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WarChron - Germans Support Bolsheviks |
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The Year 1917
During March, desertions from the Russian Army are now averaging 34,000 men per month.
During March, soon after the takeover of the Provisional Government, the activities of the Black Hundred's (anti-Semitic groups) were banned.
During March, German Army airship LZ.101, based at Jamboli, carried out a series of reconnaissance missions over Odessa, Jasi, and the islands of Mytilene and Mudros in the Aegean Sea.
During early Spring, Turkish Seefliegerabteilung No.2 (Osman See.Fl.Abt.2) was formed for the defense of the Bosporus. The unit later carried out operations from Eregli on the Caucasian Front. Turkish Fl.Abt.8, a reconnaissance flight, was formed at San Stefano. It was sent to the 3rd Army in northern Caucasia, and carried out flights from Sushehir and Kayseri.
On 1 April, at Mogilev, the First Officer's Union was established on the initiative of Podpolkovnik's Lebedev and Pronin. The First Officer's Union eventually emerged as the nucleus of the anti-Bolshevik “White” movement in late 1917.
At Petrograd, the Soviet established the Office of Commissars, who would handle all political questions in the army and act as a buffer between soldiers who were elected to committees and their officers.
In North Persia, the Russians made progress toward Khanikin, 136 km northeast of Baghdad. The Turks were retreating towards Kasr-i-Shirin.
At Copenhagen, Aleksandr Helphand (Parvus) met with the German Minister to press for continued support for the Bolsheviks. Two days later the German Foreign Ministry requested the Treasury for a further five million marks, which was approved. Meanwhile, the Germans were taking steps to arrange for a sealed train to facilitate the transport of Bolshevik leader Lenin and his party from Switzerland through Germany, then via Sweden into Russia.
In Germany, there was a major strike at Kiel shipyards and destroyer sheds, with sailors refusing to obey orders, going on hunger strikes and deserting. German socialists instigated the strikes. Both Germany and Austria-Hungary now experienced major food shortages.
On 2 April, at Petrograd, the Provisional Government issued a decree “on Abolition of Religious and National restrictions.” On 27 June, they followed with another decree on “Freedom of Conscience.” War Minister Guchkov began planning for a purge of senior army officers.
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At Minsk, arrival of General Gurko, awaiting Government confirmation of his appointment as Commander in Chief of the Western Front.
In North Persia, Russian and British troops made tenuous contact at Kizil-Robat. British Lt.Col. Tennant set out on a flight from Baghdad to locate the Russians and deliver a message from Major General Maude to Russian General Baratov. He found them at the Pa Yaq Pass.
In Washington, President Wilson asked Congress to declare a state of war with Germany.
On 3 April, on the Western Front, von Linsingen's Germans engaged in successful local attacks on the Stokhod River at Chrevishe-Golenin, resulting in over 1,000 Russian dead and 10,000 prisoners. General Ludendorff forbid further German attacks, and ordered an intensified propaganda campaign along the entire front.
At Kronshtadt, open revolt of the 20,000 man garrison at the naval fortress. They refused to recognize the authority of either the Provisional Government or the Soviet. In Finland, anarchy reigned at Helsingfors, where the Bolsheviks set up a party organization.
In North Persia, Russian cavalry occupied Kasr-i-Shirin and Khanikin.
In the Black Sea, two Russian torpedo boats sank two enemy steamers laden with grain from Constanza.
In Germany, the Kaiser and Emperor Karl I of Austria-Hungary held talks at Homburg.
On 3 April, in Nova Scotia, a British naval force arrested Bolshevik revolutionary leader Leon Trotsky and his family on their arrival at Halifax on board a Norwegian boat from New York bound for Russia. Bolsheviks in Petrograd protested his arrest to the British authorities, who, on 29 April allowed Trotsky and his party to leave Halifax on a Danish boat to Denmark, then Finland. Trotsky 's party arrived in Russia on 4 May.
On 4 April, Minister of Justice, Aleksandr Kerenskiy, visited Tsarskoe Selo to check on arrangements for guarding the ex-sovereigns.
In the Black Sea, Russian flying boats from three seaplane carriers reconnoitered the entrance to the Bosporus and dropped bombs on coastal batteries at Kilyos.
On 5 April, Russian Minister of War Guchkov arrived at Western Front HQ at Minsk. He issued a manifesto ordering troops to do their duty. Western Front Chief of Staff General M.F. Kvietsinskiy was appointed to command the 3rd Army.
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At Petrograd, there were no demonstrations at the public burial of some 200 victims of the revolution in the Champ de Mars.
At Petrograd, the French Ambassador sent a wire to Paris, stating that he believed he had fulfilled his purpose in Russia and was willing to be replaced.
In Romania, at Jasi, King Ferdinand issued a proclamation with firm promises to carry out much needed electoral and land reform.
On 5/6 April, Rasputin's coffin was secretly exhumed by a company of soldiers. It was taken to Pargolovo Forest, just north of Petrograd, where his body was cremated and the ashes scattered in the snow.
On 6 April, in France, a French Council of War held on the presidential train at HQ at Compiegne. War Minister Nivelle threatened his resignation if the offensive was not carried out. The Council backed off and gave him approval to go ahead.
The United States of America declared war on Germany, but waited until 7 December 1917 to declare war on Austria-Hungary. The U.S. never declared war on either Bulgaria or Turkey.
In Germany, formation of the Independent Social-Democratic Party during a five day conference at Gotha.
On 7 April, at Petrograd, the Provisional Government decreed a state monopoly of grain, creating a system of fixed prices and a network of local food committees.
In South Russia, at Simferopol, the Crimean National Party proposed during a conference that a Crimean Tatar Government be formed, which would include Slavs, Greeks and Tatars.
On 8 April, in Finland, the Helsingfors Soviet voted to recognize the Provisional Government in Petrograd.
In Germany, the German Kaiser promised electoral reforms, but his words did little to raise the morale of the people.
In Vienna, Austria-Hungary severed diplomatic relations with the United States.
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© WARCHRON 2007
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