Defense of Danzig 1813

Situation Before Hostilities

by A. Ricciardiello, Poland

The city was earmarked as an important centre of supply, a bastion of support in defence and a springboard to launch attacks in northern Europe as early as 1807, the first French occupation.

Rapp: Governor of Danzig 1813.

To make it into a first class fortress, numerous advance works, redoubts, fortresses with interconnecting trenches, wide floodable gullies were all being built to add to its impressive walls. Unfortunately most of this work had not been completed, and much that had by 1813, were botched jobs. Many of the gullies wouldn't flood for example.

As a supply centre there was not enough space for all the people or suitable buildings for all it was supposed to hold, not even for ammunition. In addition, after the 1812 campaign many fugitives and sick had wandered in, providing an additional burden on the commander. But despite all, it was still a good and worthwhile place to defend

The commander was General of division Comte Jean Rapp, who was verbally given the task by Napoleon, late in 1812. He estimated that with the defence extensions, he would need 30,000 men. At the beginning he had less than 4000. Napoleon wrote to Rapp on the 4th January:

Danzig is to be provisioned and armed in such a way so as to be able to remain isolated and surrounded for 6 months independent of the Grande Armee I am uniting 4 corps totalling 300,000 men and will personally come and liberate you.

The last line meaning, if the need be, should the army move and leave you uncovered, as was written a day later in another letter to Rapp from the Emperor.

Plans had been made to organise the place, but, as can be seen from the letter below not surprisingly after Russia, some confusion reigned.

General Rapp to the Prince of Neuchatel. Danzig 26th. Dec. 1812

I have the honour of asking Your Most Serene Highness that after my return here if it would be provident to refurnish the fortress with munitions, artillery, and sustenance. Now I feel I must refer to Your Highness that none of the heads of service received orders, and I found things, such as they are, more or less a they were on my [initial] arrival. My first concern was to inform myself of the resources that the fort could offer to the army, and I have the satisfaction in letting YM.S.H know that it can provide 100 pieces for campaign of which they lack nothing save a few limbers, which can easily be constructed with the materials to hand, or bought, if Y.H. would like to open up credit for the General of artillery.

Y.H. will find attached copies of letters that General Lepin has referred me to, of which verify credit of 800,000 Fr. gained in 1812 for the artillery this arm has received 600,000 Fr. If the remaining 200,000 Fr. were to be immediately put at the disposition of General Lepin. This would provide such a sum that no doubt is insufficient but would re-establish the credit for the artillery.

Furthermore, I believe I should remind YK that the quantity of powder is absolutely insufficient and the same applies to the number of pieces.

I have had the honour to write to the Secretary of State to request the complete supply of meat. The services with regard to meat supply are on the account of the Frenc Senate, but they have declared that they no longer can sustain this expense. I have secure this service up until the 1st January and this, why I beg YS.H to provide for us after this date.

The storehouses of forage contain almost nothing. We are reduced to 80 quintals of straw and about 1,500 quintals of hay. Only oats at in sufficient quantity. All the above have bee requisitioned from the surroundings but have only managed to obtain the odd wageon load from the inhabitants.

In the same letter Rapp turns his attention to a more serious problem.

The obstacles I will encounter in getting money from the Senate of Danzig will be more than insurmountable especially as the best families are leaving for fear of requisitions. I have not managed to persuade the heads of these families to stay and it is with displeasure that I see them distancing themselves, for it was precisely these families that I was most content and who in general demonstrated the most perseverance and good faith.

I am with profound respect my Prince

your Most Serene Highness your humble and most obedient servant General of Division Governor of Danzig, Rapp

In fact under Rapp's Command materials steadily started to move into the fortress, but men did not. On learning of Yorck's defection he wrote on 4th January to Berthier saying he hardly had any men to observe let alone garrison and such low numbers forced his men to have virtually no rest. He goes on: "in the current circumstances without overly fatiguing the troops. 15,000 men are necessary and I do not have 3,000, [this was with the arrival on 1st Jan. of 9 officers and 550 men of 1st battalion Spanish pioneers, all without muskets] having detached 4 companies as a prisoner escort and with a presence at Dirscau. I do not have the need to remark to Y.S.H. on the importance of this citadel."

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