De Petrowski Alexander Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Marina. My wife is Czech and her Grandfather fought with the legion on the Eastern front. She would love to get this book! Can you advise on where to buy please? I have another czech memorial photo, as soon as I can locate, I will post! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> http://www3.mistral.co.uk/paper.heritage/a.../czecharmy.html http://nortvoods.net/rrs/siberia/czecharmy.htm http://www.geocities.com/veldes1/masaryk.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob lembke Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Chris; Looking at abebooks.com again, I found 61 copies available, from $5.99 up to $168.64 for a signed first edition. (Too much, I am sure.) Looks like it is in hardback, also paper covers, and possibly a new hard-bound edition as well. Another use of abebooks is to avoid paying much to much for a given book. Bob Lembke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Holstein Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 The cemetery at St. Hilaire was cleaned and refurbished after the great storms of Christmas 1999 brought down trees all over the place, including on the chapel itself. The commemoration ceremony is held there each year on Whit Sunday and it is very moving. Just a little way up the road from the chapel, in a clearing on the site of a former dressing station, is a monument with the most touching inscription that I've seen. It reads, in Russian and French: Children of France, When the war is over And once again you gather flowers in these fields Remember us, your Russian friends, And bring us flowers. Christina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 24 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 24 November , 2005 She would love to get this book! Can you advise on where to buy please? I have another czech memorial photo, as soon as I can locate, I will post! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I see Bob has posted Internet sites for the book, but if you're thinking of her Chritsmas stocking and want new, any bookseller should have it. The book made it to the Booker longlist earier in the year, so it;s not rare or anything. I hope the missus enjoys it - it was really strong on an issue which was not known to me - about how those soldiers of the Czech legions went off to war as one nation, and came back to the new Czechoslovakia! Some very funny stuff about printing money etc although it is a grim story. I wonder if she would be interested in another book? Rory Maclean's 'Stalin's Nose' is a travelogue, but a very differnt one. He has to escort (illegally) an elderly relative and her husband's coffin to either Poland or Prague. On the way, they call in on various members of the family who include Communists, Poles, Czechs, Nazis, and a diehard royalist. Gradually a picture emerges of the turmoil of national and family disintegration caused by the shifting of borders over the last century. Also a hilarious adventure with the coffin in Prague. It was a fascinating read. And a pinless way to learn some history. Christine - a very touching epitaph - thanks for posting that. And de Petrowski - thanks for the sites. Have got them bookmarked and will enjoy a good read about this. Marvellous! Marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrislock Posted 24 November , 2005 Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Bob, DPA and Marina! I am much appreciated and Im sure Milena will be too! Thanks again! Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 24 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 24 November , 2005 Hope you both enjoy - always nice to pass on the good news about books! Marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awakefield Posted 25 November , 2005 Share Posted 25 November , 2005 Two Russian Brigades were also sent to Salonika during the summer of 1916 and fought alongside the French and Serbs west of the River Vardar. During the Sept - Dec 1916 Allied offensive that captured Monastir the Russians played a lead role. They fought very well - being used as shock troops to spearhead many advances. Unfiortunately this led to heavy casualties that were slow in being replaced and by the time news of the Revolution reached them morale was getting rather low. Once the Bolsheviks siexed power in Russia the troops refused to serve under their offers and were withdrawn from the front line. Those 'infected with Bolshevism' were sent to French colonies in North Africa as labour units. Others remained in the Balkans as labour Battalions under British command. They refused to do heavy labour work, such as road building, arguning they were soldiers. This led to them being switched, as far as possible, to farming duties. The majority returned to Russia after the Allied intervention in Russia had ended. As for the officers - once relieved of their commands many simply frequented the bars and seedy nightspots of Salonika drinking themselves into oblivion. Large numbers would later join the ill-fated White forces. On the subject of the Czech Legion. I visited Vladivostok earlier this year and found British, Canadian, French and Czeck Legion graves in the Russian Naval Cemetery. The Czechs also have a memorial at the gravesite - a column summounted by an eagle. At the time of my visit repair work was being undertaken to the Czech grave plot, which was nive to see. ALAN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle bill Posted 25 November , 2005 Share Posted 25 November , 2005 not far from where I live is the military camp of La Courtine. Russian troops were placed here post revolution after being removed from the frontlines. There was a fairly serious mutiny and french artillery units actually shelled the camp and the mutinous russian soldiers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 25 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 25 November , 2005 Thanks, Bill and Alan. I had no idea the Russians were so widely deployed. What happened to the mutineers, Alan? Marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle bill Posted 25 November , 2005 Share Posted 25 November , 2005 The 2 Russian brigades were sent to the Vosges sector in May 1917 after the terrible battles along the chemin des dames. It was at this point that officers noticed the first signs of revolutionary activity. The 1st brigade was sent to La Courtine ( Creuse) at the end of june and the second followed suit a week later. On the 8th july the Russian GOC left the camp along with the officers and around 10000 men who manifested no revolutionary leanings. 10000 men remained at the camp and more or less took it over, electing their own leaders in soviet style councils. These remaining men tried to negotiate with Kerensky, their principal motive that of returning home and no longer wishing to fight for France, a country they that felt had shown no recognition for their sacrifices. During this period of negotiatons the Russian soldiers mingled with the local population , helping out on farms and so on. The French authorities were horrified at the idea of these troops ' contaminating' the locals with revolutionary fever and 3000 French soldiers were sent and promptly surrounded the camp.On the 12th september the Russian GOC gave the mutinous troops an ultimatum of 48 hours. On the 16th the camp was shelled and the mutineers began to give themselves up. A hardcore of 100 mutineers held out and finally gave themselves up on the 19th after more shelling. Estimated casualties were 100 killed or wounded. 81 ringleaders were led away and imprisoned on the Isle d'Aix. 7500 Russian soldiers returned to La Courtine and remained as virtual prisoners until 1919 when those who so wished could return home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 25 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 25 November , 2005 Thanks for that, Bill. It's fascinating. You can see the birth of the new order that was to shape European politics in the post -war period in that part about the French authorities being afraid of revolutionary contamination. And the old war wasn't even over yet. Gives me the shivers. Marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthergw Posted 25 November , 2005 Share Posted 25 November , 2005 The 2 Russian brigades were sent to the Vosges sector in May 1917 after the terrible battles along the chemin des dames. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> In the aftermath of Nivelle's disastrous attack at Chemin des Dames, there was a wave of mutiny through large parts of the French army.( Referred to by the authorities as " collective indiscipline". ) Waving red flags, singing the Internationale etc. was reported widely and dealt with ruthlessly. In that climate of opinion, the Russian soldiers' actions could only result in the severest of punishments and this was duly meted out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 25 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 25 November , 2005 In the aftermath of Nivelle's disastrous attack at Chemin des Dames, there was a wave of mutiny through large parts of the French army.( Referred to by the authorities as " collective indiscipline". ) Waving red flags, singing the Internationale etc. was reported widely and dealt with ruthlessly. In that climate of opinion, the Russian soldiers' actions could only result in the severest of punishments and this was duly meted out. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And of couse, something similar was happening in the streets of Gerrmany towards the end. I have often wonderd how far Hitler would have got if he hadn't been able to point to a frightening enemy like the Soviet Union. How many supported Nazism, not so much because they favoured it as they feared Boshevik Revolution more. Impossible to answer, I suppose. But thanks for that info - it really is very interesting. marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD60 Posted 27 November , 2005 Share Posted 27 November , 2005 This stamp celebrates the czech army 1918. I suppose this is the list of the main battles thy took part. regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD60 Posted 27 November , 2005 Share Posted 27 November , 2005 Here a picture of the memorial. It is in a very good state. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD60 Posted 27 November , 2005 Share Posted 27 November , 2005 Here one of the graves on the cemetery close to the memorial. In the background there is a small building with several plaques. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 27 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 27 November , 2005 Excellent photos, TD60 - thanks for that. The cemetery does look well tended. Are the palques on the little building for those who have no grave? marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD60 Posted 28 November , 2005 Share Posted 28 November , 2005 Excellent photos, TD60 - thanks for that. The cemetery does look well tended. Are the palques on the little building for those who have no grave? marina Sorry Marina, I do not remember exactly what is inscribed on those plaques. I prefer not to give a wrong answer, but I am quite sure there was other plaques than names. Maybe anther pal has details ? King regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 29 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 29 November , 2005 Someone will know! Great photos anyway! Marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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