Civil War was one of the greatest tragedies of Russian history.This fratricidal carnage lasted almost six years and has caused the victim, far exceeding the number of its military losses in battles with Austria-Hungary and Germany.One of the little-known pages of this terrible saga was the revolt of the Czechoslovak Corps.
First World War pitted in mortal combat many nations.From Remarque's novels and other literary, its veterans, tell us about the positional battles on the Western Front.Today, the Russians will learn a lot about the prowess of ancestors who defended their homeland over the defense line from the Baltic to the Black Sea, and the fortifications of a breakthrough in the Carpathians Army General Brusilov.
popular book Jaroslav Hasek of the Good Soldier Schweik vividly illustrates the mood in the Austro-Hungarian army, part of which was completed by the Czechs and Slovaks.Soldiers of these nationalities were supposed to protect the interests of the monarchy completely alien to them.Historically feeling sympathy for Russia (even national flags of Czechs and Slovaks for its flowers repeat our tricolor), they massively deserted or went over to her side.Knowledge of the Austrian army from the "inside" allows them to provide invaluable assistance.
After the October Revolution, these parts were in a difficult position.The Bolsheviks, trying to slow their movement to the front, where they sought to help allied armies to complete the defeat of Germany and Austria-Hungary (and, hence, to achieve sovereignty), made decisions that disarm them, to drive to the concentration camps (they are just asthere), and even lure the Red Army.
A situation in which the situation could save a bold offensive or seizure of weapons warehouses.
Then began the revolt of the Czechoslovak Corps.Date of the event - the spring of 1918.More precisely it is impossible to specify, unified command it had no military force.Home uprising Czechoslovak Corps was spontaneous and unprepared.Red cars with soldiers firing machine guns, and so had to counter them with his bare hands.However, ill-equipped and did not know the area, but well-trained military could adequately confront the Bolsheviks, and the sympathy of the population allowed them to hold significant territory in the Volga region and Siberia.
At a time when the Volunteer Army has not yet been formed, it was a revolt of the Czechoslovak Corps was the first how else organized attempts to resist the red terror.
Entente countries, promising to help her, however, were in no hurry.Firstly, England and France, the cares enough, and secondly, her delivery was very problematic and risky.In the vastness of the Volga to Vladivostok revolt of the Czechoslovak Corps has become a real threat to the Bolshevik regime.
Liberation Kazan and hold the city for months has demonstrated the ability to "Czechs" to take decisive action.However, the loss, lack of supply and centralized management could not but affect the military success.In the autumn of 1918, in October, the two regiments, the 1st and 4th, refused to continue fighting.Divisional Commander Joseph George Shvets shot without experiencing shame, because the soldiers with whom he had fought for four years, he did not obey.
Finally the revolt of the Czechoslovak Corps was suppressed only in the autumn 1919.From Vladivostok its remains were evacuated to the home, which received after the defeat of Austria-Hungary's independence.
