Russian Nationals int he Canadian Army

[speake]

I am finishing up the transcription of the C.E.F. 124th G.G.B.G. (Pioneers) War Diaries and in the Appendix of the March 1918 diary dealing with Bn. strength there is this: [12 March] "12 Other Ranks of Russian Nationality evacuated to 4th Div'l Wing C.C.R.C." Were Russians being purged from the CEF because of the treaty between Russia and Germany?

[centurion]

I am finishing up the transcription of the C.E.F. 124th G.G.B.G. (Pioneers) War Diaries and in the Appendix of the March 1918 diary dealing with Bn. strength there is this: [12 March] "12 Other Ranks of Russian Nationality evacuated to 4th Div'l Wing C.C.R.C." Were Russians being purged from the CEF because of the treaty between Russia and Germany?

Possibly because of the treaty or more indirectly because there was disaffection amongst Russian troops (some of whom adhered to the Bolshevik cause and some to the "White" faction). The French had a lot of problems in this area. Some Russians were repatriated to support the "White" forces.

[jhill]

We had a thread about this about a million years ago. The upshot is that there were issues among "Russian" members of the Canadian forces following the Brest-Litovsk treaty, and orders were issued from base to move some men around. The thread is here:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=47028&hl=russians#entry399406

[Broznitsky]

Just to add to what James has pointed out, there were more than 800 Russians in front line CEF units, and as in all situations, only a percentage were "disaffected" Reds.

[AOK4]

Did anyone find some explicit orders about Finns? The Finns were Russian nationals until 1917, when Finland declared its independence, which was even militarily supported by Germany in 1918, supporting the white side (Mannerheim) against the reds.

Finlands independence was also recognized by France and other countries but its position as being heavily supported by Germany was very difficult.

I would like to know whether there were any special orders issued concerning the Finns in allied units (merchant navy and Canadian and Australian military units). I have searched for things but until now I haven't really found anything.

[Broznitsky]

Men born in Finnish regions were considered Russians by the Canadian authorities, I have found nothing that singles them out in 1917 or 1918. So I would think most were included in the general withdrawal of "Russian" troops from front line CEF units.