On March 3, 1799, the Russian squadron of Fyodor Ushakov took the fortress of Corfu in the Mediterranean Sea. The decisive actions of the great naval commander made it possible to capture the impregnable fortress with minimal losses. Suvorov wrote to Ushakov: “Why wasn’t I at Corfu, at least as a midshipman!”
The revolutionary wars of France at the end of the 18th century led to the fact that many key points in the Mediterranean Sea, including the Ionian Islands, control over which allowed them to extend their influence to the Balkans, were captured by the French. The Black Sea squadron of Fyodor Fedorovich Ushakov, with the support of a small Turkish flotilla led by Kadyr Bey, was tasked with taking control of the Ionian Islands, which they managed to capture by the beginning of November 1798. All that remained was to take the well-fortified island. Corfu.
The French covered Fr. Corfu from Apparently, after protracted artillery duels, they hoped to force the Russian-Turkish fleet to leave for the open sea. Total on about. There were about 800 soldiers and 5 artillery batteries under the command of Brigadier General Pivron, on the island. Corfu in the Old and New Fortresses housed 3,000 soldiers with 650 guns under the command of General Jabot.
Ushakov planned to take Fr. Vido, and then, placing artillery batteries on it, begin shelling about. Corfu, concentrating grapeshot fire against the enemy’s artillery positions. In Ushakov's flotilla there were 12 battleships and 11 frigates, a team of sea grenadiers of 1,700 people, Turkish soldiers of 4,250 people, as well as 2,000 Greek patriots. Moreover, by January 26, 1799, Russian sailors managed to build on the island. Corfu has two batteries - opposite Fort San Salvador and Old fortress, as well as restore the battery at the St. Panteleimon." It is from these positions that the landing force will attack the island. Corfu.
On February 18 at 7 o'clock in the morning, Ushakov begins the assault on Corfu. The ships “Kazan Mother of God” and “Herim-Captain” began firing grapeshot at battery No. 1 on the island. Vido. A little later, all the ships blocking Vido joined in the shelling. After a 4-hour shelling, all batteries were suppressed, and a landing force of 2,160 people landed on the island. Two French frigates, Leander and La Brune, tried to come to the aid of the besieged, but they, however, received significant damage under the fire of the battleship Blessing of the Lord and were forced to retreat. After a 2-hour battle, 200 Vido defenders were killed, 420 French soldiers, and with them 20 officers and the commandant of the island, General. Pivron is captured. About 150 people managed to swim to Corfu. The Russians lost 31 people killed and 100 wounded, the losses of the Turks and Albanians amounted to 180 people killed and wounded.
Simultaneously with the assault and capture of Fr. Apparently, Russian ships fired at the fortifications of the Old and New fortresses on the island. Corfu. At about 14.00 the Albanians tried to capture the bastion “St. Rock", but were repulsed. The very next Russian-Turkish joint attack forced the French to retreat to the fortress. The assault on the Old and New Fortresses was scheduled for February 19, but in the evening the French surrendered on honorable terms.
2,931 people (including 4 generals) surrendered in Corfu. The military trophies of the winners were: 114 mortars, 21 howitzers, 500 cannons, 5500 rifles, 37,394 bombs, 137 thousand cannonballs, etc. They were captured in the port of Corfu battleship"Leander", the frigate "Brunet", a bombardment ship, 2 galleys, 4 half-galleys, 3 merchant ships and several other ships. Allied losses amounted to about 298 people killed and wounded, of which 130 were Russians and 168 Turks and Albanians. The capture of Corfu put an end to France's claims to Mediterranean dominance, and the Republic of the Ionian Islands was formed on the Ionian Islands, which for some time was the base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
WAR WITH FRANCE
Soon, however, the intrigues of Austria and the capture of Malta by the French prompted Paul I to get involved in a war with France. This war was to be waged in three theaters - in Holland (General Hermann's expeditionary force) together with England; in Italy (main forces) together with Austria and in the Mediterranean Sea (Ushakov's fleet) together with England and Turkey.
Kersnovsky A.A. History of the Russian Army. In 4 vols. M., 1992-1994. http://militera.lib.ru/h/kersnovsky1/05.html
SENDING OF THE RUSSIAN SQUADRON
The Ionian archipelago opened the way for France to the Balkans, and it was not by chance that Bonaparte wrote to the Directory: “The islands of Corfu, Zante and Cephalonia are more important to us than all of Italy together.”
Having knocked out Austria from among his opponents, Bonaparte immediately began to prepare for an attack on other countries. In Europe, a rumor spread like lightning that Bonaparte was assembling a huge fleet with a 36,000-strong expeditionary army in Toulon, the Mediterranean port of France. They said that Bonaparte was going to land in Ireland. However, the assumption about Ireland turned out to be false. Bonaparte did not sail there, but unexpectedly headed east along the Mediterranean Sea. Capturing the island of Malta along the way, he then landed in Alexandria and began the conquest of Egypt.
In making the decision to send the Russian squadron on a “long-distance cruising,” Paul I was, of course, driven not only by a sense of offended pride. As Master of the Order of Malta, he could not forgive the French for the unceremonious seizure of the island, which was under his protection. But that's not all. The Russian government was worried about the borders of its empire. Having established itself in the eastern part Mediterranean Sea, Bonaparte received the opportunity to penetrate the Black Sea, and this could have fraught consequences.
Petrov M. T. Admiral Ushakov. M., 1996 http://militera.lib.ru/bio/petrov_mt/02.html
USHAKOV'S MEDITERRANEAN CAMPAIGN 1798-1800
Mediterranean campaign of Ushakov 1798-1800 - fighting Russian squadron under the command of Vice Admiral F.F. Ushakov during the Russian war (as part of the 2nd coalition). After the start of the Egyptian Expedition of 1798-1801 by General Napoleon Bonaparte, the Turkish government turned to Great Britain and Russia with a request for military assistance. On August 13 (24), the Russian government sent a squadron Black Sea Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Ushakov (6 battleships, 7 frigates and 3 messenger ships, 792 guns, 7400 people, including 1700 landing troops) from Sevastopol to the Mediterranean on August 24 (September 4), the squadron arrived in Constantinople. On September 9 (20), the Russian squadron in the Dardanelles was joined by Turkish ships (4 battleships, 6 frigates, 4 corvettes, 14 gunboats) under the command of Vice Admiral Kedir Bey, who was subordinate to Ushakov. Ushakov proposed a plan of military operations to liberate the Ionian Islands, which were a key position for ensuring dominance in the Adriatic and Ionian seas and in the eastern Mediterranean. On September 14 (25), a detachment of ships under Captain 2nd Rank A.A. was sent to the shores of Egypt for joint operations with the English squadron of Admiral G. Nelson. Sorokin (2 Russian and 2 Turkish frigates and 10 Turkish gunboats). On September 24 (October 5), a detachment of 2 frigates under the command of Lieutenant Commander I.A. was sent to the Ionian Islands. Shostak with an appeal to the Greeks to take part in the liberation of the islands from the French occupiers. On September 28 (October 9), this detachment landed on the island. Kythira (landing force that captured the fortress of San Nicolo. On September 30 (October 11), Ushakov’s squadron approached the island and on October 1 (12), after shelling, forced the garrison of another fortress, Kapsalion, to surrender. On October 14 (25), after the Russian landing, the French capitulated fortress on the island of Zakynthos (Zante), and on October 17 (28), the Greek population greeted the liberators with enthusiasm. From October 18 (29) to November 3 (14), a detachment of ships from the squadron under the command of a captain of the 1st rank. D.N. Senyavin (2 battleships, 2 frigates), soon supported by the entire squadron of Ushakov, led military operations against the garrison of the island and the fortress of Lefkas (St. Maurus), which ended with the surrender of the French garrison on October 24 (November 4) by a detachment of ships under the command. Captain 1st rank I.A. Selivachev (3 battleships, 3 frigates) approached the island of Corfu, on which there was a strong fortress with a garrison of 3,700 people and 636 guns, the approaches to the island were covered by the island of Vido, where there were 5 batteries. Russian sailors began a siege. On February 18 (March 1), 1799, Ushakov’s squadron (7 battleships, 10 frigates) destroyed all the batteries on Vido Island by fire and occupied it with landing forces. At the same time, the landing force on the island of Corfu captured the forward fortifications of the fortress, after which on February 19 (March 2), the commandant of the fortress, General Chabot, signed an act of surrender. The Republic of the Seven Islands was created on the liberated islands. In April 1799, Ushakov sent a detachment of captain 2nd rank A.A. to the southern coast of Italy. Sorokin (3 frigates, 2 corvettes, 4 gunboats), which on April 23 (May 4) occupied Brindisi, May 2 (13) - May 9 (20) - Manfredonia, where a landing force was landed under the command of Lieutenant Commander G.G. . Belly (570 people, 6 guns). This detachment, advancing to the west, captured Naples by storm on June 3 (14). On May 1 (12), another Russian-Turkish detachment of Rear Admiral P.V. was sent from Corfu. Pustoshkin (3 battleships, 4 frigates, 1 corvette) for the blockade of Ancona (in June he was replaced by a detachment of captain 2nd rank N. D. Voinovich). On August 3 (14), the Russian-Turkish squadron of Ushakov (10 battleships, 7 frigates) moved to Messina, and then to Naples for joint actions with the English squadron of Admiral G. Nelson. From Messina Ushakov, at the request of Field Marshal A.V. Suvorov sent Pustoshkin's detachment to blockade Genoa. September 16 (27) about 1000 people. Russian paratroopers entered Rome. On December 31, 1799 (January 11, 1800) Ushakov received an order from Emperor Paul to return to his homeland. In October 1800 the squadron arrived in Sevastopol. As a result of the occupation of the Ionian Islands during the Mediterranean campaign, Russia undermined its dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean and acquired an important naval base in the Mediterranean, which it successfully used in the war in 1805-07.
Chernov Yu.I. Ushakov’s Mediterranean campaign 1798-1800 // Great Soviet Encyclopedia http://oval.ru/enc/67682.html
SIEGE OF CORFU
The Corfu fortress was rightfully considered one of the strongest in the Mediterranean. It consisted of five separate fortifications, mutually bombarded by fire from their batteries. To the east of the city, surrounded by a double rampart with deep dry ditches, on the Cape of Capo Desidero there was an old citadel, separated from the city by a wide canal. To the northwest of it was located a new citadel with fortifications carved into the rock. Three separate fortifications protected the city from the southwest: the forts of Saint Abraham, Saint Roque and Saint Salvador. From the sea, Corfu was defended by two fortified islands: Vido and Lazareto. There were five batteries on Vido, and a fortified quarantine on the much smaller Lazareto.
The French garrison defending Corfu numbered 3 thousand people. There were 650 guns on the fortifications. In the harbor between the island of Vido and the old citadel there were two ships - the 74-gun Genereux and the 54-gun Leander, as well as the frigate La Brune, the bombardment ship "La Frimer", a brig and four small vessels. […]
At first, Ushakov limited himself to the blockade of Corfu, while simultaneously making desperate efforts to strengthen his forces. On November 15-19, by order of the admiral, two batteries were built in Corfu: one 10-gun on November 15 by landing under the command of Captain Kikin against St. Abraham - the enemy's advanced fort, the other three-gun on November 19 by landing under the command of Lieutenant Ratmanov on the hill of St. Panteleimon.
The siege of Corfu took an active part and local residents. So, the Greek engineer Markati formed a volunteer detachment of 1,500 people, and Ushakov helped this detachment by giving it three guns.
The shelling of the batteries erected by the Russians caused some damage to the fortress, but on November 20, about 600 French went on a sortie. The Greeks fled, three Russian gunners were killed, and 17 were captured. True, they were quickly exchanged for French prisoners. […] Willy-nilly, Admiral Ushakov had to agree to the arrival of the Albanian troops of Yanina Pasha on the island of Corfu. By the end of January 1799 there were already 4,250 Albanians on the island.
By this time, Corfu was blocked by an allied squadron consisting of 12 ships, 11 frigates and many small vessels. However, the only combat-ready French ship, the ship Genereux, broke the blockade on the night of January 25 along with two small ships. Ushakov wrote to Paul I: “Finally, on the 25th of January, on an extremely dark night, with blackened sails, with a strong south wind, he broke through between the blocking ships. Two half-galleries, deliberately cruising in front of our ships for surveillance, saw it under sail in good time, one of them, in the darkness of the night, got caught right under the ship and, barely having gybed and managed to move away, made a signal to them that the ships were escaping. At the same time, when the Genero had not yet reached our ships, signals were made from me to chase the fleeing ships, to beat, sink and take prisoners, but with an extremely easy move this ship broke through when we fired at it from our ships and from Turkish frigates and went to Ancona. Our two ships “Epiphany of the Lord” and “Zachary and Elizabeth” and the frigate “George of the Great of Armenia”, as well as two Turkish frigates, chased him to Ancona, but in the darkness of the night they could not see him.” […].
Despite the onset of winter, the Russians continued their siege work near Corfu. […] In mid-February, Ushakov began preparations for the assault. To begin with, it was decided to capture the fortifications of Vido Island. At 7 o'clock in the morning on February 18, following a signal from the flagship "St. Paul", the combined Russian-Turkish fleet (ships "St. Peter", "Zachary and Elizabeth", "Epiphany of the Lord", "Simeon and Anna" and "Mary Magdalene", frigates "Gregory the Great of Armenia", "Saint Nicholas", "Navarchia" and "Virgin of Kazan", a schooner, a messenger ship, as well as two Turkish ships, six frigates, a corvette and a gunboat) approached the fortifications of the island of Vido with grapeshot and, becoming on the spring, opened fire on the coastal batteries. Soon all five French batteries were “destroyed and reduced to dust.” At 11 o'clock a Russian-Turkish landing force with a total number of 2159 people was landed. The French, abandoning their batteries, fled into the interior of the island. “Our brave troops,” Admiral Ushakov reported after the battle, “... instantly rushed to all places on the island, and the enemy was defeated and defeated everywhere...” At 2 o’clock in the afternoon, the Russian flag was hoisted on Vido Island. The commandant of the island, Brigadier General Pivreau, 20 officers and 402 soldiers were captured.
[…] Immediately after the capture of Vido, troops were landed from the ships of the squadron to support the troops attacking the fortress from the fortifications of Saint Salvador and Saint Abraham. The united forces of Russian sailors and soldiers, Turks, Albanians and Corfiots, having suppressed the desperate resistance of the French, broke into both fortifications, captured them and forced the enemy to flee to the inner fortress.
STORMING CORFU
[…] During the capture of Vido Island and actions on the shore, the Russians lost 31 people killed and 100 wounded. “The capture of Vido, the fortifications of St. Abraham and St. El Salvador decided the fate of the Corfu fortress.” This phrase wanders from one domestic publication to another. Only Colonel of the General Staff V.A. Moshnin assessed the surrender of Corfu differently: “Not by bombardment, but rather by hunger, he forced the fortress to surrender.”
And indeed, the old fortress could still hold out for a long time. The fundamentally important question was whether the French would be able to receive reinforcements from outside or not. The military-political situation in Italy and the Mediterranean from 1796 to 1815, as we will see, changed dramatically dozens of times in the most unpredictable ways. Therefore, in the end, both sides decided not to take risks and came to a certain compromise. According to the terms of the honorable surrender, “... the garrison with its own crew will be transported to Toulon on ships hired and maintained by Russian and Turkish squadrons under the cover of military courts, and divisional general Chabot with his entire staff, various officials will be allowed to go to Toulon, or to Ancona, from these places, where he wishes, at the cost of the contracting powers; the generals and the entire French garrison undertake on their word of honor not to take up arms against the All-Russian Empire and the Ottoman Ports and their allies for 18 months.
The French who were captured during the siege of Corfu will be sent with the same rights along with the French garrison to Toulon with an obligation on their word of honor not to take weapons against the aforementioned empires and their allies during the entire course of the present war, until their exchange with both empires, Russian and the Turkish will not be committed.
REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED ISLANDS
Ushakov understood that the struggle between peasants and nobles could lead to a social explosion, civil war on islands. This would create unfavorable conditions for use Russian fleet Ionian ports in the ongoing war with France and would generally complicate the implementation of Russia’s Balkan policy. And the admiral tried his best to prevent such a development of events. The very next day after capturing the fortress of Corfu, he and Kadir Bey issued a proclamation in which it was announced that residents of all classes would receive a complete and general amnesty and a guarantee of respect for religion, property and individual rights. It contained a call for an end to internal strife and restoration of calm.
With the direct participation of Ushakov, deputies of the Senate, elected in May 1799, developed a Project for organizing the administration of the Republic of the Ionian Islands. This was essentially the original draft of the constitution of the Republic of the Seven United Islands. This document defined the political rights of the population, local and central government bodies, their competencies and other fundamental provisions. Not only nobles, but also the wealthiest representatives of the second class received the right to elect and be elected to government bodies, which had no precedent here before.
During the 2nd coalition war, the Russian fleet operated in the Mediterranean for the second time in its history. The Corfu Fortress, built by the Venetians, was considered one of the key and most powerful French fortresses in the Ionian Islands. The garrison under the command of Brigadier General Chabot numbered more than 3.5 thousand people. The blockade of Corfu by Russian ships began in November 1798. Capturing a fortress with a strong garrison required lengthy siege work, so actions were carried out in several directions: on land, where Russian and allied Turkish units carried out siege work, building several batteries, and at sea with the organization of a blockade in order to prevent the delivery of reinforcements to the fortress. The blockade was carried out in conditions of winter storms and constant food shortages. In addition to supply problems, relations between the commander of the Russian squadron and allies in the anti-French coalition were not easy. Ushakov himself noted that the British “wish to separate us from all real affairs and, simply put, force us to catch flies, and so that they instead enter those places from which they are trying to separate us.”
It was no easier with the official representative of the Porte, Ali Pasha, who constantly played a double or even triple game and, at the first opportunity, demonstrated who was the real master of the Balkans. Much later, the image of this undoubtedly bright man, far from reality, will be depicted by Alexandre Dumas in the novel “The Count of Monte Cristo.” It is no coincidence that Ushakov, in a report to Paul I, characterized Ali Pasha’s actions in the following way: “His correspondence to me is always polite with encouragement, but in reality the correct correspondence is not noticeable, except for the lure of his intricate enterprises.”
Landing at Corfu. (evgenykorneev.ru)
Let us note that the events in Corfu were one of the very few episodes of Russian-Turkish military cooperation, which was far from ideal. The 2.5 thousand Albanians sent by Ali Pasha to help Ushakov caused many problems for the Russian admiral in the future. As ground forces, they turned out to be useless, but they required significant forces to keep them in obedience in order to avoid robberies.
The winter passed in small skirmishes, the end of the siege was not in sight. The garrison of Corfu still did not experience a shortage of food and ammunition, but the oppressive atmosphere, periodic shelling, and the state of uncertainty and monotony had a depressing effect on the French. The situation changed only in February 1799, when the reinforcements promised by the Turks finally arrived at Ushakov. But even these were clearly not enough for a frontal assault on the fortress. As a result, a bold and unusual decision was made: the main blow was to be delivered by an amphibious assault on the key defense point - Vido Island. Landing troops on a coast occupied by the enemy has at all times been considered the most difficult military enterprise. It is known that Ushakov’s English colleague in the Mediterranean campaign, Horatio Nelson, received two of the most serious wounds with the loss of an arm and an eye injury not in a naval battle, but during unsuccessful landing attempts.
Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov. (territaland.ru)
The landing on March 1, 1799 was preceded by a short but intense bombardment of the fortress by Russian ships; Turkish ships, with the exception of one frigate, remained in the role of extras. The initial success of the Russian gunners, who suppressed part of the enemy batteries, was almost nullified by the actions of the allies, when a significant part of the Albanian troops refused to participate in the landing. Now, contrary to the original plan, the main force of the landing was to be Russian sailors and grenadiers. In addition to weapons, the paratroopers had pre-prepared ladders and planks necessary for the assault and crossing numerous streams and ditches on the shore. The landing itself (2,159 grenadiers and sailors) on Vido was carried out at three points outside the range of most French batteries in such a way that the landing force, avoiding a frontal attack, could attack enemy positions from the flanks and act using the rugged terrain. The subsequent battle consisted of the sequential capture of French batteries. The success of the operation was ensured by powerful artillery support from ships and the correct choice of landing site, which captured the enemy fortifications without serious losses.
Scheme of the attack of the Corfu fortress. (ocean-media.su)
Having occupied Vido, Ushakov began an assault on the New Fortress, in which almost all available forces took part. After the fall of the fortification of St. Roch, the French sent envoys with a proposal to conclude a truce and begin negotiations on the surrender of the fortress. In a letter to Ushakov, Commissioner Dubois and General Chabot said: “Mr. Admiral! We think that it is useless to sacrifice the lives of brave Russian soldiers. Turkish and French for mastering Corfu. Therefore, we offer you a truce for as long as you decide to establish conditions for the surrender of this fortress.” On the same day, Ushakov’s response letter to the commandant of the fortress was delivered to the fortress: “According to your honorable letter about the agreements concerning the surrender of the fortresses of Corfu, I will immediately talk with the commander of the Turkish squadron, and for this I will deliver an answer, so as not to shed the blood of people in vain , I always agree to pleasant treaties and meanwhile I will send to all places to stop hostilities for 24 hours.”
On March 3, the Corfu fortress was surrendered under conditions of honorable surrender. A total of 2,931 people were captured in Corfu and Vido, including four generals. The French garrison was evacuated to Toulon on ships chartered by the Russian side, with a promise not to participate in hostilities against Russia and Turkey for 18 months. As trophies, the Russian and Turkish troops received all the supplies and artillery of the fortress, a battleship and a frigate. The assault on Corfu completed the liberation of the Ionian Islands from French troops, and the Russian fleet received a convenient military base in the Eastern Mediterranean. The political resonance of the victory was also noticeable. Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov gave a high assessment of the capture of Corfu: “Hurray for the Russian fleet. Now I say to myself: why wasn’t I at least a midshipman at Corfu.”
Background
The revolutionary wars of France at the end of the 18th century led to the fact that many key points in the Mediterranean Sea, including the Ionian Islands, control over which allowed them to extend their influence to the Balkans, were captured by the French. The Black Sea squadron of Fyodor Fedorovich Ushakov, with the support of a small Turkish flotilla led by Kadyr Bey, was tasked with taking control of the Ionian Islands, which they managed to capture by the beginning of November 1798. All that remained was to take the well-fortified island. Corfu.
Position and plans of the parties
The French covered Fr. Corfu from Apparently, after protracted artillery duels, they hoped to force the Russian-Turkish fleet to leave for the open sea. Total on about. There were about 800 soldiers and 5 artillery batteries under the command of Brigadier General Pivron, on the island. Corfu in the Old and New Fortresses housed 3,000 soldiers with 650 guns under the command of General Jabot.
Ushakov planned to take Fr. Vido, and then, placing artillery batteries on it, begin shelling about. Corfu, concentrating grapeshot fire against the enemy’s artillery positions. In Ushakov's flotilla there were 12 battleships and 11 frigates, a team of sea grenadiers of 1,700 people, Turkish soldiers of 4,250 people, as well as 2,000 Greek patriots. Moreover, by January 26, 1799, Russian sailors managed to build on the island. Corfu has two batteries - opposite Fort San Salvador and the Old Fortress, and also restore the battery at St. Panteleimon." It is from these positions that the landing force will attack the island. Corfu.
Progress of the assault
On February 18 at 7 o'clock in the morning, Ushakov begins the assault on Corfu. The ships “Kazan Mother of God” and “Herim-Captain” began firing grapeshot at battery No. 1 on the island. Vido. A little later, all the ships blocking Vido joined in the shelling. After a 4-hour shelling, all batteries were suppressed, and a landing force of 2,160 people landed on the island. Two French frigates, Leander and La Brune, tried to come to the aid of the besieged, but they, however, received significant damage under the fire of the battleship Blessing of the Lord and were forced to retreat. After a 2-hour battle, 200 Vido defenders were killed, 420 French soldiers, and with them 20 officers and the commandant of the island, General. Pivron is captured. About 150 people managed to swim to Corfu. The Russians lost 31 people killed and 100 wounded, the losses of the Turks and Albanians amounted to 180 people killed and wounded.
Simultaneously with the assault and capture of Fr. Apparently, Russian ships fired at the fortifications of the Old and New fortresses on the island. Corfu. At about 14.00 the Albanians tried to capture the bastion “St. Rock", but were repulsed. The very next Russian-Turkish joint attack forced the French to retreat to the fortress. The assault on the Old and New Fortresses was scheduled for February 19, but in the evening the French surrendered on honorable terms.
Results
2,931 people (including 4 generals) surrendered in Corfu. The military trophies of the winners were: 114 mortars, 21 howitzers, 500 cannons, 5500 rifles, 37,394 bombs, 137 thousand cannonballs, etc. In the port of Corfu, the battleship Leander, the frigate Brunet, a bombardment ship, 2 galleys were captured , 4 half-galleys, 3 merchant ships and several other ships. Allied losses amounted to about 298 people killed and wounded, of which 130 were Russians and 168 Turks and Albanians. The capture of Corfu put an end to France's claims to Mediterranean dominance, and the Republic of the Ionian Islands was formed on the Ionian Islands, which for some time was the base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Corfu
The French Revolution exploded the fragile European peace. From 1792, the continent plunged into the abyss of wars that lasted more than two decades. During this time political map Europe has undergone significant changes. This also affected the Mediterranean region, where at the very end of the 18th century a complex tangle of contradictions arose.
The successes of Napoleon's army in Italy and his capture of the Ionian Islands from powerless Venice in 1797 caused serious concern not only among European governments and Russia, but also in Constantinople, where they feared a French landing in Greece.
On the other hand, after the conclusion of the Peace of Jassy, by the end of the 18th century, thanks to the diplomatic art of M.I. Kutuzov's Russian-Ottoman weapons underwent major improvements. It was this factor, as well as Napoleon’s attack on Egypt in early 1798, that forced the Turkish government to pursue further rapprochement with Russia - the only state with a powerful fleet ready to come to the aid of its southern neighbor. For the first time in the history of relations between these countries, a defensive alliance was concluded between them in 1799.
But even earlier, on August 23 (September 2), 1798, a squadron under the flag of Admiral F.F. Ushakova arrived on the Bosphorus. Sultan Selim III himself visited the flagship incognito, and the squadron received permission for free passage through the Dardanelles. A week later, the Ottoman Empire broke off diplomatic relations with France. Ushakov was placed at the head of the united Russian-Turkish squadron, and patron-bey (rear admiral) Abdul Kadir, an experienced and brave sailor, was given his assistance.
On September 29 (October 9) the squadron approached the island of Tserigo. The French garrison resisted bravely, but only for three days. Ushakov proved himself not only as a skilled naval commander, but also as a subtle diplomat: the prisoners were kept banners and weapons and were released “on their word of honor” - not to fight against Russia. The admiral announced to the residents of the island that he was introducing local self-government here.
On October 14 (25), the same fate befell the fortress on the island of Zante. Moreover, here the French prisoners had to be protected from embittered Greeks, outraged by the predatory morals of the invaders. Soon the islands of Kelafonia, Ithaca, and St. Maura were captured. In November 1798, above all Ionian Islands In addition to Corfu, Russian and Turkish flags were flying.
On November 20, the squadron of Ushakov and Kadyr Bey approached Corfu. It was a matter of expelling the French from it strategic importance, since the island was located directly next to the Ottoman possessions, and its possession would ensure the security of the western part of Rumelia. Ushakov, despite the opposition of the English Admiral Nelson, who sought to divert the Russian squadron from taking this French stronghold in the Mediterranean, managed to prepare and carry out one of the most brilliant operations in the history of the Russian fleet. On March 3, 1799, the four thousand strong French garrison of this first-class fortress capitulated.
To avoid heavy losses during the assault, Ushakov decided to first take the small mountainous island of Vido, whose heights dominated the surrounding area. Troops were landed and after a two-hour battle the island was taken. After the fall of Vido, the key to Corfu was in the hands of Ushakov. Russian batteries located on the captured island opened fire on the fortifications of the fortresses of Corfu.
By March 3, the commandant of the fortress, considering further resistance useless, laid down his arms. 2,931 people, including 4 generals, were captured, and on honorable terms of surrender (the French were allowed to leave the island with a promise not to participate in hostilities for 18 months). The military trophies of the winners were 114 mortars, 21 howitzers, 500 cannons, 5,500 rifles, 37,394 bombs, 137 thousand cannonballs, etc. In the port of Corfu, the battleship Leander, the frigate Brunet, a bombardment ship, 2 galleys, 4 half-galleys, 3 merchant ships and several other ships. Allied losses amounted to about 298 people killed and wounded, of which 130 were Russians and 168 Turks and Albanians.
For this assault, Emperor Paul promoted Ushakov to admiral and awarded him the diamond insignia of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, the Neapolitan king with the Order of St. Januarius, 1st degree, and the Ottoman Sultan with the Chelenka, the highest award of Turkey.
During the assault on the fortress, the persistent opinion of contemporaries - military theorists - was refuted that coastal fortresses are taken only from land, and the fleet ensures a close blockade of them. F.F. Ushakov proposed a brilliantly implemented new solution: powerful shelling of fortifications with naval artillery, suppression of coastal batteries and the landing of grenadier troops. It’s not for nothing that the great commander A.V. Suvorov wrote in his congratulations: “Hurray! To the Russian fleet... Now I say to myself: why wasn’t I at least a midshipman at Corfu.”
The archipelago epic ended here. On the liberated islands, under the temporary protectorate of Russia and Turkey, the Republic of the Republic of the Seven United Islands was created, which for several years served as a support base for the Russian Mediterranean squadron. And in the Mediterranean Sea itself, Ushakov continued his victorious campaign, despite the fact that he did not have a good relationship with the commander English fleet Nelson. He considered the Russian squadron an auxiliary force designed to serve British interests, insisting on sending it to the Egyptian shores. It is no coincidence that the English admiral, understanding the importance for the British Empire of occupying a dominant position in the Mediterranean, did not allow Ushakov to move to the strategic island of Malta. The admiral had to go to the shores of Naples and restore the power of King Ferdinand there.
However, the successes of the Russian fleet, as well as the brilliantly carried out land operations of A.V. during this campaign. Suvorov, did not bring diplomatic benefits. Emperor Paul made a sharp turn in politics, breaking the alliance with England and Austria and began negotiations on an alliance with Napoleon Bonaparte. The next turn in Russian politics occurred on the night of March 12, 1801. Grand Duke Alexander Pavlovich went out to the soldiers of the Semenovsky regiment guarding the Mikhailovsky Castle and said that his father had died of an apoplexy.
The revolutionary wars of France at the end of the 18th century led to the fact that many key points in the Mediterranean Sea, including the Ionian Islands, control over which allowed them to extend their influence to the Balkans, were captured by the French. The Black Sea squadron of Fyodor Fedorovich Ushakov, with the support of a small Turkish flotilla led by Kadyr Bey, was tasked with taking control of the Ionian Islands, which they managed to capture by the beginning of November 1798. All that remained was to take the well-fortified island. Corfu.
POSITION AND PLANS OF THE PARTIES
The French covered Fr. Corfu from Apparently, after protracted artillery duels, they hoped to force the Russian-Turkish fleet to leave for the open sea. Total on about. There were about 800 soldiers and 5 artillery batteries under the command of Brigadier General Pivron, on the island. Corfu in the Old and New Fortresses housed 3,000 soldiers with 650 guns under the command of General Jabot.
Ushakov planned to take Fr. Vido, and then, placing artillery batteries on it, begin shelling about. Corfu, concentrating grapeshot fire against the enemy’s artillery positions. In Ushakov's flotilla there were 12 battleships and 11 frigates, a team of sea grenadiers of 1,700 people, Turkish soldiers of 4,250 people, as well as 2,000 Greek patriots. Moreover, by January 26, 1799, Russian sailors managed to build on the island. Corfu has two batteries - opposite Fort San Salvador and the Old Fortress, and also restore the battery at St. Panteleimon." It is from these positions that the landing force will attack the island. Corfu.
PROGRESS OF THE STORM
On February 18 at 7 o'clock in the morning, Ushakov begins the assault on Corfu. The ships “Kazan Mother of God” and “Herim-Captain” began firing grapeshot at battery No. 1 on the island. Vido. A little later, all the ships blocking Vido joined in the shelling. After a 4-hour shelling, all batteries were suppressed, and a landing force of 2,160 people landed on the island. Two French frigates, Leander and La Brune, tried to come to the aid of the besieged, but they, however, received significant damage under the fire of the battleship Blessing of the Lord and were forced to retreat. After a 2-hour battle, 200 Vido defenders were killed, 420 French soldiers, and with them 20 officers and the commandant of the island, General. Pivron is captured. About 150 people managed to swim to Corfu. The Russians lost 31 people killed and 100 wounded, the losses of the Turks and Albanians amounted to 180 people killed and wounded.
Simultaneously with the assault and capture of Fr. Apparently, Russian ships fired at the fortifications of the Old and New fortresses on the island. Corfu. At about 14.00 the Albanians tried to capture the bastion “St. Rock", but were repulsed. The very next Russian-Turkish joint attack forced the French to retreat to the fortress. The assault on the Old and New Fortresses was scheduled for February 19, but in the evening the French surrendered on honorable terms.
RESULTS
2,931 people (including 4 generals) surrendered in Corfu. The military trophies of the winners were: 114 mortars, 21 howitzers, 500 cannons, 5500 rifles, 37,394 bombs, 137 thousand cannonballs, etc. In the port of Corfu, the battleship Leander, the frigate Brunet, a bombardment ship, 2 galleys were captured , 4 half-galleys, 3 merchant ships and several other ships. Allied losses amounted to about 298 people killed and wounded, of which 130 were Russians and 168 Turks and Albanians. The capture of Corfu put an end to France's claims to Mediterranean dominance, and the Republic of the Ionian Islands was formed on the Ionian Islands, which for some time was the base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
CORFU
The French Revolution exploded the fragile European peace. From 1792, the continent plunged into the abyss of wars that lasted more than two decades. During this time, the political map of Europe has undergone significant changes. This also affected the Mediterranean region, where at the very end of the 18th century a complex tangle of contradictions arose.
The successes of Napoleon's army in Italy and his capture of the Ionian Islands from powerless Venice in 1797 caused serious concern not only among European governments and Russia, but also in Constantinople, where they feared a French landing in Greece.
On the other hand, after the conclusion of the Treaty of Jassy, by the end of the 18th century, thanks to the art of diplomacy, the Russian-Ottoman Empire underwent serious improvements. It was this factor, as well as Napoleon’s attack on Egypt in early 1798, that forced the Turkish government to pursue further rapprochement with Russia - the only state with a powerful fleet ready to come to the aid of its southern neighbor. For the first time in the history of relations between these countries, a defensive alliance was concluded between them in 1799.
But even earlier, on August 23 (September 2), 1798, a squadron under the flag of Admiral F.F. Ushakova arrived on the Bosphorus. Sultan Selim III himself visited the flagship incognito, and the squadron received permission for free passage through the Dardanelles. A week later, the Ottoman Empire broke off diplomatic relations with France. Ushakov was placed at the head of the united Russian-Turkish squadron, and patron-bey (rear admiral) Abdul Kadir, an experienced and brave sailor, was given his assistance.
On September 29 (October 9) the squadron approached the island of Tserigo. The French garrison resisted bravely, but only for three days. Ushakov proved himself not only as a skilled naval commander, but also as a subtle diplomat: the prisoners were kept banners and weapons and were released “on their word of honor” - not to fight against Russia. The admiral announced to the residents of the island that he was introducing local self-government here.
On October 14 (25), the same fate befell the fortress on the island of Zante. Moreover, here the French prisoners had to be protected from embittered Greeks, outraged by the predatory morals of the invaders. Soon the islands of Kelafonia, Ithaca, and St. Maura were captured. In November 1798, Russian and Turkish flags flew over all the Ionian islands, except Corfu.
On November 20, the squadron of Ushakov and Kadyr Bey approached Corfu. Expelling the French from it was a matter of strategic importance, since the island was located directly next to the Ottoman possessions, and its possession would ensure the security of the western part of Rumelia. Ushakov, despite the opposition of the English Admiral Nelson, who sought to divert the Russian squadron from taking this French stronghold in the Mediterranean, managed to prepare and carry out one of the most brilliant operations in the history of the Russian fleet. On March 3, 1799, the four thousand strong French garrison of this first-class fortress capitulated.
To avoid heavy losses during the assault, Ushakov decided to first take the small mountainous island of Vido, whose heights dominated the surrounding area. Troops were landed and after a two-hour battle the island was taken. After the fall of Vido, the key to Corfu was in the hands of Ushakov. Russian batteries located on the captured island opened fire on the fortifications of the fortresses of Corfu.
By March 3, the commandant of the fortress, considering further resistance useless, laid down his arms. 2,931 people, including 4 generals, were captured, and on honorable terms of surrender (the French were allowed to leave the island with a promise not to participate in hostilities for 18 months). The military trophies of the winners were 114 mortars, 21 howitzers, 500 cannons, 5,500 rifles, 37,394 bombs, 137 thousand cannonballs, etc. In the port of Corfu, the battleship Leander, the frigate Brunet, a bombardment ship, 2 galleys, 4 half-galleys, 3 merchant ships and several other ships. Allied losses amounted to about 298 people killed and wounded, of which 130 were Russians and 168 Turks and Albanians.
For this assault, Emperor Paul promoted Ushakov to admiral and awarded him the diamond insignia of the Order of the Saint, the Neapolitan king - the Order of Saint Januarius, 1st degree, and the Ottoman Sultan - the Chelenk, the highest award of Turkey.
During the assault on the fortress, the persistent opinion of contemporaries - military theorists - was refuted that coastal fortresses are taken only from land, and the fleet ensures a close blockade of them. F.F. Ushakov proposed a brilliantly implemented new solution: a powerful shelling of the fortifications with naval artillery, the suppression of coastal batteries and the landing of grenadier troops. It was not for nothing that the great commander wrote in his congratulations: “Hurray! To the Russian fleet... Now I say to myself: why wasn’t I at least a midshipman at Corfu.”
The archipelago epic ended here. On the liberated islands, under the temporary protectorate of Russia and Turkey, the Republic of the Republic of the Seven United Islands was created, which for several years served as a support base for the Russian Mediterranean squadron. And in the Mediterranean Sea itself, Ushakov continued his victorious campaign, despite the fact that he did not have a good relationship with the commander English fleet Nelson. He considered the Russian squadron an auxiliary force designed to serve British interests, insisting on sending it to the Egyptian shores. It is no coincidence that the English admiral, understanding the importance for the British Empire of occupying a dominant position in the Mediterranean, did not allow Ushakov to move to the strategic island of Malta. The admiral had to go to the shores of Naples and restore the power of King Ferdinand there.
However, the successes of the Russian fleet, as well as the brilliantly carried out land operations of A.V. during this campaign. Suvorov, did not bring diplomatic benefits. Emperor Paul made a sharp turn in politics, breaking the alliance with England and Austria and began negotiations on an alliance with Napoleon Bonaparte. The next turn in Russian politics occurred on the night of March 12, 1801. Grand Duke Alexander Pavlovich went out to the soldiers of the Semenovsky regiment guarding the Mikhailovsky Castle and said that his father had died of an apoplexy.
