The man, flag, clouds of smoke ...

It was one of the best performed, that happened in Poland. Thousands of spectators observed the show on Gdańsk's Grodzisko (Hagelsberg) with great attention and sensing the explosions. "Enthusiasts of the epoque" from Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Bielarussia, Russia and even far Syberia performed the events, that happened in the same places 198 years ago. At that time corps of marshal Lefebvre, that had been composed by the french, polish, badenian and saxon troops, forced to surrender prussian and russian garrison of "Gibraltar of the Baltic sea".

Citizens of Gdańsk and tourists observed on the 29th of April prussian grenadiers and polish fusiliers, that performed bivouac on the "Long market" aside of the fountain of Neptun. The sight of the people, that were coated in uniforms from Napoleonic times brought the sensation. It served as the advertisement for further historical performance, that would happened next day on forts of Grodzisko. Next point on schedule of reenacting show was march in historical uniforms and with the equipment past the downtown of Gdańsk, that happened next day before the battle on Grodzisko fort. During the march the members of show gave the signs of respect and memory of predecessors - the soldiers both of defense and siege of stronghold Gdańsk, that gave their lives at its walls both in 1807 and in 1813. The place of this act of memory was the monument memorizing Russian soldiers of that times that stands in Grodzisko fort.
Around 15 forts of Gdańsk gathered spectators. It was really crowd of people, that filled the pointed boundries in dry moat of fort Grodzisko. It was difficult to provide proper order for such a mass of people, thet tried to gain the best possible view. At the same time in the camp there were formed the troops. Artillery it took places at the both sides of the ravine. Around the 16 on the clock canons made first roars. Bang of six-pound Prussian canon was nothing that spectators could sense before. Accordingly to the confirmed information the bang was possible to hear even in Gdynia Orłowo (other city of agglomeration of three towns). In several moments after the volley of the infantry the moat was filled with smoke. First came inside the ravine Russian and French cavalry, that did not brought even slight damages. But after that time also started movements french, polish and saxon infantry, which by the lost of its distractedness became to fight at Prussian side and had to evacuate rapidly on the slope where were standing Prussian grenadiers, who were to protect the access to canons. Next actions in the bottom of the moat was covered in the smoke of shots. Finally even the dr. Nieuważny, who was giving the comment to the events in the field of battle lost thr orienatation. It did not play role because the flow of events was not stopped for any second. Bang of the riffle shots, roars of the canons, shouts, attacking and retreating troops provided the expected entertainment for the publicity. Even the soldiers of chivalry, which were reenacting as members of the infantry were fighting among, shoting from the pistols and rifles. There was not possible to notice lack of eager to fight - even for the markietans, who were shouting on soldiers providing them either spiritual courage and medicines or complaining in case of abandonment of the lines.
Probation of coming with the rescue bythe tsars troops for the stuff of the stronghold was finished first with surrounding of the quadrilateral and then pushing the Russians inside the fort. Proposal of capitulation that was given in by the officer of allies (who was acted by our fellow colleague of napoleon.org.pl forum) was thorn into pieces by the officer of garrison. The most spectacular part of the show was several storms of polish-french troops, which were climbing under the fire of Prussian fire to the top of the slope, where was performed the immediate fight. "Did not shot to the commentator!" appealed dr. Nieuważny, who was covered at the back of Prussian grenadiers. In such a chaos it was difficult to say if the stronghold was either conquered or not. To the last minutes threw was something worth to observe.
After the finishing of the storm troops of defense and surrounders marched past to the court of the fort, where were expressed vivat and honorable fiffle shots. But still it was not the end of the event. Groups of the spectators either ate soldiers meal or made photos with historical soldiers, or came to the "rifelman's gallery" to find out the camp of the troops. It was reconstructed as if it could be an example of the soldiers camp in Napoleonic époque. Organizing committee forbid to use any contemporary utilities, what was more less respected. Many of the members of reenacting show was tired with the long lasting march and the performance of battle. Exhausted and wounded were treated by the markietans, which had some experience in past historical reenactments. In some places there were started fire places to prepare soldiers meals. There started the atmosphere of brotherhood and ravishment...
It is worth to remember that historical events had been perfored in the forts two times - in 2000 and 2002. It is worth to notice that the event of 2005 became much more better and better consolidated in organization. There were not copied mistakes from the past. Obviously there can be better and better, but in the popular opinion the spectators this event was completely satisfying. All this was prepared thanks to the work of Piotr Czerepak (of 2nd Regiment of Infantry), also well known for the members of our forum as Horhe. The event was supported by the Cultural Park of Town Fortifications "Stronghold Gdańsk". Honorable protection was held by the marshal of Pomeranian district and members of diplomatic corps in Poland: honorable consul of Republic of France - Mr. Jacek Tarnowski, honorable consul of Kingdom of Danmark - Mr. Julian Skelnik and general consul of Russian Federation - Mr. Jurij Aleksiejew. To the good achievements was the participation of several sponsors.
Coming to conclusion it could be summed up, that there took part 22 reenacting groups of several countries. Roar was provides by the five canons and one mortar in system of Coehorn (let we notice little one). It is difficult to sum up the number of the spectators, but there could be counted in thousands. For many of them it has been first opportunity to visit forts of Gdańsk, that are recognized as monument of art of fortification. Maybe some of the spectators have been fascinated by the Napoleonic era... Let we have the hope that event "Forts in the fire" could be the entrance to 200-anniversary of the fights of "Gibraltar of Baltic sea".

Adam Paczuski
Translation: Scout

Sebastian Teusz - 1 REGIMENT OF INFANTRY OF VISTULA LEGION

The battlefield was diffrent, that I had ever seen. The organizing comitee usually chose flat area. In the Gdańsk the tusk was to storm over the roughly inclined slope. Before the storm there was to come down from the opposite hills. Every side of the battle was firstly trying to make the enemy deaf. Battle started from the cannonade. The shaping of the area enlarged the bangs. The troops of enemy were positioned on the upper position and it was the best opportunity to observe the work of artillerist. Then into the fight joined the riflemen. I saw russian and prussian riflemen who were moving down.
We were given the order of splitting the line and shooting the enemy. From this moment all the troops were leading fire. Then being called into the lines we appeared from the bushes of opposite hill and gave the volley. Then we returned giving the place to the others. Finally there was given the order to attack. We moved down so to start climbing opposite slope. Rifflemen were sent first. Difficult area made everyone to meke highest efforts on climbing. We gained more less the half of the slope...
Suddenly there were some shouts "Alle mon braves camarade!" and "Vive Poniatowski!" - this soldiers of 127th line regiment were encouraging us to the highest efforts. While I joined them it turned out that our riflemen had just retreated. I left with not mine regiment. There was no time to consider, because there was visible enemy coming from the top of slope. While I looked up I saw the line of the muzzles. Then was given the bang and I gave my life... thorough the smoke I noticed refreating french. Suddenly I sensed the struggle. By the closed eye-lids I saw the prussian soldier of enormous height with the moustache bending on me. What was to do. I performed the dead body.
Prussian looked into my cartridge-box. He did not find any munition, told only "kaine ammunition" and joined their line standing no more than one meter before me. For several lines Prussians were leading the fire on our regiments. Laying at their line I had marvelous view on everything that happened. I was observing several next french and polish attacks performed towards to the top of slope. Despite to the resistance of enemy I saw that the storm was moving forward.
I saw while on the fire of "my" prussians was approaching 2nd regiment of infantry. I shouted "Go on brothers!". Not by the moment I could join to my fellow countrymen. Prussians they defended with bravery, but finnaly they had to yield. I joined to the troop. Every one very tired was climbing in the big rush. On the top there was given to them last bang, which was not able to change the results of the battle. There was contact fight ant those of defenders, who had not risen his riffle with butt-end to the top those laid in fight. Gdańsk was conquered!

Sebastian Teusz
Translation: Scout