GENERALISSIMUS ALEXANDER SUVOROV

Portraits of Suvorov

Philip Longworth - biography of Suvorov - Constable, London, 1965, 350 pgs, index, references, maps, illustrations. This is the best biography of Suvorov in English. The author made extensive use of Russian sources. In particular Longworth references - G. P. Meshcheryakov (ed) Suvorov; Documenty (Moscow, 1949-53) and N. Korbkov, Generalissimus Suvorov: Sbornik Documentov (Moscow, 1947). Longworth discusses, quotes from, and evaluates Nauka. He notes that Suvorov's recommendations including those in the book were not well received by contemporary Russia.

Reviewer Comment:
As Dr. Longworth notes, Suvorov was the only military leader in Russian history to be titled a Generalissimo, until Stalin gave himself that title. But Stalin knew his history and brought forth the name of Suvorov during World War II to inspire the nation, and in particular the military at time of despair. Stalin had also used the name and exploits of Alexander Nevski. The maps are excellent to show the reader the locations of very unfamiliar names of places and campaign routes. Readers familiar with the basic summaries found in western general military history books of Suvorov's campaigns and more famous victories such as at Ismail and through Switzerland may find Dr. Longworth's extensive descriptions of the actual treatment Suvorov endured from the contemporary Russian military establishment (not only his superiors, but also even his subordinates) not only surprising but also dismaying.

Preface:
Dr. Longworth explains his use of original sources as much as possible. He writes that he has focused more on Suvorov's campaigns in Eastern Europe because French and Austrian authors have provided sufficient publications.

Introduction:
De. Longworth discusses the way in which the name of Suvorov was used during World War II as an emblem to generate public encouragement. He summarizes the book's content, while doing so. "He (Suvorov) was a soldier of immense experience - he fought the Poles, the Turks, recalcitrant tribesmen and the armies of Revolutionary France." ...." He won far too frequently to be called lucky: he never lost." And this point is critical considering the nature of armies and their soldiers in the 18th century: "Above all he possessed an extraordinary genius for inspiring the absolute devotion of his soldiers: he could demand any sacrifice of them and they would make it willingly."

1. The Making of a Soldier - November 1729 - October 1768:
Dr. Longworth begins with his description of Suvorov's birth and and his family: grandfather, Ivan, a military scribe for Peter; father, Vassily, a captain but future general. His mother, Avdotya Fedoseyevna Manukova, was the daughter of another senior official, later Governor of St. Petersburg. Alexander's father, Vassily, had retired into the senior civil service and wanted his son to join that. But young (13 years old) Alexander insisted on a military career. Vassily asked his friend, the very famous general Hannibal, to counsel Alexander, but after having conversed with him, Hannibal told the father that Alexander would 'go far' in the military. Thus, on 22 October 1741 Alexander was enrolled into the Lifeguard Semenovski Regiment, a very prestigious unit. He remained at home being taught by his father until age 15. He already had a remarkable education from study of the famous leaders from Caesar on. And he learned German, French and basic Italian. In addition he studied tactics, military engineering, artillery, mathematics . He read Plutarch and Cornelius Nepos. All this was far different and in advance of the typical experience of other sons of the nobility who were automatically posted into the imperial guard regiments, that in practice served mostly to put on impressive parades.
Dr. Longworth summarized the typical life: "There were many young men who passed through the regiments without ever obtaining a clear understanding even of the words of command. As in the army as a whole, the accent on the parade ground was so stressed that field exercises were almost forgotten." Dr. Longworth continues by describing Suvorov's developing career in the broader context of a description of the Russian army of the 18th century. He was different from the usual officer in every respect. The typical officer was corrupt, self aggrandizing, rapacious, venal, indifferent to his military duties and to the life of the men. Suvorov was posted to several different regiments, service that taught him the real practicalities of logistics, organizational structures, and survival in the field. He also came to understand the enlisted peasant soldier. In addition, Suvorov continued his intellectual pursuits.
"Side by side with his practical acquaintance with the organization and running of the army there went on in Suvorov an intellectual quest to construct a philosophy of life." Dr. Longworth continues with a summary of Suvorov's rise in rank and assignments to more responsibility during the 7 Years' War. He gained experience in both military bureaucratic paperwork and command without witnessing gunfire into 1759. In July 1761 he was assigned to General Berg's cavalry and finally saw action. He was noted by his superiors for courage as well as skill. He was in his element leading Cossacks in daring head long attacks on larger units of Prussian hussars.
Dr. Longworth writes: "He enjoyed it all immensely." And he credits these remarkable successes to Suvorov's study of human psychology and use of speed and self-confidence, not only of himself but of his men. As a result of his exploits he was frequently named in dispatches that reached even to the College of War. Vasilly Suvorov had risen in rank and authority by 1762 and was stationed in St. Petersburg where he took part in the coup that overthrew Tsar Peter III and brought Catherine II to the throne. Alexander was far from the city, but the prominence of his father helped to make his name known at headquarters and court.
Suvorov was assigned to several other administrative positions and units, but he found his real opportunity when he was promoted colonel and as commander of the Suzdal Regiment. Russian regiments were like Fiefs - the realm of their commanders. This gave Suvorov his opportunity to adopt his own theories and methods from supply, rations, barracks conditions, to discipline of the individual soldier to unit drill and tactical exercises. In describing Suvorov's activities Dr. Longworth gives the readers an excellent, detailed summary of conditions in the 18th century Russian Army. By contrasting Suvorov's methods to the standards we learn about both. Among other differences, the typical regimental commanders diverted to their own pockets a sizable quantity of the sums allocated by the War Department to support the regiment. Suvorov did not.

2. Military Experiments, November 1768 - February 1773:
The new scene into which Suvorov was thrust was Poland after the death of King Augustus III in 1763 and Empress Catherine II's maneuver to place Stanislaus Poniatowski on the throne. She used the problems of the minority Orthodox Christians in the strongly Catholic country - in part to divert attention from the peasant rebellions in her own. Polish nobles organized rebellion. Then in Ukraine Cossacks rebelled and Ottoman Turks opened war. In 1768 Colonel Suvorov was ordered to bring his Suzdal Regiment west to strengthen the Russian forces there. He was promoted brigadier and given a full brigade.
Dr. Longworth describes in detail a Russian regiment on the march. The Suzdalers reached Smolensk in a month, a month ahead of expectations. He soon went into action against disorganized Polish groups. Immediately, his hallmark tactic of speed and audacity became evident. He also used: "Suvorov used three weapons: organization, training and cunning." If one of his subordinate units lost an engagement due to its commander's mistakes, Suvorov analyzed them and published his appraisal to his command. However, "His unorthodoxy did not enamor him of his superiors, nor, indeed, of some of his inferiors." "He had come to despise the formalists, especially since they seemed to get all the laurels." Dr. Longworth also describes the various Polish groups. Suvorov was promoted major general. Meanwhile, he chafed at not being in battle with the Turks.
Dr. Longworth concludes the chapter with Suvorov's final taking of the Cracow fortress and the Austrian, Prussian and Russian dismemberment of Poland.

3. A Legend in the Making - March 1773 - June 1774
Suvorov was first posted to the northern border but Sweden was not considering war. He begged to go to an active front. Finally, we was posted to Rumyantsev's army on the Turkish front in Moldavia. Dr. Longworth, as always, provides a clear description of the opponent - ie Turks. The war had continued for5 years, but Rumyantsev was not about to 'risk' serious offensive actionss. Suvorov was sent to his former regiment, the Astrakhan, plus a Cossack detachment -in the division in Lt. Gen. Saltykov's sector between Bucharest and Turtukai on the Danube.

The map showing Suvorov's campaigns in that region between 1774 and 1790 appears confusing because the front in 1774 was far south of it in the 1780's. One has to refer to the overall history of the several Russo-Turkish wars to find out. In 1774 the Russians had penetrated along a narrow axis from Khotin, far accross the Danube to Shumla although the Turks retained the Black Sea coast as far north as the Bug River at Ochakov. That campaign ended one war. In the next war the Russian campaign was along the Black Sea coast. Immediately upon his arrival, Suvorov conducted his own personal reconnaisance. He was already thinking of an offensive to capture Turtukai without delay. But, he was immediately attacked at night by Turkish Spahis. He was rescued by his carabiniers. Despite the Turk's now knowing he was near, he immediately launched his infantry in waves of small boats across the Danube. Always at the front,Suvorov was wounded but continued to direct the assault. He drove off the larger Turkish garrison, captured their cannon and material, took it back across the river and destroyed much of the town. He credited 'speed' and unrelenting attacking for his victory. As Suvovov watched, the Turks returned to Turtukai in larger force. Nevertheless, Saltykov ordered Suvorov attack again, to divert Turkish attention from Rumayntsev's operations at Silistria. So he attacked during the night on 17 June. He was again successful. He was then ordered down stream to Hirsov, a smal Russian fort on the Danube. There we again won a stunning victory over a much larger Turkish force that attempted to capture the fort. But Rumyantsev refused to exploit the victory. While Rumyantsev dithered along the Danube, Suvorov was sent across the river and far south to Shumla where he faced almost 60,000 Turks. Again, but disciplie and elan the Russians routed the Turks. The Turks were forced to sign a peace with the Treaty of Kutchuk Kainardji. Suvorov was ordered to report in Moscow. Although detested by the vain Russian military establishment he was now a legend to the troops.

4. The Inglorious Years - July 1774 - July 1787
Suborov's assignments and resulting movements during these years was very complex. And so is Dr. Longworth's deailed description. During this period Yemelin Pugachev was raising a widening revolt along the Volga from Astrakan to Kazan. Sovorov was sent to capture him and restor order.
Dr. Longworth describes Pugachev. Suvorov rushed to the front trying to capture Pugachev but the rebel's own followers bound him and took him to the garrison commander at Yaitsk. All Suvorov could do was take the imprisoned rebel to Count Panin. He remained for months to restore order and organize administration. In 1775 his father died, so he was given leave to oreganize family affairs.
Meanwhile, in 1773 at the urging of his father he was married to Varvarka Prozorovski, daughter of Prince Ivan Prozorovski who, in turn, was related to the distingished Golitsyn family. This eventually proved to be a disaster.
At that point Suvorov, despite his disdain for Potemkin and the rest, found it necessary for his career to gain Potemkin's favor. In 1776 he returned to Field Marshal Rumyantsev's Ukrainian front and posted under Lt. Gen Alexander Prozorovski, who was responsible for affairs in the Crimea and the Kuban.
But his wife, Varvarka, had her own 'affair' with Suvorov's second cousin. and then, another, with an officer. Much trouble ensued from that because his denunciation of Varvarka generated hostility from the Prozorovski family and its friends at court.
For much of the time Ssuvorov was sent south to be the field commander of and in both Crimea and Kuban. This placed him under Prozorovski and eventually Potemkin. Dr. Longworth provides an excellent description of the Crimea, Kuban, Circassia, and the foothills of the Caucausus, including the multitude of different tribal groups who often fought each other.

5. Flailing the Turks

6. Enemy of a Nation

7. The Rejected Prophet

8. Against the Revolution

9. The Greatest Test

10. Suvorov's Place in Military History

The Art of Victory