Dimitri Ivanovich succeeded the Grand Duke of Moscow in 1359, when he was only 10 years old. At a young age, he was determined to let Russia get rid of Mongolian rule and become the supreme ruler of Russia. He began to accumulate strength, posted posts everywhere, recruited talented people with high officials and generous salaries, and attracted some powerful and rich lords to gather in Moscow with many servants. At the same time, he named "Moscow Stone City" and built it non-stop. Around the inner city of Moscow (Kremlin), tall stone walls, towers, bunkers, cannon doors and iron gates were built soon.
The tactics worked.
In order to confuse the Golden Horde, Dimitri continued to use the tactics of "purse and pillow". 137 1 year, went to the residence of the Golden Curtain Khan, paid tribute to Ma Maihan, the actual ruler of the Golden Curtain Khan at that time, his wives and tartars, and obtained the imperial edict of "Grand Duke of all Russia". After taking power, Dimitriga accelerated the pace of annexing other Russian principalities and tribes.
Archduke Dmitry's psychological need for the strong still hangs over every Russian's mind.
Mongolian infighting
At this time, the Golden Horde was not what it used to be, a large number of areas were separated from his rule, and coups were constantly taking place inside the Golden Horde. From 1360 to 1380, there was a power struggle inside the Golden Curtain Khan. After 20 years of 14 golden curtain Khan, Dimitri began to prepare to organize a struggle against Mongolian rulers.
Close combat
On August 1378, 1 1, Russian troops and Mongolian troops met on the Waza River in Ryazan. Mongolian cavalry crossed the river and rushed at the Russians in a sweat. The two sides went to war, and Archduke Dimitri commanded the battle ahead. Finally, the Mongolian army could not stop the Russian attack and retreated in the thick fog. Mongolian general Biekic was shot dead on the spot. This war made the Russians see their own strength and inspired their spirit.
Fight * * *
Mamehan, the military commander of the Golden Horde, flew into a rage and vowed to lead the army against the Russians and fight to the death in the Grand Duke of Moscow. Mamehan said, "I want to execute that stubborn Russian slave!" " Wherever the golden tent Khan army goes, it will surely turn Russian cities and all churches into ashes! We're going to get rich on Russian gold. We will March on the Russian prince and attack Russia with all our strength, just as we did in the Badou era. We'll never see it again-we'll burn down the church of God. Russians will bleed for this and their laws will be completely destroyed. "
/kloc-in the summer of 0/380, Ma Mei Khan led 200,000 troops to cross the Volga River, and at the same time sent envoys to lobby the old enemy Lithuania to form an alliance with the Golden Horde to send troops together. On September 1 day, the armies of the two countries agreed to join forces to attack Moscow and carve up the Principality of Moscow. (It also includes Cherkasia, Ossetians, Armenians, armed forces of various nationalities in the Volga River basin and mercenaries from Genoa, Crimea, with a total strength of about 10- 15). Under the leadership of Mamai, the actual ruler of the Golden Horde, they pushed on Russia in an attempt to weaken the growing power of Russian vassal states (especially the Principality of Moscow) and stifle their desire for independence. According to some historical records, Oleg, Grand Duke of Ryazan, was an ally of Mamai.
Oleg Ivanovich, the Grand Duke of Ryazan, has an old feud with the Grand Duke of Moscow and adopts a two-faced approach. He soon sent two messengers to see Mamehan and the Grand Duke of Moscow respectively. In his letter to Mamehan, he wrote: I heard that the monarch wanted to threaten your vassal, Grand Duke Dimitri of Moscow. Now, the wisest king, it's time for you to get gold and a lot of wealth. Upon hearing your angry name, Dagong Dimitri hid in the distance and went to Novgorod or Dvinast, and the wealth of Moscow will naturally fall into your hands. And your slave, I, will be lucky enough to get your grace. However, in his letter to Dimitri, he wrote: Mamehan has left this country and will March into Ryazan region and Moscow Principality, with the purpose of opposing you and me. Don't sleep, Archduke Dimitri. Let's unite. In Oleg's wishful thinking, after Ma Mei Khan won, he could replace part of Moscow's territory and Dimitri from the Golden Horde and become the new "Russian Grand Duke". Dimitri's victory can also be thanked to Dimitri.
When Dmitry Ivanovich learned that the horse had gone out, he sent an emergency envoy to the Russian Principality, calling for full defense of Russian territory. On August, 2005, 65438 was ordered to assemble troops in Colomna. On the way to Moscow, Ross troops gathered in Kolomna and Sherpukhov to prevent Mamai from attacking first. Muscovites, soldiers from the principality that recognizes the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and armed forces from Ukraine and Belarus (the armies of Novgorod, Tver, Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan and Smolensk do not participate) are the main backbones of the Russian army. The Grand Duke of Moscow is ready to attack actively, first to prevent the enemy from merging and attacking the most powerful and dangerous Mongolian army, and then to destroy the Mamai army before it invades the Russian Principality.
Dagong Dimitri rode his burly horse, holding "Dagong Vladimir's scepter" in his left hand and glittering sword in his right hand, and shouted to the 1.5 million people present: "Russian brothers! Mamehan's army is approaching us. They want to take the title of Russian palace, they want to burn down our city, they want to take our food, they want to take your wife and daughter. Let's rush up! For the land of my hometown, for my vast pasture, for our family, women and fields, for my own honor, I will not hesitate to shed blood! " As soon as the voice fell, 1.5 million soldiers shouted in unison: "Hula! Wula! " The sound resounded through the sky. Subsequently, the Russian army began to March, and the princes led their samurai and soldiers to the forefront. Russia's common and widespread spearhead, the Arabian Bend and the deadly poison arrow, shines with terrible green light in the sun. A heavy round hammer and a six-page hammer are hung on the belt. The militiamen not only wore shirts made of iron and copper, fur coats and garb with rings made of eternal life's own wooden armor, but also held axes, bear hunting spears, long sticks and short hammers in their hands.
The ancient narrative poem "The Story on the Left Bank of the Don River", which records Kulikovo's decisive battle, sings: "Horses scream in Moscow, and honor resounds throughout Russia. The trumpet sounded in Kolomna, drums and gongs sounded in Scherphoff, and flags were erected on both sides of the Great Don River. The eternal bell of Novgorod is ringing. " Xuanzhaoguan traveled all over the city and countryside, and read aloud the imperial edict of Dagong Dimitri Ivanovich on fighting against the Golden Account khanate in the square next to the church.
Although the Russian soldiers and civilians were emotional, the supreme commander, Archduke Dimitri, did not make a move. He first sent several outposts to collect information about the enemy. He sent scouts led by loyal Qin Bing Rodion Zhevsky, Andrei WoRocharte and Vasily Tupik to the south of the grassland to scout the Golden Horde. However, all these people were captured, and no one defected or survived. Then, the second batch of scouts headed by Climent Polyanin, Gregory Sudako and Ivan Sviatoslav set out. They captured the "tongue" of the Mongolian army, from which they learned that Ma Mei Khan would attack the Moscow Principality before autumn came. He had to wait for the autumn to join the Lithuanian army, because he didn't dare to attack Moscow without the help of Lithuanians.
The reconnaissance team successfully completed the task, and Grand Duke Dimitri gave them a generous reward. Now the problem is clear. The plans of the Mongolian army and Ma Mei Khan are forbidden, and measures must be taken and military action plans must be made. In Moscow, the meeting of princes and generals made a decision: the army of Lithuanian Prince Jaglo and Mamehan were both woven. We must take the Lithuanian army and Mongolian army by surprise and attack them by surprise. So as to take the initiative in their own hands and avoid huge losses caused by Russia's large-scale military operations. In order to realize this plan, we must immediately send troops to meet the Mongolian army.
Archduke Dimitri reviewed the Russian army in Colomna camp, and 654.38+0.5 million people were ready to fight. When Ma Mei Khan heard the action of the Grand Duke of Moscow, he quickly sent an envoy to Kolomna to meet with the Grand Duke of Dimitri, and proposed a peace condition: as long as the Principality of Moscow pays tribute to the Golden Horde again, the previous unhappiness between the two sides can be written off, otherwise the Mongolian army will flatten Moscow. Archduke Dimitri resolutely rejected Mamehan's suggestion and expelled the envoys of the Golden Account Khanate.
The last meeting
Before leaving, Archduke Dimitri held another final meeting. Dagong Dimitri appointed Timofei vasilyevich Villien Minov, Nikolai vasilyevich Villien Minov, Timofei Valuyevich, Ivan Rodionovich and Andrei Kyrnizov as generals of ministries and commanded them. 1380 On August 26th, Archduke Dimitri led Russian troops to set out for the Oka River. Archduke Dimitri sent outpost troops in front of the army to be responsible for reconnaissance and vigilance, and also sent 10 Suluoqi businessmen who often traveled in large areas as guides. Near the confluence of the Luo Pasner River and the Oka River, the army stopped for a day. General Velyaminov led the infantry here to meet the troops sent in advance. A day later, Qin Bing cavalry crossed the Oka River and sent Xie Miao Merrick to lead the reconnaissance team. Velyaminov's infantry stayed for a while to protect the troops crossing the river and wait for the laggards. Two Lithuanian prince troops joined the Grand Duke of Moscow and soon joined forces with the Grand Duke of Dimitri.
When Mamehan heard that the Russian army was out, he rushed to the Don River.
On September 7th, Ross's army (10-15,000) entered the confluence of the Nepriyadwa River and the Don River. A military meeting was held on the same day. Dimitri discussed whether to cross the river at the meeting. Some generals think: "It is difficult to cross the river, so we should leave a back road for ourselves." Experienced and brave generals demanded: "If you want to fight hard, cross the river today, so that no one will have the idea of turning back." Only by executing it can you be reborn. Let everyone fight without glib words, and no one will be spared, because death is waiting for us at any time. As for the strength of the Mongols, we should take a look. "Dimitri calmly analyzed the strength and danger of both sides. He raised his hand to signal people to keep quiet. He said: "We didn't come to see Oleg and Ajello or the Don River, but to save Russian territory from slavery and complete destruction and give our lives for Russia. I think a glorious sacrifice is a thousand times better than a shameful life. My army has never been in the habit of surrendering and retreating. We have no intention of going back after going out. If you do nothing after coming out, you might as well not come at all. "So he decided to cross the Don River and fight the Mongolian army in Kurikovo.
So according to Dmitry Ivanovich's proposal, the meeting decided to cross the Don River and March on vilen in Kulikovo. Ross's army crossed the Don River, making it impossible for Lithuanian troops who had arrived in Odayev City to attack, creating operational conditions favorable to Ross's army and unfavorable to Mongolian troops: Kulikovo vilen has a large capacity, but there are dense jungles along the river around vilen, which limits the circuitous maneuver of Mongolian cavalry. Kulikovo Yuan Ye, located on the left bank of the Don River, is a swamp, and there are hundreds of miles of jungles and gullies in Fiona Fang. The Nepriyadwa, Smolka, Kurcha and Xiadubiak rivers that flow into the Don River pass through Kulikovo. This narrow and special terrain is related to the difficulty for Mongolian troops to use a large number of cavalry to flank from both sides, forcing them to use unaccustomed frontal attacks, thus providing great convenience for small Russian troops to carry out ambush tactics.
On the night of September 7, the wind was tight and the moon was dark, and the Russian army was preparing to cross the Don River in darkness and fog. At the beginning of crossing the river, Xie Miao merrick came to report that the outpost had met Mongolian cavalry. Mamehan tried his best to stop Russian troops from crossing the river and sent a large number of troops to approach the Don River. But it's too late. Most of Mongolia's troops are stationed seven or eight miles from the Don River. Russian troops have used the large-scale mobilization of Mongolian troops to forcibly cross the Don River.
On the morning of September 8, the Ross army, which had crossed the Don River, dispersed into a battle formation in Kulikovoyuan, under the cover of the guard regiment, and now the Ma Maijun is close to here. According to the enemy's tactics (fighting in encirclement) and terrain characteristics, Dmitry Ivanovich arranged the army into a deep battle formation: a large corps in the middle (under the personal command of the Grand Duke), left and right wing regiments on the two wings, and the two wings were dangerously guarded on the terrain that Mongolian cavalry could not pass. The main force was equipped with a warning team and an advance team before. The task of the Guard Corps is to engage Mongolia first and launch a campaign. The task of the advance team is to resist the first assault of Mongolian cavalry and disrupt its combat formation. The above two regiments should weaken Mongolia's ability to carry out surprise attacks on the main force. After the big regiment is the local reserve (cavalry). In addition, elite cavalry were deployed to temporarily form a powerful ambush regiment, led by experienced military leaders General Dmitry Brock-Wolinski and General Vladimir and andreyevich, Duke of Sherpukhov. As the general reserve, the regiment was secretly deployed in the jungle behind the main left wing. On the whole, the battle formation of Ross's army can ensure that the army has enough stability to resist frontal and flank assaults, and constantly enhance the depth assault force, which is convenient for all elements of the battle formation to maintain coordinated operations.
The entire Russian front does not exceed 5 Russian miles. This arrangement of Russian troops made it impossible for Mongolian cavalry not only to outflank from both sides, but also to advance and detour after the war broke out. In addition, the "Western Regiment", as the general reserve, blocked the crossing of the Don River and cut off the last retreat of the Mongolian army.
Mamai's army is divided into: advance detachment (light cavalry), Zhong Jun (Genoa hired infantry), powerful left and right border guards (composed of heavy cavalry, dispersed into two rows, each row has its own advance detachment) and reserve. Mamai tried to surround Ross's army with cavalry, and then carried out surprise attacks from the front and rear to annihilate it.
Attribution of victory
Around noon 12, the vanguard of the Mongolian army appeared on the Don River, and the battle began. On both sides of the endless Mongolian army marched Ma Maihan's "Wang Kajun" and cavalry with Mongolian machetes and bows and arrows on their shoulders. Mongolians wear dark clothes, Gezhi helmets and mill scale armor. They are fierce cavalry, can accurately use bows and arrows on galloping horses, and are the most dangerous enemies. They are well-trained and can quickly change the centralized queue in battle, which is divided into striker, main force and flank. Among them are a large number of infantry, including many Genoese mercenaries from Kafa. Seen from a distance, the spears of the Mongolian army are linked together. The heavy footsteps of soldiers, the rumbling of wheels and the pounding of hooves converge into an ominous and powerful noise, which drives the Russian army to be restless from far and near. The Mongols stopped at a stone's throw from the Russian army.
Traditionally, the warriors of both sides went to war first, and Pelles Witt of Novgorod and Timur, a warrior led by the Mongolian army, fought a one-on-one duel, and both of them mutually assured destruction. Then, there were horns, shouts and hooves on the ground, and then there was the crisp crash of knives and guns. Fiona Fang has become a battlefield for miles in Fiona Fang.
Ma Maihan commanded Mongolian cavalry to attack the Russian vanguard. Because Mongolian cavalry has great advantages in number and equipment, almost all the soldiers of the "vanguard" died in battle. Then, Mongolian cavalry began to attack the "big team" commanded by Archduke Dimitri himself, and the cavalry rushed into the Russian army's array, and earth-shattering hand-to-hand combat began. In the narrow space, Mongolian cavalry and Russian soldiers crowded together, many Russians were trampled to death by horses, and those who were killed could not even fall down. Splashed blood blocked the eyes of soldiers on both sides, and the smell of blood made it difficult to breathe. Ross's regiment suffered heavy losses: Mikhail Brenock, an aristocrat wearing Dagong's armor and carrying Dagong's banner, was killed in the regiment, and Dagong Dmitry himself was injured in the regiment. The Mongolian army broke through the middle of the "big team" and came to Dagong Banner, tearing up the Russian flag, and the Russian general Blencke who kept the flag died heroically. However, under the command of Timofei Velyaminov and gleb Bryansk, individual warriors of Vladimir, suzdal and Bryansk went into battle, forcing the Mongolian army to retreat and save the situation. Finally, the "big team" resisted the Mongolian attack. Ross infantry, on the other hand, is not dominant in quality, but at a disadvantage in quantity, and can only retreat blindly.
When Mamai turned the main assault to the left, the Mongolian cavalry turned to the left like a wave, forcing the Russian regiment to retreat, and the position of Belo augeraud princes pursuing the "left-wing team" was broken, and the "left-wing team" began to retreat to the Nepriyadwa River. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the Mongols broke through the defense of the Russian army and rushed behind the "big team", which means that Mongolia has broken through the left wing of the Russian army and inserted into the rear of the main force. The "right-wing team" commanded by mikula vasilyevich, Wang aldo and Ivanovich was afraid of being surrounded by Mongolian cavalry, and its action was slow, which isolated the "big team". Finally, the "big team" was forced to retreat. Mongolian cavalry marched straight in. The soldiers of the ambush regiment who had been in ambush for a long time saw the situation and were ready to attack, but the experienced general Dmitry Boblock-Warren Nitz stopped the restless soldiers and said, Not yet.
At the critical moment of the battle, the ambush regiment carried out a surprise attack on the flank of the invading Mongolian cavalry. The ambush regiment suddenly attacked with the support of other regiments, which decided the victory or defeat of Ross's army. The "brigade" turned to counterattack. Mongolian troops suffered heavy casualties and could not attack again. In addition, it lost, which led to the collapse of the whole line. Ross's army occupied Khan's base camp and pursued it for nearly 50 kilometers (to the Krashwayamecha River), destroying Mamai's remaining troops along the way. Both sides suffered heavy losses (about 200,000 casualties). Among them, 60,000 people died in Russia and 70,000 people died in the Golden Horde.
The Armageddon in Curikovo is over.