Freepedia
is a series of free encyclopaedias. We currently specialize in history
but we intend to branch out into other areas. This section is about
Alexander Samsonov.
Alexander
Samsonov was born in 1859. He joined the Russian
Army at 18 and took part in the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78). After
the war Samsonov attended the Nikolaevsky Military Academy. He commanded
a cavalry unit during the Boxer Rising (1900) and the Russo-Japanese
War (1904-05).
In these wars Samsonov obtained a reputation as an energetic and resourceful
leader but some doubted his strategic abilities. After the Battle of
Mukden in 1905 accused General Paul von
Rennenkampf of letting him down during the fighting and the two
men came to blows. After the Russo-Japanese War
Samsonov was made Chief-of-Staff of Warsaw Military District and later
as military leader in Turkeston.
On the outbreak of the First World War, Samsonov
was given command of the Russian Second Army for the invasion of East
Prussia. He advanced slowly into the south western corner of the province
with the intention of linking up with General Paul
von Rennenkampf advancing from the north east.
General Paul von Hindenburg and General
Erich Ludendorff were sent forward to
meet Samsonov's advancing troops. They made contact on 22nd August and
for six days the Russians, with their superior numbers, had a few successes.
However, by 29th August, Samsonov's Second Army was surrounded at Tannenberg.
General Samsonov attempted to retreat but now in a German cordon, most
of his troops were slaughtered or captured. Only 10,000 of the 150,000
Russian soldiers managed to escape. Shocked by the disastrous outcome
of the battle, Alexander Samsonov committed suicide on 29th August.
Alexander
Samsonov: History of War
Alexander
Samsonov: History Learning Site
Alexander
Samsonov: Wikipedia
Alexander
Samsonov:
Spartacus Biography
Forum
Debates
War
Propaganda Bureau
Military
Commanders and the First World War
Battle
of the Somme
Alexander
Samsonov