Women's Death Battalion in World War I (photos available in the article), came at the behest of the Provisional Government.One of the main initiators of its creation was M. Bochkarev.Women's Death Battalion in World War I created to raise the morale of the soldiers, men who refused to go to the front.
Maria Bochkareva
Since 1914, she was at the front with the rank of sergeant, received this highest resolution.Thanks to heroism by 1917 th Maria Bochkareva became quite famous.Who arrived in April to the Western Front Rodzianko made a personal meeting with her, and then took it with him to Petrograd for campaigning for the fight "until victory" in the army garrison and the delegates of the Congress of the Petrograd Soviet.In his speech Bochkareva put forward a proposal to form a women's battalion of death.During the war, she said, it was the formation of such an imperative.After this she was asked to speak at a meeting of the Provisional Government.
Background to the formation of detachment
During the First World women of all ages - the girls, girl students and representatives of other sectors of society - went voluntarily to the front.The "Bulletin of the Red Cross" in 1915 there was the story of the 12 girls who were fighting in the Carpathians.They were 14-16 years old.In the first battles of the two schoolgirls were killed and four were wounded.Soldiers fatherly attitude to the girls.They took them to a form taught shooting and then recorded them under men's names as the rank and file.What made women who were good-looking, young, rich or honorable, plunge into the everyday life of the military?Documents and memories point to many reasons.Chief among them, of course, was the patriotic impulse.He covered all Russian society.That sense of patriotism and duty led many women change their outfits to elegant uniforms or clothing nurses.Equally important were and family circumstances.Some women went to the front of their husbands, while others heard about their deaths, joined the ranks of the army of revenge.A special role belonged to the developing movement for equal rights with men.The revolutionary 1917 was given plenty of opportunities for women.They got the electoral and other rights.All this contributed to the soldiers' orders, which consisted entirely of women.In the spring and summer of 1917 began to form part of the whole country.Already from the name, it was clear what the women's battalion of death.In the First World War the girls were ready to give their lives for their country.Botchkareva responded to the call of some 2,000 girls.However, only 300 of them were selected to the women's death battalion.In World War I, "shock troops" have shown what they are capable Russian girl.His heroism they were challenged all the soldiers involved in the fighting.
Women's Battalion of Death: the history of creation
Batalyon was established in a relatively short time.In 1917, June 21, at the Cathedral of St. Isaac's Square in the solemn ceremony was held.She received a new military formation of the white flag.June 29 approved the Regulations.It establishes a procedure for the formation of military units of female volunteers.Writes a series of "shock troopers" representatives of different sectors of society.For instance, the aide Botchkareva was 25-year-old general's daughter Maria Skrydlova.She had an excellent education and knew five languages.
Women's Death Battalion in World War consisted of women serving in front-line units, and ordinary citizens of.Among the latter was a noblewoman, worker, teacher, girl students.Simple peasant servant girls of the most famous noble families, soldiers', Cossacks - they and many others were in the service of the women's death battalion.History of the creation of the Botchkareva began in difficult times.But that was the impetus to unite in groups of girls and soldiers in other cities.Mostly often enter Russian woman.However, it was possible to meet and representatives of other nationalities.Thus, according to the documents, Estonians, Latvian, Jewish women were also going to serve in the Women's Battalion of Death.
History units indicates a high patriotism of the fairer sex.Part began to be formed in Kiev, Smolensk, Kharkov, Mariupol, Baku, Irkutsk, Odessa, Poltava, Vyatka and other cities.As the sources, a lot of girls enrolled immediately in the first women's death battalion.In World War I military forces had a population of 250 to 1,500.In October 1917 it was formed: Marine team, Minsk sentry squad, Cavalry regiment of the Petrograd and Petrograd First, Second Moscow, the Third Battalion of the death of Cuban women.In World War I (history testifies to this) attended only the last three units.However, with the increasing process of destruction of the Russian Empire and the formation of units was not completed.
Public attitudes
Solntseva Russian historian wrote that the Soviets and the mass of the soldiers rather negatively perceived female battalion of death.In World War II, however, the role of the detachment was quite substantial.However, many veterans rather unflattering comments about the girls.In early July, the Petrograd Soviet demanded to disband all battalions.It was said that these parts are "unfit for duty".In addition, the Soviet city regarded the formation of these groups as the "hidden bourgeois maneuver" as a desire to bring the fight to win.
Women's Death Battalion in World War I: photos, activities
in the army of the Botchkareva arrived on the 27th June 1917.The number of unit was 200 people.Women's Death Battalion entered the rear part of the first Siberian Corps 10th Army on the Western Front.On 9th July offensive was being prepared.The 7th Infantry Regiment, which included a women's battalion of death, received an order.He had to take a position at Krevo.On the right flank of the battalion of the regiment was shock troopers.They first entered the fray as the enemy, who knew about the plans of the Russian army, causing pre-emptive strike, went to the location of our troops.
During the three days was recorded 14 attacks enemy.Several times during this time the battalion performed with counterattacks.As a result, the German soldiers were knocked out from the positions they occupied the day before.In his report to Colonel Zakrzewski wrote that women's death battalion in World War behaved heroically, being constantly at the forefront.Women have served as well as the soldiers, along with them.When the Germans attacked, they all rushed to the counter, went to the exploration, tray cartridges.Women's Death Battalion in the First World War was an example of bravery, courage and serenity.Each of these female characters worthy of the highest ranks of the revolutionary army Soldier Russia.As she testified Bochkareva of 170 women soldiers who took part in the fighting, 30 people were killed and about 70 wounded.She was wounded five times.After the battle Bochkareva month and a half has been in the hospital.For participation in the battles and heroism she was awarded the rank of lieutenant.
consequences of losing
Due to the large number of dead and wounded in the battles of girls, General Kornilov has signed an order prohibiting the formation of new death squads to take part in the fighting.Existing orders assigned only an auxiliary function.In particular, they were instructed to provide security, communication, act as care groups.As a result, many women volunteers who were willing to fight for their homeland with arms, submitting a written application, which requested to dismiss them out of the death squad.
Discipline
It was tough enough.Women's Death Battalion in World War I showed not only an example of courage and patriotism.The basic principles were proclaimed:
- blessing, freedom and honor of the motherland.
- Perseverance and firmness of faith and spirit.
- Speed, perseverance, accuracy and precision in the execution of orders.
- serious attitude to work on the front lines and impeccable integrity.
- cleanliness, kindness, friendliness, courtesy, cheerfulness.
- Respect other people's opinions.
- trust in each other.
- Nobility.
inadmissibility considered personal animosity and strife.
Positive aspects
Women's Death Battalion in the First World, not only participated in the battles."The women soldiers" had the opportunity to learn a profession for men.For example, Princess Shakhovskaya - the world's first woman pilot.In Germany in 1912, she was granted a pilot's license.There, at the airport Yohannistal, she worked for some time as an instructor.At the beginning of the war Shahovskaya petitioned send it as a military pilot in the front.The emperor granted the request, and in November 1914 the princess was enrolled at the rank of lieutenant in the first aviation group.Another striking example is Elena Samsonov.She was the daughter of a military engineer, graduated with honors from high school and courses in Peretburge.The hospital in Warsaw Samson worked as a nurse.After that, she was enrolled as a driver in the 9th Army, in the south-western front.However, she has served there for long - about four months, and then was sent to Moscow.Before the war, Samsonov received the diploma of a pilot.In 1917, she was sent to 26 aviation detachment.
Security Provisional Government
One of the "shock battalions" (First Petrograd under the command of Captain gloss) with cadets and other parts in October 1917 took part in the protection of the Winter Palace.On October 25, a detachment that was stationed at the station Levashovo, had to go to the Romanian front.But the day before Loskovym was ordered to send part of the "parade" in Petrograd.In fact, it supposed to ensure the protection of the Provisional Government.
gloss learned about the real problem and did not want to involve their employees in political controversy.He led the battalion back to Levashovo except 2 companies numbering 137 people.With two shock squads headquarters of the Petrograd district tried to implement wiring Foundry, Nicholas Palace and bridges.But the task was thwarted sovietized sailors.The remaining company of women soldiers to the right of the main gate on the first floor of the palace.During the night she gave up the assault, he was disarmed.The girls were taken to the barracks of the Pavlovsky first, and then the Grenadier Regiment.According to some reports, a number of women soldiers' ill-treated. "Subsequently, a special committee of the Petrograd City Council established that four of the girls were raped (although probably few have been generally willing to admit it), and one committed suicide.October 26 poisoned a company back into Levashovo.
liquidation squads
After the October Revolution, the Soviet government took a new course for the conclusion of peace, as well as the country out of war.In addition, part of the forces was aimed at eliminating the Imperial Army.As a result, all the "shock troops" were dissolved.Battalions were disbanded November 30, 1917 by order of the military council of another former Ministry.Although shortly before the event it had been ordered to produce all the participating volunteer units for combat service in officers.Nevertheless, a large number of girls and women soldiers remained in the arrangements until January 1918 and last longer.Some women fled to the Don.There they took an active part in the fight against the Bolsheviks in the ranks of the White Army.The last of the remaining parts of the Kuban was the third battalion of death.He was stationed in Ekaterinodar.The impact of the disbanded only to February 26, 1918.The reason was the refusal of staff Caucasus region to ensure continued provision of the detachment.
Appearance and shape
women who served in the battalion Botchkareva on chevrons worn by the character "Adam's head."They, like other soldiers took medical examination.Like men, women cut their hair almost bald.During the fighting, women's participation and penance has become the first in the history of mass character.In the Russian army at the front it was more than 25,000 female volunteers.The sense of patriotism and duty to the Fatherland, has led many of them to work.Stay in the army changed their outlook.
In conclusion
should be noted that when the first women's battalion belonged to the special role of Kerensky.He was the first supported the idea.The address of the Kerensky received a huge number of petitions and telegrams from women who wanted to join the parts.He also received the minutes of meetings and various notes.In all of these securities are recorded concern women the further destiny of the country, as well as a desire to protect the homeland, to preserve the freedom of the people.They believed that remain inactive is equivalent to shame.Women aspire to the army, led only by love of country, desire to raise the morale of the soldiers.The General Directorate of the General Staff has formed a special commission for labor service.At the same time the headquarters of military districts have begun efforts to attract girls to the army of volunteers.However, the desire of women was so great that the country was a wave of spontaneous creation of military organizations.
