Czerniaków and Warsaw, 1732

A set of 74 plans of manoeuvres of the Polish-Saxon army held between 31 July and 18 August 1732 in the presence of Augustus II the Strong (1670-1733), Elector of Saxony and King of Poland in the Czerniaków Fields, near Warsaw.

The manoeuvres were held in the area which is now covered by the south-eastern suburbs of Warsaw in the vicinity of Mokotów (52°11ʹ36ʺN 21°02ʹ06ʺE), Sielce (52°12ʹ05ʺN 21°01ʹ54ʺE) and Czerniaków. A pavilion was constructed to house the spectators and to provide quarters for the king; the nobility and staff were allocated tents to the rear. The view from the pavilion, which was set in the grounds of present-day Park Arkadia, would have extended eastwards over the exercise ground, towards the lake (present-day Jezioro Czerniakowskie), beyond which was the ‘Place d'Exercice’ and the first rendezvous encampment of the army. Further tents to house the king during the manoeuvres were erected towards the middle of the exercise area.

This set of plans was probably one of several sets which would have been prepared in advance of the manoeuvres to assist the spectators to understand what they were watching. It appears, in part, to be unfinished: some of the diagrams and maps have blank title panels and letters are used on the diagrams for which there is no explanation. Symbols are used, apparently to denote rank such as major, major-general, lieutenant-general, ‘Le Regimentair’, or infantryman, piquier, etc. However, there is some inconsistency in their use. The manoeuvres were arranged in the following groups: general orders of battle and march for the review; infantry; cavalry; grenadiers; piquiers; lancers; the whole army together; various attacks. The names of the commanding officers appear on some of the plans.