SHIPKA PASS, in Bulgaria, a pass in the Balkans, celebrated as the scene of fierce fighting in the Russo-Turkish War of 78. The main road from Rumelia to Bulgaria, leading from Sistova by Tirnova and Eski Zagra to Adrianople, crosses the Balkans near the village of Shipka, and this passage was of neces sity an important point in the Russian plan of operations. The road does not pass between high peaks, but crosses the main ridge at the highest point ; it is therefore not a pass in the ordinary sense of the word. Near the summit, running parallel, and close to the road is a series of three ridges, some 200 ft. high, and about 2 m. from north to south, which formed the position for a force holding the pass. It was originally held by a Turkish force of about 4,000 men with 12 guns, prepared to resist the Russian ad vance. On July 17 they repelled a feeble attack from the north, and the following day faced round and drove back an attack by Gourko from the south. These attacks were to have been simul taneous, but Gourko, having met with unexpected resistance, was a day late. Though so far successful, the Turks evacuated their strong position, and it was occupied by the Russians on July 19.
Suleiman Pasha, having concentrated with Reouf Pasha and driven Gourko across the Balkans at the end of July, moved to the Shipka on Aug. 21 and attacked. The Russian force there, includ ing five battalions of Bulgarians, then numbered 5,000, but that day a regiment from Selvi brought their numbers to 7,500, and this force held the position against 30,00o Turks for three days, when heavy reinforcements arrived. The fighting continued till the morning of the 26th, when Suleiman, his troops being ex hausted, and having lost 1o,000 men, entrenched himself in the position he then occupied in a semi-circle round the southern end of the Russian position. Having called up more battalions from Yeni Zagra, after a four days' artillery bombardment, he attacked on September 17 and was repelled with a loss of approximately 3,000 men.
There was no more fighting on the Shipka till the general advance of the Russians after the fall of Plevna. Radetzky's command of about 6o,000 men advanced from Gabrova on Jan. 5, in three
columns. Radetzky, with the central column, moved by the main road and attacked the Turks, who still faced the position on the summit, while Skobelev and Mirski, crossing by trails some 3 m. to the west and east of the Turkish position, attacked their re serves on the far side, about Shipka and Shenova, where Vessil Pasha (who had succeeded Suleiman in command) had formed an entrenched camp. These flank columns made their way over the mountains, deep in snow. Mirski attacked alone on Jan. 8, as Skobelev's advance had been delayed, but the following day both columns attacked, and after fierce fighting the Turks surrendered. The force on the summit had that day repulsed, with heavy loss, a frontal attack by Radetzky, but they were included in the sur render. Their numbers were 36,000, including 6,000 sick and wounded, and 93 guns. The Russian losses were 5,500.
Not only were the Turkish attacks on the Shipka unsuccessful, but they were made without object. At the end of July, when Suleiman forced Gourko back over the Balkans, the moral equilib rium and the plan of operations of the Russians had been upset by the second battle of Plevna, and the Shipka ceased to have any strategical importance for the time being. Had Suleiman at that time followed up Gourko and joined Mehemet Ali, or moving round acted with Osman against the Russian flank, the evacuation of the Shipka would have been compulsory. Suleiman, knowing nothing of strategy, preferred to act independently, and his action was supported by the still more ignorant ministers at Constanti nople. The Shipka was merely a geographical point until the Rus sians were prepared to advance, but, fortunately for them, the Turks chose to waste an army in fighting for it throughout the critical period of the operations. Suleiman divided his forces and used up his troops in costly frontal attacks on Mt. St. Nicholas, the southern and strongest point of the position, whereas a well-supported flank attack would probably have met with success. The manner in which he sacrificed his men earned for him the name of the "Shipka butcher." (J. H. V. C.)