Battle of Ekau facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Ekau (Iecava)
Part of the French invasion of Russia
Theater of military operations
Date 19 July 1812 Location Ekau, Russian Empire 56°36′N 24°12′E / 56.600°N 24.200°E / 56.600; 24.200 Result French victory
Belligerents
Russian Empire	French Empire  Prussia
Commanders and leaders
Friedrich von Löwis	Julius von Grawert Friedrich Graf Kleist von Nollendorf
Strength
3,000–4,000 men 10 guns	7,000 men 32 guns
Casualties and losses
600 killed, wounded and missing, 300 captured	minimal

The Battle of Ekau was an important early battle during Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812. It took place on July 19, 1812, near a town called Ekau (now Iecava in Latvia). In this battle, French and Prussian troops, led by General Julius von Grawert, fought against Russian forces. The Russian troops were commanded by General Friedrich von Löwis of Menar. The French and their allies had more soldiers and weapons, and they won the battle.

What Happened Before the Battle?

On July 18, 1812, General Löwis, who was in charge of the Russian soldiers in Mitau, got some bad news. He learned that Prussian troops, part of Napoleon's army, had taken over a nearby town called Bauska.

General Löwis knew he had to stop Napoleon's army from moving towards Riga, a very important city. So, he quickly moved his soldiers to a strong position near the castle of Ekau.

Meanwhile, General Grawert, the Prussian commander, told another general, Kleist, about the upcoming fight. General Kleist and his troops were to the east and would soon join the battle. The Russian Emperor, Alexander I, who had been with his army, left for St. Petersburg on the night of July 19.

The Battle Begins

The battle started on the morning of July 19. General Grawert's Prussian forces began by firing their cannons at the Russian positions. After this artillery attack, they sent their Westphalian cuirassiers (a type of cavalry soldier) to charge at the Russian lines.

For a while, the battle was very tough, and neither side seemed to be winning. The Russian soldiers held their ground firmly. However, as the evening approached, General Kleist's troops arrived from the east. They launched a surprise attack on General Löwis's soldiers. This new attack from a different direction was too much for the Russians, and it decided the outcome of the battle.

What Happened After the Battle?

The Battle of Ekau was a victory for the French and Prussian forces. The Russian troops, who were supposed to protect Riga, were defeated. This loss meant that the Russian army had to leave the entire left side of the Western Dvina River. As a safety measure, they even had to burn down the Mitau suburb of Riga to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.

Remembering the Battle

Years later, people still remember the Battle of Ekau.

• In 2007, for the 195th anniversary of the battle, groups interested in military history from Latvia, Russia, Poland, and Lithuania put on a special show. They dressed up in old uniforms and acted out the battle.
• In 2012, to mark the 200th anniversary, a book called "The Battle of Gross Ekau" by Oleg Pukhlyak was published in Riga. This book helped people learn more about this historical event.

See also

• Siege of Riga (1812)
• List of battles of the French invasion of Russia