page_title: Osman Nuri Pasha
section_title: Siege of Plevna
hierarchical_section_title: Osman Nuri Pasha / Siege of Plevna
caption_attribution_description: Български: Бой на румънски части на редут при с. Гривица. Художник Хенрих Дембицки. Румънски войски превземат редутите при Гривица. Руско-турска война (1877-1878). Художник Хенрих Дембицки. English: Romanian troops storming the Grivitsa redoubt during the Romanian War of Independence of 1877–1878 fought against the Ottoman Empire. The event took place on 30 August 1877. Français&#160;: Attaque de Grivitsa (Gravitza) par Dembitsky 1830-1906. Italiano: Le truppe rumene mentre prendono la Fortezza di Grivica. 日本語: ルーマニア兵を描いた絵画. Română: Luptele de la Griviţa. Maiorul Valter Mărăcineanu înalţă drapelul românesc pe reduta Griviţa (1877). Cucerirea redutei de la Griviţa de către trupele române. Trupele Române la Grivița. Simple English: Soldiers in Grey are Romanians and in blue are the turks. Türkçe: Romanya birlikleri Grivitsa mevzisini alırken.
context_page_description: Osman Nuri Bey then Pasha, also known as Gazi Osman Pasha, was an Ottoman field marshal who commanded Ottoman forces during the Siege of Plevna in 1877. Although unsuccessful in defending the city, he was awarded the title of Gazi for gallantry in holding the city for five months against superior Russo-Romanian forces. In addition to his Adjutancy title, Osman received the Order of the Medjidie and the Imtiyaz Medal for his services to the Empire. He was made Marshal of the Palace by the Sultan and the Ottoman military anthem called Plevna March was composed for his achievements. The Istanbul suburb of Taşlıtarla was renamed Gaziosmanpaşa in his honour.
context_section_description: During the Russian attack on Nikopol, Osman Pasha was in Vidin with his army. The Ottoman high command ordered Osman Pasha to reinforce Nikopol with 20,000 soldiers. While Osman was on his way to Nikopol, the city fell to the Russians on 16 July 1877. The Russians, knowing that Osman Pasha was heading to Nikopol, planned to intercept and attack his forces. Osman Pasha’s troops were 20 miles away from Nikopol. Osman Pasha quickly created a strong network of fortifications, raising earthworks with redoubts, digging trenches and gun emplacements. On 19 July, Russian troops reached Plevna and started bombarding the town. The next day Russian troops continued the bombardment, eventually forcing some Ottoman units off the outer defences.  
  Reinforcements began arriving to both sides, as fighting intensified, and the Russians launched an assault. During the first assault, the Russians suffered 4,000 casualties, while the Ottomans suffered 1,000. After this, Osman Pasha strengthened his defences. The Russians were reinforced by the army of Prince Carol I of Romania, who assumed command of the attacking army. On 31 July the Russians attacked Plevna again, but Ottoman troops managed to repulse the assault. After this second engagement, the Russians lost 7.300 men, while Ottomans lost 2,000. After suffering heavy casualties during the assault, the Russians sent out scouts, and resolved to cut off the Ottoman supply lines. To this end, Russian forces attacked the Ottoman garrison at Lovcha. This attack proved to be successful, and the Russians were able to cut off all communications and supply lines to Plevna. By now, Osman Pasha’s army had been reinforced to 30,000, while the Russian forces numbered 100,000. On 11 September, the Russians resumed the artillery bombardment, and mounted another assault. The assault succeeded in taking a few redoubts but Osman Pasha retook most of them. After the third battle, the Russians lost roughly 20,000 men, while the Ottomans lost only 5,000.
  As more Russian and Romanian troops joined the siege, all attacks were halted. General Eduard Ivanovich Todleben came to see the situation of the siege. He was experienced in siege warfare, and decided to encircle the city.
  The Russian-Romanian army closed in by 24 October, as supplies began to run low in the city. On 9 December, Osman Pasha decided to attempt a breakout, and attacked the Russian contingent during the night. Close-quarters combat ensued, but the Russian forces outnumbered the Ottomans. Osman Pasha’s troops were driven back and he was struck in the leg by a stray bullet. Rumors of Osman Pasha’s death spread panic, and Ottoman troops were driven back and enveloped by Romanian forces. At the end of the breakout attempt, the Ottomans had lost 5,000, while the Russians lost 2,000. The next day, Osman Pasha capitulated, surrendering the city to the Romanian Colonel Mihail Cerchez.
caption: Siege of Plevna
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