Battle of Narva, 1700 ⚔️ How did Sweden break the Russian army? ⚔️ Great Nothern War

🚩 Charles XII was one of the greatest military leaders in European history. He defeated Denmark, Poland, Saxony and Russia in a series of brilliant campaigns. A skilled tactician, he had a good eye for choosing a battleground and insisted on personal leadership in battle. His strategic talent, however, was much criticized, especially his decision to wage a long war in Poland and his Russian campaign in 1707-1709.

📢 Narrated by David McCallion

📝 Written by Jonathan Woody

🎼 Music:
Filmstro

📚 Sources:
Peter the Great: The Strugle for Power, 1671 - 1725 by Paul Bushkovitch

Chicago / Turabian 16th Edition Citation:
Bushkovitch, Paul. Peter the Great : the Struggle for Power, 1671-1725. Cambridge ;: Cambridge University Press, 2001.

Military Actions at Narva in 1700 According to the Memoirs of Swedish Warriors by Sergei A. Chirkin

Charles XII at Narva in autum 1700: Testimonies from his confidants by Sergei A. Chirkin

Chicago / Turabian 16th Edition Citation:
Chirkin, Sergei A. “Сharles XII at Narva in Autumn 1700: Testimonies from His Confidants.” Mastatskaya i Muzychnaya Adukatsiya 21, no. 3 (2021): 288–292.

The Battle of Narva: November 29th, 1700 by Richard Cavendish

Swedish Gamble at the Battle of Narva by Eric Niderost (Warfare History Network, November 2013)

#swedishempire #history #documentary

[HistoryMarche]

🚩Typo in the title, it should say 1700, not 1701. Apololgies!

[georgepantziarelas]

A 18 year old boy proving to be an unparalleled military genius, knocking Denmark out of the war within days and then force marching his army under freezing conditions to defeat an entrenched enemy army that was four times the size of his own. And then people say history is boring….

[nihlus]

This is one of the most insane victories in history. The Swedes were masters of war in those days.

[defiantrascal]

Dude won a military engagement outnumbered 4 to 1 with an entrenched enemy??? Well, that was an epic win.

[andreas]

My favourite historical battle!

When the Russian defenders first could see the Swedish army in the snowstorm, they stood 30 metres apart, at which point the Russians fired their muskets, which hit very poorly because of the visibility. The Swedes were trained to not fire until they could see the white part of the enemies eyes. They advanced another 20 metres further, then fired their muskets only 10 metres away, which had a devastating effect. Thereafter they charged with swords and bayonets.

A Russian historian describes the attack by the Swedish Carolinian soldiers as follows:
"When they launched an attack, the Carolinians "exploded" in fury. With mental strength and with the furious pressure of swords, bayonets and pikes, they shook the opponent, who retreated without engaging in close combat...".

[brettstarks]

The Great Northern War is a fascinating, overlooked part of history. While we often associate Scandinavian martial prowess with the Vikings, not many people know that Sweden was temporarily one of Europe’s great powers from the 17th to early 18th centuries. Good stuff.

[JFIX]

This battle saw the introduction of a march song to the Swedish forces (of which Finns were a part of) which is nowadays known as the Narva March. The tone of it is incredibly macabre, somber, like the soldiers listening to it were marching to their deaths. It is used here in Finland as a funerary march for mostly military personnel, but certain civilians might also get this march to play out during the carrying of their coffin back outside the church. Last time I heard this march was in 2017, as the funerary procession of former President Mauno Koivisto left Helsinki Cathedral and headed for the Hietaniemi National Cemetery.

[TheMikael]

As a swede, always interesting when our history is covered. Great video about one of our most famous battles. I am impressed by your pronunciation of Swedish names. 👍🇸🇪

[odd-ysseusdoesstuff]

"Marching across the belt, crushing blow at Narva dealt, Livgardet, our Royal Guards!"

-Sabaton

[danielsantiagourtado]

Thanks for this! This was an incredible battle that showed the world what Carolus Rex was made of!

[whoareyouyouareclearlylost]

A daring winter assault, even 200 years later with all the inventions of the 20th and 21th century no one could ever imagined to have a winter assault on a heavy defended position.

[smygis]

I would really like a video about the battle of Lund in 1676. It is the bloodiest battle in Scandinavian history. The casualty rate was insane.

Great video btw :)

[THEDAVILAK]

Just the first 8 seconds already got me smiling. So much love and work must go into these videos! You are very much appreciated

[FlashPointHx]

No ever thinks of the Swedes as being an aggressive power - Charles XII would shatter that belief. Nicely done here.

[Erikaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Famous French philosopher Voltaire wrote a book on Charles XII, whom he considered to be a great example of a character who embodies every virtue to such an extent that it actually tips over and becomes almost as dangerous as their opposed sins. In his book he describes the Battle of Narva in detail. It honestly reads as some absurdist comedy. In case anyone is curious, here it is:
So at a time when frost and snow force nations in temperate climates to suspend hostilities Peter was besieging Narva, thirty degrees from the Pole, and Charles was advancing to its relief. The Czar had no sooner arrived before the place than he hastened to put into practice all that he had lately learned on his travels: he drew out his camp, fortified it on all sides, built walls at intervals, and opened the trench with his own hands. He had given the command of the army to the Duke of Croy, a German, and a clever general, who got little support from the Russian officers.

The Russians are strong- and indefatigable, and perhaps as brave as the Swedes, but it requires time to make veterans, and discipline to make them invincible. The only fairly reliable regiments were commanded by German officers, but there were very few of them ; the rest were savages torn from their forests, clothed in the skins of wild beasts, some armed with arrows and others with clubs. Few had muskets, none had seen a regular siege, there was not one good gunner in the whole army. A hundred and fifty cannon, which ought to have reduced the little town of Narva to ashes, hardly made breach, while every moment the artillery of the town were destroying whole lines at work in the trenches. Narva was practically unfortified, and Count Horn, who was in command, had not a thousand regular troops, and yet this immense army was not able to reduce it in ten weeks.

On the 15th of November the Czar heard that the King of Sweden had crossed the sea with 200 transports and was on his way to the relief of Narva. There were not more than 20, 000 Swedes, but superiority of numbers was the Czars only advantage. He was far, therefore, from underestimating his enemy, and used all his skill to crush him; and not content with 100, 000 men he levied another army to oppose him and harass him in his advance. He had already sent for 30, 000 men who were advancing from Plescow by forced marches. He then took a step which would render him contemptible if so great a legislator could be so. He left his camp, where his presence was necessary, to go to meet these reinforcements, which could quite well reach the camp without his aid; this step made it appear that he was afraid of fighting, in an entrenched camp, a young and inexperienced prince, who might attack him.

However that may be, his plan was to hem in the King between two armies. Nor was this all: a detachment of 30, 000 men from the camp before Narva was posted at a leagues distance from the town, on the King of Sweden's route, 20, 000 Strelitz were further off on the same route, and 5, 000 others formed an advanced guard. Charles would have to force his way through all these troops before he could reach the camp, which was fortified by a rampart and a double ditch. The King of Sweden had landed at Pernaw, on the Gulf of Riga, with about 15, 000 foot and more than 4, 000 horse. From Pernaw he made a forced march to Revel, followed by all his horse and only 4, 000 of his foot. He continually advanced without waiting- for the rest of his troops.

Soon he found himself, with only 8, 000 men, in presence of the enemy's outposts. He did not hesitate to attack them one after the other, without giving- them time to find out with how small a number they had to contend. The Russians, when they saw the Swedes advancing against them, took it for granted that they had a whole army to encounter, and the advanced guard of 5, 000 men, who were holding a pass between the hills where 100 men of courage might have barred the passage of a whole army, fled at the first approach of the Swedes. The 20, 000 men behind them, terrified at the flight of their countrymen, were overcome by fear and caused panic in the camp to which they fled. All the posts were carried in three days and a half, and what would have been on other occasions reckoned three distinct victories did not delay the King an hour.

At last he appeared with his 8, 000 men, weaned with the fatigues of so long a march, before a camp of 80, 000 Russians, protected by 150 cannon. He hardly allowed them time for rest before he gave orders for an instant attack.

The signal was two musket-shots, and phrase in German: "God is with us".
A General Officer pointed out to him the greatness of the danger. "Surely you have no doubt, " he replied, "but that I with my 8, 000 brave Swedes shall trample down 80, 000 Russians?!"

Then a moment after, fearing that his speech was boastful, he ran after the officer. "Do you not agree with me, " he said, "that I have a double advantage over the enemy? First because their horse will be useless to them, and secondly because, as the position is cramped, their numbers will only incommode them, that I shall really possess the advantage."
The officer thought it best not to differ from him, and so they attacked the Russians about noon, on the 30th November.

As soon as the cannon of the Swedes had made a breach in the entrenchments they advanced with fixed bayonets, having the snow, which drove full in the face of the enemy, behind them. The Russians stood the fire for half-an-hour without quitting their posts. The King attacked the Czars quarters, on the other side of the camp, and hoped to meet him in person, for he was ignorant of the fact that he had gone to meet his 40, 000 reinforcements who were expected shortly. At the first discharge the King was shot in the shoulder; but it was a spent ball which, from long range, was stopped by his thick cravat.

His horse was killed under him, and it is said that the King leapt nimbly on another, exclaiming, "These fellows make me take exercise!" Then he continued to advance and give orders with the same presence of mind as before. Within three hours the entrenchments were carried on all sides: the King chased the enemy's right as far as the river Narva with his left, if one may speak of "chasing" when 4, 000 men are in pursuit of nearly 50, 000. The bridge broke under them as they fled; in a moment the river was full of dead bodies; the rest in despair returned to their camp without knowing the direction in which they were going.
They found some huts behind which they stationed themselves; there they defended themselves for a time because they had no mean of escape; but finally their generals, Dolgorouky, Gollofkin and Federowitz surrendered to the King and laid down their arms at his feet. Just then the Duke of Croy arrived to surrender with thirty officers.

Charles received all these prisoners with as charming and engaging a manner as if he were fating them in his own Court. He only put the general officers under a guard; all the under officers and soldiers were disarmed and taken to the river Narva, where they were provided with boats to convey them to their own country. In the meantime night came on, and the right wing of the Russian force was still fighting. The Swedes had not lost 1, 500 men. 18, 000 Russians had been killed in their entrenchments, many had been drowned, many had crossed the river; but still there remained enough to entirely exterminate the Swedes. But it is not the number lost, but the panic of survivors which spells defeat in war.

The King made haste to seize the enemy's artillery before nightfall. He took up an advantageous position between their camp and the town, and there got some hours sleep on the ground, wrapped in his cloak, waiting till at daybreak he could fall on the enemy's left wing, which was not yet completely routed.

At two o'clock in the morning General Wade, who was in command of that wing, having heard of the King’s gracious reception of the other generals and his sending home of the subalterns and soldiers, asked the same favour of him. The conqueror sent him word that he need only approach at the head of his troops and surrender his arms and standards. Soon the general appeared with his Russians, to the number of about 30, 000. Soldiers and officers marched bare-headed in front of less than 7, 000 Swedes. As the soldiers passed before him they threw down their muskets and swords; the officers surrendered their ensigns and colours.

He let the whole band cross the river without keeping one single prisoner. Had he put them under guard the number of prisoners would have been at least five times that of the conquerors.

[HannibalBarca]

Thank you for constantly even though taking some time making some amazing quality and such masterpieces of videos. The hard work and dedication are showed so clearly in each video. Thanks for your work. And like Sam your videos inspire me to make my own battles at home which is true story. Thanks so much for you uploading still❤️

[robbabcock_]

Thanks for a wonderful episode! The "Great Northern War" is a tremendously compelling subject for study. ⚔🔥🙌

[edelbecc]

Charles XII is one of my favorite historical figures

[michaelsinger]

Charles showing off what a brilliant battlefield commander he was.

Peter would learn from this defeat however.

[thewarhauk]

Genuinely love these videos, every single one of them, hostory is such a great passtime, amd listening to it while i carry on about my day is the greatest thing ever thank you!!!