General Kornilov - Was there a revolt?
The brilliant Russian officer, who took the leading political position in the revolutionary years, came from a Cossack peasant family. Lavr Georgievich 30 was born on August 1870 years away from life in the small city of Ust-Kamenogorsk. His father, Egor Kornilov, was the cornet of the 7 Siberian Cossack Regiment, but long before the birth of a child, he changed his line of work and became a collegiate registrar. Mother Maria Ivanovna was one of the indigenous nomadic Argyn tribes and until the end of her days was illiterate. The Slavic ancestors of the Kornilovs probably appeared in this area with the arrival of Yermak. The appearance of Lavr Georgievich betrayed his origin: slanting eyes, energetic and lively, with a kind of fervent look - he was more like an Asian. From early childhood, Kornilov showed determination and outstanding intellectual abilities, and easily mastered foreign languages. Despite the illiteracy of the mother, the atmosphere of universal enlightenment reigned in the family, curiosity was welcomed and strongly encouraged.
At the age of eleven, together with his family, Lavr Georgievich moves to the town of Zaisan, bordering on China. By this time the boy managed to finish primary school. Here he became acquainted with the local life, language and customs, which later allowed him to become an Orientalist and was used by him in intelligence activities. The Siberian cadet corps in Omsk, and after the best of the military artillery schools, Mikhailovskoye were finished with Kornilov brilliantly. Teachers noted his responsibility and diligence, but here the distinctive feature of the Russian officer was firmly formed - firm and persistent adherence to the notions of honor. A well-known act, characterizing Lavr Georgievich, was a clash with one of the officers of the Mikhailovsky School. In the 1890 year, the young man managed to respond to his abuser and defended the honor, almost letting the sword into action. The teachers were already attentive to the young man, as a result of which the scandal was successfully settled.
Military career developed successfully. Active and energetic nature, high intelligence, leadership qualities - all this made his elevation, if not swift, then very intense. Excellent knowledge and characteristics of teachers allowed Kornilov to join the Guard and remain to serve in the capital's military district. However, in obedience to the call of the soul, he chooses an appointment to the 5 th battery of the Turkestan artillery brigade. There was a different meaning in this appointment, as relations with Afghanistan, Persia and England became more and more aggravated. Thus, Kornilov sought not so much to a small homeland as to the front line. Soon, Lavr Georgievich enters the Academy of the General Staff, and in 1896 he marries Taisia Markovina. A brilliant graduation from the Academy again gives Kornilov a chance to stay in Petersburg, but he is heading east.
For six years he has been the future commander-in-chief in Turkmenistan, where he serves as adjutant, and later becomes a staff officer. Here he undertakes a bold but unauthorized operation to scout the plan of the English fortress, called Deyadady. Using his Asian appearance and excellent knowledge of the language, Lavr Georgievich penetrates the bastion and obtains information that the highest ranks did not hope to obtain. However, instead of a reward for such a skilfully performed operation, Kornilov gets reprimanded. During his stay in the east, the future general describes the features of Afghanistan, Persia, and eastern Turkmenistan, and successfully establishes extensive agency communications. Observations and the results obtained Kornilov displayed in his book “Kashgaria or East Turkestan, which was highly appreciated in scientific circles, both in Russia and abroad. Service in Turkestan brought the order of St. Stanislav 3 to a young officer.
During his service in Turkestan, his research talent was most apparent. In one of the expeditions on the Iranian Steppe of Despair, Kornilov managed to make an accurate and extensive description of the area. On the basis of the maps and works compiled by him, gaps in the geographical, ethnographic and other fields of knowledge about this eastern country were eliminated. From 1903 to 1904, the business trip to India lasted for a year, where Kornilov analyzed the colonial system and the stability of British power.
After long expeditions, Lavr Georgievich is appointed head clerk to headquarters. However, he again seeks the transfer to the ranks of the army, as he considers his stay in St. Petersburg useless. Kornilov participates in the battle of Sandepa, as well as in the retreat from Mukden, where he manifests himself as a talented commander. Nevertheless, the reputation of a productive intelligence officer-orientalist, entrenched behind him, makes him one of the irreplaceable figures in the process of exploring the East. Since 1907, Kornilov goes to China. Assessing the military and economic potential, studying the life and customs of this huge and mysterious country at that time, Lavr Georgievich concludes that in the near future, China will be a powerful state. His work was appreciated not only by Russian politicians and scientists, but also by Western leaders.
During the period of the First World Kornilov was at the head of the division, later called "Steel", and participated in the battles in the Carpathians and in the territory of Galicia. Relations with Brusilov did not develop immediately, but even under such circumstances, the commander respected Kornilov for his determination and courage. Marked his leadership skills and Denikin. The soldiers really respected and even idolized their commander. Popularity in the ranks of the military appeared precisely in the period of fierce battles in Europe, Kornilov had already had the rank of lieutenant general by that time.
The Order of St. George 3 received the degree of Lavr Georgievich for the battles of the Steel Division, during which it was almost completely destroyed. Kornilov’s actions allowed him to maintain the 3 Army, which was highly appreciated by Commander Ivanov and Nikolai II. The commander of the Steel Division himself survived, but was captured by the Austrians. However, he soon managed to escape and returned to his homeland.
The command of the Petrograd Military District to Kornilov was entrusted by the emperor, and he was appointed Commander-in-Chief by the Provisional Government. It should be said that the general joined the political activity during this period. Modern historians and political scientists describe it as a “naive politician” who tried to combine the concept of honor with the interests of the state. This quality of the Russian officers, capable of sacrificing everything, including even their own lives, for the good of the Fatherland and played a cruel joke with him. The authoritative general, who, after the execution of the royal family, could lay claim to sole authority, sought to lead Russia to convene a Constituent Assembly and self-determination. Under the conditions of such a sharp struggle, such a plan was practically impossible to implement. His popularity and desire to preserve the foundations of Russian statehood frightened many. Conservatism was taken for the desire to return the monarchy, so soon even the head of the Provisional Government began to fear Kornilov.
There is a view that the Kornilov revolt was only a provocation, initiated by Kerensky, in order to preserve his position. Evidence of this and the materials of the investigation of the case of conspiracy. To justify the betrayal, we can say that by the end of August 1917, Lavr Georgievich really possessed enormous prestige. He opposed the reforms of the army, which were undertaken by the Provisional Government, and also advocated the imposition of the death penalty and the abolition of the right to the participation of privates in making military decisions. In his opinion, innovations undermined discipline and could lead to the complete disintegration of the army.
Did Kornilov claim sole authority? Answer this question exactly. According to his statements, it is possible to judge that the goal of the “Kornilov region” was not at all the return of land to the landlords, but a slow reforming of the state taking into account national interests and centuries-old traditions. However, Lavr Georgievich was a conservative, and, therefore, presented a danger both to Kerensky, who had lost his authority and popularity by that time, and to the Bolsheviks who were striving for power. Patriotism Kornilov also recognized even at the time of his stay in Bykhov prison, although they intended to execute him. The danger of the general was that he personified a strong army, in whose support representatives of the government could not be sure. There are also opinions about the intentional disintegration of the army, but this view is highly controversial.
After the October coup, Lavr Georgievich and the officers who supported him went to the Don in order to create their own army. Among his associates were such famous Russian generals as Alekseev and Denikin.
Already in February 1918, the Kornilov led the first campaign, named in the history of Kuban.
Vast experience and authority helped Lavr Georgievich to repel the attacks of the superior forces of the Red Army for a long time and purposefully to make contact with other parts of the Volunteer Army. The general tried to limit the terror and plunder of the population, which caused the support of whites in this area, but in the conditions of the horrors of war, this was not always possible.
It is not known how the events of the civil war would have developed, but 13 April 1918, Kornilov was killed. A grenade hit the house where the general was located, Lavr Georgievich died immediately. Companions tried to hide the grave of their commander, but the Red Army in search of mythical treasures still found it. The body of Kornilov was removed from the ground, a crowd mocked him all day, after which the remains were burned. Nothing remained of the brave officer. The Bolsheviks, however, failed to forget the memory of this strong and great man, so they tried to develop a story with an attempt to establish a dictatorship. So in the minds of people a brilliant officer and hero turned out to be a rebel, an overlord and a mercenary villain.
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