War in the East: A Military History of the Russo-Turkish War 1877-78
When Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire in April 1877, it was the fifth time during the nineteenth century that hostilities had broken out between the two empires.

The war was to be fought in two distinct theatres. In Europe, as on previous occasions, the Russian objective was to cross first the Danube and then the formidable Balkan Mountains before striking for Constantinople. In Asia, over territory also contested many times before, the Russians aimed to seize Kars and then Erzerum.

At first all went well for the invaders, the Turks making no serious attempt to hold the line of the Danube, while a thrust south by General Gourko succeeded in crossing the Balkans. In Asia, a er initial success the Russian advance was halted by defeat at Zevin. In Asia, the Turks suffered a major defeat in the battle of God’s Mountain, and were driven back to Erzerum, while Kars fell to a brilliant assault by the Russian forces. These defeats marked the beginning of the end for the Turks. By January 1878 the Russians were over the Balkans in force, and the last viable Turkish army was surrounded and captured at Shenovo.

The author’s detailed text is accompanied by an extensive number of black and white illustrations, an impressive colour plate section, plus black and white and colour battle maps. Extensive orders of battle are also provided.
1119862553
War in the East: A Military History of the Russo-Turkish War 1877-78
When Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire in April 1877, it was the fifth time during the nineteenth century that hostilities had broken out between the two empires.

The war was to be fought in two distinct theatres. In Europe, as on previous occasions, the Russian objective was to cross first the Danube and then the formidable Balkan Mountains before striking for Constantinople. In Asia, over territory also contested many times before, the Russians aimed to seize Kars and then Erzerum.

At first all went well for the invaders, the Turks making no serious attempt to hold the line of the Danube, while a thrust south by General Gourko succeeded in crossing the Balkans. In Asia, a er initial success the Russian advance was halted by defeat at Zevin. In Asia, the Turks suffered a major defeat in the battle of God’s Mountain, and were driven back to Erzerum, while Kars fell to a brilliant assault by the Russian forces. These defeats marked the beginning of the end for the Turks. By January 1878 the Russians were over the Balkans in force, and the last viable Turkish army was surrounded and captured at Shenovo.

The author’s detailed text is accompanied by an extensive number of black and white illustrations, an impressive colour plate section, plus black and white and colour battle maps. Extensive orders of battle are also provided.
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War in the East: A Military History of the Russo-Turkish War 1877-78

War in the East: A Military History of the Russo-Turkish War 1877-78

by Quintin Barry
War in the East: A Military History of the Russo-Turkish War 1877-78

War in the East: A Military History of the Russo-Turkish War 1877-78

by Quintin Barry

Paperback

$67.95 
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Overview

When Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire in April 1877, it was the fifth time during the nineteenth century that hostilities had broken out between the two empires.

The war was to be fought in two distinct theatres. In Europe, as on previous occasions, the Russian objective was to cross first the Danube and then the formidable Balkan Mountains before striking for Constantinople. In Asia, over territory also contested many times before, the Russians aimed to seize Kars and then Erzerum.

At first all went well for the invaders, the Turks making no serious attempt to hold the line of the Danube, while a thrust south by General Gourko succeeded in crossing the Balkans. In Asia, a er initial success the Russian advance was halted by defeat at Zevin. In Asia, the Turks suffered a major defeat in the battle of God’s Mountain, and were driven back to Erzerum, while Kars fell to a brilliant assault by the Russian forces. These defeats marked the beginning of the end for the Turks. By January 1878 the Russians were over the Balkans in force, and the last viable Turkish army was surrounded and captured at Shenovo.

The author’s detailed text is accompanied by an extensive number of black and white illustrations, an impressive colour plate section, plus black and white and colour battle maps. Extensive orders of battle are also provided.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781804517307
Publisher: Helion and Company
Publication date: 02/04/2025
Series: From Musket to Maxim 1815-1914 , #43
Pages: 576
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x (d)

About the Author

Quintin Barry was a retired solicitor and employment judge who had a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors, including roles within the NHS and local radio. A lifelong history enthusiast, he was the author of several well-regarded books on military and naval history. His notable works include a two-volume history of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, a history of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, and the first modern account of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. Barry was particularly known for his in-depth study of the life and career of Helmuth von Moltke. His more recent publications focused on naval history, with titles such as Far Distant Ships: The Blockade of Brest 1793-1815, Crisis at the Chesapeake: The Royal Navy and the Struggle for America 1775-1783, and From Ushant to Gibraltar: The Channel Fleet 1778-1783. Barry's work remains highly regarded by historians and enthusiasts of military and naval affairs. Quintin passed away in January 2025.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

List of Maps xvii

Acknowledgements 18

Preface 19

1 The Congress of Paris 20

2 Political and Social Reform in Russia 25

3 The Ottoman Empire 33

4 The Eastern Question 42

5 The Approach to War 51

6 Recourse to Arms 63

7 The Russian Army 74

8 The Ottoman Army 86

9 Command of the Sea 97

10 Plans of Campaign 104

11 The Barboshi Bridge 117

12 The Crossing of the Danube 125

13 Gourko 149

14 Krüiener 149

15 Osman 159

16 Mukhtar 170

17 Batum 187

18 Zevin 194

19 Eski Zagra 202

20 Suleiman at Shipka 212

21 Karahassankoi 227

22 Cerkovna 243

23 Lovtcha 252

24 The Third Battle of Plevna: The Assault 263

25 Aftermath 280

26 The Great Powers Watch: May-September 1877 289

27 Catastrophe on God's Mountain 300

28 The Camel's Neck 314

29 The Storming of Kars 321

30 Gorni Dubnik 331

31 Baba Konak 342

32 The Fall of Plevna 351

33 Elena 364

34 Tashkessen 377

35 Philippopolis 386

36 Shenovo 396

37 The Great Powers after Plevna 405

38 Armistice 413

39 San Stefano 421

40 The Congress of Berlin 431

41 Conclusion 441

Appendices

I Strengths of Russian Infantry and Cavalry Regiments 1877 452

II Order of Battle Russian Army of the South March 3 1877 453

III Order of Battle of the Roumanian Army, March 1877 460

IV Order of Battle, Russian Army of the Caucasus, March 1877 462

V Bulgarian Legion, May 1877 465

VI Strength of the Turkish Army of the Danube, June 1877 466

VII Order of Battle, Turkish Army of Plevna, July 29 1877 468

VIII Order of Battle, Russian Army at Plevna, July 30 1877 470

IX Ammunition Expenditure of the Russian Army at the Second Battle of Plevna, July 30 1877 472

X Russian Reinforcements to Bulgaria, August 15 1877 475

XI Order of Battle, Turkish Army of the Danube, August 1877 478

XII Order of Battle of the Roumanian 3rd and 4th Infantry Divisions, August 30 1877 479

XIII Order of Battle, Turkish Army of Plevna, September 6 1877 480

XIV List of the Turkish Fortifications and Positions at Plevna, with their Commanders and Garrisons, September 6 1877 482

XV Order of Battle, Turkish Army of the Danube, October 1877 484

XVI Disposition and Strength of the Turkish Army of the Quadrilateral, October 1877 488

XVII Bulgarian Legion, October 1877 489

XVIII Order of Battle, Turkish Army of the West, November 1877 490

XIX Order of Battle, Turkish Army of Plevna, December 10 1877 493

XX Distribution of the Russian Army in Bulgaria, December 25 1877 497

Glossary 498

Notes 503

Bibliography 521

Index 525

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