Today the Polish people celebrate the Battle of Tannenberg - a rare victory in a history dominated by conflicts that left their people divided and conquered. Hitler's objective, Danzig (Gdansk), in the opening salvo of WW II repeats the goal of the Teutonic Order more than 600 years earlier. Prussia, under Kaiser Wilhelm I, took inspiration from the militaristic Teutonic Order, as did the Third Reich under Adolph Hitler. However, German nationalists continue to be inspired by the Order for centuries. The Battle of Tannenberg set in motion the Teutonic Order's demise. Teutonic Order Decline and Legacy (02:20) Polish reserves enter the fray, saving the day. Poles Retreat, Regroup and Prevail (02:34)Īfter an hour of fighting, the Poles and Lithuanians retreat, then flee. The Poles hold mass - a delay to marshall troops. On Jul 15, 1410, Poles and Lithuanians (including Russians, Ukrainians, and Tartars) face off against the Teutonic Knights in the Battle of Tannenberg (a.k.a. Forces Stage for the Battle of Tannenberg (02:25) Parties postpone a decisive battle to summer 1410. The Grand Duke of Lithuania marries the heir to the Polish throne in 1385. Poland and Lithuania Allied Battle with Prussia Set (01:44) Drinking and hunting fill knight's idle time. Learning of the enemy's approach, Jungingen raced east from Schwetz. On July 9, the combined army crossed the border. To keep the Knights off balance, small attacks and raids were conducted away from the main line of advance. Teutonic knights from all over Europe come to Marienburg to join semiannual raids on Prussia's neighbors. The Battle of Tannenberg in late August 1914 has been described as the most powerful German myth of the First World War. Uniting at Czerwinsk in June 1410, the combined Polish-Lithuanian army moved north towards the border. The Teutonic Order in Prussia exploits and dominates a vast array of commerce. The Teutonic Order strengthens its grip on Prussia. Once again unified in 1333 under King Casimir, Poland purges German language and fosters development. German Colony on the Baltic (02:22)ĭefeated by the Russians at the Gulf of Finland, the Teutonic Knights return to securing and colonizing Prussia with an iron fist. Turning to Russia, the Knights meet more effective resistance. Ordered to forcibly convert non-Catholics, the Teutonic Knights invade and brutalize Lithuania. Knights Invade Lithuania and Russia (03:05) Poland Asks for Teutonic Knights' Help (02:38)įailed attempts to convert their neighbors to Christianity prompt the Poles to invite, with papal blessing, the Teutonic Knights into Poland and adjacent territory. Monuments on the battlefield, origins of the Teutonic Knights, and a brief historical context of Poland introduce the story of the Battle of Tannenberg. Henri de Turenne and Daniel Costelle present the series "Turning Points in History." This segment describes the Battle of Tannenberg between German and Polish/Lithuanian forces. Opening Credits: The Battle of Tannenberg (01:15) FREE PREVIEW
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