During the Patriotic War of 1812, members of naval units joined ground forces. They demonstrated exceptional courage and resilience, as well as the ability to fulfill important assignments in a quick and accurate manner. In 1799, a unit of oarsmen who had previously served at the court was combined with the crews of court yachts and put under the command of the Board of Admiralties. On February 16, 1810, the Naval Guards were formed of these units.
The Naval Guards participated in the Patriotic War of 1812 and distinguished themselves repeatedly. After forcing the French out of the country and celebrating victory, Emperor Alexander I decided to completely crush the enemy on their own territory and to free Europe. On December 23, 1812, the Naval Guards moved toward the country’s border and on December 30, they reached the Neman River. Pursuing Napoleon’s forces, in 1813, the Naval Guards showed bravery and perseverance during the pontoon works on the Oder, the Elbe, and the Rhine. Sailors also demonstrated heroism in the Battles of Bautzen and Kulm on August 17–18, 1813. For these achievements, the Naval Guards along with the oldest Regiments of the Russian Guards — Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky Regiments — received the highest award — the Saint George Banner with the inscription “For the Heroic Acts in the Battle of Kulm on August 17, 1813”.
On January 1, 1814, having crossed the bridge of Basel, the Naval Guards entered France together with the Russian Army. On March 20, 1814, the Guards marched into Paris. In the French capital, they were stationed at the Babylon Barracks in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, while officers and non-commissioned officers stayed at private houses on nearby streets. Their service in Paris consisted of standing guard. On May 22, 1814, the Guards left Paris and headed toward the Port du Havre where they boarded the “Arkhipelag” frigate. Having rounded Europe, the ship brought the Guards to Kronstadt. During this very successful journey, sailors and officers volunteered to participate in all shipboard works. On June 18, 1814, the ship cast anchor at the Kronstadt roadstead. Saint Petersburg gave a great welcome to the military units and militia troops who returned to the capital after the victory. Over 7,000 medals were awarded to navy sailors for participating in the Patriotic War of 1812.
The Naval Guards participated in the Patriotic War of 1812 and distinguished themselves repeatedly. After forcing the French out of the country and celebrating victory, Emperor Alexander I decided to completely crush the enemy on their own territory and to free Europe. On December 23, 1812, the Naval Guards moved toward the country’s border and on December 30, they reached the Neman River. Pursuing Napoleon’s forces, in 1813, the Naval Guards showed bravery and perseverance during the pontoon works on the Oder, the Elbe, and the Rhine. Sailors also demonstrated heroism in the Battles of Bautzen and Kulm on August 17–18, 1813. For these achievements, the Naval Guards along with the oldest Regiments of the Russian Guards — Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky Regiments — received the highest award — the Saint George Banner with the inscription “For the Heroic Acts in the Battle of Kulm on August 17, 1813”.
On January 1, 1814, having crossed the bridge of Basel, the Naval Guards entered France together with the Russian Army. On March 20, 1814, the Guards marched into Paris. In the French capital, they were stationed at the Babylon Barracks in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, while officers and non-commissioned officers stayed at private houses on nearby streets. Their service in Paris consisted of standing guard. On May 22, 1814, the Guards left Paris and headed toward the Port du Havre where they boarded the “Arkhipelag” frigate. Having rounded Europe, the ship brought the Guards to Kronstadt. During this very successful journey, sailors and officers volunteered to participate in all shipboard works. On June 18, 1814, the ship cast anchor at the Kronstadt roadstead. Saint Petersburg gave a great welcome to the military units and militia troops who returned to the capital after the victory. Over 7,000 medals were awarded to navy sailors for participating in the Patriotic War of 1812.
