Plevna, Battle of

During the Russo-Turkish War, Russian victory over the Turks July–December 1877, at Plevna (now Pleven), about 130 km/80 mi northwest of Sofia, Bulgaria. Although the Russians technically won, the six-month siege tied up their armies and turned European opinion against them. Plevna was also of considerable importance in demonstrating the potential of rapid-firing, breech-loading weapons in defence.

Disposition of forces The Russians were advancing on two fronts, one south from Romania, the other north from the Balkans, and the obvious strategic move for the Turks was to prevent the two forces meeting. Marshal Osman Pasha occupied Plevna, a small town of no particular importance, with 14,000 soldiers and set them digging fieldworks around the town. The Turkish position threatened the flank of the invading Russian army so they detached a small force to deal with it. This was quickly driven off, and the Russians launched a major attack 30 July; it was met with a storm of bullets which cut down 8,000 troops.

Siege The Russians then settled down to a siege, but did not surround the town completely. Osman was still able to receive supplies and reinforcements, bringing his strength up to 30,000. Having achieved little by themselves, the Russians called on the Romanian army to assist and mounted another major assault, this time losing 18,000 casualties. The Russians managed to surround Plevna completely late October, isolating Osman, and sent for General Eduard Todleben, a siege expert. Under his guidance the siege was tightened until, after an intrepid but doomed attempt to break out, Osman was forced by starvation to surrender 10 December.