Lavr Georgievich Kornilov was born into a poor family of an officer on August 18 (30), 1870. The family had many children and there was always not enough money; they lived poorly. At the age of 13, Lavr entered the Omsk Cadet Corps. He studied diligently and had the highest score among all students in the corps.
After the cadet corps, the young man studied at the Mikhailovsky Artillery School, and then graduated from the Nikolaev General Staff Academy with a medal. Since he studied well, as a diligent student he had great advantages in further assignment to his place of service.
Being at the top of the list of graduates, Kornilov could choose a good regiment. He chose the Turkestan Military District. He was a scout on the Asian borders of the Russian Empire. During his five years of service from 1899 to 1905, he visited Persia, Afghanistan, China and even India.
He was a polyglot and quickly learned local languages. He often risked his life, posing as a merchant or traveler, trying to find out the secrets of foreign countries.
Soon it began. At the very beginning, Kornilov was in India, having learned about the beginning of the war, he asked to join the active army, where he took a position at the headquarters - an officer of the first rifle brigade. At the beginning of 1905, the brigade was surrounded. He took decisive action, leading the rearguard, breaking through the enemy’s defenses with an attack and leading three regiments out of encirclement. For his participation in the Russo-Japanese War, for his heroism and military skill, Kornilov was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree and the Arms of St. George, and also received the rank of colonel.
After the war, Lavr Kornilov worked in China for four years, leading a diplomatic mission there. In 1912 he received the rank of major general. Over the years he showed his best side. He received a new rank, and the division he commanded was named “Steel”. Kornilov did not spare either himself or the soldiers. Despite this, officers and ordinary soldiers loved him. In April 1915, he was wounded and captured by Austria. A year later he escaped and, making his way through Romania, returned to Russia. In Russia, the general acquired great honor and respect; everyone knew and respected him. After the escape, he was awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd degree.
Kornilov greeted the February Revolution with enthusiasm. On March 2, he was appointed commander of the Petrograd Military District. During the February revolution, the general, of course, made a lot of mistakes. A convinced monarchist (in his own words), he carried out the arrest of the royal family on the orders of the Provisional Government. Kornilov tarnished his reputation even more by personally awarding the St. George Cross to one officer who killed his commander. Here is such a convinced monarchist Kornilov...
Soon the paths of the Provisional Government and the “convinced monarchist” began to diverge. Lavr Georgievich criticized the order to democratize the army. Not wanting to be a witness or participant in the disintegration of the army, he went to the front. Kornilov carried out a successful offensive, took several cities, but the soldiers, imbued with the ideas of Bolshevism, began to organize rallies. And then the Germans broke through the front of the Russian army. Kornilov, who held the front, was promoted to infantry general.
The situation of the Russian army, which was losing its combat effectiveness before our eyes from the Bolshevik infection that had penetrated its ranks, became more and more deplorable. was losing its capacity every day. In conditions of chaos, Kornilov leads the regiments loyal to him to Petrograd. August 26, announces an ultimatum to the government, demanding that all power be transferred to the hands of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The next day, Kerensky declared Kornilov a traitor and rebel. His speech failed due to Bolshevik propaganda, and the generals who supported Kornilov were taken into custody.
After the October events, acting commander-in-chief Dukhonin ordered the release of the rebels. Kornilov and the generals loyal to him fled to the Don. Lavr Georgievich, together with Denikin, began to create the Volunteer Army, marking the beginning of the birth. Kornilov took part in the first Kuban campaign, which is sometimes called the ice campaign. He was killed on April 13, 1918 during the storming of Krasnodar. One of the defenders' shells hit the house where the headquarters was located, killing the sleeping general. If not for the death of Kornilov, history could have been completely different. Lavr Georgievich had great authority and, perhaps, thanks to his military genius, the results of the fight against Bolshevism would have been much more pleasant for Russian society.
The biography of Lavr Kornilov is interesting and controversial. To arrest the royal family and then have the courage to call yourself a monarchist... This is very contradictory and interesting. Like many people who accepted the February revolution, he paid for his actions, reconsidering his views and starting the fight against revolutionary ideas. Did Kornilov atone for his guilt before Russia and by taking the tsarist oath by creating the Volunteer Army? The question is complex and everyone will answer it for themselves. He was an excellent military man, but not a far-sighted politician. It was this short-sightedness that betrayed such vicissitudes of his fate.
KORNILOV Lavr Georgievich(1870-1918), Russian statesman and military leader, infantry general (1917). In July - August 1917, Supreme Commander-in-Chief. At the end of August (September) he started a rebellion (Kornilov rebellion). One of the organizers of the White Guard Volunteer Army (November-December 1917). Killed in battle near Ekaterinodar.
KORNILOV Lavr Georgievich, Russian military leader, one of the founders of the white movement, infantry general (1917).
Beginning of a military career
A hereditary Cossack, born into a cornet family. He graduated from the Siberian Cadet Corps, the Mikhailovsky Artillery School (1892), and the Nikolaev General Staff Academy (1898, with a gold medal). In 1889-1904 he served in the Turkestan Military District in various staff positions, made a number of research and reconnaissance expeditions to East Turkestan, Persia and Afghanistan, and studied local languages. Published articles on Persia and India in magazines; prepared a secret publication of the district headquarters “Information concerning the countries adjacent to the Turkestan Military District.” In 1901 he published the book “Kashgaria and Eastern Turkestan”. At the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 he was on a business trip to India; achieved transfer to the active army. From September 1904 to May 1905 he held the position of staff officer of the 1st Infantry Brigade, in fact acting as chief of staff. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Mukden in February 1905, covering the retreat of the army. He was awarded many orders and the St. George's Arms, and was promoted to colonel "for military distinction." In 1906-07 he served on the General Staff. In 1907-11 he was a military agent (attaché) in China. In 1911-12 - commander of the 8th Estonian Infantry Regiment, from 1912 - brigade commander of the 9th Siberian Infantry Division, already with the rank of major general.
On the fronts of the First World War
At the beginning of the First World War, he was the brigade commander of the 48th Infantry Division, and from August 1914 the head of this division, which took part in all major battles in Galicia and the Carpathians. In August 1914 he was promoted to lieutenant general. In April 1915, during the general retreat of the Russian armies, Kornilov's division was surrounded and suffered heavy losses; he himself was wounded and captured, from which he escaped in July 1916, with the help of a Czech paramedic. Kornilov's escape caused a sensation; he was the only general who managed to escape from captivity. He was awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd degree, for the battles in the Carpathians, although many considered him to be responsible for the defeat of the division. In the fall of 1916, Kornilov was appointed commander of the 25th Infantry Corps of the 8th Army of the Southwestern Front.
Rapid ascent
After the February Revolution, the dizzying career of Kornilov began, who in five and a half months went from corps commander to Supreme Commander-in-Chief. On March 2, 1917, at the request of the Chairman of the State Duma M.V. Rodzianko, Nicholas II, simultaneously with his abdication of the throne, appointed Kornilov, a popular general of “simple” origin, as commander of the Petrograd Military District. On March 7, Kornilov, by order of the Provisional Government, arrested the empress and the royal children in Tsarskoye Selo. Being under the influence and patronage of the Octobrist Minister of War A.I. Guchkov, Kornilov largely shared his views. During the April crisis, he proposed to the Provisional Government to use force to disperse mass anti-war demonstrations, but his proposal was rejected. He resigned, not wanting to submit to the control of the Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies. Despite Guchkov's request, Supreme Commander-in-Chief M.V. Alekseev refused to appoint Kornilov as commander-in-chief of the Northern Front, citing his lack of experience in commanding large formations.
Since May 1917, Kornilov has been the commander of the 8th Army, which had the greatest success in the June offensive of the Southwestern Front, breaking through the front of the Austrian troops and capturing the city of Kalush. During the period of the general retreat of the Russian troops, which followed the failure of the June offensive and the Tarnopol breakthrough of the Germans, he held the front; was promoted to infantry general and on July 7 appointed commander-in-chief of the troops of the Southwestern Front. In a telegram to the Provisional Government he demanded the restoration of the death penalty at the front; Minister-Chairman of the Provisional Government A.F. sanctioned all of Kornilov’s measures to strengthen discipline, introduced by him in person; On July 18, Kornilov was appointed Supreme Commander-in-Chief. He put forward a program to strengthen order and discipline at the front and in the rear, which included limiting the power of soldiers’ committees and commissars, introducing the death penalty in the rear, militarizing railways, etc. At the beginning of August this program was presented to Kerensky.
Kornilov mutiny
Took part in the State Moscow meeting on August 12-15. He arrived in Moscow on the second day after the opening of the meeting. At the Aleksandrovsky station (now Belorussky), Kornilov was given an enthusiastic meeting - he was carried out in their arms. The politically inexperienced general, under the influence of his adventurist entourage (V.S. Zavoiko, A.F. Aladin, M.M. Filonenko, etc.), clearly exaggerated his popularity in the country and the latter’s readiness to accept a military dictatorship. Through the mediation of the head of the military ministry, B.V. Savinkov and V.N. Lvov, he negotiated with Kerensky on the establishment of strong power. Kerensky perceived Kornilov's proposals in Lvov's broadcast as an ultimatum and an attempt on the power of the Provisional Government. On August 27, he sent a telegram to Kornilov demanding that he surrender the position of Commander-in-Chief and come to Petrograd. Kornilov did not obey and was declared a rebel. On August 28, Kornilov broadcast a statement on the radio about his goals - bringing the war to victory and convening the Constituent Assembly and moved parts of the 3rd Cavalry Corps of General A. M. Krymov to Petrograd. After an unsuccessful attempt to capture Petrograd, Krymov shot himself. The commander-in-chief of the Southwestern Front, A.I., and other supporters of Kornilov at the front and in a number of cities in the country were arrested. On September 2, Kornilov was arrested by General M.V. Alekseev, appointed by the Commander-in-Chief, and imprisoned in Bykhov. In prison, the regime in which was very free, Kornilov, together with other participants in the speech, developed the so-called “Bykhov program”, which provided for the establishment of a strong government, the revival of the army, the convening of the Constituent Assembly, and the preservation of the main gains of the February Revolution.
On November 19, by order of the Commander-in-Chief N.N. Dukhonin, Kornilov and other prisoners were released. After Kornilov failed to make his way to the Don at the head of a small detachment of Tekins loyal to him, he, dressed in a soldier’s overcoat, reached Novocherkassk on December 6 with someone else’s documents.
At the head of the Volunteer Army
There, on the Don, Kornilov, together with Alekseev and Denikin, decided on the formation of the Volunteer Army; this process was hampered by hostile relations between Alekseev and Kornilov. The conflict was resolved through the mediation of Denikin, who proposed delimiting areas of responsibility and creating a “triumvirate” consisting of Alekseev, Kornilov and A. M. Kaledin, who headed the Don Civil Council. On December 25, Kornilov became commander of the Volunteer Army (its creation was announced on December 27). He led the army during the first Kuban (“Ice”) campaign, when, during two months of continuous fighting, it broke through from the Don to the Kuban in the hope of receiving the support of the Kuban Cossacks. After several unsuccessful attempts to take Yekaterinodar by storm, he insisted on resuming the assault, believing that this was the only way out; In case of failure, he intended to commit suicide. On the morning of March 31 (April 13), 1918, when it was planned to storm the city again, Kornilov was killed by the explosion of a single shell that flew into the headquarters. After the death of Kornilov, Denikin, who replaced him, decided to retreat.
Kornilov's corpse was subsequently removed from the grave by the Reds, subjected to public mockery and burned.
Born on August 18 (August 30, New Style), 1870 Lavr Georgievich Kornilov- Russian military leader, infantry general, military intelligence officer, diplomat and traveler-researcher, is one of the most mysterious and odious personalities in Russian history of the 20th century.
He was called the “failed Bonaparte”, and the “gravedigger of the Revolution”, and the holy martyr, and the hero, and the only military leader who could bring the White Cause to a victorious end.
Much has been written about Kornilov. Almost all memoirs, fiction, historical literature, as well as scientific research, were created based on two diametrically opposed points of view on the activities of a famous character.
In Soviet, post-Soviet, as well as White emigrant historiography, all historical parallels have long been drawn, the most opposite and contradictory assessments have been put forward, the factual side of the events of 1917 has been covered in detail: the Kornilov mutiny, the arrest of the rebel generals, their escape from Bykhov and the creation by Kornilov of the Volunteer Army on the Don .
In this article, the author does not set himself the task of reconciling supporters and opponents of General Kornilov, and will not, contrary to custom, assure the reader that “the truth is somewhere in the middle.” No! Counteraction is necessary for every action, no matter where or what it is directed at. Lavr Georgievich Kornilov became exactly the “opposing” figure who was supposed to appear on the political arena of 1917. History has entrusted him with a thankless mission: to counteract general arbitrariness, rudeness and anarchy with at least the possibility of a return to law and order. Perhaps Kornilov had a real chance to beat fate by saving Russia from the tyranny of the Bolsheviks and the shameful Brest-Litovsk Peace. Only in political games, as a rule, it is not the strongest and wisest who wins, but the one whose deck contains more false trump cards...
The biography of Lavr Georgievich Kornilov in many ways resembles an adventure novel with endless sequels. It has everything: a mysterious origin, very atypical for a representative of the military elite, quick and unexpected career ups, equally unexpected downs, military victories and failures, heroic death...
The future general was born in Ust-Kamenogorsk, in the family of the former cornet of the 7th Siberian Cossack Regiment, Yegor (George) Nikolaevich Kornilov. 8 years before the birth of his son, the father left the Cossack class and moved to the rank of collegiate registrar. It is believed that Kornilov’s paternal ancestors came to Siberia with Ermak’s squad. In 1869, Georgy Kornilov received the position of clerk at the city police in Ust-Kamenogorsk, a good salary and purchased a small house on the banks of the Irtysh. Origin and nationality of L.G.’s mother Kornilov’s works still cause controversy among biographers of the legendary general. According to one version, she was an Orenburg Kalmyk, according to another, a baptized Kazakh woman from the Argyn clan. Still others, for example, Marshal Shaposhnikov, who served in the same regiment with Lavr Georgievich’s brother, claimed that Kornilov’s mother was a Kyrgyz who converted to Orthodoxy only to marry a Russian official, against the will of her relatives.
In any case, all Kornilov’s biographers agree that the general’s mother was an illiterate woman of Asian origin who could neither read nor write in any language. From her, Lavr Georgievich inherited the Mongoloid facial features, short stature and ambitions of Genghis Khan.
At the age of two, little Laurus and his family moved to the village of Karkaralinskaya, Semipalatinsk province, where he spent his childhood, and which in some documents is designated as the place of his birth. The ability for foreign languages from his father and grandfather, who served as interpreters in the Cossack army, was passed on to Laurus, which was later used in his service to the Fatherland.
In the summer of 1883, young Kornilov was enrolled in the Siberian Cadet Corps (Omsk). At first, he was accepted only by those “coming”: they successfully passed exams in all subjects except French, since there were no appropriate tutors in the Kyrgyz steppe. However, the hardworking and capable Kornilov very soon became one of the best students in the corps and was enrolled in the “state government.” Having passed the final exams with excellent marks, Laurus receives the right to choose a military school for further education. His love for mathematics and special success in this subject determined Kornilov’s choice in favor of the prestigious (the most capable cadets traditionally flocked here) Mikhailovsky Artillery School in St. Petersburg.
The move from Omsk to St. Petersburg marks the beginning of the independent life of a 19-year-old cadet. His father could not help him with money (the Kornilovs had many children, and the family lived more than modestly). Laurus had to earn his own living. He gives mathematics lessons and writes articles on zoogeography, which brings in some income, from which he even manages to help his elderly parents.
At the Mikhailovsky Artillery School, as well as in the cadet corps, studies went “excellent”. Only for behavior the cadet received relatively low points. The officers of the capital's school were biased towards the ambitious young man of “low” origin, and often made ridicule and barbs towards the ambitious “Asian”. There is a known case when one of the school officers allowed himself an offensive tactlessness towards Kornilov, but unexpectedly received a rebuff from the proud cadet. Lavr Georgievich made it clear to the teacher that he would not forgive the insult and intended to stand up for his honor to the end. The head of the school, having learned about this incident, immediately recalled the officer and forgave Kornilov for his offense. The cadet entered an additional course, after which he had the right to serve in the guard or in the capital's military district. However, Second Lieutenant Kornilov chose Turkestan.
In 1892, he was assigned to the 5th battery of the Turkestan artillery brigade. This was not only a return to a small homeland, but also a forward strategic direction in the then emerging conflicts with Persia, Afghanistan and Great Britain.
In Turkestan, Lavr Georgievich was engaged in self-education and successfully studied oriental languages. Soon he applied for admission to the Academy of the General Staff.
From 1895 to 1897, Kornilov studied at the Academy. While studying, he marries the daughter of the titular councilor Taisiya Vladimirovna Markovina. A year later, the couple had a daughter, Natalya. In 1897, having graduated from the Academy with a small silver medal and “with his name entered on a marble plaque with the names of outstanding graduates of the Nikolaev Academy in the conference hall of the Academy,” Kornilov received the rank of captain ahead of schedule. He again refuses his place in St. Petersburg and leaves for Turkestan. It was here that Lavr Georgievich’s main talents as a warrior, intelligence officer, and researcher were revealed.
In addition to the German and French languages required for a graduate of the Academy of the General Staff, Kornilov was fluent in English, Persian, Chinese, Kazakh and Urdu.
At the risk of his life, disguised as a Turkmen, Kornilov conducted reconnaissance of British fortresses in Afghanistan. He made a number of long-term research and reconnaissance expeditions in Kashgaria (East Turkestan), Afghanistan and Persia. Kornilov seriously studied this mysterious region, little known to Europeans, met with Chinese officials and entrepreneurs, and established a network of agents. The result of the business trip was the book “Kashgaria or Eastern Turkestan” prepared by Lavr Georgievich, which became a significant contribution to geography, ethnography, military and geopolitical science. The book brought the author well-deserved success and was noticed by British experts. As the modern researcher M.K. Baskhanov has established, the cartographic material for the English edition of “Military Report on Kashgaria” of 1907 represents plans of cities and fortifications of Eastern Turkestan, published in the work of L.G. Kornilov. For reconnaissance expeditions, Captain Kornilov was awarded the Order of St. Stanislaus, 3rd degree, and was soon sent on a new mission to little-explored areas of Eastern Persia.
From November 1903 to June 1904, he was in India for the purpose of “studying the languages and customs of the peoples,” and in fact, to analyze the state of the British colonial troops. In 1905, his secret “Report on a Trip to India” was published by the General Staff.
In 1904, the unique agent was promoted to lieutenant colonel and appointed chief of the General Staff in St. Petersburg, but with the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War he achieved transfer to the active army. From September 1904 to December 1905, Kornilov served as a staff officer, then as chief of staff of the 1st Infantry Brigade. Lavr Georgievich's baptism of fire occurred during the battle of Sandepu. In February 1905, Kornilov was with his brigade in the rearguard, covering the army's withdrawal from Mukden. Surrounded by the Japanese in the village of Vazye, Lieutenant Colonel Kornilov broke through the encirclement with a daring bayonet attack. Maintaining complete battle order, he led his brigade, which was already considered destroyed, to join the army. For bravery, he was promoted to colonel and awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree, and the Arms of St. George.
In 1907-1911, having a reputation as an orientalist, Kornilov was engaged in diplomatic and intelligence activities in China, then in the border territories of Russia (Mongolia and Kashgaria). The activities of Kornilov as a diplomat of this period were highly appreciated not only in his homeland, where he received the Order of St. Anne, 2nd degree and other awards, but also among diplomats from Britain, France, Japan and Germany, whose awards also did not spare the Russian intelligence officer.
World War I
Lavr Georgievich met the First World War as the head of the 48th Infantry Division (the future “Steel”). She fought in Galicia and the Carpathians as part of the 8th Army of General Brusilov. Here the experience and knowledge of an orientalist were not very useful to the division commander, and the skills of a scout and saboteur often made it difficult to find a common language with higher-ranking staff officers. Commander Brusilov was irritated by the inability, and sometimes even unwillingness, of a subordinate general to carry out the interaction necessary in military conditions with the command and other units of the army. Kornilov, like any lone saboteur, was independent and loved to make non-standard, sometimes too desperate decisions. Thus, in the night battle of Takoshany, a group of volunteers under the command of Lavr Georgievich broke through the enemy’s positions and, despite their small numbers, captured 1,200 prisoners, including the German General Raft. “Kornilov is not a man, he is an element,” said Raft, shocked by this daring attack. However, a “daring foray” carried out without the cover of the main forces could end in failure. Commander Brusilov repeatedly noted that Kornilov “does not spare his people,” but at the same time added every time that Lavr Georgievich does not spare himself. The soldiers idolized their commander. Kornilov knew how to take risks and believed that “winners are not judged.”
The “Steel” division subordinate to him distinguished itself in the most dangerous operations of the Southwestern Front. When interacting with the “Iron” division of General Denikin, it performed miracles of courage and heroism, reached the Carpathians, and occupied Krepna. The capture of Zboro - located at “height 650” - protected by wire fences and lines of trenches with fortified firing points - became one of the most brilliant operations carried out by Kornilov. The capture of “Height 650” opened the way for the Russian armies to Hungary. In February 1915, the legendary division commander was promoted to lieutenant general, and his name became widely known in the army.
However, the combat path of the “Steel” division was short-lived. Military luck turned away from General Kornilov already in April 1915. While covering Brusilov's retreat from behind the Carpathians, the division was surrounded and almost completely destroyed. General Kornilov, who took personal command of the battalion at the time of the death of the division, was wounded twice in the arm and leg. The former divisional commander with seven surviving soldiers broke through to his own people for four days, but was captured by the Austrians.
The corps commander, General Tsurikov, considered Kornilov responsible for the death of the 48th division. In his opinion, only the arrogant actions of its commander did not allow the division to avoid encirclement and complete defeat. Tsurikov demanded a trial of the division commander, but General Ivanov, commander of the Southwestern Front, held a different point of view. He sent a petition to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, “for exemplary rewarding of the remnants of the valiantly fought through units of the 48th division, and especially its hero, the division chief, General Kornilov.”
Nicholas II also took the side of the Comfront. On April 28, 1915, the emperor signed a decree rewarding the captured General Kornilov for these battles, and the case was closed.
About the capture of Kornilov in the spring of 1915, A. I. Verkhovsky, the last Minister of War of the Provisional Government, wrote in his memoirs:
“Kornilov himself with a group of staff officers fled to the mountains, but a few days later, hungry, he went down and was captured by an Austrian patrol. General Ivanov tried to find at least something that would resemble a feat and could maintain the morale of the troops. Deliberately distorting the truth, he glorified Kornilov and his division for their courageous behavior in battle. They made Kornilov a hero to the laughter and surprise of those who knew what this “feat” was... (A.I. Verkhovsky. At the Difficult Pass, M., Voenizdat, 1959, p. 65).
Only the lazy did not escape from Austrian captivity during the Great War. General Kornilov was placed in a camp for senior officers near Vienna. Having healed his wounds, he tried to escape twice, but his first escape attempts ended in failure. Kornilov escaped only in July 1916, disguised as an Austro-Hungarian soldier. For some reason, his “Asian” appearance combined with the Austrian uniform did not bother anyone.
The newspaper hype around Kornilov's daring escape elevated the general to the status of an undoubted hero and martyr for the Fatherland. Already in September 1916, Lavr Georgievich, having regained his strength after the events he had experienced, again went to the front and was appointed commander of the XXV Army Corps of the Special Army of General V.I. Gurko.
Commander of the Petrograd Military District
The issue of appointing General Kornilov to the post of commander of the troops of the Petrograd Military District was decided by Emperor Nicholas II. The candidacy of a popular military general, who also made a legendary escape from Austrian captivity, could moderate the ardor of the emperor's opponents. On March 2, 1917, at the first meeting of the self-proclaimed Provisional Government, Kornilov was appointed to the key post of Commander-in-Chief of the Petrograd Military District.
By order of the Provisional Government and War Minister Guchkov, it was Kornilov who announced the arrest to the empress and her family. He did this to try to ease the fate of those arrested in the future. In fact, in those terrible days, the commander of the district took the crown princesses, the queen and the heir under his personal protection in order to save the family of Nicholas II from the extrajudicial actions and arbitrary decisions of the Petrograd Council. The Empress was very pleased that she was arrested by the legendary General Kornilov himself, and not by someone from the newly-minted government. For some reason, Alexandra Fedorovna trusted Kornilov.
After the arrest of the empress, Kornilov gained a reputation as a revolutionary general. Orthodox monarchists could not forgive him either for this step or for his very “democratic” origin. As the head of the Petrograd district, Kornilov makes several unsuccessful attempts to come to an agreement with the Petrograd Soviet, to remove decayed units from the garrison, and to cancel the notorious “Order No. 1”. However, the general quickly realized that he could only gain real strength in these negotiations by relying on the front-line units. In April 1917, Kornilov resigned and began to ask to go to the front. War Minister Guchkov proposed his candidacy for the post of commander of the Northern Front. The reputation of a “revolutionary general” played against Kornilov’s appointment at Headquarters. Supreme Commander-in-Chief Alekseev stated that he himself would resign if Kornilov led the front. Subsequently, this conflict will become the focus of the relationship between the two generals both after the Kornilov mutiny and at the first stage of the creation of the Volunteer Army.
Supreme Commander
In the spring of 1917, Kornilov received command of the 8th Army. Having familiarized himself with the situation at the front, the general was the first to raise the issue of destroying soldiers' committees and banning political agitation. On May 19, 1917, by order of the 8th Army, he authorized the formation of the First Shock Detachment of volunteers (the first volunteer unit in the Russian Army). In a short time, a detachment of three thousand was formed. Captain Nezhentsev brilliantly carried out his squad's baptism of fire. On June 26, 1917, volunteers broke through the Austrian positions near the village of Yamshitsy, thanks to which Kalushch was taken. On August 11, by order of Kornilov, the detachment was reorganized into the Kornilov Regiment. The regiment's uniform included the letter "K" on the shoulder straps and a sleeve insignia with the inscription "Kornilovtsy". The Tekinsky cavalry regiment became Kornilov's personal guard. During the July offensive, General Kornilov's army broke through the Austrian front for 30 miles, captured 10 thousand soldiers and about 100 guns. Kornilov was promoted by the Provisional Government to the rank of infantry general and appointed Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
Lavr Georgievich immediately stipulated the conditions under which he agreed to accept this position: non-interference by the government in appointments to senior command positions, the speedy implementation of the army reorganization program, the appointment of General Denikin as commander of the Southwestern Front. Kornilov became the second person in the state, a major political figure capable of influencing events taking place in the country. This appointment was met with great joy among officers and the conservative public. The conservative camp had a leader in whom they saw hope for the salvation of the army and Russia.
At the request of General Kornilov, to restore discipline in the army, the Provisional Government introduces the death penalty. Using decisive, harsh methods, General Kornilov returns the army's combat effectiveness and restores the front. In the eyes of many front-line officers, he becomes a folk hero. They expected him to save the country and literally carried him in their arms.
Taking advantage of his position as Supreme Commander-in-Chief and the support of senior officers, at the State Conference in Moscow, General Kornilov presented demands to the Provisional Government, known as the “Kornilov Military Program”. He decisively demanded that the Provisional Government “eliminate anarchy in the country” and restore order in the army. The provisional government did nothing in this direction. On the contrary, it considered Kornilov’s popularity too dangerous for the “revolution.”
Kornilov mutiny
On August 28, 1917, Kornilov refused to comply with Kerensky’s demand to stop General Krymov’s 3rd Cavalry Corps, which was moving towards Petrograd. More recently, Kerensky himself demanded that Kornilov introduce loyal units into the capital in order to avoid further provocations of the Bolsheviks. But now Kerensky sensed a real, dangerous power behind Kornilov. As October 1917 showed, the Provisional Government in the capital did not have any loyal supporters capable of repelling an attack on power. Under these conditions, the Chairman of the Government himself decided on a political provocation. Kornilov was asked by telegram to relinquish the post of Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Kornilov refused and decided:
On August 29, Kerensky declares Kornilov and his associates rebels. Krymov's corps was stopped in the Luga area. His commander committed suicide after a personal audience with the Chairman of the Government. The corps was immediately agitated by the Bolsheviks and lost its combat effectiveness. The Kornilov regiment, ready to go into battle at any moment, never received the corresponding order from its general. Kornilov still hoped to come to an agreement with Kerensky, but the latter again outplayed him. The hype around the “rebel” general was beneficial not so much to the Provisional Government as to those political adventurers who hoped with his help to ingloriously lead Russia out of the Great War. Kerensky appointed himself to the post of Commander-in-Chief. He ordered the Chief of Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, General Alekseev, to arrest Kornilov and the entire top of the generals, who were loyal to his actions. Alekseev, who himself had great sympathy for the Kornilovites, decided to take this shame upon himself. September 1, 1917 L.G. Kornilov was arrested at Headquarters and sent to Bykhov prison.
Generals Denikin, Markov, Orlov, Vannovsky, Erdeli and other military officials who in one way or another supported the Kornilov action were transferred there from Berdichev. A week after the mutiny, General Alekseev resigned from the post of Chief of Staff of the Commander-in-Chief. General Dukhonin was appointed in his place. Simultaneously with the elimination of the most active and state-minded group of the generals, the Provisional Government released from prison the Bolsheviks (including Trotsky), who had been arrested for the attempted July coup.
Many liberal-democratic historians and political figures, already in exile, actively tried to stick on L.G. Kornilov was labeled the main culprit and instigator of the Civil War, an aggressor and organizer of resistance to the Bolshevik government, “the gravedigger of the revolution.”
In our opinion, the Kornilov speech was only a desperate, largely politically naive and unprepared attempt to resist the illegal actions of the Provisional Government and its foreign “accomplices.” Attempts dictated not by the mind, but by the heart, rarely lead to anything other than defeat.
The subsequent resistance of law-abiding generals loyal to the supreme power, who always tried to stay “out of politics,” was only a desperate step of cornered, doomed people. One has only to remember the humiliations that military, distinguished officers were subjected to during their imprisonment in Berdichev, and there will no longer be any need to look for the true culprits of the escalation of subsequent violence. While being transported to Bykhov, the “rebels” were almost torn to pieces by an aggressive crowd, incited by the commissars of the Provisional Government. The investigation and trial of the Kornilov speech were not beneficial either to the doomed government or to A.F. personally. Kerensky. Only human decency and loyalty to their duty of the convoy officers saved Denikin, Markov, Vannovsky and other generals from martyrdom.
For the second time, the “Bykhov prisoners” were saved at the cost of his life by the Chief of Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, General Dukhonin. After the October Revolution, he freed the prisoners of his own free will, but he himself was torn to pieces by the revolutionary crowd for this.
Violence and provocation to split society, to bloodshed and civil war, without a doubt, began with the Kerensky government, the Bolsheviks continued. Kornilov, Alekseev, Denikin, Markov and all the other victims of political tyranny found the strength in themselves to organize resistance and lead it.
General I.P. Romanovsky, one of those arrested along with General Kornilov, said later: “They can shoot Kornilov, send his accomplices to hard labor, but “Kornilovism” will not die in Russia, since “Kornilovism” is love for the Motherland, the desire to save Russia, and these high motives not to throw any dirt at, not to trample under any haters of Russia..."
Volunteer Army
After escaping from Bykhov, Kornilov moved with the Tekins loyal to him to the Don. All the other “Bykhov prisoners” made their way to Novocherkassk illegally, using fake documents. Kornilov decided to go openly. On the way, he almost died, running into superior Bolshevik forces with his convoy. The experienced scout only miraculously managed to escape. In Novocherkassk, General Kornilov became a co-organizer of the Volunteer Army. After negotiations with General Alekseev and representatives of the Moscow National Center who came to the Don, it was decided that Alekseev would take charge of financial affairs and issues of foreign and domestic policy, Kornilov - the organization and command of the Volunteer Army, Don Ataman Kaledin - the formation of the Don Army and all matters, concerning the Cossacks.
At the first stage of developing the strategic plans of the white forces, Kornilov again showed himself to be an experienced saboteur, but not a very far-sighted military leader. He still thought in terms of the commander of a partisan detachment, proposing that the Volunteer Army conduct sabotage and partisan raids along the Bolshevik rear, hiding in remote areas of the Upper Don and the Kuban steppes. Generals Alekseev and Denikin categorically objected to such a strategy. The volunteer army, despite its small numbers, bore little resemblance to a mobile sabotage detachment. In winter conditions, with all the convoys, the sick, wounded, families and relatives of military personnel, she would simply die in the steppe. A conflict was brewing again in the army leadership, but L.G. Kornilov found the strength to give in. Putting his ambitions aside, he agreed with Denikin’s only acceptable plan for a campaign against Ekaterinodar.
On February 9 (22), 1918, the Volunteer Army set out on the first Kuban campaign, which would later be called “Ice” by its participants. The goal of the campaign was to capture the capital of the Kuban Cossacks - Ekaterinodar. The volunteers at that moment had practically nothing: no weapons, no ammunition, no money with which to organize a combat-ready army, no clear political program. They only had faith in their Commander-in-Chief L.G. Kornilov, his decency, officer’s honor and ardent desire to save Russia.
Death
On March 31 (April 13), 1918, the commander of the Dobrarmiya, General Kornilov, was killed during the assault on Yekaterinodar.
“The enemy’s grenade,” wrote General A.I. Denikin, “only one hit the house, only in Kornilov’s room when he was in it, and killed only him alone. The mystical veil of the eternal mystery covered the paths and accomplishments of an unknown will... "
The coffin with Kornilov's body was secretly buried during the retreat from the German colony of Gnachbau. Volunteers carefully camouflaged the grave, leveling the hill to the ground, but this did not help. The very next day, the Bolsheviks, who occupied Gnachbau, first of all rushed to look for the cash registers and jewelry allegedly buried by the cadets. By chance, they dug up a grave and took the body of General Kornilov to Yekaterinodar, where, after much mockery, it was publicly burned. The volunteers knew nothing about this. Only after the capture of Yekaterinodar in August 1918, a commission was appointed to rebury Kornilov’s remains, which revealed the terrible truth.
The document of the Special Commission for the Investigation of Bolshevik Atrocities stated:
| “Separate admonitions from the crowd not to disturb the deceased person, who had already become harmless, did not help; the mood of the Bolshevik crowd rose... The last shirt was torn off the corpse, which was torn into pieces and the scraps were scattered around... Several people were already on the tree and began to lift the corpse... But then the rope broke and the body fell onto the pavement. The crowd kept arriving, became agitated and noisy... After the speech, they began to shout from the balcony that the corpse should be torn to shreds... Finally, the order was given to take the corpse out of town and burn it... The corpse was no longer recognizable: it was a shapeless mass, disfigured by the blows of sabers, throwing it to the ground... Finally, the body was brought to the city slaughterhouses, where they took it off the cart and, covering it with straw, began to burn it in the presence of the highest representatives of the Bolshevik government... One day it was not possible to finish this work: the next day they continued to burn the pitiful remains; burned and trampled underfoot.” |
The general's family was shocked by what happened. Kornilov’s wife, Taisya Vladimirovna, refused to attend the funeral service organized by Denikin in Yekaterinodar. She died a few months after the death of her husband and was buried not far from the place of his death.
On October 3, 1918, the commander of the Volunteer Army, General Denikin, established the “Insignia of the First Kuban Campaign.” 3689 participants were registered. Badge No. 1 rightfully belonged to General Lavr Georgievich Kornilov and was solemnly presented to his daughter.
Lavr Georgievich Kornilov is a unique specialist, orientalist, brave military general and intelligence officer, he achieved everything in his life on his own. Without hesitation, at the behest of his heart, he stood at the head of the White movement, the movement of the doomed. Like most of his comrades, he saw no other way out for himself, had no personal desires other than serving the Fatherland. His name became a banner and symbol for the soldiers of the white armies for many years.
Kornilov Lavr Egorovich
- Dates of life: 18.08.1870-31.03.1918
- Biography:
Orthodox. The son of a collegiate secretary who rose through the ranks of the soldiers, a native of the Semipalatinsk region. He received his education in the Siberian Cadet Corps (1889). Entered service on August 29, 1889. Graduated from the Mikhailovsky Artillery School (1892; 1st category). Released from school as a Second Lieutenant (08/04/1892) to the Turkestan artillery. brigade. Lieutenant (art. 08/10/1894). Staff Captain (07/13/1897). He graduated from the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff (1898; 1st category; with a small silver medal and his name being entered on a marble plaque). Captain (Art. 05/17/1898). He was a member of the Turkestan Military District. Assistant Art. adjutant of the headquarters of the Turkestan Military District (08/11/1899-10/19/1901). Staff officer for assignments at the headquarters of the Turkestan Military District (10/19/1901-06/13/1904). Lieutenant Colonel (December 6, 1901). While serving in the Turkestan Military District, he made a number of long research and reconnaissance expeditions in East Turkestan (Sinkiang), Afghanistan and Persia, during which he became proficient in local languages. K. edited the secret publication of the district headquarters - “Information concerning the countries adjacent to the Turkestan Military District” and published a number of works, including “Kashgaria, or Eastern Turkestan”. He served his senior command of the company in the 1st Turkestan infantry battalion (03.10.1902-30.09.1903). During his service in Turkestan, K. was awarded his first order - St. Stanislav, 3rd class. and the Bukhara Order of the Golden Star, 3rd class. In 1904 he was transferred to serve at the General Staff. Head of the Clerk Headquarters (13.06.-30.09.1904). With the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War, he expressed a desire to go to the theater of military operations. Staff officer at the command of the 1st brigade (09/30/1904-05/01/1906). In fact, he was the chief of staff of the brigade. For military distinction he was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th class. (VP 09/08/1905), Golden weapon (VP 05/09/1907), promoted to the rank of Colonel (Article 12/26/1905). Clerk of the Department of Quarter General. gene. headquarters (05/01/1906-04/01/1907). Military agent in China (04/01/1907-02/24/1911). He was awarded numerous foreign orders. Commander of the 8th Estonian Infantry Regiment (24.02.-03.06.1911). Head of the 2nd Zaamursky district of a separate border guard corps (2 infantry and 3 cavalry regiments) (06/03/1911-07/04/1913). Major General (Art. 26.12.1911). In 1912, by order of the district chief, he conducted an inquiry into the supply of poor-quality products to the troops, after which the case was transferred to a military investigator, and by order of the prosecutor's supervision, some commanding officers were brought into the investigation as defendants. When the investigation was terminated by the Highest order, and the head of the district, Gen. E.I. Martynov submitted his resignation, K., at his personal request, was transferred on July 4, 1913 to the military department to the position of commander of the 1st brigade of the 9th Siberian Infantry Division, stationed in Vladivostok. Commander of the 48th Infantry Division (from 08/19/1914). He entered the World War in Galicia as part of the 8th Army of the Southwestern Front. The courage of the soldier, which K. showed in battles, created his reputation as a combat commander. Participated in the Battle of Grodek and the Carpathian Operation. Lieutenant General (02/16/1915; 08/26/1914; for distinction in affairs...) with confirmation in office. After the breakthrough by the troops of Gen. Mackensen positions of the 3rd Army of the Southwestern Front in the Gorlice-Tarnov sector, Division K. 04/21/04/24/1915 was surrounded by enemy troops in the Dukla area. Refusing to surrender, K. and his headquarters went into the mountains. After a 4-day wandering, K. surrendered to one of the Austro-Hungarian units on April 23, 1915, together with his headquarters. For his actions, K. was awarded the Order of St. George 3rd Art. (VP 04/28/1915). 05/12/1915 expelled from office due to being in captivity. In 07.1916 he escaped from captivity to Romania, which entered the war on the side of the Entente. Commander of the 25th Army Corps (from 09/13/1916), commander of the troops of the Petrograd Military District (from 03/02/1917). On 03/07/1917, by order of the Provisional Government, he arrested Empress Alexandra Feodorovna in Tsarskoye Selo. On April 21, 1917, street riots occurred in Petrograd, which K. proposed to suppress using district troops. After a statement by the Executive Committee of the Petrograd Soviet, according to which all orders of the district headquarters were subject to approval by the Executive Committee, which undermined the position of the district commander, and the lack of support from the government, K. resigned. Commander of the 8th Army (from 04/29/1917). General of Infantry (06/27/1917). Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the Southwestern Front (from 07/10/1917), Supreme Commander-in-Chief (from 07/18/1917). 08/03/1917 K. presented to the government a program that was considered “excessive”. The plan provided for the restoration of the disciplinary power of commanders with the limitation of the powers of commissars and various committees; in addition, K. insisted on the introduction of the death penalty not only at the front, but also in the rear. To calm the country and successfully conduct the war, K. insisted on declaring the military industry and railways under martial law with a ban on rallies and strikes. 08/13/1917, speaking at the State Meeting in Petrograd, K. called the government's "legislative measures" the cause of the crisis in the army, once again calling for the rear to be equalized with the front. Through intermediaries, K. negotiated with the government on the transfer of full power to him. 08/23/1917 B.V. arrived at Headquarters. Savinkov, who assured K. of the Provisional Government’s approval of his project. On the evening of August 24, 1917, K. appointed gen. A.M. Krymov as commander of the Separate Army in Petrograd, and Gen. P.V. Krasnov - commander of the 3rd Cavalry Corps. V.N. Lvov, who acted as an intermediary between K. and the government, conveyed to Kerensky (in his presentation) K.’s demands: to declare the capital under martial law, to transfer full power to K., to announce the resignation of the entire government. After hesitation A.F. On August 29, 1917, Kerensky expelled K. from office and put him on trial for rebellion. 09/02/1917 K. was arrested. Kept in Bykhov. 11/19/1917 was released and, accompanied by the Tekinsky Cavalry Regiment, headed to the Don, where, under the leadership of General. Alekseev, the Volunteer Army was deployed. After a series of unsuccessful clashes with Red Guard detachments, he left the regiment and made his way to Novocherkassk alone (arrived on 12/06/1917). From 12/25/1917 commander of the Volunteer Army. At 01.1918 the army was transferred to Rostov-on-Don. In view of the apparent reluctance of the Don Cossacks to confront the Bolsheviks, it was decided to move to Kuban, in the hope of a more favorable attitude towards the army of the government of the Kuban army. During the 1st Kuban (Ice) Campaign, the Volunteer Army, avoiding railways and waging constant battles with Red detachments, managed to reach the river. Kuban, which was forced at the station. Ust-Labinskaya. However, by this time the detachment of the Kuban Prospect had already left Ekaterinodar, occupied by the Reds on 01 (14).03.1918. 11(24).03.1918 The volunteer army united with the Kuban detachment of the Regiment. Pokrovsky near the village of Shendzhiy. Having occupied 03/15/28/1918 after a fierce battle, Art. Novo-Dmitrievskaya, the army remained there until March 22 (04/02), 1918, when a movement began with the goal of capturing Ekaterinodar. 27.03 (09.04).-31.03 (13.04).1918 an assault was launched on stubbornly defending Ekaterinodar. Killed on March 31, 1918 (Old Style) by a grenade explosion. Gen., who took command of the army. Denikin stopped the assault on Yekaterinodar and began the withdrawal of the army. K.'s body was buried on 04/02/1918 in the Gnachbau colony. The day after the Volunteer Army left, the Bolsheviks entered the colony. K.'s corpse was exhumed and violated, and then burned.
- Ranks:
- Awards:
- Additional Information:
- Sources:
- Gorlitsky operation. Collection of documents from the world imperialist war on the Russian front (1914-1917). M., 1941.
- Brusilov A.A. My memories. M. 2001
- Zalessky K.A. Who was who in the First World War. M., 2003.
- Rutych N.N. Biographical reference book of the highest ranks of the Volunteer Army and the Armed Forces of the South of Russia: Materials on the history of the White movement. M., 2002.
- Slashchev-Krymsky Ya.A. White Crimea 1920. M., 1990
- Yushko V. 48th infantry. division.
- Eliseev F.I. Labinians. Escape from Soviet Russia. M. 2006
- "Military Order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George. Bio-bibliographic reference book" RGVIA, M., 2004.
- List of the General Staff. Corrected on 06/01/1914. Petrograd, 1914
- List of the General Staff. Corrected to 01/01/1916. Petrograd, 1916
- List of the General Staff. Corrected on 01/03/1917. Petrograd, 1917
- List of generals by seniority. Compiled on July 10, 1916. Petrograd, 1916
- Ismailov E.E. Golden weapon with the inscription "For bravery." Lists of cavaliers 1788-1913. M. 2007
- Russian Disabled. No. 243, 1915/Information provided by Yuri Vedeneev
- VP for the military department/Reconnaissance No. 1272, 03/24/1915
- VP for the military department/Reconnaissance No. 1273, 03/31/1915
- VP for the military department/Reconnaissance No. 1279, 05/12/1915
- VP for the military department/Reconnaissance No. 1286, 06/30/1915
Kornilov Lavr Georgievich, whose brief biography is closely connected with the Civil War in Russia, was born on August 18 (30), 1870 in the family of a retired Cossack. Graduated from several educational institutions. Participated in several wars. Served as a scout in the East. Before the revolution, there was one of those who organized the White Guard Volunteer Army. Killed during the battles near Ekaterinodar (Krasnodar) in 1918.
early years
The origins of the future commander are ambiguous. Researchers of his biography and local historians are faced with conflicting data in their searches. The appearance and nationality of Lavr Kornilov are the most discussed points in historians' circles. Most sources agree that his father was of Cossack descent and served as a translator for the 7th Siberian Regiment. But the mother, according to one version, is a Kazakh woman who accepted the Orthodox faith as a girl, Maryam (Maria Ivanovna after baptism). From her, Laurus inherited his oriental appearance.
Other studies claim that his mother is from a Cossack family, whose ancestors included Kalmyks. And a completely different version says that, on the contrary, his own father was a Kalmyk, and his real name was Gavga Deldinov. After the breakup of the family, Gavga was adopted by Georgy Kornilov, his mother’s brother.
Ros Lavr Georgievich grew up in a large family; out of 12 children, he was the fourth child. He was quiet, modest, diligent and persistent in his studies. He easily passed the entrance exams to the Siberian Cadet Corps in Omsk. Only French failed: the poor family could not find a tutor in the outback. His hard work paid off, and each of his academic successes boosted his self-esteem. At the same time, he remained friendly.
Years in the cadet corps
Shy - that was the young Kornilov Lavr Georgievich. A brief biography during the years of study in the cadet corps was not bright until high school. Regarding extracurricular life, of course. He devoted all his energy to studying subjects. Soon Kornilov became a successful student and earned support for the government “kosht” after the first year of study.
Having graduated from the cadet corps with excellent marks, Lavr Kornilov received the right to choose a military school. The most prestigious at that time was the Mikhailovsky Artillery School in St. Petersburg.
Training at the Artillery School and the General Staff Academy
Here he boldly, one might say, entered adulthood. His father could no longer help him with money. Lavr Georgievich worked part-time as a mathematics tutor and published in geographical magazines, which brought him a reasonable income. There was even enough money to help my parents from time to time.
Excellent grades become the norm for him, but his behavior is not at that level. There was an unpleasant situation with a tactless officer, who, if not for General Chernyavsky, could have received a rebuff from non-commissioned officer Kornilov with a sword. The student was respected, so such an offense was forgiven.
He completed the last course of the school (November 1891) as a cadet, and in August of the following year he took an additional course at the artillery school and received the rank of second lieutenant. Despite the prospect of remaining to serve in the capital, he chooses the Turkestan Military District. In addition to his service, he studies oriental languages and educates soldiers.
Perseverance and ambition push him to apply for admission to the General Staff Academy. Of course, here too he showed himself at the highest level. While studying, he marries the daughter of titular councilor Taisiya Markovina.
Upon completion of his studies, again dismissing the prospect of service in St. Petersburg, Lavr Kornilov returned to Turkestan.
Participation in expeditions
While serving as an assistant to the senior adjutant of the district headquarters, and a little later as a staff officer, Lavr Georgievich, dressed as a Turkmen, entered the territory of Deidadi in Afghanistan and inspected the positions of British troops. He took part in expeditions to Kashgaria, Afghanistan and Persia. Along with studying these places, he creates an agent network and establishes business connections.
The short biography of Lavr Georgievich Kornilov indicates that he made a great contribution to the development of geography, ethnography, military and geopolitical science by writing the book “Kashgaria”. For it he receives. This work was also appreciated internationally. The British, in the “Military Report on Kashgaria,” used city plans from Kornilov’s publication.
In 1905, the General Staff published his secret “Report on the Trip to India.” And already in November of the following year, Lavr Georgievich was accepted as a member of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society.
Participation in the Russo-Japanese War
In the first month of the summer of 1904, Lieutenant Colonel Kornilov received the appointment of chief of the General Staff. In the short biography of Lavr Georgievich Kornilov, it is indicated that he persistently strived to join the active army. In 1904, he was already the chief of staff of the first rifle brigade.
A memorable battle where Kornilov showed his valor and the courage of a military leader is the battle of Mukden. With his brigade, he covered the retreat of the Russian army and was himself surrounded. Literally on bayonets, under his leadership, the brigade broke through the encirclement and connected with the main units. For which he received the Order of St. George with the St. George's weapon.
As a military agent
Kornilov Lavr Georgievich, whose biography testifies to his abilities in oriental languages, also had an Asian appearance. All this predicted his future career as a military agent in China (1907-1911). Here he meets Mannerheim and Chiang Kai-shek.
During his service, he often travels around the country, studying the language, culture, way of life, history and traditions of the people who inhabited it. He notices the numerical potential of the yet to be formed Chinese army. He carefully documented all observations and sent them to the General Staff. He was awarded high awards for his activities in China.
"Not a man - an element"
With the beginning of the First World War, a turbulent life began, full of danger, failures, manifestations of the character of the real commander Lavr Georgievich Kornilov. In the second half of August 1914, he fought with an infantry division in Galicia under the command of Brusilov. The soldiers idolized him, which made him jealous of the general. Even the captive General Raft called Kornilov like this: “Not a man - an element.”
In January 1915, Kornilov was promoted to lieutenant general. While covering Brusilov's retreat, he was wounded and, after a stubborn bayonet battle of his battalion with the advancing enemy forces, was captured by the Austrians. I was able to escape on the third try, thanks to a Czech pharmacist.
As Supreme Commander
The appointment of General Lavr Kornilov as commander of the troops in Petrograd was approved by Nicholas II. In March 1917, Kornilov arrived in Petrograd and first of all announced to the Empress about the “arrest” in Tsarskoe Selo. But he did this more out of an impulse to save the royal family. He himself was very worried that this mission fell to him.
General Kornilov worked all this time to create the Petrograd Front, placing loyal people in strategic places. But I didn’t achieve success. It was not possible to reach an agreement with the Soviet, as well as with the soldiers of Petrograd. He refuses the post of commander-in-chief of the “collapsing army.” Next, Lavr Georgievich took command of the Eighth Army and raised the issue of banning soldiers’ committees and political propaganda. After the defeats of the decayed Russian troops, Kornilov asks the command for permission to take tough measures.
On July 19, Kornilov was appointed Supreme Commander-in-Chief instead of Brusilov. He accepts this position on his own terms, which included the reorganization of the army and the non-interference of the Provisional Government.
Unsuccessful performance and arrest
In August 1917, as a result of a successful provocation by Minister Kerensky (pictured above), Kornilov was declared a rebel. Offended by the lies from Petrograd, General Kornilov Lavr Georgievich openly addresses the soldiers and people with a description of these events.
In order to save the Kornilovites, infantry general Alekseev takes on the unpleasant mission of detaining Kornilov and sends them to the Bykhov prison, thereby ensuring their safety. From September 1 to November, the arrested Kornilov and the officers loyal to him stayed in Bykhov.
Death
After the October coup, Dukhonin released Kornilov and his officers. Lavr Georgievich decides to go to the Don with the Tekinsky regiment, but they are tracked down by Bolshevik troops. He himself makes his way to Novocherkassk, where he forms the Volunteer Army. Soon there were countless skirmishes with the Bolsheviks.
On May 31, 1918, during the assault on Yekaterinodar, a shell flew into the hut where the headquarters with Kornilov were located. This is how the biography of Lavr Kornilov ended, whose photos were preserved in the archives.
His grave was secretly razed to the ground during the retreat. But by pure chance, the Bolsheviks, who took this village, discovered the burial, dug up, desecrated and publicly burned Kornilov’s corpse. Kornilov’s wife could not stand the news of this and soon went to fetch her husband.
