pułtusk, he having 20,000 men under his command, pushed Bennigsen, who had the advantage in manpower 2 times and 40 guns. Marshal Lannes was wounded.

The cavalry General L. L. Bennigsen

Leonty Leontyevich Bennigsen – personality quite controversial in historiography. It's called schemer some modern historians, and at the same time, the hero of the war in the Caucasus, Yermolov described him positively. Bennigsen started his career at 14, when she joined the Hanoverian army. The rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he received 28 years, having experience of fighting in the Seven years war (1756-1763).

It was the man who acted in accordance with his conscience. These conclusions are drawn on the basis of the fight in Pultusku. The army is the most vulnerable when retreating. And he, ignoring the order, gave battle against Marshal Lannes only in order to win time for a regrouping of the Russian troops. During the battle of Friedland, L. L. Benningsen was sick, but bravely performed their duty, though on the eve fainted from stomach pain.

The Beginning of the battle of Friedland

Russian troops occupied Friedland. Ahead in front of them stood the body of Lanna. As he later recalled in his memoirs L. L. Bennigsen, if he knew about the approaching army of Napoleon, I would prefer to avoid this collision. But false reports did its dirty work, Bennigsen was not informed about the real number of enemy troops. And as soon as he got into a fight, the Emperor of France hastily turned back.

The headland of frýdlant the battle began slowly. Since 3 o'clock in the morning, Russian troops crossed the river alle, seized a bridgehead and held it, awaiting the approach of their main force. Decisive action had been taken, was limited to an artillery duel. By 9 a.m., the concentration of Russian troops reached approximately 45 thousand to 17 thousand French troops. But even at this ratio Bennigsen behaved with extreme caution.

Gradually, the number of French troops received reinforcements, were increased. Different sources name different numbers from 27 to 33 thousand. Lunn brilliantly coped with the task. He kept the Russian army, waiting for the approach of Napoleon I. In fact, Lunn used the same strategy that he had used at the battle of Montebello – kept the enemy, waiting for reinforcements, and prepared the ground for subsequent counterattack.

Battle of the headland of frýdlant the course of the battle

Napoleon immediately appreciated disadvantageous strategic position of the Russian troops, who huddled in a narrow bend of the river. At 17.30 the French army decided to bring the battle to its logical conclusion. They went on the attack. The Russians began to retreat, and, building on the success of the French division of General Marchand deviated to the right, thereby forming the gap.

Bennigsen took a chance and tried using cavalry to drive a wedge between the French, but the Russian cavalry was thrown. Continuing the offensive, the French met with well-organized work of the Russian artillery, supported by cavalry, striking on the left flank. The French began to waver. It is a critical, decisive moment of the battle headland of frýdlant.

However, the time introduced a provision not only saved the French from defeat, but pushed the Russian cavalry. I started to panic in the Russian ranks under the command of the famous Bagration. He hastened to their rescue, other Russian soldiers bravely died, trying to divert the advancing French forces. And even entered into battle with the Russian guard regiments only added to the number of casualties on the Russian side.

Treaty of Tilsit

The headland of frýdlant End of the battle. Russia has lost not only the best sons on the battlefield. She had to sign the assessment of some historians, the humiliating Treaty of Tilsit. Although thus whether it was humiliating? The conquest of Napoleon was recognized. France was looking for an ally and looked hopefully at the Russian. The agreement was signed, under which Russia joined the blockade of England.

The Relationship with Britain – is the theme of a number of separate historical research. British diplomacy wisely played off the European countries and using their weakness and strengthen its position in the world. Napoleon I needed a reliable strategic partner in the military sphere. Was concluded a military Alliance. So in the war with Sweden, the French had helped the Russians, with the result that Finland became part of Russian Empire.

Russia also did not help France in her war with Austria. And this, despite all the assistance provided by Napoleon I, in addition to refused to help their allies, the Turks, in the war which they waged with the Russian Empire. But the main result was the rise of France in Europe. Now it has become a full-fledged mistress.

In conclusion

The headland of frýdlant battle Commanders and their armies differed both in terms of strategic planning, and the level of interaction of its units. The French have wisely used all the advantages and valiantly fulfilled their duty in the name of the glory of his country. Despite the heroism of the Russian soldiers, the battle of Friedland once again showed that war is a thoughtful and painstaking hellishly hard work, where heroism does not go far.