The Russo-Turkish War

(1877-8)

The Russo-Turkish Was began when Russia used the barbaric ferocity with which the Turks put down a revolt in Serbia as an excuse to once again attempt to re-unite Eastern Orthodox Christians and/or Slavs in Turkey-in-Europe under a Russian banner.  The war also promised the opportunity to gain the Russian "holy grail":  a warm-sea port on the Mediterranean.

The Russians sent 70,000 troops into the Caucasus to invade Turkey-in-Asia, and a further 250,000 across the Roumanian border in June into Turkey-in-Europe: an act that led to Roumania immediately declaring their independence from Turkey.

At first all went well for the Russians, with victories at Svistov and Nikopol followed by the taking of the Shipka Pass through a cunning tactic of General Gourko:  who led a flying column through the Khainkoi Pass to circumvent the Turkish defenders of the Shipka.  The Russian army advanced further, and ran into the small army of Osman Pasha entrenched at the small town of Plevna.

For four months 48,000 Turks kept 250,000 Russians at bay: repulsing their attacks at three great battles (July 19 & 30; September 11). It was losses at Plevna that made the Russians ask for re-inforcements from their Roumanian allies.

Meanwhile, in the Caucasus, the Russians under Grand Duke Michael had defeated the Turks at Aladja Dagh, forcing them back to the two great fortresses of Kars and Erzerum.  Kars was stormed on November 18th, and Erzerum invested shortly afterwards.

However, with Plevna taken (December 10th) the Russians were free to advance again on the Turkey-in-Europe, eastern front of the war.  They won a great victory at Senova under General Skobelev, and eventually pinned the last remaining Turkish army against the Aegean at Enos.

Although the Turks managed to extract this army by sea and ship the troops back to Constantinople, the Russians quickly advanced to the last line of Turkish defence at Chatalja, only 20 miles from the capital.

An armistice was signed 30th January 1878.

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