Defense of Danzig 1813

Hostilities: 29th August

by A. Ricciardiello, Poland

On 28th August, a Russian cannonade informed Danzig of the termination of the armistice. In the direction of Ohra all the advance posts came under attack, but were always pushed back. This was the warming up session, because next day at first light two allied columns marched towards Lang Fuhr; one to Stries, the other to the Hedigenbrun heights.

The French withdrew to the two blockhouses at Lang Fuhr where the fire from grenadiers of the 11th Polish held them off, then a bayonet charge pushed them back. The Russians however brought up two guns and stopped the counter. Prince Radziwill advanced his reserve to the area, but by this time the allied position was too strong and they retired to their original positions.

On the Grande Belvedere hill the French only maintained posts there during the day. At 7am the Russians advanced and occupied it. Rapp arrived and ordered Szembek of the llth Polish to take it, which he did.

The Russians were at this point gathering themselves for a serious attempt on Lang Fuhr. Placed between Pitzkendorf and Brentau they had 15 guns and a mass of men. Rapp on seeing the enemy moves decided to anticipate the attack with his main force. He chose to attack from the Pitzkendorf side in the centre of the Russian position on that plateau and around the Konigstahl valley.

Prior to the main attack Colonel Kaminski of the 10th Polish with the 11th were engaging the Russians in the defile of the Jeschkenthal valley and before the Petit Belvedere. There was an exchange of fire till about 11 am when it started to die down. It was here that Rapp ordered the Poles to attack only, when specifically told to. The rest of the 7th Division under Grandejean was placed in ravines about Zickanenberg with cavalry. Their left was supported by the 34th Division, their right by the 33rd who also observed Lang Fuhr. The 30th Division was at Schidlitz and Stoltzenberg, forming the reserve.

24 guns were placed in the centre of the French position, with two six gun batteries on the Zickanenberg plateau which fired at the redoubts and infantry, on the Pitzkendorf. This served to cover the French moves to their attack positions. Russian replies proved ineffective.

A battalion of the 11th Polish went to Diwelkau and chased off the Russians who managed to torch it first. This obliged the Russians to leave an entrenchment. ne 10th supported by the 13th Bavarians and Ist Westphalians moved forward left of the French artillery. ne cavalry in the first line under Farine, comprised of 250 hussars, lancers and Chasseurs that moved parallel to the infantry in support, for their assault on the Russian redoubts: Nos. 9, 10, 11 and 12 before Pitzkendorf.

At this stage they were only occupied by infantry the artillery had been withdrawn. The Russians were indecisive. Seeing the hesitation the French attacked all 4 redoubts and caught the enemy leaving through the back, capturing the redoubt's commander to boot. A Cossack counter was launched but General Cavignac led the cavalry reserve forward and pushed back the Cossacks to the ravine by Pitzkendorf.

Whist this was going on a Polish battalion, the 5th, 6th, (plus 7th Neapolitans and a platoon of Velites as reserve) under D'Estrees and Pepe were to attack towards Belvedere and Pitzkendorf. Marching en echelon to the right, Poles leading to Belvedere, the Italians broke off to Pitzkendorf and attacked forcing out Russians from entrenchments and taking a redoubt with such speed that the surprised Russians left their camp kettle on their fire.

An artillery battle ensued with the allies staying in the position of the Konigsthal valley and Johannisberg. Rapp moved 4 guns from the main battery to the crest of a hill which runs along the Konigstahl valley to Lang Fuhr. The first few rounds made the allies withdraw to a crest of a hill, which was occupied by large numbers of their cavalry with 5 guns. The 11th Polish and 2 dragoon platoons attacked.

This constituted the last offensive action. The troops were fatigued, fighting from first light to 6pm often in the rain that was quite heavy that day. Rapp pulled his men back to the original posts satisfied with their conduct.

Losses are not reported in my sources suffice to say they were substantially greater for the allies who suffered from the much superior French artillery who often managed to take their targets in the flank. In the Jeschekenthal valley they lost 300 - 400 alone at the hands of the 11th Polish and the attack at the redoubts caught the allies effectively in their rear.

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