How a numerically inferior force crushed an Ottoman army four times its size
In 1789, Russian general Alexander Suvorov and Austrian Prince Josias of Coburg faced a massive Ottoman force near the Rymnik River. Despite being outnumbered nearly four to one, Suvorov insisted on an immediate offensive, executing a complex, stealthy maneuver that shattered the enemy and secured a legendary military victory.
The Battle of Rymnik, fought on September 22, 1789, remains a masterclass in tactical maneuvering on rugged terrain. Ottoman Grand Vizier Cenaze Hasan Pasha, commanding an army of up to 100,000 men, sought to crush the combined Austro-Russian forces. Suvorov, however, rejected the defensive plans proposed by Coburg, opting instead to strike the enemy piecemeal before they could consolidate their strength.
The operation began with a silent night march across the Rymna River. Suvorov’s troops, organized into infantry squares with cavalry in reserve, executed a flanking maneuver while the Austrians held the center. The fighting was brutal; at one point, Russian squares were nearly breached by 12,000 attacking troops, and the Austrians faced encirclement by 40,000 Ottoman cavalry. Suvorov’s timely intervention and the disciplined advance of the allied lines eventually broke the Ottoman spirit.
The defeat was absolute. While the allies suffered fewer than 1,000 casualties, the Ottomans lost approximately 20,000 men, along with their entire artillery and baggage train. The Grand Vizier, unable to rally his fleeing troops, eventually retreated toward Brailov. The victory earned Suvorov the title 'Count of Rymnik' from Catherine the Great, while the Pasha was dismissed from his post in December 1789.
This engagement highlights the effectiveness of Suvorov’s aggressive doctrine, which prioritized speed and decisive action over numerical parity. By forcing the Ottomans to fight in fragmented groups, the allies neutralized the enemy's superior numbers. The battle effectively cleared the Danubian Principalities of Ottoman forces, marking a pivotal moment in the Russo-Turkish and Austro-Turkish wars.
Source: Battle of Rymnik
