Battle of Oltenitza
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Oltenitza was fought on 4 November 1853 during the Crimean War
. In this battle an Ottoman army under the command of Omar Pasha
defeated the Russian forces.
. In the build-up to war, Russia had occupied the Danubian Principalities
of Moldavia
and Wallachia
, positioning troops on the (northern) left bank of the Danube
, the border of Ottoman territory. The Ottoman Empire had responded by moving troops to the right bank to face them.
In the centre Russian forces south of Bucharest
were faced by Ottoman forces in the fortresses of Rustchuk and Silistria.
Following the Ottoman ultimatum on 4 October 1853 to withdraw within 2 weeks, Ottoman forces under Omer Pasha crossed the Danube River from Widin into Kalafat on October 28, 1853 to draw the Russians into the western part of Wallachia.
In response, a Russian force under PA Dannenburg was sent to counter attack, arriving at the town on 4 November, 1853. The heavy guns at the fort in Turtukai were used by the Ottomans against the Russians and after a fierce exchange of fire the Russians were thrown back, with heavy casualties. Despite this success, however, the action persuaded Omer that his position was untenable; he expected Russian reinforcements to arrive, and was concerned about continuing operations with the onset of winter. Accordingly he abandoned the advance on Bucharest and re-crossed the Danube. This was completed by 15 November 1853.
Nevertheless their strategic aim, to advance on Bucharest and drive the Russians from the Principalities, was not accomplished, and the Ottoman forces were obliged to retreat to their start position.
The battle was hailed in the European press as an Ottoman triumph, and Russian pride was damaged, but strategically the action had little impact.
Crimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
. In this battle an Ottoman army under the command of Omar Pasha
Omar Pasha
Omar Pasha Latas was a Ottoman general and governor. He was a Serb convert to Islam, who managed to quickly climb in Ottoman ranks, crush several rebellions throughout the Empire and defeat Russia the Crimean War.-Early life:...
defeated the Russian forces.
Background
This battle took place during the Danube campaign of the Crimean WarCrimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
. In the build-up to war, Russia had occupied the Danubian Principalities
Danubian Principalities
Danubian Principalities was a conventional name given to the Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, which emerged in the early 14th century. The term was coined in the Habsburg Monarchy after the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca in order to designate an area on the lower Danube with a common...
of Moldavia
Moldavia
Moldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
and Wallachia
Wallachia
Wallachia or Walachia is a historical and geographical region of Romania. It is situated north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians...
, positioning troops on the (northern) left bank of the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
, the border of Ottoman territory. The Ottoman Empire had responded by moving troops to the right bank to face them.
In the centre Russian forces south of Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
were faced by Ottoman forces in the fortresses of Rustchuk and Silistria.
Following the Ottoman ultimatum on 4 October 1853 to withdraw within 2 weeks, Ottoman forces under Omer Pasha crossed the Danube River from Widin into Kalafat on October 28, 1853 to draw the Russians into the western part of Wallachia.
Action
On 2 November 1853 an Ottoman force of 10,000 troops under Omer Pasha crossed the Danube in eastern Wallachia and occupied the town of Oltenitza, prior to an advance on Bucharest. With the Russians now in western Wallachia fighting the Ottomans at Kalafat, the capture of Bucharest would cut off all communications and supply between Russia and those troops. Having captured Oltenitza the Ottoman troops moved up the north bank of the Danube to attack the large fort located in the town of Turtukai. This fort was protected by ten (10) large guns. This fort was captured by the Ottomans.In response, a Russian force under PA Dannenburg was sent to counter attack, arriving at the town on 4 November, 1853. The heavy guns at the fort in Turtukai were used by the Ottomans against the Russians and after a fierce exchange of fire the Russians were thrown back, with heavy casualties. Despite this success, however, the action persuaded Omer that his position was untenable; he expected Russian reinforcements to arrive, and was concerned about continuing operations with the onset of winter. Accordingly he abandoned the advance on Bucharest and re-crossed the Danube. This was completed by 15 November 1853.
Aftermath
The battle of Oltenitza was the first military engagement of the Crimean War. It resulted in a tactical victory for the Ottoman forces, in that the Russians were driven off, and the Ottoman forces were left in possession of the town.Nevertheless their strategic aim, to advance on Bucharest and drive the Russians from the Principalities, was not accomplished, and the Ottoman forces were obliged to retreat to their start position.
The battle was hailed in the European press as an Ottoman triumph, and Russian pride was damaged, but strategically the action had little impact.