Landing at Galați

The landing at Galați was a crucial operation by the Russian Lower Danube Detachment. It aimed to divert Ottoman attention and prepare the way for successful Russian offensive operations in the region.

In early June 1877, Ottoman forces in the Galați and Brăila area concentrated at Măcin and on the Budzhak Peninsula, numbering about 4,000 officers and men. The Russian landing force comprised the 69th and 70th Ryazan Infantry Regiments under Major General Daniil Zhukov, subordinate to Lieutenant General Apollon Zimmerman.

On 10 June, the first wave of ten infantry companies and four guns landed successfully at the north-eastern end of Budzhak. Ottoman troops holding the commanding positions launched two unsuccessful counterattacks against the Russian flanks and a third against the centre, which was also repelled. A decisive Russian assault forced them to withdraw towards Măcin.

The operation established a secure bridgehead, expanded from the landing site towards Brăila. Engineers immediately built a pontoon bridge from Brăila to Gechet, transferring forces to the Bulgarian bank in preparation for further advances.

Despite 139 Russian officers and men killed or wounded, the successful landing enabled the army to continue its advance and liberate Dobrudja. It served as an important supporting operation for the main Russian crossing between Zimnicea and Svishtov.