Battle of Geok Tepe (1879)

This article is about the 1879 attack. For the 1880 Russian capture of the city, see Battle of Geok Tepe.
Battle of Geok Tepe (1879)
Part of Russian conquest of central Asia

Battle of Geok Tepe 1879
DateSeptember 1879
LocationTurkmenistan
Result Turkmen victory
Belligerents
Akhal Teke Turkmens Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Nikolai Pavlovich Lomakin
Strength
nearly all population of the tribe sheltered in the fortress about 20,000 people[1] 3,500 soldiers[1]
Casualties and losses

more than 2,000 killed [1]

more than 2,000 wounded[1]

nearly 200 killed [1]

more than 250 wounded[1]

The Battle of Geok Tepe (1879) occurred in 1879 during the Russian conquest of Central Asia.[2] In the 19th century the Russians tried to capture the area of the Turkmens. A Russian army under command of general Lomakin besieged the Turkmen fortress of Geok Tepe. The Akhal Teke Turkmens managed to repel the Russian assault causing the Russians to retreat, but the Russian returned two years later, captured Geok Tepe and massacred most of the Turkmen population.

The expedition

The Russians had launched attacks against the Turkmen between 1871 and 1878, but were unable to exert lasting control.[3] In 1879, a new expedition of 3,500 men under General I. D. Lazarev marched towards Geok Tepe, bypassing Kyzyl-Arvat on the way. On 14 August, Lazarev contracted an infection and died, leaving General Lomakin in command.[1]

The battle

The Russians reached Geok Tepe on 9 September 1879, to find that the inhabitants, around 20,000 in all, had taken refuge in the fortress. Lomakin's forces took the outer defenses, and began pouring cannon and rocket fire into the fortress. Civilians fled from the fort, hoping to escape, but Lomakin ordered them driven back with artillery fire. Lomakin then ordered a frontal assault on the fort, and the Turkmens sortied to meet them. In the close-quarters fighting, the Turkmens' superior numbers prevailed, repelling the Russian attack. The Turkmens followed this with a counterattack, which was beaten off with difficulty by the Russian artillery. The Russians then retreated.[1]

Aftermath

Russian troops retreat through the desert

The Russians suffered nearly 200 killed and 250 wounded in the battle, while about 2,000 Turkmens were killed and a further 2,000 wounded.[1]

After returning to Russian territory, Lomakin was relieved of his command.[1]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pierce, Richard A (1960). Russian Central Asia, 1867-1917: A Study in Colonial Rule. University of California Press. pp. 38–40. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  2. ↑ Dictionary of Battles and Sieges:, Tony Jaques, 2007, page 389
  3. ↑ Mikaberidze, Alexander (2011). Conflict and conquest in the Islamic world : a historical encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO. p. 54. ISBN 978-1-59884-336-1. Retrieved 18 October 2015.

Sources

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