XII Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2020

The power and the glory of the Russian chieftain and generalissimo Alexander Suvorov dates back in the 19th century. His name is famous and well-known not only in Russia but also abroad. His victories made Russian adversaries tremble with fear and delighted friendly forces. Unfortunately the anti-Russian propaganda tries to defame the glorious name of Alexander Suvorov.

It’s not a secret that during his lifetime he has already faced the negative attitude to his activity. He was accused of fighting in spite of strategic and tactical rules. What is more, all his victories were announced as a fortune [1]. So we can find such words in the Francis George’s work about the tactical application of infantry, artillery and cavalry, published in New-York in 1865:

"The Russian Suwarrow's victories and reputation were won chiefly by his fierce bayonet attacks, which often effected great results, in spite of his ignorance of the art of war" [2].

Analyzing foreign writers’ information about Alexander Suvorov, researcher Rogulin says that French and German writers of the XIX century sometimes used imagined information about generalissimo's biography. But Fillip Longvort is said to be one of the foreign writers who tried to make a fair icon of Suvorov, though even he didn't mention such fundamental Suvorov's works as "Science to win" and "Regimental constitution".

At all times chieftain (leadership) work is believed to be one of the most difficult ones, as the main mission of a commander is to handle troops, a great number of people different in physical strength and strength of mind.

Nowadays combat actions differs completely from the XIX century in tempo (modern army has to be ready respond any conflict at any time), in armament, ammunition and equipment (the design of an aircraft widen the battlefield boundaries; the invention of nuclear and atomic weapons threatens the existence of mankind). Nevertheless the surprising fact is that the main principles of troops training created by Suvorov, are still important and actual. His most valuable opinion is that all that troops should know about war they must get during peaceful time. “Easy to learn - hard to fight, hard to learn - easy to fight”.

In the book “Science to win” there are 7 main principles of war created by Alexander Suvorov. But we will speak about three and the most known: visual estimation, speed and pressure.

1.Visual estimation. According to this principle the commander must estimate the situation appropriately, study the terrain, and enemy’s intentions in order to make a decision to fight. This principle believed to be the most important because commanders often didn’t have time to study the terrain in details. That’s why a theoretical preparation was of great importance, i.e. commanders had to know such information that should help them to make a decision on the battlefield immediately.

2. Speed. Suvorov said: “A minute decides the outcome of a battle, an hour - success of campaign, a day - a destiny of an empire”. To use this principle in wars commanders have to train all the time and think over all the details of march as well as combat.

3. Pressure. This principle tells us that it’s highly significant to think over al actions against the adversary. “The first is breaking trough, the second is defeating, the third is finishing…”. Using these words Suvorov explained the actions of rows during close fight. Another thing that is of great importance is persistent of troops. A commander must do everything to develop such a quality in his soldiers. [4]

In conclusion, it must be said that the use of our ancestors’ experience in modern life is extremely important, as we can take lots of valuable information about military life and martial art.

Literature list:

1. Ilyushchenko R. Evropa protiv Suvorova // Voenno-promyshlennyj kur'er // Obshcherossijskaya ezhenedel'naya gazeta. 2015. № 44 (610). s.12.

2. Harakternye upominaniya Suvorova inostrannymi avtorami voenno-istoricheskih sochinenij XVIII i XIX vekov [Elektronnyj resurs]. – Rezhim dostupa: http://history.scps.ru/lib/suvorov09.htm

3.Rogulin N.G. «Polkovoe uchrezhdenie» A. V. Suvorova kak istochnik po istorii boevogo obucheniya i vospitaniya v russkoj armii v 60-e gody XVIII veka. Dissertaciya kandidata istoricheskih nauk. Spb.,1999.

4. Suvorov A.V. Nauka pobezhdat'. M.: AST, 2017. 256 s.