Who led the Russian forces at the Battle of Shipka Pass?
Iosif Gurko led a detachment of 11,000 men to capture the vital Balkan Mountain passes. General Fyodor Radetzky commanded the defenses during later stages of the fighting.
Questions about Battle of Shipka Pass
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the first assault on Shipka Pass occur in July 1877?
The first assault occurred on the 17th of July when Mirsky attacked with 2,000 men from the 36th Orlovsky Infantry Regiment plus Cossacks and artillery. The Ottoman garrison repulsed this very first assault before Gurko arrived the next day.
How many Ottoman troops did Süleyman Hüsnü Pasha bring to retake the pass in August 1877?
Süleyman Hüsnü Pasha brought about 30,000 Ottomans determined to retake the pass instead of simply bypassing it. Some 15 battalions under Reouf Pasha joined his force after he transported them by sea and rail.
What was the outcome of the Fourth Battle of Shipka Pass on the 5th of January 9 1878?
The Fourth Battle of Shipka Pass resulted in a crushing Ottoman defeat and served as the final battle for Shipka Pass. This victory ensured the fall of the Pleven fortress on the 10th of December 1877 and set the stage for the invasion of Thrace.
Where is the Shipka Pass located today and what monument exists there?
Today the Shipka Pass is in the Bulgarka Nature Park and is home to a monument commemorating the warriors who died in the battle. The pass itself crosses the main ridge of the Balkan Mountains near the village of Shipka.