Anatoly Stoessel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Anatoly Mikhailovich Stoessel (Russian: Анатóлий Михáйлович Стéссель) (10 July [O.S. 28 June] 1848–18 January [O.S. 5 January] 1915) was a Russian baron, military leader, and general responsible for the fall of Port Arthur to the Japanese on 2 January 1905.

[edit] Beginning of military career

Anatoly Stoessel was graduated from the Pavel Military institute in 1866. He was a participant of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). Stoessel was a commander of the 16th Ladoga infantry regiment in 1897 and then from 1897 to 1899 the 44th Kamchatka infantry regiment. He was appointed to head the 3rd East Siberian brigade (1899–1903) and distinguished himself in the putting down the Boxer Rebellion. Since 12 August 1903, Stoessel headed the garrison of Port Arthur, and in addition he was in charge of the fortified Russian Kwantun command district since March 1904.

[edit] The Siege of Port Arthur

His command of the Port Arthur defense was ineffective during whole siege. With the death of General Roman Kondratenko on 15 December 1904 at Fort Chikuan, Stoessel appointed the incompetent Foch in his place. On 18 December 1904, the Japanese exploded an 1800-kilogram mine under Fort Chikuan, which fell that night. On 28 December 1904, mines under Fort Erhlung were detonated, destroying that fort as well.

On 31 December 1904, a series of mines were exploded under Fort Sungshu, the sole surviving major fortress, which surrendered that day. On 1 January 1905, Wantai finally fell to the Japanese. On the same day, Stoessel and Foch sent a message to a surprised General Nogi, offering to surrender. None of the other senior Russian staff had been consulted, and notably Smirnov and Tretyakov were outraged. The surrender was accepted and signed on 2 January 1905. After his return from the Japanese imprisonment, Stoessel was sentenced to death on 7 February 1908 but his sentence was revised and he got a 10-year-long imprisonment in the castle. On 6 May 1909 Stoessel was released and continued his military service.