History of creation Marine Corps

To ensure Russia's access to the shores of the Baltic in 1700-1703, first of all, it was necessary to oust the Swedes from Lakes Ladoga and Lake Peipsi. To implement such a bold plan, they decided to involve the Don Cossacks, who had experience in battles on rowing and sailing ships on rivers and the sea. However, the Cossacks in right time did not arrive, and all major military activities had to be carried out by Peter’s infantry regiments. The regiments of Tyrtov, Tybukhin, Ostrovsky coped with the task perfectly - after a series of brutal boarding battles, the Swedes were partially destroyed, and the rest were forced out of these waters. The path to the mouth of the Neva was clear...

These events showed that in Russia there was a need to create a new type of troops - naval soldiers.
On November 16 (11/27 - new style), 1705, Peter I issued a decree on the creation of a naval regiment, which marked the beginning of the organization of a regular marine corps Russian fleet. The first marine regiment formed in the Baltic Fleet consisted of two battalions of five companies each. The regiment consisted of 45 officers, 70 non-commissioned officers and 1,250 privates. The Marines were armed with guns with baguettes (a prototype of a bayonet) and edged weapons (cleavers, sabers). In the Northern War, the marines were widely used in naval battles and landings. In 1712, instead of a regiment, five battalions of 22 officers were formed, with up to 660 privates and non-commissioned officers in each. Three battalions were included in the naval squadrons, one in the galley squadron, and one carried out guard duty at the bases.

Since 1804, companies of naval regiments began to depart on ships from Kronstadt to the Mediterranean Sea to the location of D. N. Senyavin. By the end of 1806, D. N. Senyavin’s squadron included ten companies of naval regiments, and on November 10, 1806, they formed the 2nd Naval Regiment, whose chief was the commander of the 2nd Naval Regiment, Boisel. The two battalions of the 2nd Marine Regiment that remained in Kronstadt were attached, one to the 1st Marine Regiment, the other to the 3rd. 4th Naval Regiment during 1811-1813. stayed on the ships Black Sea Fleet and until March 1813 participated in all his military operations. For all types of allowances, the naval regiments were under the jurisdiction of the fleet.

Soon the 25th division was formed in Abo, which became part of the corps intended to assist the Swedes. Then the naval regiments went to St. Petersburg and allocated their second battalions to form new infantry regiments - the 9th, 10th, 11th and others.

In September 1812, the 1st Marine Regiment with the second detachment formed people's militia, left for Wittgenstein's army, and in 1813-1814. participated in its composition in the fighting on the Dvina near Danzig. The 2nd Naval Regiment was also in the active army, and the 3rd Naval Regiment during the Patriotic War of 1812 was part of the garrison of St. Petersburg.

In 1810 the Marine Corps was formed Guards crew, which had dual subordination to the fleet and the Guards Corps in St. Petersburg. This crew, together with the army, fought through the entire war of 1812-1814. And, ironically, the first Russian flag raised over Paris in 1814 was the naval flag - St. Andrew's.

In addition, the Black Sea Fleet was sent to the front in Chichagov’s army, and the 75th ship’s crew also reached Paris.

In subsequent decades, it should be noted the participation of sailors in Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878 The Marine Guards crew took part in it as part of the Danube Flotilla. And when the Russian army approached Constantinople, standing in Adrianople, as in Paris in 1814, the Russian naval St. Andrew's flag was the first to be raised over the city.

In the VII-X centuries. Russian princes repeatedly made sea voyages to the Black Sea on boats and landed troops on the coast of Byzantium. In these campaigns, the foundations of the combat use of the Marine Corps were born and detachments of warriors were formed, leading fighting on the border of sea and land.

The naval infantry received further development during numerous campaigns of the Zaporozhye and Don Cossacks in the 15th-17th centuries, in battles of small rowing ships with numerous and well-armed sailing ships of the Turks. Using the good camouflage and maneuverability of their ships, the Cossacks, in conditions of limited visibility, especially at dusk or at night, approached the Turkish ships and quickly attacked them from different sides, ending the boarding battle with hand-to-hand combat. Subsequently, this tactic was developed in the Northern War in the battles of the galley fleet, on the ships of which Peter’s marines operated.

In the second half of the 16th century. As part of the crews of the ships of the flotilla created by order of Ivan the Terrible, special teams of streltsy (naval soldiers) were formed, which became the prototype of the marines.

In 1669, the first Russian military sailing ship "Eagle" had a crew of 35 people. of naval soldiers (Nizhny Novgorod Streltsy) led by commander Ivan Domozhirov, intended for boarding operations and guard duty.
During the Azov campaigns, the most combat-ready Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments successfully operated on ships of the Azov and Baltic fleets as parts of the marine corps, from which the Naval Regiment (regiment) in the amount of 4254 people was formed. Peter I himself was listed as the commander of the fourth company under the name of Peter Alekseev.

In 1701-1702 The struggle between Russian army detachments, operating on small rowing vessels (plows, karbass, etc.) began with the Swedish lake flotillas on Lakes Ladoga and Peipsi.

These detachments, formed from the personnel of the army infantry regiments of Ostrovsky, Tolbukhin, Tyrtov and Shnevetsov who served in the fleet, as a result of a series of boarding battles, won a victory over the Swedish flotillas, which consisted of large sailing ships, had strong artillery and were staffed by professional crews. The combat actions of these regiments were distinguished by audacity, courage and determination.
Peter I was able to truly appreciate the role of naval soldiers during the Northern War by taking part in a boarding battle in May 1703, when two Swedish ships were captured at the mouth of the Neva. The marines played an important role in the defense of Kotlin Island, where the heroism, courage and bravery of the Tolbukhin and Ostrovsky regiments were clearly demonstrated, writing many glorious pages in battle history Russia.

Outlining his views on the construction of the fleet in 1704, Peter I wrote: “It is necessary to create regiments of naval soldiers (depending on the number according to the fleet)... corporals and sergeants should be taken from old soldiers for the sake of better training building and order".

On November 16 (27), 1705, the first naval regiment of Count Fyodor Golovin was formed in the city of Grodno, which consisted of 1,200 people (two battalions of five companies, including 45 officers, 70 non-commissioned officers) and became the founder of the marine corps in Russia. This date is considered to be the starting point in the history of the Russian Marine Corps. Count Golovin's regiment was intended to serve in boarding and landing teams on warships of the sailing fleet. The regiment was staffed not by recruits, but by trained personnel of army units, which was caused by increased requirements for combat training of the Marine Corps and more complex combat missions assigned to it (compared to army units).

The experience of combat use of the newly created unit during the Northern War showed that the regimental organization of the Marine Corps did not correspond organizational structure fleet and did not allow it to be used correctly in combat conditions. In view of this, the naval regiment was disbanded, and in 1712-1714, five naval battalions were created from its personnel and army units assigned to the fleet:
“Vice Admiral’s Battalion” - for service in boarding and landing teams on the ships of the vanguard of the squadron;
“Admiral’s Battalion” - for service on ships of the center of the squadron;
“Rear Admiral’s Battalion” - for service on the squadron’s rearguard ships;
“Galley battalion” - for service on combat ships of the galley fleet;
"Admiralty Battalion" - for guard duty and other tasks.
Marine boarding and landing teams, led by their commanders, were subordinate to the ship commanders, and in matters of special combat training and leadership - to the head of the squadron's marine corps, who, as a rule, was the commander of the corresponding battalion. After the end of the campaign, the teams were united into their battalions, underwent combat training and performed guard duty at the base. According to the states of the Baltic Fleet in 1720, the composition of naval crews for battleships was set from 80 to 200 people (on frigates - from 40 to 60 people).
On combat ships of the galley fleet, marines accounted for up to 90 percent of the total number of crews. The widespread joint actions of the Russian army and navy during the Northern War required the creation, in addition to the marine infantry formations, of the largest formation at that time - an amphibious corps numbering 18-26 thousand people. In 1713, the corps included 18 infantry regiments and a separate infantry battalion with a total number of about 29,860 people, of which 18,690 officers and lower ranks took direct part in hostilities.

The marine infantry, which included a galley battalion and guards and infantry regiments of the landing corps assigned to the fleet, acted as part of boarding and landing teams. The rowers on the ships were marines.

Among the crew of the scampavea, numbering 150 people, only 9 were sailors (navigator, skipper, boatswain, etc.), the rest were officers, non-commissioned officers and marine soldiers. The commander of the scampaway was, as a rule, the senior Marine officer on board the ship.

Convinced of the inability of the allies of the Danish and Saxon armies to actively and coordinately act against Sweden, Peter I decided to take control of Finland, and then deliver a powerful blow to Sweden through the Gulf of Bothnia and force it to conclude a peace beneficial to Russia.

Intense preparations for the upcoming campaign were carried out for several months. Peter I and his associates in the shortest possible time created special tactics for the marine corps of the galley fleet, which included the procedure for landing troops on ships, crossing them by sea, landing troops and fighting on the shore.

On May 2, 1713, a galley fleet with an amphibious corps consisting of 16 regiments numbering about 16,000 people. under the command of Apraksin and the naval fleet under the command of Peter I went to sea and headed for the Finnish skerries.

In the battle at the river. Pelkina, on October 6, 1713, Russian troops attacked enemy positions from the front, simultaneously making a deep outflanking of them with the forces of a specially allocated combined detachment of ten regiments of the airborne corps with a total number of 6,000 people. under the command of Lieutenant General M. M. Golitsyn, one of the best military leaders of the Russian army.

At dawn on October 6, after a successful night crossing on rafts across Lake Mallas-Vesi, Golitsyn's detachment went to the rear of the fortified Swedish position and quickly attacked the enemy, who had retreated in the direction of Tammerfors. At the same time, Russian troops attacked the Swedes from the front and, with artillery support, crossed the river. The enemy twice repelled attacks by Russian troops, but after the third attack they fled, losing 600 people. killed, 244 people. captured and leaving eight guns on the battlefield.
In the battle at the river. Pelkina's combined detachment of the airborne corps was the first to use new methods of combat for that time in lake-wooded terrain: a deep detour of the enemy's flank with crossing on rafts and landing troops in the rear, a decisive bayonet strike and a column attack.

In the campaign of 1714, it was planned, in close cooperation between the army and the galley and naval fleets, to completely capture Finland, occupy the Abo-Aland Islands and create a base for landing troops on Swedish territory.

In Tverminskaya Bay, the galley fleet was forced to stop, as further path he was blocked by the Swedish squadron of Admiral Vatrang. By this time, Golitsyn’s detachment, which was in the Abo area, deprived of the support of the artillery of the galley fleet and did not receive the expected ammunition and food, was forced to retreat to Poe-Kirka, where it boarded the ships abandoned by Apraksin and subsequently united with the main forces of the galley fleet.

On May 27, 1714, the Battle of Gangut took place, in which two guards, two grenadiers, eleven infantry regiments and a galley battalion of marines took direct part - a total of about 3,433 people, not counting officers. About 240 sailors took part in the battle on the scampaways of these regiments.
During the two years of the war, the Marine Corps had to endure the hardships and deprivations of the harsh conditions of Finland, be on the verge of starvation, beat the Swedes from rafts, and do the hard work of oarsmen on scampaways. In the Battle of Gangut, she took part in a boarding battle at sea in extremely difficult conditions against superior enemy forces.

The Gangut victory had important military and political significance. It became the first naval victory, after which Russia rightfully took its rightful place among the naval powers. The Battle of Gangut was also of strategic importance: the entry of the galley fleet into the Gulf of Bothnia was opened and conditions were created for the Russian naval fleet to active actions in the southern and middle parts of the Baltic Sea. It also showed the importance of close interaction between the galley fleet and the regiments of the landing corps.

The successful breakthrough of the enemy squadron was made possible thanks to the skill and courage of the sailors, but the victory on May 27, 1714 was almost exclusively the work of the guards and infantry regiments of the Marine Amphibious Corps. The battle of the vanguard was led by Army General Weide, who was awarded highest award- Order of St. Andrew the First-Called.

After the failure of peace negotiations with the Swedes at the Åland Congress of 1718-1719. Peter I decided to strike Sweden from Finland.

In 1719, the landing corps under the command of Admiral General Apraksin (about 20,000 people), operating on the coast from Stockholm to Norrköping, landed 16 troops consisting of from one to 12 battalions. Another part of the corps under the command of Major General P.P. Lassi (3500 people) carried out a landing of 14 troops in the area between Stockholm and Gefle.
The Russian government considered the actions of the landing corps as a means of forcing Sweden, which had not lost hope of help from the English fleet, to agree to peace.

In 1721, a Russian landing force under the command of Lassi again landed on Swedish territory, where they destroyed 13 factories, including one weapons factory, and captured 40 small Swedish ships and a lot of military property.

The raids of the Russian galley fleet on the coasts of Sweden, the depletion of the country's forces and the moral depression of the population, as well as the futility of hopes for English help and the complete failure of the British policy of intimidating Russia forced the Swedish government to make peace with Russia on the terms dictated by Peter I.
Marine tactics were further developed during the Persian Campaign of 1721-1723, in which 80 companies of the former Marine Corps took part, later consolidated into 10 two-battalion regiments. The actions of these regiments, which glorified the Russian Marines during the Northern War, in Derbent, Baku and Salyan in the Caspian Sea, had a significant impact on the military-political situation in Transcaucasia and ensured the security of the south-eastern borders of Russia.

Subsequently, during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna in 1743, the personnel of the four regiments that took part in the Persian campaign were used to staff two naval regiments of the Baltic Fleet. Thus, in the first half of the 18th century. It became natural to attract army infantry regiments that had previously served in the navy to replenish marine units.

In 1733-1734, due to financial difficulties, a reorganization of the fleet and marine corps was carried out, the number of which was reduced by 700-750 people. By decree of Empress Anna Ivanovna, instead of separate battalions, two three-battalion regiments were created in the Baltic Sea.

During the Russian-Turkish war of 1735-1739. From the personnel of two regiments of the Baltic Fleet, a combined marine battalion of 2,145 people was formed, which took an active part in the siege and capture of Azov.

A bright page in the diverse activities of the regiments was the participation of 46 people. (3 officers and 43 lower ranks) in the second Bering expedition.

Great influence on the development of the Second Marine Corps half of the XVIII V. had the effect of the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763, in which the Marine Corps' advanced tactics for that time were used and its most advanced forms were used.

During Seven Years' War The bold and decisive actions of the Baltic Fleet marine landing force predetermined the success of the ground forces in capturing the important Prussian fortress of Kolberg.

During the siege of the fortress, a landing party consisting of 2012 marines and sailors under the command of Captain 1st Rank G. A. Spiridov, after landing on the shore, interacted with the troops of the siege corps of General P. A. Rumyantsev.
On the night of September 7, 1761, a landing force under the command of Spiridov, as a result of a bold attack, captured a Prussian coastal battery located opposite the right flank of the Russian siege corps, along with all the guns and a garrison of about 400 people. In this battle, the grenadier company of the Marine Corps under the command of Lieutenant P.I. Pushchin, which was considered the best unit among the grenadier units of the siege corps, especially distinguished itself.

A brilliant example of the combat activities of the Marine Corps to protect the national interests of Russia in the Mediterranean Sea was the first Archipelago expedition of 1769-1774, during which the blockade of the Dardanelles was carried out, and landings landed on the islands of the Archipelago, the coast of Greece and the Anatolian coast of Turkey, diverting significant forces Turkish army from the main Black Sea theater of operations and assisted the Greek rebels in the fight against Turkey.

Marine boarding teams took part in the famous Battle of Chesma.

During the Archipelago expedition, over 60 troops were landed, the main fighting strength which were the marines of the Baltic Fleet.

According to strategic plan war from 1769 to 1774, five squadrons of the Baltic Fleet were sent to the Mediterranean Sea with a landing force of more than 8,000 people, including the regular marines of the Baltic Fleet and the personnel of the Preobrazhensky Life Guards, as well as the Kexholm, Shlisselburg, Ryazan, Tobolsk, Vyatka and Pskov infantry regiments. These regiments, previously part of the landing corps created by Peter I, again came to the fleet to honorably fulfill their military duty to the Fatherland.
The squadrons of the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean Sea independently maintained their combat effectiveness for several years, and the brilliant victories they won over a larger enemy fleet were a remarkable example of the long-term actions of a large naval formation, including the marines, far from their bases.

The successful actions of the Russian fleet raised the authority of Russia in the international arena and had a significant impact on general progress Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774.

Using the power of its fleet, in 1783 Russia, without war, finally annexed Crimea, where the main base of the Black Sea Fleet was created - Sevastopol.

During the fighting of the Liman (later Danube) flotilla during the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-1791. The Marine Corps of the Black Sea Fleet was born, especially distinguished itself during the heroic assault on the Izmail fortress.

As you know, Izmail was taken as a result of an assault by nine columns of the Russian army under the command of Suvorov who attacked it from three directions. Six of them attacked from land, and three, which included the marines of the Black Sea Fleet, attacked from the river.

According to Suvorov, the Marines “showed amazing courage and zeal.” In his report to G. A. Potemkin about the capture of Izmail, among those who distinguished themselves, the names of eight officers and one sergeant of the naval battalions and about 70 officers and sergeants of the Nikolaev and Dnepropetrovsk coastal grenadier regiments were mentioned.
One of the most glorious pages in the history of the Marine Corps was its participation in the Mediterranean campaign of Admiral F. F. Ushakov of 1798-1800. As a result of brilliantly carried out landing operations, the Ionian Islands were liberated from the Turks, the fortress of Corfu, which was considered impregnable, was taken by storm from the sea, and Naples and Rome were occupied.

Marine combat operations were distinguished by a variety of tactical forms. She successfully operated as part of landing forces, especially during the assault on coastal fortresses.

On November 9, 1798, a joint Russian-Turkish squadron under the command of Ushakov blocked the island of Corfu, the main base of the French naval and ground forces in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The fortress located on it, built by the Venetians and heavily fortified by the French, was considered one of the most powerful in Europe.

The advance detachment of the landing party was headed by the battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Skipor, the other two detachments were led by the battalion commanders, Majors Buasel and Brimmer, and the landing reserve was on the ships of the squadron in readiness for landing. By 10:30 a.m. A total of 2,158 men were landed, including 730 marines, 610 sailors, 68 artillerymen and 750 Turks.

After the fall of Vido, all forces and means were concentrated to storm Corfu. An hour and a half after the start of the assault, all three fortified forts covering the approaches to the Corfu fortress from land were taken by storm as a result of courageous and decisive landing actions.

Admiral Ushakov highly praised the actions of the marines, who played an important role in the capture of Corfu. In his reports to Paul I on February 21 and March 13, 1799, he reported that “naval troops and their commanders carried out combat missions with unparalleled courage and zeal”.

Having received news of the victory at Corfu, the great Russian commander Suvorov enthusiastically wrote: « Great Peter ours is alive! That he was defeated in 1714. Swedish Navy at the Åland Islands he said, namely: nature has produced only one Russia, it has no rivals, and now we see it. Hooray! To the Russian fleet! Now I’m telling myself why I wasn’t at Corfu, even though I was a midshipman!”
The capture of Corfu, the most powerful fortress in Europe at that time, only by the forces of the navy and marine corps wrote another bright page in military history Russia.

The combat activities of the Marine Corps as part of the Russian fleet seriously changed the military-political situation in the Mediterranean Sea.

With the loss of the Ionian Islands, France lost its dominance in the Adriatic and eastern Mediterranean seas, and Russia acquired the important naval base of Corfu.

In the Italian campaign of Suvorov and the Mediterranean campaign of Ushakov, a close military partnership between two outstanding military leaders was revealed, which largely determined the successful combat use of the marine corps in the coastal areas of the Apennine Peninsula. It is characteristic that many marines of the Black Sea Fleet, which took Izmail, took part in the assault on Corfu.
Based on the provisions of Suvorov’s “Science of Victory” and the national combat training system he created, generations of marines were trained and educated. Suvorov's system of teaching bayonet attacks and aimed shooting had a deep educational meaning. In the Marine Corps soldier, she developed courage, boldness, and composure in battle and taught him to take proactive and decisive actions.

The ability to strike with a bayonet was the moral criterion of the Russian Marine Corps. It was not without reason that near Izmail and Corfu, in the direction of the main attack, marine battalions—masters of the bayonet strike—attacked as assault detachments.

All of the above allows us to draw the following conclusions. Russia's intense struggle for national independence in the 18th century. and the peculiarities of the construction of its Armed Forces during this period determined a unique path for the development and combat use of the Marine Corps.

The merit of the Marine Corps is that through its combat activities it had a significant influence on the outcome of many wars Russian Empire. Having adopted the advanced system of training and education, she managed not only to develop, but also to enrich it with new content, proving the invincibility of the Russian military school.

In 1803, all individual battalions of the Marine Corps were consolidated into four naval regiments (three in the Baltic and one in the Black Sea Fleet), which wrote many glorious pages in the history of the Marine Corps.
During the second Archipelago expedition of the Russian fleet of 1805-1807. in the squadron of Vice Admiral D.N. Senyavin, from the battalions of the naval regiments of the Baltic Fleet, the second naval regiment was formed, which heroically acted in landings and took part in many battles with France in 1805-1807. and the Russian-Turkish war of 1806-1812. The third naval regiment of the Baltic Fleet participated in the landing corps of Lieutenant General P. A. Tolstoy in the Hanoverian expedition of 1805.

Created in 1811, the 25th Infantry Division, which included two brigades formed from naval regiments, fought on the land front in Patriotic War 1812

The heroism and military valor of the Marines was especially evident in the Patriotic War of 1812. On the Borodino field, among the 34 obelisks erected in honor of the heroes of this battle, there is a monument to the Life Guards Jaeger Regiment and the sailors of the Guards crew, majestic in its austere and memorable beauty.
They came here with the army of Barclay de Tolly from the western border of our Motherland, having overcome 300 miles of difficult travel. The task of the Marines was to build bridges and crossings for the rapid advancement of our army and destroy them when the French approached. Often this had to be done under enemy fire and suffered heavy losses. In the Battle of Borodino, a detachment of 30 marines led by midshipman M.N. Lermontov was tasked with monitoring the bridge over the Kolocha River, which separated the Russian rangers stationed in the village of Borodino from the main positions of the right flank of the Russian troops. Kutuzov ordered the sailors, in the event of the rangers' withdrawal, to destroy the bridge and with dense rifle fire to prevent the French from crossing the river.

On the morning of August 26, taking advantage of the thick fog, the French unexpectedly attacked Borodino. The rangers held out bravely, but, having suffered heavy losses, were forced to retreat across the bridge to the left bank of the river. The sailors immediately set fire to the bridge. However, the French of the 106th regiment advanced so quickly that they rushed forward straight across the burning bridge. The sailors had to destroy the bridge deck and at the same time participate in hand-to-hand combat with the French. Barclay de Tolly saw the fierce battle at the bridge and sent two regiments of chasseurs to help. With the joint efforts of the 106th French regiment, the French regiment was destroyed and the bridge was destroyed. Thanks to this, the right flank of our troops was protected from the French advance. This heroic feat of the sailors and rangers was immediately reported to Kutuzov. Midshipman Lermontov, who was wounded in this battle, was awarded the Order of St. Anne, 3rd degree, and all the sailors of his detachment received various incentives.

In 1813, parts of the Marine Corps were transferred to the army department and lost contact with the fleet. For almost 100 years, there were no large full-time marine formations in the Russian fleet.

However, the defense of Sevastopol in 1854-1855 required the fleet large number naval rifle units, once again confirming the need for the Marine Corps. In total, during the defense, 17 separate naval battalions were formed, which, together with other participants in the defense of Sevastopol, covered themselves with unfading glory. Considering the development of the Russian marine corps from the time of its formation to mid-19th century, it should be noted that she took an active part in all Russian wars of that time. Its main tasks were:
- independently or jointly with army units, land on the shore occupied by the enemy, capture and hold targeted objects;
- participate in the anti-landing defense of fleet bases and islands;
- in naval battles, conduct targeted rifle fire at enemy personnel, and at short distances use grenades to destroy personnel and create fires on enemy ships;
- when your ship approaches an enemy ship, side by side, be the main force of the boarding teams and ensure success in battle, in hand-to-hand combat;
- carry out guard duty on ships, in bases and fleet stops, form small garrisons of islands and provide the ships of the galley fleet with rowers.

The defense of Port Arthur on land in 1904 involved many units and teams formed from the personnel of ships and naval crews: seven separate naval rifle battalions, a separate landing detachment of sailors, three separate naval rifle companies and several machine gun teams. They played a significant role in the long and stubborn defense of Port Arthur.

The question of forming permanent units of the Marine Corps was raised only in 1910. In 1911, the Main Naval Staff developed a project for the creation of permanent infantry units in the main fleet bases: an infantry regiment of the Baltic Fleet, a battalion of the Black Sea Fleet and a Vladivostok battalion.
In August 1914, two separate battalions were created in Kronstadt from the personnel of the Guards Fleet Crew and one battalion from the personnel of the 1st Baltic Fleet Crew. In March 1915, a separate naval battalion of the 2nd Baltic Fleet Crew was transformed into a Special Purpose Naval Regiment.

In addition to rifle companies, it included: a mine company, a machine gun team, a communications team, regimental artillery, a technical workshop, a convoy and separate teams of the Ivan-Gorod steamship and boats. The formation of naval battalions of the Black Sea Fleet began on August 1, 1914, the commander of the Black Sea Fleet approved the “Regulations on the temporary separate Kerch naval battalion.”

At the beginning of the war, two more separate naval battalions were formed and placed at the disposal of the commandant of the Batumi fortress. On the Caspian Sea, the commander of the Baku port had an amphibious detachment of the Black Sea Fleet and a separate company of marines at his disposal. At the end of 1916 and the beginning of 1917, the Russian naval command began to form two large marine formations - the Baltic and Black Sea divisions.

The Baltic division was deployed on the basis of an existing marine brigade; The Black Sea was formed from naval battalions created back in 1915, and reinforcements from the army department. Personnel These battalions already had good landing training. The creation of these divisions, unfortunately, was not completed, and after February Revolution, in April 1917, they were disbanded...

Even during World War II, squads of Marines struck terror into German soldiers. Since then, the latter have been given a second name - black death or black devils, indicating inevitable reprisals against those who encroach on the integrity of the state. Perhaps this nickname has something to do with the fact that the infantryman wore a black peacoat. Only one thing is known for certain - if the enemy is afraid, then this is already the lion’s share of victory, and, as you know, the motto is considered the symbol of the Marine Corps: “Where we are, there is victory!”

Every infantryman was proud of his mission. In cases where it was necessary to fight while wearing a combined arms uniform, the soldiers did not part with their caps and vests. They went on the attack wide open, showing the enemy black and white stripes, instilling open terror on him.

History of the origin of the troops

During the reign of Ivan IV (the Terrible), the crews of all ships were supplemented by soldiers who were not sailors. These were separately created brigades consisting of archers. The first sailing ship "Eagle" was manned by Nizhny Novgorod archers by decree of the Tsar in 1669. Their task included boarding and landing operations. The first prototype of the Marines was also used for guard duty.

History includes the exploits of the Semenovsky and Preobrazhensky regiments, which were formed on ships during the Azov campaigns. Not everyone knows that the commander of one of the companies of the naval regiment was the Emperor Peter Romanov himself. Similar regiments equipped ships of the Azov and Baltic fleets.

The first victories of the then completely new formations occurred in 1701–1702. The Russian flotilla, consisting mostly of rowing ships, successfully fought with Swedish sailing ships on Lake Peipus and Ladoga. The Russian army owes its victory largely to the regiments of Ostrovsky, Shnevetsov and Tolbukhin, which served in the fleet, which were assigned to the fleet. Chroniclers noted that the infantrymen behaved boldly and decisively in battle.

If we are talking about the creation of the Marine Corps troops, then this event is closely connected with the name of Peter I. He summarized the experience of introducing ground forces into the fleet and in 1705 issued a decree according to which all squads of Cossacks and Streltsy were united, and the newly created formation was named "naval regiment" According to the new style, this decree is dated November 27, since then this date has been considered.

Black berets - the elite of the Russian troops

Events of the first Chechen war forced the command Russian army resort to the help of the Marines. At that time, they turned out to be the most prepared for real combat operations. A real feat committed by the soldiers during the assault on Grozny. Sixteen infantrymen were awarded the Hero Star. Unfortunately, there were casualties; 178 people died during the first campaign. The contribution that the Marines made to the history of the Chechen conflict will at all times be considered as a manifestation of the true professionalism of the Russian soldier.

Vitaly Ryabov

I have conscription service behind me, and then contract service. Now retired.

Articles written

Why is an army needed? In our world, there have always been powers that wanted to impose their culture on other peoples or control the natural and human resources of other countries in order to prosper their state. In view of this, each country strives to ensure its political, economic and cultural freedom by allocating a certain share of the budget for the defense of its territory. This situation has been happening since the beginning of humanity, which means that wars in one place or another on the planet will never end. Each country decides for itself what kind of army it needs to protect its borders. States that have access to the sea are obliged to protect their water borders, and therefore create naval forces.

Navy of any developed state consists of the following divisions:

• Marine Corps.

Let's take a closer look at the last position of this list. The Marine Corps is created for the purpose of protecting and defending the coast - ports and military bases and to capture enemy coastal territories and hold them until the arrival of their ground forces.

History of the Marine Corps

The history of the Russian Marine Corps dates back to the time of Peter the Great. The need to form this type of army was justified as part of the conquest of the Azov and Baltic coasts. In the first half of the 18th century, real regiments were created for the first time, performing the functions of soldiers of the seas. Peter I was so keen on the formation of coastal troops that he was even listed as the commander of one of the companies and hid under the name of Peter Alekseev. Famous Northern War was won in large part thanks to the heroic battles of the Marines. November 16, 1705 is significant for the creation of the first naval regiment; since then this day has been the date of the founding of the Russian Marines unit. Considering the personal interest of the head of state in this type of troops, serving in it was honorable and prestigious. And to this day, paratroopers are distinguished by their special bearing, combat effectiveness and preparedness.

Vice Admiral Nakhimov played a major role in increasing the importance of the Marine Corps in the mid-19th century during the defense of Sevastopol in 1854 - 1855. He created 22 full-fledged battalions of infantrymen, which he formed from the sailors of the sunken ships. Thanks to them, Sevastopol withstood the defense against the Turkish invaders. IN Russian-Japanese war During the siege of Port Arthur (the longest battle of this war), up to 10,000 infantrymen took part in holding the fortress.

The revolution of 1917 liquidated all units and only in 1939 the USSR Marine Corps was revived again. During the Second World War, 40 infantry brigades were recreated, their number reaching 350 thousand soldiers. And again Sevastopol held its defense from the German invaders, and again the Marines managed to withstand the long 250 heroic days of the siege. Marine Corps against Verkhmat participated in Battle of Stalingrad, during the liberation of Tallinn, Odessa and during the storming of Berlin. Black caps were distinctive feature The soldier of the sea, at the sight of their enemy, was overcome with horror; the Germans nicknamed this unit the “Black Death.” In the second World War not only the infantrymen of the Soviet Union, but also other countries: the USA and Western Europe. During the war, the American Marines were the most equipped and organized unit, and their heroic battles were legendary. At the same time, this was the smallest unit, it made up only 5% of the total number of participating Americans. In a matter of days, they, together with marines from other countries, liberated the coast in Asia and Europe. This is how the international marines fought heroically against Verkhmat.

In the post-war period, the leadership of the USSR underestimated the importance navy in general and the Marine Corps in particular. The budget for naval armaments was gradually reduced and in the mid-50s all infantry units were disbanded. The second time of stagnation for this type of troops has arrived. At the same time, England and France continued to develop the direction of the Marines, and catching up with them in this was already problematic. After another change in the leadership of the Soviet Union and while studying historical battles, by the mid-60s, service in the Marine Corps was revived, and the construction of landing craft of the most modern modifications began at an accelerated pace. The use of Marine Corps units in numerous military maneuvers has become a necessary condition. All this gave reason to NATO leadership to believe that Soviet Union able to both defend and perform offensive functions, which restrained aggression towards the USSR.

Marine Corps of modern Russia

Today, Russian marines, called “black berets,” are an essential component of the Navy. Detachments of this unit are assigned to the country's four fleets, as well as Caspian flotilla:

• . Every year, the Navy command identifies and awards advanced special forces. Thus, in 2016, the coastal troops brigade of the Russian Baltic Fleet was recognized as the best. Without exaggeration, this is an elite brigade, which is distinguished by its excellent training of attack aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft.
• - the youngest, its marine corps was created in 1933. The sailors' flagship ship is the nuclear-powered cruiser Peter the Great.
• mostly located in Crimea. The soldiers of the Sevastopol infantry are distinguished by excellent hand-to-hand combat skills, which is also necessary for service in the ranks of the infantry.
• is an operational-strategic association of the Navy, their main task is to ensure security from Pacific Ocean. In addition to all other weapons, the Pacific Fleet has missile submarines in its arsenal. The headquarters of the Pacific Marines is located in the city of Vladivostok.

Marines are primarily engaged in the defense of coastal territory, in addition, they carry out various tasks assigned by the army leadership. Marine Corps reconnaissance also plays a big role. In particular, sea soldiers carry out combat orders in Syria. By conducting a large number of training and combat missions, infantrymen improve their skills and are ready to repel an attack at any time. The Navy is provided with advanced infantry equipment, including amphibious armored personnel carriers, missile and anti-tank systems, tanks and CAVs, various types passing water obstacles, small arms. The development and production of new types of equipment that meet the requirements of the 21st century continues.

Marine training

Marine training has a serious level of preparation. It is important to learn how to strengthen the body and spirit of a soldier. Daily squats, push-ups, pull-ups, long-distance running are the usual routine for them. However, training a Marine is not only physical exercise and endurance. It is important to have a strong-willed character and to know that in battle it is necessary to go to the victorious end. The physical activity, training and exercises of the Marine Corps make it possible to turn soldiers into real combat commanders.

How to join the Marine Corps

Thousands of boys every year dream of joining the ranks of brave heroes. How to get into the Marine Corps? The selection criteria for this elite unit are very high. It is necessary to have ideal physical characteristics - good vision, excellent physical fitness, normal physique, absence of chronic diseases. It is also important not to have negative stories of being reported to the police and not to take drugs. If physical data and everything else allow you to apply for service in these troops, even before conscription you should check with the military registration and enlistment office when recruitment for the Navy will take place and be sure to inform about your desire. But there is also high competition at recruiting stations. The final decision on the possibility of serving in the ranks of the Black Berets will be made upon arrival in the fleet. Contract service in the Marine Corps is a fairly common occurrence for those who dream of sea adventures. How to get into the Marine Corps as an officer? To do this, you need to enter a higher specialized school and successful completion, is guaranteed to become a Marine - part of the military elite.

The flag of the Russian Marine Corps is an emblem with a golden anchor against the background of a black circle with a red border. There is an inscription around it - the Marine’s slogan: “Where we are, there is victory!” The emblem is located against the background of the St. Andrew's flag (the flag of the Russian Navy). The banner has come to us almost unchanged since the time of Peter I. In addition to the flag, the Marines have other distinctive elements. Thus, military personnel and combat veterans are entitled different types awards, in particular the departmental medal “For Service in the Marine Corps.” The main difference between the soldier of the seas and other military units is noticeable from afar - the black trumpet berets. Wearing this headdress is a special pride for its owner and family members. Every year on November 27, we hear dedication to the Marines and see hundreds of congratulations to paratroopers on their professional holiday.

The marine corps means one of the branches of the military, the main purpose of which is to conduct naval operations, including the landing and capture of coastlines, port cities, important strategic points, naval bases, and ships.

Marines - naval troops

The Marine Corps can be part of the Navy, or it can be a separate branch of the military, as we can see in the US Army.

For now American Army, whose marine corps numbers more than 200 thousand, is considered the most powerful in the world.

History of the Marine Corps

Marine Corps - history from ancient times

Contrary to many misconceptions, as history claims, the marine corps arose in the period of antiquity, although not in the form in which we are accustomed to think. The ancient Greeks used fighters called Epibates, who fought on the decks of ships and then fought on land, pursuing the enemy.

The Punic Wars - the first documentary mentions of the Marine Corps date back to this period. The Romans used special ships, carrying military infantry, designed to board enemy ships. However, it should be noted that these soldiers did not have any special training, and therefore this branch of the military was just beginning to emerge.

History of Marines in the Middle Ages

1066- the Normans launched a successful attempt at a massive naval offensive on the shores of Britain, which was followed by fighting on land. William the Conqueror relied on the experience of the Vikings, for whom attack from the sea was perhaps the only battle tactic for many centuries.

Subsequent development of the Marine Corps

During the Early Modern period Marine detachments began to play a more significant role. These units were mainly used by the British. So, on frigates and battleships there were about 100-150 infantrymen, most often 136, which made up a company.

136 infantry

was on frigates and battleships

Such a unit was commanded by a captain and several junior officers. The captain stood alongside the other officers on the ship and was often responsible for training the entire crew in close combat.

XV-XVIII century- the British used infantrymen as the core for all landing operations, but they rarely went into battle on their own, as there simply weren’t enough of them. The marines in Britain stood significantly above sailors and ordinary infantrymen.

Mid-18th century- The Marine Corps appeared in the USA. In France, it evolved significantly after the revolution and began to occupy a place between the regular army and the militia. She fought with both cold steel and small arms.

XVIII century- military leaders began to realize the need for the existence of troops that could effectively participate in landing operations, since the ground army and navy, without special training, did not cope with this task in the best way.

Marine Corps during the First World War

Early 20th century- the marines were instruments of colonial warfare. Such soldiers did not yet have any special training - they did not study in specialized schools and were armed like ordinary ground soldiers.

1915-1916- the Dardanelles operation was carried out, the essence of which was the landing of landing forces on Turkish territory. Due to the lack of preparations to seize the coastline, the British soldiers became bogged down in bloody combat and were forced to evacuate with heavy losses.

World War II

1940s- the government of leading countries realized that landing operations are special kind combat operations, which required specially trained troops. The Marine was now a seaman capable of fighting on land, whereas previously he was regarded as a soldier assigned to a warship.

Picture - US Marine Corps during World War II

Fighting 1939-1945- The Marine Corps has ceased to be, in fact, infantry. These elite troops were intended to conduct amphibious operations, had their own tanks, aircraft, naval support and even parachute battalions. Members of the Marine Corps were given special status in the military.

Cold War

Second half of the 20th century- the Marine Corps is turning into specially trained special forces soldiers who are trained according to a special program and the requirements for candidates, as well as training, have become significantly more complicated.

To get into the ranks of the MP, one had to pass complex standards, since this kind of fighters must feel equally good in the ocean and on land. Service in the Marine Corps has become prestigious.

The Marine Corps fought and won the following conflicts:

• Korean War;
• Vietnam War;
• Invasion of Grenada;
• Falklands War;
• War during the Suez Crisis.

US Navy Marines come ashore near the city of Da Nang in central Vietnam, April 10, 1965.
British troops land on the Falkland Islands. Falklands War. 1982

History of the Russian Marine Corps

By the way, the first naval regiment was convened by Emperor Peter the Great in 1705. It consisted of more than one and a half thousand soldiers who were specially trained to conduct landing operations in the Baltic Sea.

1714- first successful application special units in the history of the Russian Marine Corps. During the 18th century, the number of these units increased significantly, and they turned into battalions. Despite this, their numbers were small and there was no professional training among the infantry members.

19th century- Marine regiments do not survive best time- they are periodically formed and dissolved due to lack of experience in their use.

Photo of Russian marines. Officers of the Russian Marine Corps, 19th century

Early 20th century- the emperor made the last attempts to restore the MP, but due to the critical situation in the country this was impossible.

1940s- the Soviet leadership realized the need to create MP units. At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, their number was up to 200 thousand people. However, after the victory, the infantry units were disbanded again.

Marine K9

1963- a decree was adopted on the revival of MP regiments. Their numbers continue to grow rapidly due to the acute political situation in the world. Because of cold war the government increased the composition of this type of troops, devoting more and more attention and funds to their training.

1967- USSR Marines take part in the Six-Day War in the Middle East. These elite units then took part in battles in Afghanistan and Chechnya. At this time, many fighters received the status of heroes and gained fame throughout the world for their exploits.

Marine Corps of the Russian Navy at the present stage

Officially in Russian Federation This branch of the military was created in 1992, which included soldiers of the USSR Navy. At the moment, there are about 35-40 thousand MP fighters in the ranks of the Russian armed forces.

Nowadays the Marine Corps is the pride of the Russian Federation. They have evolved into elite first responders, ready to conduct amphibious operations around the world.

Since 1996, in accordance with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, November 27 is celebrated as Russian Marine Corps Day.

Russian Marines

The Russian Navy is deployed in the following fleets:

• Chernomorsky (the main forces are based in Sevastopol);
• Baltic;
• Pacific;
• Northern and others.

Brigades of naval units

Among all the MP brigades that are part of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, it is worth highlighting the following:

• 336th separate guards brigade MP - Baltiysk;
• 810th separate brigade of MP Zhukov - Sevastopol;
• 61st separate MP brigade - Murmansk;
• 155th separate MP brigade - Vladivostok;
• 727th separate battalion MP - Arkhangelsk.

The 83rd separate section deserves special attention air assault brigade or SDB, which is one of the most experienced in the country. Its fighters took part in the defense of nuclear weapons and controlled their removal from Poland in the 1980s.

Military uniform Russian Marine Corps "Ratnik"

Armament of the Marine Corps of the Russian Navy

Since the Marines in the Russian Army are the pride and elite troops, they are equipped with the best firearms and bladed weapons. It is always characterized by lightness and reliability, since the Russian marine must always be ready to fight the enemy in unfavorable terrain.

The armament of a Russian MP fighter is as follows:

• (automatic weapon with a grenade launcher system, as well as the ability to install optical sight, which turns it into a silent sniper rifle);

• VVS or Vintorez(silent SV, capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 400 meters, also characterized by its small size and lightness);

• NRS-2(a special knife that can be thrown at a distance of up to 25 meters, as well as deliver piercing and cutting blows in close combat).

In addition, AK-74 assault rifles continue to be actively used. The fighters are also equipped with grenades. Certain units of the Russian Marine Corps are armed with machine guns and anti-tank grenade launchers.

Uniform of Russian naval sailors

It is worth immediately noting that the form of MP can be of the following types:

• casual;
• front door;
• field

The dress uniform is black. An integral part of any fighter is the beret, which is the signature symbol of this type of military.

The field uniform is camouflage - there is a summer and winter version. A mandatory element is a helmet and body armor, which can protect a soldier during combat operations.

We tried to briefly outline the combat path of the special forces of the Russian Navy. It is impossible to tell everything about the Marine Corps in one article. Its history is described in multi-volume works.