Mikhail Dragomirov Military writer, adjutant general, professor of tactics and military history Date of Birth: 20.11.1830 Country: Ukraine

1. Biography of Mikhail Dragomirov
2. Early Life and Education
3. Impact of the Crimean War
4. Contributions to Military Science
5. Commander and Military Reformer
6. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of Mikhail Dragomirov

Mikhail Ivanovich Dragomirov, born in 1830 in the Chernigov Province, was a military writer, Lieutenant General, and professor of tactics and military history. He dedicated significant attention to instilling respect for laws and conscious discipline among his subordinates, and in education, he emphasized exercises, training, and maneuvers. He achieved noticeable results, as the 14th Division stood out for its reliable combat training, and its personnel firmly grasped the fundamentals of the new tactics of rifle units. The officers and soldiers were lively and energetic.

Dragomirov was one of the prominent participants in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, but his main contributions to Russian military history were related to his active military-scientific and military-educational activities during the reforms of Alexander II and War Minister D. Milyutin. His statement in 1874, "The army is not just armed force, but also a school for educating the people and preparing them for social life," forever changed the perception of the army as a social organism. His opinion on the role of moral factors in the armed forces also became widely accepted: "In military matters, the person with their moral energy comes first."

Early Life and Education

Mikhail Dragomirov was born in a noble family near the city of Konotop in the Chernigov Province. His father, a devout man, built a church in Konotop, where Dragomirov as a boy would read the psalms. He received his initial education at the Konotop City School and then entered the St. Petersburg Noble Regiment. After excelling in the course of a cadet sergeant major, he was sent to serve as a ensign in the famous Semenovsky Regiment. In 1854, he fulfilled his dream by becoming a student of the General Staff Academy. He studied diligently and graduated two years later with a gold medal, earning his name on the marble board of the best graduates. After completing the academy, he was appointed to the General Staff and soon became a staff captain.

Impact of the Crimean War

The defeat of Russia in the Crimean War from 1853 to 1856 had a strong impact on Dragomirov. Studying the defense of Sevastopol, where the heroism and resilience of Russian soldiers and officers were particularly evident, he began to contemplate the importance of moral factors in war for the first time. In 1856, he wrote his first work, "On Landings in Ancient and Modern Times," which remained the most comprehensive and in-depth study of amphibious operations in the Russian army for a long time. In 1858, the Ministry of War sent Dragomirov abroad to study the organization of military affairs. He participated as an observer in the Austro-Italian-French war with the staff of the Sardinian army. Upon returning to Russia, he presented his report "Essays on the Austro-Italian-French War of 1859," which paid special attention to the analysis of the moral qualities of armies and military leaders. In 1860, Dragomirov, an officer inclined towards military theory, was appointed adjunct professor of tactics at the General Staff Academy, while retaining his position in the General Staff. In the same year, he was promoted to captain. From 1861 to 1863, Dragomirov taught tactics to the heir to the throne, the future Alexander III. However, his talents as a military scientist fully blossomed during the reign of Alexander II. The abolition of serfdom in 1861 became a powerful impetus for transformations in military affairs, and Dragomirov became the outstanding advocate of the new, humanistic ideas that were penetrating the Russian army.

Contributions to Military Science

Starting from 1861, Dragomirov became actively involved in Russian military journals such as "Engineering Journal," "Weapons Collection," and "Artillery Journal." He studied the significance of the moral forces of the Russian army in the new conditions and revived the principles of Suvorov's "Science of Victory." He also gave lectures at the academy, drawing the attention of the officer corps to the system of training and education of the great Russian commander, known as the "father of soldiers." Recognizing that the introduction of rifled firearms had led to a shift in military thinking, Dragomirov argued that "the bullet and the bayonet do not exclude each other" and that "bayonet training" retained its value in soldier training. He opposed the excessive focus on parades and inspections, as well as the purely verbal method of military education, giving unconditional preference to practical exercises. In 1864, Mikhail Ivanovich was promoted to colonel and appointed as the chief of staff of the 2nd Guard Cavalry Division. Shortly afterward, the Ministry of War sent him abroad again, and in 1866, he returned with a report on the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. He summarized his thoughts on the combat training of troops in his "Notes on Tactics," a textbook for military schools, as well as in several journal articles. From 1866 to 1869, he served as a professor of tactics at the General Staff Academy and was promoted to major general in 1868. He engaged in a dispute with writer Leo Tolstoy, writing a critique of his novel "War and Peace" from a military perspective and pointing out numerous inconsistencies in the portrayal of armed conflict. Dragomirov concluded that military specialists would find nothing in the novel "except that military art does not exist, that supplying provisions in a timely manner and commanding soldiers to go this way or that way are not clever tasks, and that one can be a commander-in-chief without knowing anything or having learned anything."

Commander and Military Reformer

In 1869, Dragomirov was appointed as the chief of staff of the Kiev Military District, and in 1873, he became the commander of the 14th Infantry Division. In these positions, he had the opportunity to put his theoretical views into practice. Organizing the combat training of troops, he persistently implemented the principle of "teaching soldiers and officers what is necessary in war." In the "Memorial Booklet of the 14th Infantry Division," Mikhail Ivanovich presented the following requirements for soldiers: 1) loyalty to the Sovereign and the homeland to the point of self-sacrifice; 2) discipline; 3) faith in the commander and unconditional obedience to their orders; 4) bravery and determination; 5) readiness to endure all the hardships of a soldier without complaint; 6) a sense of mutual assistance. Officers were expected to: 1) selflessly perform their duty; 2) serve the cause, not individuals, and pursue the common good, not personal gain; 3) possess knowledge of the theory and practice of military affairs. Dragomirov devoted great attention to instilling respect for laws and conscious discipline among his subordinates, and in education, he emphasized exercises, training, and maneuvers. He achieved noticeable results, as the 14th Division stood out for its reliable combat training, and its officers and soldiers were lively and energetic.

The practical test of the training and education system advocated by Dragomirov came during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. On April 14, 1877, with his division as part of the 4th Corps, he embarked on a campaign from Kishinev to the Danube through Romania. The crossing of the main Russian army across the Danube was planned near the city of Zimnicea, and Dragomirov played a significant role in organizing the crossing, which was defended by large Turkish forces. The 14th Division was tasked with being the first to cross the Danube, and Dragomirov had the main responsibilities for reconnaissance, preparing crossing means, and developing the plan of action. The division's commander demanded that officers communicate the task to each subordinate, and in his order on June 4, he stated, "The last soldier must know where he is going and why... We have no flanks or rear; the front is always wherever the enemy is." From Zimnicea, Dragomirov wrote, "I am writing on the eve of a great day for me, where it will be revealed whether my system of soldier training and education stands and how we both fare, i.e., me and my system, at something."

The crossing of Dragomirov's division across the Danube began around 2 a.m. on June 15 and lasted under enemy fire until 2 p.m. By that time, the Turkish forces had been pushed back from the riverbank, and the city of Svishtov had been captured, which ensured the crossing of the main forces - four corps. For his brilliant actions, Alexander II awarded Dragomirov the Order of St. George, 3rd Class.

In late June, the 14th Division, as part of General Lieutenant I. Gurko's Advanced Detachment, moved toward the Balkans, participating in the capture of the city of Tirnova and then in the seizure of mountain passes. During the counteroffensive of superior enemy forces in the Balkans, a heroic defense of the Shipka Pass began, and in a critical moment, Dragomirov led reserves to assist the Russian-Bulgarian detachment under N. Stoletov, defending the pass. On August 12, Dragomirov was wounded in the right knee at Shipka and was disabled.

The wounded commander was sent to Kishinev, where the amputation of his leg was imminent, but it was narrowly avoided through great effort. General M. Skobelev wrote to him, "Get well, return to the army that believes in you, and to the circle of your combat comrades." However, the condition of his wound prevented him from doing so. Forced to leave the army, Dragomirov went to St. Petersburg. The consolation came in the form of promotion to the rank of Lieutenant General. After recovering, Mikhail Ivanovich was appointed as the chief of the General Staff Academy, simultaneously promoted to the rank of General-Adjutant. For eleven years, he led the leading military educational institution in Russia, preparing highly qualified military personnel. Under his leadership, the academy became a major center of Russian military science. In 1879, Dragomirov published his main work, the "Tactics Textbook," which served as the primary manual for teaching the art of tactics to officers for over twenty years.

In the 1880s, Mikhail Ivanovich traveled to France twice to study the latest military technology. While recognizing the utility of these innovations in the armed forces, he continued to believe that the most important factor was not the weapon itself, but how well the soldier wielded it and their determination to win.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1889, Dragomirov, an eminent military specialist, was appointed as the commander of the Kiev Military District and two years later was promoted to General of the Infantry. In this position, he meticulously transmitted his experience to subordinate commanders. Resolutely fighting against drill and formalism, he tirelessly instilled in officers the understanding that a soldier is a person with reason, will, and emotions, and that it is necessary to develop their natural talents and human qualities in every way. The commander published "Guidance for Preparing Units for Battle" (this work went through several editions) and the "Soldier's Handbook" (published 26 times). In 1900, the general and scholar developed the Field Regulations, which the Russian army began using in the war against Japan in 1904.

In 1898, while still serving as the district commander, Dragomirov was simultaneously appointed as the governor-general of Kiev, Podolia, and Volhynia, broadening the scope of his responsibilities. In 1901, Nicholas II awarded him the highest Russian order, the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. At the age of 73, Mikhail Ivanovich retired and became a member of the State Council. Until the last days of his life, he continued his work as a publicist.

Recognized for his contributions to military science, Dragomirov was elected an honorary member of Moscow and Kiev universities, an honorary vice-president of the conference (council) of the General Staff Academy, and an honorary member of the Mikhailovsky Artillery Academy, as well as several foreign academies and societies. By reviving and developing the Suvorov training and education system in new conditions, he exerted a significant influence on the army.