Bochkarev's death battalion history. How Bochkareva’s women’s “death battalion” was created. "Death Battalion" by Maria Bochkareva
In Soviet historiography, the term “women’s death battalion” was firmly tied to the history of the capture of the Winter Palace and the flight of the head of the Provisional Government Alexander Kerensky in a woman's dress.
The “women's battalion” itself was presented as a desperate attempt by the bourgeoisie to defend its power by any means, even if this meant putting women “under arms.”
IN real history The women's units that appeared in the Russian army in 1917 are much less farce and much more tragic.
A peasant's daughter, an alcoholic's wife, a bandit's mistress
RIA Novosti / Boris Losin
The appearance of women's battalions is primarily associated with the name Maria Leontievna Bochkareva.
A peasant from the Novgorod province, Maria moved to Siberia with her parents in childhood in search of a better life. But they failed to get out of poverty. At the age of 15, Maria was married to Afanasia Bochkareva, who was eight years older than her.
The married life of a couple living in Tomsk did not work out for the usual reason for Russia - the husband drank heavily. Maria found consolation in hugs Jacob Buka, a Jewish butcher.
In 1912, when Maria turned 23, her lover was convicted of robbery and sent into exile in Yakutsk. The young woman, showing character, went after him. In Yakutsk, the couple opened a butcher shop, but Buk’s main craft remained banditry. Apparently, the mistress was well aware of this and even took whatever part she could in the criminal business.
Soon the police detained Buk again, sending him to the remote Yakut village of Amgu. Out of melancholy, Maria’s lover started drinking, and this time their relationship ended.
Cross for courage
It is unknown where the crooked path would have led Maria Bochkareva, but on August 1, 1914, the First World War began. A 25-year-old woman, having returned to Tomsk, turned to the commander of the 25th reserve battalion with a request to enlist her in the regular army. The commander offered her the position of nurse, but Bochkareva stated that she wanted to fight with weapons in her hands.
Tired of the annoying petitioner, the battalion commander advised the woman what is always advised in Russia in such cases - to go “up.”
Commander of the women's “death battalion” Maria Bochkareva. 1917 Photo: RIA Novosti
Maria Bochkareva spent her last money on a telegram to the emperor, and received... a positive response.
Bochkareva, who asked her colleagues to call her “Yashka,” was enrolled in a unit that was soon sent to the front.
“Yashka” did not pay any attention to ridicule and pestering - it was difficult to confuse or frighten a woman who lived with a butcher who traded in banditry.
And at the front, Bochkareva very quickly earned respect for her desperate courage and perseverance. The jokes about her stopped on their own. She pulled wounded comrades from the battlefield, went into bayonet attacks, was wounded several times and was awarded the St. George Cross, as well as three medals. By 1917 she was promoted to senior non-commissioned officer.
For Maria Bochkareva, war became the main meaning of life. She did not understand and did not accept the changes and revolutionary ferment taking place around her. Calls for an end to the war and fraternization with the enemy seemed completely unthinkable to non-commissioned officer Bochkareva.
Propaganda tool
After the February Revolution of 1917, the Provisional Government declared loyalty to its allied obligations and proclaimed the slogan “War to a victorious end.”
This slogan was not popular. The soldiers were tired of the war, and against the backdrop of revolutionary events, real collapse began in the units.
The Provisional Government frantically searched for ways to strengthen the morale of the troops. By that time, the name of Maria Bochkareva was thundering throughout the country and was respected. One of the leaders of the February Revolution Mikhail Rodzianko, who went to the Western Front in April 1917 with the difficult mission of campaigning for the continuation of the war, wished to meet with Bochkareva. After talking with her, the politician took Bochkareva to Petrograd to participate in the campaign.
Maria Bochkareva, Emmeline Pankhurst and soldiers of the Women's Battalion. Photo: wikipedia.org
At a meeting of the congress of soldiers' deputies of the Petrograd Soviet, Maria Bochkareva first expressed the idea of creating women's volunteer battalions.
The Provisional Government immediately seized on this idea. Women who voluntarily took up arms and fight the enemy should inspire discouraged men with their example, the ministers considered.
Bochkareva was taken to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Alexey Brusilov. The general, under whose command the famous breakthrough was carried out, was not very enthusiastic about the idea, but, nevertheless, promised help in forming the unit if the government decided to do so.
Women's call
The number of volunteers who responded to the idea was measured in several thousand. Among them were women who, like Bochkareva, ended up in the army with special permission from the emperor, who came from Cossack families, as well as military families. There were many representatives of noble families, teachers, and students.
Women's death battalions. June 1917 - November 1918. At the hairdresser's. Haircut bald. Photo. Summer 1917 Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
The strictest discipline was established in Bochkareva’s unit: getting up at five in the morning, studying until ten in the evening, a short rest and a simple soldier’s lunch. Political conversations and other agitation were strictly prohibited. Bochkareva sometimes personally beat the troublemakers.
Some of those who signed up for the battalion, primarily ladies from the intelligentsia, could not stand this attitude and left it.
On June 21, 1917, on the square near St. Isaac's Cathedral, a solemn ceremony was held to present the new military unit with a white banner with the inscription “The first female military command of the death of Maria Bochkareva.” The regulation “On the formation of military units from female volunteers” was finally approved on June 29.
From June to October 1917, a number of women's units were formed: 1st Petrograd Women's Death Battalion, 2nd Moscow Women's Death Battalion, 3rd Kuban Women's Shock Battalion, Naval Women's Team, 1st Petrograd Cavalry Battalion of the Women's Military Union , Minsk separate guard squad of female volunteers.
The commander of the Petrograd Military District, General P. A. Polovtsov, inspects the 1st Petrograd Women's Death Battalion. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
First battle
Of these units, only the first three battalions were sent to the active army, of which only Maria Bochkareva’s unit saw combat.
The women's battalion went to the front on June 23, 1917, finally marching through Petrograd with a solemn march. On June 27, 200 women arrived in the rear units of the 1st Siberian Army Corps of the 10th Army Western Front to the Novospassky forest area, north of the city of Molodechno, near Smorgon.
For Maria Bochkareva herself, the specific attitude of male soldiers was commonplace, but for many of her subordinates, ridicule, insults and harassment came as a shock.
On July 7, 1917, the battalion, included in the 525th Kyuryuk-Darya Infantry Regiment of the 132nd Infantry Division, took up positions on the right flank of the regiment near the town of Krevo.
Farewell to the women's death battalion in Moscow. Summer 1917. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
On July 9, the offensive of the Western Front was to begin, on the success of which the Provisional Government placed a big bet.
However, on July 8, German troops, aware of the Russian plans, launched a preemptive strike. The 525th Regiment found itself in the direction of the main German attack.
Over three days of fighting, the regiment repelled 14 enemy attacks. Women fought equally with men and launched counterattacks.
From admiration to hatred
General Denikin, who was extremely skeptical about the idea of women’s battalions, admitted that Bochkareva’s unit showed exceptional heroism. According to Denikin’s memoirs, in one of the counterattacks, women managed to drive the Germans out of previously occupied Russian trenches, but did not receive the support of men.
Shock performers during exercises at a summer camp. Field kitchen Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
“And when the pitch hell of enemy artillery fire broke out, the poor women, having forgotten the technique of scattered combat, huddled together - helpless, alone in their section of the field, loosened by German bombs,” the general wrote.
According to Maria Bochkareva, out of 170 female soldiers who went through the heat of these battles, 30 were killed and 70 were wounded. Bochkareva herself was wounded for the fifth time and spent a month and a half in the hospital.
Upon leaving the hospital, Maria Bochkareva, who was awarded the rank of second lieutenant, the new Supreme Commander-in-Chief Lavr Kornilov ordered a review of the women's units.
The leadership of the military formation. Summer 1917. In the photo M. Bochkareva is sitting on the far left. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
The results of the review disappointed Bochkarev - the combat readiness of the units was at an extremely low level.
On August 14, 1917, General Kornilov, based on the large losses suffered by Bochkareva during the battle, prohibited the creation of new women’s “death battalions” for combat use, and the already created parts were prescribed to be used only in auxiliary areas.
The “women’s battalions” did not comply and main task- They failed to inspire the men. Only those who fought next to them were imbued with respect for the fighting women, but even there, as the memoirs of General Denikin testify, the men did not rush to attack after them.
For the most part, the soldiers were hostile to the enthusiasm of women, sending insults at them, the mildest of which was “prostitutes.”
The “women’s battalion” was brought to the Winter Palace under the pretext of a parade
It is impossible to ignore the history of the notorious “women’s battalion” that defended the Winter Palace during the October Revolution. We are talking about the 1st Petrograd Women's Death Battalion, commanded by Staff Captain Loskov.
The battalion, located in the area of the Levashova station of the Finnish Railway, was preparing to leave for the Romanian Front on October 25. However, on October 24, the battalion was suddenly called to Petrograd for a parade.
Battalion commander Loskov, who knew about the turbulent situation in the city, was already in Petrograd able to find out that the battalion was planned to be used to protect the Winter Palace from a possible Bolshevik attack.
On the square in front of the Winter Palace. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
Loskov did not want to involve his subordinates in politics, and withdrew the battalion back to Levashovo, with the exception of the 2nd company. Thus, 137 fighters of the “women’s battalion” remained in Petrograd.
The forces at the disposal of the Provisional Government in the capital were clearly insufficient to suppress the armed uprising. For example, the task of building bridges and controlling them was entrusted to two platoons of a women’s company and cadets. The timid attempt to seize the bridges was easily suppressed by the revolutionary sailors.
As a result, the women's company took up defense on the first floor of the Winter Palace in the area to the right of the main gate to Millionnaya Street.
"The Case of Revolutionary Rape"
As you know, the storming of the Winter Palace did not look nearly as colorful as shown in the classic film Sergei Eisenstein"October". Most of the units that remained loyal to the Provisional Government did not offer serious resistance to the superior Bolshevik forces. The women's company also surrendered.
There is still debate about what happened next to these women. Anti-Bolshevik propaganda colorfully described how women from the “death battalion” were gang-raped, cut with knives and thrown out of windows.
Such rumors are, to put it mildly, exaggerated. On the other hand, the possibility of violence cannot be completely denied. A specially created commission of the Petrograd City Duma, which interviewed women from the company that defended the Winter Palace, stated: three women testified that they had been raped. Another of the female soldiers committed suicide, but in her farewell note she cited “disappointment in ideals” as the reason for this step.
Volunteers on the square in front of the Winter Palace. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
There were absolutely no bloody reprisals against women or throwing them out of the windows of the Winter Palace.
However, some historians believe that the accusations of rape voiced by members of the Petrograd Duma were part of information war against the Bolsheviks who came to power.
The day after the assault on the winter camp, the women’s company returned to the battalion’s location in Levashovo.
Subject to disbandment
Maria Bochkareva had only an indirect relation to all these events. Among the subordinates of battalion commander Loskov were those ladies who left Bochkareva’s command because of the strict discipline she established. She herself did not take part in the defense of the Winter Palace.
The Bolshevik government, which set a course for exiting the war, did not need volunteer units who wanted to continue the war to a victorious end. The decision to disband the battalions was made on November 30, 1917.
The last to be disbanded was the 3rd Kuban Women's Shock Battalion, which ceased to exist on February 26, 1918 due to a lack of supplies.
Many former volunteers of the “women’s battalions” joined the ranks of the White Army. In the beginning Civil War Many women fought on both sides of the front, some even commanded men, but separate combat units were not formed from them.
Maria Bochkareva, having disbanded her battalion, went home to Tomsk. On the way, she was detained by the Bolsheviks and almost ended up on trial for counter-revolutionary agitation, but the intercession of her former colleagues helped.
Tour of the “Russian Joan of Arc”
Maria Bochkareva in the USA, 1918. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
There are several versions about her further fate. Some claim that she herself joined the ranks of the whites, others insist that Bochkareva did not intend to participate in the Civil War, but they put pressure on her.
Be that as it may, Maria Bochkareva arrived in Vladivostok, from where she went to the USA in order to agitate Western politicians for assistance White movement.
Her life story made an impression; in the United States she found the patronage of influential people who organized her an audience with the US President Woodrow Wilson. Journalist Isaac Don In 1919, Levin, based on her stories, published a book about Bochkareva called “Yashka.”
From the USA, Bochkareva moved to the UK, where she was received by the king himself George V.
Returning to Russia, she traveled from Arkhangelsk to Siberia, where she met with Kolchak, who suggested that Bochkareva form a women’s military sanitary detachment. “Yashka” agreed, but Kolchak’s days were already numbered, and the formation of the detachment had not even begun.
Execution by unknown persons
When Tomsk was occupied by the Red Army, Bochkareva herself came to the new commandant of the city, introduced herself, and handed over her revolver. At first she was released on her own recognizance, but on January 7, 1920, she was arrested and then sent to Krasnoyarsk.
Unlike the first arrest, now the accusations of “counter-revolutionary activities” were more significant - a campaign trip in support of the White Army to the USA and Great Britain, an audience with Kolchak...But Bochkareva spoke extremely frankly about all her affairs and actions, which caused the security officers some confusion. Moreover, all these trips and audiences were not direct participation in the war against the Bolsheviks.
By the standards of the Civil War, the proceedings in the case of Maria Bochkareva dragged on endlessly. On April 21, 1920, the Special Department of the 5th Army decided to transfer Bochkareva to the Special Department of the Moscow Cheka for a final decision.
But at this time the deputy head of the Special Department of the Cheka arrived in Tomsk Pavlunovsky endowed with extraordinary powers.
Pavlunovsky, having familiarized himself with the case materials, made a decision on May 15, 1920 - to shoot Maria Leontyevna Bochkareva.
On the cover of Bochkareva’s case, a note was made that the sentence was carried out on May 16. But in 1992, when the Russian prosecutor's office was reviewing Bochkareva's case, it unexpectedly turned out that there was no evidence of her execution.
There is a version that journalist Isaac Don Levin, the author of a book about her, was able to achieve her release and took Bochkareva to Harbin, where she married a former fellow soldier and devoted herself to raising his children from her first marriage. According to this version, the Bochkareva family, which by that time had a different surname, was forcibly deported to the USSR in 1927, where she spent last years life.
This story seems implausible. But wasn’t Maria Bochkareva’s whole life just as implausible?
We will not hide that the reason for writing this article was watching the film “Battalion” by director Dmitry Meskhiev. Moreover, the film itself seemed not as interesting as its real prototypes. Going to “Battalion”, you expect stingy male tears to well up in your eyes. But in fact, the true drama of those days, filmed in our days, was more cruel and chilling than Meskhiev’s picture. We have not yet learned how to handle dramatic plots according to all the canons. No matter how much they swear at films produced abroad, they know how to make films there. So much so that it’s not a sin to shed a tear. But it’s good that such topics began to be raised. The heroes of the First World War, who were undeservedly forgotten and subjected to oblivion due to their disagreement with the policies of Soviet and communist ideologists, are now gaining recognition.
Maria Bochkareva
It is with this name that the formation of the first women’s death battalion is associated, which, in fact, is the subject of the story in Meskhiev’s film. Her fate is very indicative as an example of the traditional Russian character, when from rags through all obstacles a person achieved recognition and fame among worthy people, and then paid for it with interest. A peasant woman who became the commander of an entire battalion, received many awards, and was recognized by many officers as an equal. What had to happen in the life of this woman for her to turn from a representative of the fairer sex into a soldier.
Born into a poor peasant family, Maria Bochkareva soon left with her parents for Siberia, where they were promised land and government subsidies. But as often happens, they lured us with bread and butter, but in reality it turned out to be a big deal. It was impossible to overcome poverty; they were managed as best they could. Therefore, her parents had to marry Maria off at the age of 15. But this marriage did not last long. Her betrothed, despite his 23 years, was a serious alcoholic, and in the heat of ensuing insanity, he began to beat his wife. Masha could not stand this behavior and ran away from her unlucky hubby. She ran to the local butcher Yakov Buk. But that one also turned out to be a gift from fate. First, he was arrested in 1912 for robbery, and a little later Yakov received an even longer sentence for participating in a Honghuz gang. His current wife followed him to each of the places of detention, but only until he, too, began to drink and began to repeat the mistakes of his previous chosen one.
Just at this time the First outbreak broke out World War, and Maria Bochkareva (by the way, she got her last name from her first husband) decided to volunteer for the front. At first they didn’t want to accept her at all, but then they agreed to put the young girl into service in the medical troops. For some time, helping the wounded, she did not give up hope of being transferred to the front. Which happened just a few weeks later. At the front, Bochkareva became a phenomenon. Experiencing regular rounds of cruel mockery from the soldiers, she fought fiercely and selflessly in battle. Therefore, soon the bullying ended, and she began to be treated as an equal. The result of his service in the ranks of the Russian Army on the fronts of the First World War was the rank of non-commissioned officer, the St. George Cross, 3 medals of distinction and 2 wounds.
But there were troubled times just around the corner.
Creation of a women's death battalion
The provisional government could not hold the front. The activities of Soviet agitators undermined rear support, and rebellion and mutiny were brewing in the ranks of the soldiers themselves. People, tired of the war, were ready to throw down their weapons and go home. In such a situation, senior officers demanded that strict measures be taken to introduce disciplinary penalties, including the execution of deserters. But the chairman of the provisional government was General A.F. Krymov, who is remembered by us for the fate of his life. Kerensky, he had his own opinion on this matter. At his request, instead of introducing a harsh suppression of disobedience, a decision was made to form a women’s battalion in the ranks of the Russian army in order to increase the morale of the soldiers and shame those who laid down their arms without ending the war.
The best commander for such a unit could only be Maria Bochkareva. At the urgent request of the officers, Kerensky personally instructs Maria to lead the detachment and begin staffing it immediately. Those were desperate times, many people felt pain for the Fatherland, even women. Therefore, there were enough volunteers. There were many women who served, but there were also civilians. There was a special influx from widows and soldiers' wives. Noble maidens also walked. In total, the first recruitment into the battalion consisted of about 2,000 women and girls who decided to help their country in such an unusual way for them.
Kerensky listened with obvious impatience. It was obvious that he had already made up his mind on this matter. I doubted only one thing: whether I could maintain high morale and morality in this battalion. Kerensky said that he would allow me to begin formation immediately<…>When Kerensky accompanied me to the door, his gaze settled on General Polovtsev. He asked him to provide me with any necessary assistance. I almost suffocated with happiness.
M.L. Bochkareva.
Maria Bochkareva’s life was not all sugar, so she long ago stopped considering herself just a woman. She is a soldier, an officer, so she demanded the same approach from her subordinates. There shouldn't have been women in her battalion; she needed soldiers. Of the 2,000 people, 300 completed training; only 200 returned to the front. The rest could not withstand the stress and barracks situation. Before being sent to the front on June 21, 1917, the new unit of troops was presented with a white banner, on which there was an inscription that read “The first women's military command of the death of Maria Bochkareva.” The women went to the front.
At the front, Bochkareva’s battalion heard a lot of “pleasant things” from the soldiers. The gentlemen with red bows in their buttonholes, imbued with the new revolutionary ideology, especially ranted. They considered the arrival of female soldiers to be a provocation, which was actually not far from the truth. After all, women howling and dying with weapons in their hands are a disgrace to healthy men who have laid down their arms, who were sitting in the rear and drinking German swill.
Arriving on the Western Front, the battalion of female soldiers entered its first battle on July 9. Positions in this part of the front constantly changed hands. Having repulsed the attack of German troops, Bochkareva’s unit took enemy positions and held them for a long time. The heaviest battles were accompanied by equally heavy losses. By the time of direct hostilities, the battalion commander had 170 bayonets at his disposal. By the end of a series of protracted battles, only 70 remained in the ranks. The rest were listed as killed and seriously wounded. Maria herself received another wound.
Bochkareva’s detachment behaved heroically in battle, always in the front line, serving on an equal basis with the soldiers. When the Germans attacked, on his own initiative he rushed as one into a counterattack; brought cartridges, went to secrets, and some to reconnaissance; With their work, the death squad set an example of bravery, courage and calmness, raised the spirit of the soldiers and proved that each of these female heroes is worthy of the title of warrior of the Russian revolutionary army.
V. I. Zakrzhevsky
Having seen enough of the blood of female soldiers, the commander of the Russian Army, General Lavr Kornilov, banned the formation of women’s detachments, and sent the current detachments to the rear and for sanitary provision. This was truly the last battle of Maria Bochkareva’s death battalion.
Legacy of a Warrior Woman
Over time, despite Kornilov’s order, other battalions will be created in the army, the numerical and qualitative composition of which will be made up only of women. During the civil war, Bochkareva, due to persecution by the new government, will leave the country in search of help for the White movement. Returning to the country and starting to form new units to fight the Bolsheviks, she will be arrested and thrown into prison. According to documentary evidence, in 1920 Maria Bochkareva was shot for aiding the White movement and devotion to the ideas of General Kornilov. But according to other sources, she was released from prison, married a third time and lived under a false name on the Chinese Eastern Railway.
During her trip abroad, she met US President Woodrow Wilson, King George V of England, and shortly before her arrest she was received by Admiral Kolchak. If you believe the documentary reports, she lived only 31 years, but during this time she saw so much that people would not have seen in 2 or even 3 lives. Her name has been forgotten for aiding the White movement, but the advantages of the current times are that individuals like her are receiving rehabilitation. Not only official at the government level, but also popular. Our magazine is dedicated to men, but this woman was more worthy than many of us, so it is our duty to talk about her and remember her.
There are so many legends about this amazing woman that it is impossible to say one hundred percent whether it is true or fiction. But it is reliably known that an ordinary peasant woman, who almost all conscious life remained illiterate, King George V, during a personal meeting, called her “the Russian Joan of Arc.” Fate was destined for her to become the first female officer in Russian army. The whole truth about the women's death battalion is in our article.
Youth, childhood, love
The creator of the women's death battalion, Maria Bochkareva, was born in a small village in the Novgorod province into an ordinary working-class family. Besides her, her parents had two more children. They lived quite poorly and, in order to improve their deplorable situation, decided to move to Siberia, where at that time the government provided assistance to newcomers. But hopes were not justified, so it was decided to marry Maria to a man whom she did not love, and who was also a drunkard. She got her famous surname from him.
After a short period of time, Maria Bochkareva (the women's death battalion was her idea) breaks up with her husband and begins a free life. It was at that time that she was lucky enough to meet her first and only love. Unfortunately, she had no luck with the stronger sex: while the first was a constant drinker, the second was a criminal and member of the Honghuz gang, which included people from Manchuria and China. His name was Yankel Buk. When he was arrested and redirected to Yakutsk, Bochkareva followed him, as the wives of the Decembrists did.
Sad outcome of the relationship
But the desperate Yakov could not be corrected, and even while in the settlement, he sold stolen goods, and later took up robberies. In order to prevent her beloved from going to hard labor, Maria had to follow the lead of the local governor, who harassed her. Subsequently, she could not survive her own betrayal, trying to poison herself. This difficult story ended in tears: upon learning about what had happened, the man, in the heat of anger, tried to kill the official. He was put on trial and sent to an unknown location, after which contact with his loved one was lost.
To the front by imperial favor
The outbreak of war led to an unprecedented surge of patriotic feelings. A huge number of volunteers went to the front, and Maria Leontievna Bochkareva did the same. The story of her entry into service is quite interesting. Arriving in 1914 to the commander of the reserve battalion, which was located in Tomsk, she was faced with a disregardful attitude and ironic advice to make a similar request to the Emperor. Contrary to his expectations, the woman dared to write a petition. To the surprise of the public, she soon received a positive response signed by Nicholas II.
After an accelerated training course, in February of the following year, Maria Leontyevna Bochkareva found herself at the front as a civilian soldier. Having taken on such a difficult task, she, along with the rest of the soldiers, went into bayonet attacks, helped the wounded escape from fire, and also showed real heroism. She was given the nickname Yashka, which she invented for herself in honor of her lover.
When the company commander died in March 1916, Maria took over his post and led her comrades in an offensive that became devastating. For the courage shown in the offensive, the woman received the St. George Cross, as well as three medals. While at the forefront, she was wounded more than once, but despite this, she was still in service. Only after being seriously wounded in the thigh was she sent to the hospital, where she spent several months.
Creation of women's death battalions
Returning to duty, Bochkareva found her own regiment in complete disintegration. While she was away, the February Revolution happened, and the soldiers endlessly rallied and tried to “fraternize” with the Germans. Maria, who did not want to put up with such a situation, never tired of looking for an opportunity to influence the situation. Very soon a similar opportunity presented itself.
The chairman of the Provisional Committee of the State Duma was sent to the front to carry out propaganda work. Bochkareva, having secured his support, went to Petrograd, where she began to implement her long-standing idea - the opening of military formations, which included women ready to defend the Motherland. In her endeavor, she felt the support of the Minister of War Kerensky, as well as Brusilov, who was the Supreme Commander-in-Chief General. Thus began the history of the women's death battalion.
Battalion composition
In response to the calls of the courageous woman, several thousand Russian women responded, wanting to take up arms in the ranks of the new unit. It is worth noting the fact that most of them were literate girls - graduates of the Bestuzhev courses, and a third had a secondary education. At that time, no unit consisting of men could show such indicators. Among the shockwomen were representatives of all walks of life - from simple peasant women to aristocrats (bearers of famous surnames).
Among the subordinates in the women's death battalion (1917), commander Bochkareva immediately established strict discipline and strict subordination. The rise took place at five in the morning, and until ten in the evening there were constant classes with little rest. Many women who previously lived in fairly wealthy families found it difficult to accept soldier life and the established routine. But this was not their greatest difficulty.
Complaints about the commander
As the sources say, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief soon began to receive complaints regarding arbitrariness, as well as rude treatment on the part of the commander of the women’s death battalion in the First World War. The reports noted facts of beatings. In addition, the appearance within its walls of agitators leading political activity, representatives of all kinds of parties, which was a violation of the rules adopted following the uprising. As a result of a large number of disagreements, 250 shockwomen left the 1st Petrograd Women's Death Battalion and moved to another formation.
Sending to the front
Soon the twenty-first of June 1917 arrived, the day when, in front of St. Isaac's Cathedral, in front of a large audience, the newly created unit was awarded the honor of receiving a battle flag. Needless to say, what emotions was experienced by the hero of the occasion, who stood in a new uniform.
But the holiday was replaced by trench life. The young defenders were faced with realities that they had never even imagined before. They found themselves in the midst of morally corrupt and degrading soldiers. In order to protect them from violence, it was sometimes necessary to post sentries on duty at the barracks. But after the first real battle, where Maria’s battalion took direct part, showing unprecedented courage, the shock troops began to be treated with respect.
Hospital and inspection of new units
The Women's Death Battalion in the First World War took part in operations along with other units and suffered losses. Maria Bochkareva, who received a severe concussion on July 9, was sent to Petrograd for treatment. During the period that she spent at the front, her ideas about women patriotic movement found a wide response in the capital. New formations were created, which were staffed by defenders of the Fatherland.
After being discharged from the hospital, by order of Kornilov, Bochkareva was given the task of checking such units. The results of the inspection were extremely negative. None of the battalions were truly combative. However, the atmosphere of turmoil that hovered in Moscow did not allow any tangible results to be achieved in a short time.
Soon the initiator of the creation of women's death battalions is sent to her native unit, but right now her fighting spirit is cooling down a little. She has said more than once that she was disappointed in her subordinates and believes that they should not be sent to the front. Maybe her demands on her subordinates were too high, and what she, a combat officer, could handle without problems was beyond the capabilities of ordinary women.
Features of the deadly part
Due to the fact that all these events were close to the episode with the defense of the Winter Palace (government residence), it is worth understanding in more detail what the military unit, the creator of which was Bochkareva, was then. In accordance with the law, the Women's Death Battalion ( historical facts this is confirmed) was equated to an independent unit and in its status corresponded to a regiment in which 1000 soldiers served.
The officer corps included representatives of the strong half who had considerable experience acquired on the fronts of the First World War. The battalion should not have had any political overtones. Its main purpose is to protect the Fatherland from external enemies.
Palace Defense
Suddenly, one of the units of the women's death battalion in the First World War receives an order to go to Petrograd, where a parade was supposed to take place on October 24th. In reality, this was only an excuse to attract shockwomen to defend the facility from the Bolshevik attack with weapons in their hands. During this period, the palace garrison consisted of units of Cossacks and cadets, and therefore had no real military power.
The women who arrived at the scene were ordered to defend the southeastern wing of the building. For the first 24 hours they managed to push back the Red Guards and take control of the Nikolaevsky Bridge. But a day later, troops of the revolutionary committee settled around the building, which resulted in a fierce clash.
It was after this that the defenders of the residence, not wanting to give their lives for the newly appointed government, began to retreat from their positions. The women managed to hold out the longest, and only at ten o’clock were negotiators sent out with a statement of surrender. This opportunity was provided, but only on the conditions of complete disarmament.
The arrival of the Bolsheviks and subsequent events
After an armed coup in October, the decision was made to disband the Women's Death Battalion of the First World War, but it was dangerous to return home in uniform. Not without the participation of the Security Committee, the women managed to find civilian clothes in order to get to their homes.
It has been confirmed that during the events described, Maria Leontyevna was at the front and did not take part in them. Despite this, there is a myth that she commanded the defenders of the palace.
In the future, fate threw up many more unpleasant surprises. During the outbreak of the civil war, Bochkarev found himself between two fires. First in Smolny senior officials new government persuaded her to take command of the Red Guard unit. After this, Marushevsky, the commander of the White Guards, also tried to win her over to his side. But everywhere she refused: it was one thing to fight against foreigners and defend her homeland, another thing was to kill her own compatriots. Maria almost paid with her freedom for her refusal.
Legendary life
After the capture of Tomsk, Bochkareva herself came to the commandant’s office to hand over her weapons. After some time, she was taken into custody and sent to Krasnoyarsk. The investigators were in prostration, not knowing what to present to her. But the head of the special department, Pavlunovsky, arrives in the city from the capital. Without even trying to study the situation superficially, he makes a decision - to shoot, which was done. Maria Bochkareva was killed on May sixteenth, 1919.
But her life was so unusual that her death gave rise to a huge number of legends. It is impossible to say exactly where Maria Leontyeva’s grave is located. Because of this, rumors arose that she managed to avoid execution, and she lived until the forties, taking for herself a completely different name.
But the main legend, of course, remains the woman herself, whose biography can be used to make an exciting film novel.
Headquarters of the women's "Death Battalion". Bochkarev in the center, with a red revolutionary bow, the St. George Cross of the 4th class, two St. George medals of the 3rd and 4th class. and the medal "For Diligence" on the Stanislav Ribbon. (in the initial period of WW1 this medal was awarded as military award). Original photograph from 1917.
Maria Bochkareva was born in the village of Nikolskoye, Novgorod province, in the summer of 1889 into a peasant family. A few years later, escaping poverty, they moved to Siberia. Where the state promised support in the form of land shares and finance. At the age of fifteen, the girl was married to 23-year-old Afanasy Bochkarev. Her husband drank, and the girl went to the Jew, the butcher Yakov Buk. His personal life didn’t work out either. Buk was accused of robbery and exiled to Yakutsk.
The First World War began. Maria, tired of living either as a criminal or with a drunkard, decided to go to the front. But according to the laws of that time, women could not serve in the active army. Bochkareva drafted a telegram with a petition to the Tsar - and received the Highest permission to perform military service!
Bochkareva went to the front, where at first she caused laughter among her colleagues. However, her fearlessness in countless battles, two wounds in battle brought Bochkareva respect among her colleagues, the St. George Cross, three medals and the rank of senior non-commissioned officer.
Creation of the women's "Death Battalion" by Maria Bochkareva
In Petrograd, where she was taken for propaganda work “for the war to victory,” Bochkareva proposed creating shock “death battalions” consisting exclusively of women. With this idea she was sent to a meeting of the Provisional Government, where she received support. At the top, first of all, they saw this as a propaganda goal - to raise the spirit of patriotism, to stir up men who did not want to serve and fight, with the example of the Women's Battalions. The wife of the head of government, Kerensky, also took part in the creation of such a formation.
And already on June 21, 1917, near St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the banner of a new military unit with the inscription “The first women’s military command of the death of Maria Bochkareva” scattered in the wind. Iron discipline became the law for her. Subordinates even complained to their superiors that the commander hit people’s faces like a real sergeant.
Review of the death battalion conducted by the commander of the Petrograd Military District, General. Polovtsev. The photograph is more famous, as it was reproduced on photo postcards issued in a fairly large circulation.
Baptism of fire of the Death Battalion under the command of Maria Bochkareva
A week later, the battalion arrived in Molodechno, in the active army of the Western Front. On July 7, 1917, an order was received to take positions near the town of Krevo. This was the first combat experience of the Women's Death Battalion of Maria Bochkareva. The enemy launched a pre-emptive strike and crashed into the location of Russian troops. Over the course of three days, the regiment repelled 14 German attacks, launched counterattacks and, in the end, knocked the enemy out of their positions.
According to Bochkareva, in that battle she lost more than half of the battalion’s personnel wounded and killed. Having been wounded for the fifth time, she ended up in the capital’s hospital. Here she was given the rank of second lieutenant.
Heavy losses in the ranks of women volunteers led to the fact that the main supreme commander, General Kornilov, prohibited the further formation of women's battalions to participate in battles. The existing units were supposed to serve in communications, security, and medicine. As a result of this decree, many women who wanted to fight for their homeland in battles filed for dismissal from the “death units.”
After the dissolution of the death battalion, some time later, Bochkareva was detained by the Bolsheviks and she almost ended up on trial. But thanks to her colleagues, she escaped and eventually arrived in the United States for the purpose of anti-Soviet agitation. Her activities were quite active. In the summer of 1918, she was granted an audience at the White House with President Wilson, then Europe and a meeting with King George V, where she secured financial support. Then, again Russia, Arkhangelsk, Omsk, meeting with Admiral Kolchak. However, all this was already belated steps in a complete disaster on the White Front.
On January 7, 1920, the former commander of the women's Death Battalion, Maria Bochkareva, was arrested by the Bolsheviks. And she, as “the worst and implacable enemy of the workers’ and peasants’ republic,” was sentenced to death.
However, there is no evidence of the execution. There is a version that her friends freed her from prison and she went to Harbin. Here she met a former fellow soldier-widower, who became her husband. Maria Bochkareva herself did not have any children of her own and she dedicated her love to her husband’s sons, who died in the battles of the Great Patriotic War.
GoogleBochkareva Maria Leontyevna (1889-1920, nee Frolkova) was born into a poor peasant family in the Novgorod province. An unsuccessful marriage and subsequent vicious love brought her to Tomsk, from where she sent a telegram to Nicholas II asking him to allow her to fight on the fields of the First World War (which began in 1914). M.L. Bochkareva became the first female soldier in Tsarist Russia who did not hide her gender; she called herself Yashka (in memory of her fellow bandit, whom she once loved).
Bochkareva received St. George's crosses of all degrees, several medals for her military merits, received the rank of senior non-commissioned officer, and became famous throughout Russia. In 1917, she was summoned to Petrograd, where at a meeting of the Provisional Government she spoke about the catastrophic situation at the front and demanded that women be allowed to fight. In the end, the “Bochkareva Death Battalion” and other groups of female volunteers were created.
Bochkareva spoke in Petrograd at rallies, meetings, conferences, sessions - in the Winter, Tauride, Mariinsky palaces and other places, everywhere she called on women to go to the front. Military professionals believed that women's formations in the army were worthless, which in fact turned out to be the case. Before the coup of 1917, on the fields of the First World War, battalions of female volunteers were unable to fight competently and lost a significant part of their strength killed and wounded.
Bochkareva was shell-shocked and sent to a hospital in Petrograd. In October 1917, they tried to force the women’s, but not Bochkarev’s battalion, almost by deception, to guard the Winter Palace in Petrograd; They were unable to do this efficiently and laid down their arms.
Having learned that in Petrograd the women's battalion refused to defend the Winter Palace to the last strength, Bochkareva was completely disappointed in the military abilities of women. At the request of representatives of the Soviet government, she disbanded her battalion.
In Petrograd, Bochkareva was arrested and then offered to go over to the side of the Soviet government; she refused, explaining this by fatigue from fighting and reluctance to participate in a fratricidal war. After that, she left for her native village, where she said that the Bolsheviks were the enemies of Russia. Soon she found herself in the ranks of the White Army, but was firmly convinced that women could not truly fight.
General L.G. Kornilov sent her in 1918 to America and England to raise funds to fight Soviet power and strengthening support for the White movement. She was received by US President William Wilson and King George V of England and other important persons.
Returning to Russia, Bochkareva refused to participate in the Civil War, returned to Tomsk, took off her military uniform (which she had been wearing for almost 5 years), put on women's clothing, began going to church and praying a lot. In 1919, the Reds captured Tomsk, she offered them her services, they refused and sent her home.
At the beginning of 1920, she was arrested, kept in prison in Tomsk, and then transferred to Krasnoyarsk. Soon she was shot; she was barely 30 years old.
In Bochkareva’s testimony during interrogations by the Reds, it is clear that she regretted that from her youth she took up military work that was not for women, she regretted that she considered herself almost equal to men and did not fully use everything that God had given her as a woman, so she did not become a happy wife and mother .
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