Cossacks — the support of Russia. Always?

41

 

April 17, 1918, began to form the don army under the command of Pyotr Krasnov

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

 

Don Cossacks

 

Recently adopted by the government of the Russian Federation development plan of the state policy of the Russian Federation concerning the Russian Cossacks in the years 2017-2020, almost immediately gave rise to people a lot of rumors and fears. It seemed that the Russian government expects to make a new Cossacks “black hundred” motion controlled “public” power organization. Statement “above” that Cossacks is a new “resource mobilization”, the issuance of permits to carry weapons, etc. only aggravates the situation.

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At the same time, the Cossacks had a very different opinion. In inflamed the minds of the Cossacks with long time entrenched the idea that the Cossacks are a separate nation that should have its own state governed only by the Cossacks that they should sing a hymn, to kiss your flag and it will all be in a special “Cossack” capital. And, unfortunately, these thoughts for the Cossacks — is not new. To trace their history can be very simple, referring to the period of the civil war in 1918-1920, and personally — to the hero of the Cossacks-the”nationalists” Peter Krasnov, founded in 1918, the Great army, and with the help of German troops to separate it from the rest of Russia.

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Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Command of the Volunteer army. generals A. P. Bogaevsky, A. I. Denikin, P. N. Red. Station Chir . 1918

Pyotr Nikolayevich Krasnov — the person really is very versatile. Coming from a military family, received a good military education and rose in the Russian Imperial army to major General, commanded the infantry and Cossack cavalry divisions in the First world war. During the boxer rebellion in China and the Russo-Japanese war worked as a war correspondent. Collaborated with several magazines and is the author of a dozen books.

After the February revolution, Krasnov was at the epicenter of the counter-revolutionary Kornilov revolt: he was an officer corps of 700, which was tasked to provide “security” of Petrograd from “foreign” enemies and “internal”. In Tsarskoye Selo, near the North of the capital, Krasnov was arrested by the Bolsheviks. But soon to be released on parole not to serve against the red army. The word he did not keep…

Peter Krasnov sent to the don, where he began the anti-Bolshevik struggle and trying to proclaim the independence of the Kuban, Terek, Astrakhan regions, the Stavropol province and the Crimea, to create an independent state of the Great army, with its capital in Novocherkassk.

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Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Novocherkassk. the views from the height of bird flight. 1917

The uprising began on March 21 in the village of Suvorovskaya and covers a dozen villages. In April there is a concentration of the forces of the rebels, returned from the Steppe of the campaign the detachment of Ataman General Popov.

23 APR begin fighting for military capital of Novocherkassk. April 25, due to the approaching detachment of the Volunteer army of Colonel M. G. drozdovskii, the Cossacks took the military capital. Already on April 29 in Novocherkassk going to the Circle of Salvation of don, nicknamed “the grey”, who considered himself truly popular, since it included only the Cossacks, without the peasants, workers, intellectuals, Cossacks, supported by the Council and other representatives of “the people”. The circle consisted of 130 representatives from 10 liberated from the Bolsheviks villages. Just Don villages had more than 250 but most of them decided to stay with the new Soviet power.

“Circle” made the decision on the election of the Ataman of the don Troops, but the choice was not easy. The chieftain was supposed to be aloof from the struggle between the two, vying for power groups of the Cossacks “zapraszamy” and “nomads”, to hate the Bolsheviks and be of the Cossacks. The choice fell on Peter Krasnov, who knew from the time of the service in the tsarist army. Krasnov did not accept that election, until that moment, when the Circle will adopt those basic laws which he considers necessary to enter in the don Cossacks in order to be able to fulfill the tasks assigned to him “Circle of salvation of don”. These laws Krasnov has canceled the accepted decrees of the Soviet government and the Provisional government, created the great don Army, as an independent state and has given itself all the power. Was established its own flag, anthem and the capital in Novocherkassk. The circle accepts all conditions and may 16, 1918, Krasnov was elected ataman of the don Cossacks.

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Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

The don Cossacks. 1914

The chieftain, knowing that the armed struggle with the Bolsheviks for separation from Russia and the withholding of such a vast territory will require the assistance of major world powers, decides to establish diplomatic relations with the Germans, who were already actually on the don territory and controlled the neighboring Ukraine. Ataman directs the German Emperor William II a telegram that Vsevelikogo don Army is not in a state of war with Germany, he also asked for help with weapons and offered to establish trade relations. The following message Krasnov asked Wilhelm to support the independence of the territories of the don troops from Russia and facilitating peace negotiations with the Soviets, and instead proposed not to allow its territory to enemies of Germany. The Germans recognized the government of Krasnov and started supplying weapons. In the first six months don has received from Ukraine by the Germans 11 600 guns, 88 machine guns, 46 guns, 109 thousand artillery shells and 11.5 million rifle cartridges. The Germans also assured Krasnov, the territory of the Ukraine and the don is under their control only to ensure the safety of civilians and invited the local authorities. And assured that is ready to move shelves more important to Krasnov direction, by his personal order.

The Pro-German policy Krasnov has made a serious rift in relations with the commander of the Volunteer army and the Armed forces of South Russia Denikin, who fought with the red guards in the Kuban and South of Russia. He was to the last faithful to the Entente, and is considered unacceptable to accept help from Germany, including in the war with Russia. But with all this, did not hesitate to accept the German weapons from the territory of the don, but without receipts and invoices. The same Denikin believed that the entire command of the South of Russia should be under his command and demanded to go under his command and together to expect help from the allies. Was controversial also the direction of impact of the allied armies. Krasnov hoped for a joint attack on Tsaritsyn and mastery of the Voronezh province. Denikin, however, insisted on focusing on the Kuban and in the South of Russia and the gradual connection with the Eastern front Kolchak.

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Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

The Don Cossacks

Since his election as Ataman Krasnov competently undertook the formation of the don army, significantly increased the number and quality of weapons. If by 14 may at the front were 17 thousand Cossacks, with 21 guns and machine guns 58, July 14, for 49 thousand with 92 guns and 272 guns. In August was mobilized 25 ages, don Army consisted of 27,000 infantry and 30,000 cavalry at 175 guns, 610 machine guns, 20 airplanes and 4 armored trains.

But with all this people is still not enough. In the Don and in the Northern border often flared peasant and worker uprising, as the main occupation of the Cossacks in this war was a RAID and robbery of the civilian population, the prey in which the Cossacks were often divided in half with the Germans. Naturally, people love Krasnov could not be found, — here and Bolshevik propaganda was not needed!

But the Chieftain was faced with another problem is the unwillingness of Cossacks to go to war in Zadanie and feed lice in the trenches for long lines, because in his village, farm, wife and children. And then an unknown future. Krasnov tried to rectify that situation by creating the so-called Young army, which was to become the core personnel of the army of the don, it recruited young Cossacks 1899-1900 years, still had not managed to increment their villages.

The plan Krasnov, the don army was to advance beyond the region, taking the city of Tsaritsyn, Kamyshin, Balashov, Novokhopersk and loaf in areas of the Saratov and Voronezh provinces. However, enthusiastic in the attack, the Cossacks did not show. It repeats the story from previous years: for example, in 1917 the Cossack regiments refused to go “to subdue”, if they are not infantry; and now, to go to free Russia without neighbourhood “Russian” regiments of Cossacks refused.

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Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

The Yuliush Kossak. The don Cossacks. 1877

The chieftain had to attend to the creation of some “Russian army” on the Northern borders Region. Started an adventure with the southern Army. At first he could not find her commander. Some people refused, until persuaded elderly General N. I. Ivanov. This venture was not crowned with much success, as it recruited Russian peasants, who were not eager to participate in the suppression of these same farmers.

The beginning of the end of the great don army can be considered the defeat of Germany in the First world war and the withdrawal of German troops from Ukraine and the don. The left flank was exposed, and to send some forces don Krasnov was gone. Ukraine was quickly occupied by the red Army. Began the expansion of the don army. Cossacks and went to the front in their village or passed to the Bolsheviks. Was the last reliable to the aid of the Allied army, which has long waited, but she did not improved the situation. The envoys of France and England did not trust Krasnov for his self-will and Pro-German positions. They demanded that she agree to shared command, which itself had to take General A. I. Denikin and become Commander of the Armed Forces in the South of Russia.

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Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Anton Ivanovich Denikin

26 Dec 1918, Krasnov was forced to accept the offer. This step failed vsevelikoe Army towards the end of his Autonomous existence, and on February 15, 1919, Krasnov will retire and go to Estonia.

In exile, he will become one of the founders of the “Brotherhood of Russian Truth” organization, leading a terrorist war against the Soviet people with weapons in their hands. “Brothers” were active in the border areas of the Soviet Union, mainly in Belarus and the far East.

With the attack of Nazi Germany on the Soviet Union, Krasnov, hoping that at least on Nazi bayonets, but to build a separate state for the Cossacks joined the ranks of Hitler. Such a possibility has appeared for the first time in twenty years.

On 25 January 1943 he (P. N. Krasnov) signed a letter urging the Cossacks against the Bolshevik regime. The appeal noted particular features of the Cossack, Cossack identity, the right of the Cossacks to an independent state existence, but there was no word about Russia. As later admitted Krasnov himself, from that moment he became only the Cossacks, began to serve only the Cossack business by putting “an end to his previous activities.” This is completely combined with the opinion of the old chieftain of the need “to regain the honorary title of Cossack, to earn respect, to gain recognition of their rights.”

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Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

P. N. Krasnov in a Nazi uniform instructs recruits

In may 1945 he was in the Cossack, where he was taken prisoner by the British. In the town of Lienz (Austria) 28 may 1945 together with 2.4 thousand Cossack officers was issued by the British command of the Soviet military administration. Transferred to Moscow, where he was held in Butyrka prison to the death sentence for crimes against the Russian people of the crime, where it is executed.

Long counter-revolutionary activities that began with the complicity of imperialist Nazi Germany and ended the collaboration, it would seem, was to strike the figure Krasnov of Russian history. However, during the anti-Communist hysteria of the Restructuring was revived by a grim idea — and the idea of a “national” of the Cossacks Krasnov among them. The Nazi chieftain monuments, among some groups of Cossacks started a new glorification Krasnov, and not as “Russian” or “Russian” officer.

Now the Russian government is trying again, as in pre-revolutionary times, to rely on the “Cossacks” as a class, serves the interests of United Russia. One can only hope that among this class will win a healthy, let the grounds for that hope, while so many…

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли? Cherkasy Andrew

 

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Command of the Volunteer army. generals A. P. Bogaevsky, A. I. Denikin, P. N. Red. Station Chir . 1918

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Pyotr Krasnov

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Pyotr Nikolayevich Krasnov

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Anton Ivanovich Denikin

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Don Cossacks

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

The don Cossacks. 1914

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

The Cossack ticket 100 rubles. 1918

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Vsevelikogo don army. Medal 1919

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

The emblem of Novocherkassk in 1878

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Home of the don Cossacks. 1792

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Novocherkassk. the views from the height of bird flight. 1917

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

The Don Cossacks

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

A detailed map of the land of the don Cossacks, 1833

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

The flag of the don Cossack army. 1918

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Bogatov Nikolai. Attack of the don Cossacks. 1912

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

The Yuliush Kossak. The don Cossacks. 1877

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Kuban Cossacks at the end of the XIX century

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Kuban Cossacks in may 1916

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Infantry company of the Volunteer army, formed from the guard officers. January 1918

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Poster of the Volunteer army

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Terek Cossacks after the battle. The first world war, the front. 1914 — 1918

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Meeting of General von Pannwitz with General P. N. Krasnov. September 1943

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

P. N. Krasnov in a Nazi uniform instructs recruits

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Peter Krasnov swearing allegiance to Hitler

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Wife Krasnovs in bad Nauheim, 1930-ies

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Commemorative plate by the generals of the Russian Imperial army in the churchyard of All Saints Church in all saints

Andreykor

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

The monument to the great don Army don in Novocherkassk

Казачество — опора России. Всегда ли?

Dmitry Medvedev presented banners to Cossack military societies. 2011

Illustration: Kremlin.ru

 

 

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