Praga November 4, 1794

1. PragaNovember 4, 1794 Strategic Context Inspired by the American and French Revolutions, and knowing its enemies too preoccupied with other major wars to intervene, Poland drafts its own constitution in 1791. Russia, Prussia, and Austria view this act as too liberal and sovereign, and invade in 1792. Poland subsequently must accept a large loss of territory and Russian troops in its capital, Warsaw in a humiliating partition. In 1794, Russia goes too far when it orders the disbandment of much of the Polish army, inciting a general uprising led by Thaddeus Koscuiszko. The uprising grows when Koscuiszko defeats a Russian army at the Battle of Raclawice. This forces Russia to send an army including the talented Alexander Suvorov to restore the situation. Koscuiszko boldly advances to separate and defeat in detail two Russian corps, but is defeated and captured at the Battle of Maciejowice. Suvorov assumes overall command and concentrates his forces against Warsaw to quickly end the rebellion. Stakes + A Russian victory would crush the rebellion before it can spread any further. + A Polish victory would prolong the rebellion, potentially spreading to other areas, and distracting its enemies. By Jonathan Webb, 2015

2. Praga, 1794Strength • Russians • Well • Poles • Well • Alexander Suvorov • Josef Zajaczek • 25,000 • 20,000 • 84 guns • 104 guns By Jonathan Webb, 2015

3. Eastern Europe c. 1793

4. The Vistula River divides the battlefield in two parts: Warsaw to the north and its suburb of Praga in the south, with only one bridge across. A tributary of the Vistula divides the battlefield again in the south, creating a marshy island based on Olendri in the west. Various small villages dot the terrain outside of Praga. The only significant high terrain is Pesochnaya Hill. Praga is fortified by an outer earthen wall. Within this wall is some open terrain, a large garden, and then the inner “old wall” protects Praga itself. The Russian objective is the single bridge across the Vistula. 0 1 2 3 km Poles (Zajazcek) Warsaw Vistula River Praga Olendri Pesochnaya Hill Byalalenka Brydna-Poljvanov Russians (Suvorov)

5. The Russian attack continues to carry in all sectors, resulting in isolated pockets of Polish troops. Defelden’s right column is again the first to break through, killing Jasinski in the process. Meanwhile, Zajaczek is wounded in combat and retreats across the bridge, just before Fersen’s center column captures it, trapping the Polish army on the south bank. Fersen’s left column meanwhile brings up artillery to annihilate Jablonowski’s isolated troops on the island. At 0300 the next morning, the seven Russian columns silently edge forward towards the Polish fortifications. Each column is preceded by marksmen to cover its advance and pioneers to ensure it can overcome Polish obstacles and fortifications, and followed by reserve troops and artillery. Suvorov orders the attack to be carried out with the bayonet with as little musket fire as possible. Derfelden leads the two furthest right columns, Potemkin the next two, and Fersen the left three. Russian cavalry largely guards the baggage and guns. Having overcome the outer earthen wall, the Russian columns now have the open space to fall into proper battle formation, pushing the Poles back to the inner old wall. Polish forces counterattack in some areas but are unable to push the Russians back. Pesochnaya Hill is the site of fierce bayonet fighting until the Polish defenders are attacked on two sides and withdraw to Praga. Russian reserves following the columns begin breaking down obstacles to allow artillery to move up. Zajazcek deploys his troops and guns all along the line of fortifications with few troops in reserve. Zajazcek commands the center, Jasinki the left, and Jablonowski the right. While the fortifications include pits and ditches to complement the double walls, his superior, Tomas Wawrzecki, laments that there are not enough troops to properly man them. Suvorov arrives on the battlefield and agrees; lacking siege artillery and needing a quick resolution to the war, he plans to storm Praga the next day. In fact, before leading his army to Praga, Suvorov orders rehearsals, along with the construction of ladders, fascines, and other assault equipment Suvorov spends his first day on the battlefield scouting the Polish defences. He orders his troops to build gun batteries and entrenchments to give the Poles the impression that he is settling down to a long siege. In reality, he plans to storm Praga at dawn in seven columns, capturing the only bridge across the Vistula, trapping the Polish army on the south bank. At 0500, Suvorov fires a single rocket to signal the attack. Defelden’s right column is the first column to break through and makes the most progress. Russian troops surprise the Poles, quickly piercing the Polish defences in all sectors, and capturing the outer earthen wall. Only the Polish defenders of Pesochnaya Hill hold their ground at initial contact. Sporadic street fighting continues as Russian artillery begins bombarding Warsaw itself. Suvorov orders the bridge across the Vistula to be destroyed. Only 2,000 Polish troops escape, most by swimming across the Vistula, but the majority surrender, ending the battle by 0900. Russians Poles Infantry Infantry Cavalry Artillery Artillery Baggage 0 1 2 3 km Russians (Alexander Suvorov) 25,000 84 guns Poles (Zajazcek) Poles (Jozef Zajazcek) 20,000 104 guns Warsaw Symbol guide Jasinski Zajazcek Jablonowski Vistula River Derfelden Derfelden Praga Olendri Potemkin Potemkin Pesochnaya Hill Fersen Byalalenka Brydna-Poljvanov Fersen Landmarks Russians (Suvorov)

6. Praga, 1794Casualties & Aftermath Russians: Poles: 18,000 or 90% 2,450 or 10% Wawrzecki retreated south with his remaining forces to save Warsaw from the massacre that followed in Praga. On November 16, Warwzecki surrendered, ending the rebellion. Russia, Prussia, and Austria divided the remaining Polish territory among themselves, eradicating Poland as a state. Napoleon Bonaparte revived Poland as a duchy in 1807, and its troops fought against Russia, but it disappeared again in 1815. Poland did not again exist as a sovereign state until 1918 when the victorious Allied powers reconstituted it with land from defeated powers in World War I. By Jonathan Webb, 2015

7. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps http://www.theartofbattle.com By Jonathan Webb, 2015