The Battle of Narva on November 30, 1700 ("Narva Confusion"). The historical significance of the battle

The Battle of Narva was the first serious examination for the Russian army in the Northern War. In that 1700 no one expected the campaign to last two decades. Therefore, "Narva Confusion" to many seemed a fatal failure.

Background of the battle

The Northern War began because Peter was trying to get comfortable harbors on the Baltic Sea. These lands once belonged to the Russian kingdom, but were lost during the Troubles of the XVII century. In what year did Narva Confusion occur? In the 1700's. At this time, the young Russian king was building many plans to turn Russia into a real world power.

In 1698, Peter I was able to achieve diplomatic success. The King of Poland and Elector of Saxony Augustus II concluded a secret alliance with Sweden against him. Later, the monarch of Denmark, Frederick IV, joined the agreement.

With such allies behind him, Peter hoped to act freely against Sweden. The King of this country, Charles XII, ascended the throne at a very young age and seemed a weak opponent. The original goal of Peter was Ingermanlandia. This territory is a modern Leningrad region. The largest fortress in the region was Narva. That's where the Russian troops headed.

On February 22, 1700, Peter declared war on Sweden, immediately after he learned of the conclusion of a peace treaty with the Ottoman Empire, which saved him from conflict on two fronts. Nevertheless, he did not yet know that Narva confusion was waiting for him.

The state of the Russian army

Towards a war with the northern neighbor were prepared in advance. However, this did not guarantee success. The Russian army still lived in the 17th century and lagged behind the European armed forces technically. In total, there were about 200 thousand soldiers in its ranks, which was quite a lot. However, all of them lacked material support, training and reliable discipline.

Peter tried to organize the army according to the Western modern model. To this end, he invited various specialists from European countries, mainly Germans and Dutch. The vector was chosen correctly, but by 1700 only two regiments were in compliance with all norms and requirements. Modernization and retraining required a lot of time, and Peter hurried to finish his enemies, hoping that it was surprise that would give him an advantage.

By the beginning of the Northern War, Russia still did not produce its own muskets. In addition, the army from the very beginning faced such a problem as an underdeveloped transport system. In bad weather, the roads in the northern regions became a real test for soldiers who had to overcome more than a thousand kilometers. These factors also contributed to the phenomenon, which became known as Narva Confusion.

The state of the Swedish army

Russia's northern neighbor, on the other hand, was known throughout Europe for its well-organized army. Her reformer was the famous King Gustav II Adolf, who terrorized his enemies during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648).

The Swedish cavalry consisted of contract soldiers who received a large salary. The infantry was recruited according to a compulsory call from a particular province, but the infantry also earned well. The army was divided into squadrons and battalions, which effectively interacted on the battlefield. Every soldier was accustomed to a strict discipline, which helped him during the battle. Over the last century, the Swedish army has won only victories, and it is thanks to her that the country began its expansion in Northern Europe. It was a formidable opponent, whose underestimation of power was a fatal mistake.

Events on the eve of the battle

November 17, Boris Sheremetev told the king that the Swedes are advancing and are very close. Nobody conducted normal reconnaissance, and in the Russian camp near Narva did not know about the exact size of the enemy's troops. Peter I, learning about the approach of the enemy, went to Novgorod, along with Alexander Menshikov and Fedor Golovin. Field-Marshal Charles-Eugene Croix remained the commander. The Duke (such was his title) tried to resist this decision of the king, but he could not convince Peter.

Later, the Tsar explained his deed by the fact that he needed to meet with the Polish king, as well as to replenish the convoys and reserves. At the same time, after their victory, the Swedes tried to interpret this episode as cowardice of the tsar. The Narva confusion of the Russians served as an excuse for issuing commemorative medals depicting the sobbing Peter.

The construction of the Russian army

The troops under the leadership of Croix did everything to strengthen themselves on the banks of the Narva River. For this purpose, fortifications were built on the western side. All the army was divided into three parts. The right flank occupied parts of Golovin's Autonomo numbering about 14 thousand people. In the middle stood Prince Trubetskoi with his detachment. Under his superiors were 6 thousand people. On the left was the cavalry, which was subordinate to Sheremetev.

When it became clear that the Swedes were already very close, de Croix ordered the army to take up combat positions. Communications were stretched for seven kilometers. At the same time the troops stood in a thin stripe. Behind them there was no reserve or reserve regiment.

Carl's strategy

On the morning of November 30, 1700, the Swedish army approached the Russian positions. Approaching Narva confusion. The date of the battle is known from three sources. If to refer to the pre-reform calendar, the battle took place on November 19, in Swedish - on November 20, on the modern - on November 30.

The appearance of the Swedes was unexpected, despite all previous preparations. At the military council Sheremetev suggested dividing the army. Part of it was to go to the blockade of Narva, and another - to give a general battle to the Swedes in the field. The Duke disagreed with this proposal and decided to leave the initiative to the young Swedish monarch, who himself led his troops. De Croix believed that the Russian army would be more efficient if it remained on the old positions.

The Swedes were well aware of the situation of the enemy, so they were able to develop the most effective strategy. Charles XII decided to press the flanks of the Russians, since the center of the army was the most fortified and could defeat the king. And Narva embarrassment happened. The Great Northern War, maybe, would have different results, if not for the best Swedish strategists - Karl Renschild and Arvid Horn. They gave wise advice to the young monarch, who was brave, but without the support of the generals could make a mistake.

Attack of the Swedes

Narva confusion is not only a bad preparation of the Russians for the battle, but also a lightning strike of the enemy. The Swedes wanted to press their enemy to the fortress. So the space for the response maneuver practically disappeared. The only way to retreat led to the cold river Narva.

The infantry was covered with artillery fire, which the Swedes installed on a nearby hill, from which a good view of the terrain opened. Snowfall was another reason why Narva confusion occurred. This was a success for the Swedes. The wind blew in the face of the Russian soldiers. Visibility did not exceed a dozen steps, which terribly interfered with the return fire.

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon, two deep Swedish wedges struck the flanks of an extended Russian army. Very soon there were gaps in three places, where Karl's blows could not be repelled. The consistency of the Swedes was exemplary, the Narva confusion became imminent. Its value is difficult to overestimate, because in a couple of hours the enemy broke into the Russian camp.

Panic and desertion began. The fugitives had no choice but to try to wade through Narva. About a thousand people drowned in icy water. Before that, a small pontoon bridge was thrown across the river , which could not withstand the onslaught of fugitives and collapsed, which only increased the number of victims. Narva confusion, the date of which turned out to be a black day for the domestic military history, was obvious.

Foreign generals, set by Peter at the head of the army, also began to retreat, which led to the fury of Russian officers. Among them was de Croix himself, as well as Ludwig Allart. They surrendered to the Swedes, fleeing from their own soldiers.

The greatest resistance was on the right flank. Here, Russian soldiers surrounded themselves from the enemy with slingshots and carts. However, this could not change the outcome of the battle. With the onset of the night, the situation worsened. An episode is known when two Swedish detachments in the dark took each other for the Russians and opened fire on their own. The center was broken, and because of this, the two defending flanks could not contact each other.

Surrender

Such was the beginning of the Northern War. Narva confusion was an unpleasant but inevitable fact. With the offensive of the morning, the remaining Russian detachments, they decided to start negotiations on surrender. The main parliamentarian was Prince Yakov Dolgorukov. He agreed with the Swedes on the free passage to the opposite shore. At the same time, the Russian army was deprived of transport and artillery, but it still had banners and weapons.

Swedes got significant trophies: 32 thousand rubles from the tsarist treasury, 20 thousand musketeers. Losses were disproportionate. If the Swedes lost 670 killed, then the Russians lost 7,000. 700 soldiers remained in captivity, contrary to the terms of surrender.

Value

Narva confusion turned out for Russians? The historical significance of this event had many years of consequences. First and foremost, the reputation of Russia suffered. Her army was no longer taken seriously in Europe. Over Peter openly mocked, and behind Karl the glory of a brave military leader was fixed.

Nevertheless, time showed that it was the Pyrrhic victory of the Swedes. Carl decided that Russia is not dangerous, and began to fight with Poland and Denmark. Peter took advantage of the respite provided. He engaged in military reforms in the state, transformed the army and invested in it a huge amount of resources.

This has borne fruit. A few years later the world learned about the victories of Russians in the Baltic. The main battle took place near Poltava in 1709. The Swedes were defeated, and Karl fled. It became clear that for all of Russia, strangely enough, Narva confusion proved to be useful. The Grengham Battle finally deprived Sweden of the entrenched status of the dominant power on the Baltic Sea. In 1721 a peace treaty was signed, under which Russia received a lot of land and ports in the region. Here St. Petersburg was founded - the new capital of the country. Poltava battle, Narva confusion, the Battle of Grengham - all these events became a symbol of a bright and complex Petrine era.