Bao Hu·--Kutuzov

Author: Wen Zhiyu (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1998-10-01
Features: We are delighted to recommend the "Giant Biographies Series" to young friends. At the turn of the century, having such a fine series accompany you is a joy in wisdom. We believe that from the footsteps of these giants and masters, you can learn how to properly handle success and failure, comfort and hardship, joy and pain, smoothness and trials, and understand how to face life, how to learn to be a person, how to pursue knowledge, how to shape oneself, and how to shape the future.
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Giants are the elite of humanity. They have made outstanding contributions to the progress and civilization of human society. Their spirit of struggle and extraordinary achievements are deeply admired by people, becoming models for others to learn from. Giants are human, not gods; they come from ordinary people but are above ordinary people. Their lofty ideals and the belief that they wish to benefit their country and humanity are the driving forces behind their relentless efforts and fearlessness of difficulties.
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Kutuzov (September 16, 1745 – April 28, 1813) was a Russian field marshal and famous general and military theorist. Born into a military family, he graduated from the Artillery Engineering School in 1759 and remained there to teach. In 1761, he was promoted to a staff officer and became a company commander. The following year, he participated in the campaign against Poland. From 1768 to 1774 and from 1787 to 1791, during the Russo-Turkish Wars, he served under Rumyantsev and Suvorov, demonstrating bravery and skill in command. In 1774, he was wounded in battle and lost his right eye, earning the nickname "One-Eyed General." During his time abroad for treatment, he studied the military systems of Prussia, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and other countries. In 1782, he was promoted to major general, and in 1784, to lieutenant general. From 1792, he successively served as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, principal of the Imperial Military School, commander of the Russian army in Finland, governor of Lithuania, and governor of St. Petersburg. In 1805, after Russia, Austria, and Great Britain formed the Third Coalition against Napoleon I, he led the main Russian force to Austria to confront the French army led by Napoleon. Recognizing the defeat of the Austrian army at Ulm, he commanded the Russian army to retreat over 400 kilometers, preserving its strength. In the Battle of Austerlitz, the Russian army suffered a heavy defeat due to the intervention of Tsar Alexander I. From 1806 to 1812, during the Russo-Turkish War, he was appointed commander of the Russian army in Moldavia in 1811 and adopted a strategy of strategic withdrawal and opportunistic counterattacks. In August of the same year, he defeated the main Turkish force with a smaller army in the Battle of Rущук, forcing Turkey to sign a peace treaty. In the 1812 French-Russian War, he was appointed commander-in-chief after the Russian army suffered setbacks. Facing the superior French army, he implemented a strategic retreat and scorched-earth tactics. After inflicting heavy damage on the French army in the Battle of Borodino, he continued to retreat until abandoning Moscow. With the support of the people, he conducted guerrilla warfare and organized reserves, eventually forming a advantage before launching a strategic counteroffensive. He commanded the Russian army to attack the French from the north, east, and south, defeating them near Borisov on the Beresina River. In April 1813, while leading his troops toward the French homeland, he died in the small town of Bunzlau in Silesia (now Boles?awiec, Poland).
Eighty years after Kutuzov's death, different eras have had varying opinions about him, and there has been much debate about his military genius and achievements. Today, after clearing away the dust of history, Kutuzov has restored his true image, and his outstanding contributions have been recognized by the people. Now, it is widely acknowledged that he was a genius as a commander and a military theorist, a defender of Russian national independence, and a great patriot.