Battle of Elena
| date | 1st battle: July 12th, 1877 2nd battle: December 4th, 1877 3rd battle: December 14th, 1877 |
|---|---|
| place |
Elena , Ottoman Empire , today Bulgaria |
| output | 1st battle: Russian victory 2nd battle: Ottoman. Victory 3rd battle: Russian victory |
| Territorial changes | Balkan Mountains |
| Parties to the conflict | |
|---|---|
| Commander | |
|
Lieutenant General Schuwalow |
Mehmed Pasha (1st battle) |
| losses | |
|
1650 dead or wounded |
2000 dead or wounded |
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The Battle of Elena consisted of three skirmishes in the Russo-Ottoman War (1877–1878) , which were fought with alternating victories between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire .
The town of Elena is located near a pass over the Balkan Mountains . Over this and the neighboring Schipka Pass , the Ottomans first tried to bring relief north to their troops trapped in Pleven . This was successfully prevented by the Russians in the first battle on July 12th and the blockade of the pass. However, the Turkish breakthrough of December 4th did not come in time to march to Pleven. With the surrender on December 10, 1877, large Russian units were released there and marched south, towards Istanbul. After the successful battle of December 14th, the way south was open.
The Battle of Philippopolis followed on January 17, 1878.
See also
literature
- George Bruce: Harbottle's Dictionary of Battles . Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1981, ISBN 0-442-22336-6 .