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A Hitch on the Path to Glory: The Breakthrough Across the Balkan Ridge During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78

ABSTRACT In the late autumn of 1877 it seemed that the Russo-Turkish War had entered a stalemate: The Russian Army still stayed to the north of the Balkan Ridge, which was deemed to be impassable until spring. However, bold initiative backed by a series of thoughtful improvisations allowed the Russians to outmaneuver the Ottomans and cross the ridge. The numerous non-combat injuries sustained during this march were a fair price for the strategic surprise that paved the way to a total victory. In this case, the improvised approach to mountain warfare paid off, but the attempts to bet on improvisations in subsequent campaigns on a less forgiving mountainous terrain or against an enemy experienced in mountain warfare were to fail.