How foreigners served in the Russian army, and which of the famous military leaders expressed a desire to fight for Russia - "stepmother"

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

The period of the reign of Peter I occupies an important place in the history of Russia. The emperor-reformer saw reliable armed forces as a reliable support for carrying out state reforms. In order to create an efficient army in the shortest possible time, the young tsar decided to attract foreign specialists to the military sphere. Among those who wanted to serve in Russia were many random people: adventurers, swindlers, sent agents. However, a great many foreigners did their best to contribute to the victories of Russian weapons, which placed the Russian Empire on a par with the leading military powers of the world, and by their valor they earned the respect of their descendants.

As a native of the small German town of Munnich, he was awarded the highest military rank in the Russian Imperial Army

For this person, Russia has become not only a place of residence, but also an arena for the embodiment of plans and dreams. Christopher Antonovich Munnich, born Count Burchard Christoph von Munnich, was a native of Oldenburg, a Danish possession in Germany. Having received a good education, he was in the Hesse-Darmstadt and Hesse-Kassel service, went from captain to colonel. Seeing great prospects in Russia, Burkhard Christoph sent his treatise on fortification to Peter I and received an offer to cooperate and take the post of general engineer.

The peak of Christopher Minich's career fell on the reign of Anna Ioannovna. During this period, he received the highest military rank of field marshal for those times and the post of president of the Military Collegium. After the accession of Elizabeth Petrovna, Minich's career rise was replaced by disgrace. He spent 20 long years in exile. By the decree of Peter III, Christopher Antonovich was allowed to return to St. Petersburg. “The most senior field marshal in Europe,” as he called himself, worked until the end of his days for the benefit of his second homeland. He died at the age of 85, leaving behind many works devoted to the improvement of Russia.

How the European officer Lassi built his military career in Russia

A descendant of an ancient Norman family that settled in Ireland, Pierce Edmond de Lacey from 13 to 22 years of age had a chance to fight for the French, Austrians and British. In 1700, with a solid military experience behind him, he entered the Russian army. The start of a career in a new place was unsuccessful - in the battle of Narva, the Russians, led by the Duke de Croix, were defeated. However, 3 years later, Lacey (by that time Pyotr Petrovich Lassi), already in the rank of captain, commanded the so-called noble company in Livonia. In 1705, he received the rank of major and was appointed to the regiment of Count Sheremetev, and a year later, by personal decree of Peter I, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. With the rank of colonel, Lassi commanded the Siberian regiment. As a participant in the Prut campaign, he was awarded the title of brigadier, and for the successful procurement of food in Poznan - major general.

In the battle of Friedrichtadt and during the capture of Stettin, Lassi fought under the direct command of Peter I. The talents of Peter Petrovich were fully manifested under the Empress Anna Ioannovna, who noted the merits of the commander, bestowing upon him the rank of field marshal general and appointing him commander-in-chief of the Russian army. In total, the army of the Russian state, Peter Petrovich Lassi, gave 50 years of his life.

Why the "father of the American navy" Jones expressed a desire to serve Catherine II

The least known Russian admiral was born into the family of a Scottish gardener. As a 13-year-old boy, John Paul Jones got a job as a cabin boy on a merchant ship, by the age of 19 he was the first mate of the captain, and at 28 - the captain of the English fleet. At the time when the North American colonies began the war with England for independence, Jones lived in Virginia, in the estate inherited from his older brother. As an experienced sailor, he was entrusted with the command of a warship and awarded the officer rank. In September 1779, Jones' squadron won the battle at Flamborough Head. This legendary event later became a symbol of the birth of the American navy, and John Paul Jones began to be called his father.

Jones' military merits gave him a reason to dream of an admiral's rank. But hopes did not come true, and the angry naval commander left the States. It was then that he got into the service of Catherine II. Dragged into the war with Turkey, Russia felt the need for experienced military personnel, so the Empress awarded Pavel Jones (as the name of Jones began to sound) the rank of Rear Admiral and entrusted the ship Saint Vladimir.

Jones' Russian career was destroyed by ill-wishers who fabricated charges of rape on him. During the trials, the innocence of Pavel Jones was proven, nevertheless, his career in Russia came to an end. He went to France, where he died of pneumonia at the age of 45. He was buried in Paris, and a century later he was reburied in the United States.

How Hannover Bennigsen ended up in Russia as a representative of the ancient baronial family of the Electorship

In February 1745, in the German city of Braunschweig, the son of Levin, August Theophilus, was born to the eminent Baron von Bennigsen, later known as Leonty Leontyevich Bennigsen. As a 14-year-old boy, he ended up in the Hanoverian infantry. He participated in the Seven Years War, at 28 - already a lieutenant colonel - he moved to Russia, which was then waging a war against Turkey. He was assigned the rank of prime-major in the Vyatka musketeer regiment, as part of Rumyantsev's army he fought with the Turks. With the rank of colonel, he commanded the Izyum Light Horse Regiment. He headed a special flying detachment during operations against the Polish Confederates, distinguished himself in the war with Persia. He rose to the rank of lieutenant general, but under Paul I fell into disgrace and retired.

After the palace coup of 1801, the regicide and the coming to power of Alexander I, Leonty Bennigsen resumed his military leader's career. With the rank of cavalry general, he participated in the Napoleonic Wars, during the Patriotic War of 1812, he was chief of the General Staff under Commander-in-Chief Mikhail Kutuzov. After leaving the service, Leonty Leontyevich retired to his Hanoverian estate, where he spent the rest of his life.

For what merits the German military theorist Clausewitz was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree

The future eminent military theorist and historian was born in the German city of Burg in the family of an official. Having barely reached the age of 12, Karl Philip Gottlieb von Clausewitz was brought by his father to Potsdam and accepted as a standard bearer in the regiment of Prince Ferdinand. After graduating from the Berlin Military School, he was appointed adjutant to Prince August of Prussia. At the age of 28, he headed the office of the Ministry of War, took part in preparations for the reorganization of the army. After 2 years, he began teaching strategy and tactics at the Officers' Military School, which he soon headed.

In 1812, when King Frederick Wilhelm III made an alliance with France, Clausewitz left Prussia and joined the Russian army. He took part in the battles of Vitebsk and Borodino. Not knowing the Russian language and therefore not being able to be a commander, Karl fought as a private, drawing soldiers into the attack by personal example. Emperor Alexander I appreciated the valor of Clausewitz and awarded him the Order of St. George of the 4th degree and the golden weapon "For Bravery".

But after the revolution in the houses of former landowners later foreign embassies were housed.