The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 1/Czech soldiers in Russia

by Nikolay Breshko-Breshkovsky

CZECH SOLDIERS IN RUSSIA

 

A Russian journalist, Nicholaj Breshko-Breshkovsky, writes of the Czechoslovak army in Russia as follows:

“In one of the recent bulletins the general staff praised very highly the bravery of the Czechoslovak brigade, manifested upon the first day of the offensive. This brigade by one sharp blow captured over three thousand Germans and Turks, in other words, smashed an entire division.

“Czechoslovak units earned a fine reputation for themselves, as soon as they appeared at the front. Talk to any Russian officer from the Austrian front. If he fought with them or alongside of them, he is sure to tell you: Fine fellows; it is a pleasure just to look at them. Brave, dauntless, and wonderfully expert in scouting work. They are so full of ideas that you have to hold them back. And what counts for most is that they know the Austrian army from A to Z.

“Sturmer knew what he was doing, when he placed so many obstacles to the formation of Czechoslovak units. He knew that these Slav fighters, burning with racial patriotism, would increase the effectiveness of the entire army. Not that they are so numerous; what is a few thousand compared to a front of millions? But they raise the morale of our army.

“Bohemians, Bohemian democrats—they are all democrats, without an exception—are the most highly cultured of all nations. The best proof of their culture and their deep individuality, of their faith in themselves and in their own strength, is the fact that the Czech nation, a small island in the German sea, has remained Slav. They would not be Germanized.

“Hating the Habsburgs and their oppressive czarism, the Czechs followed the colors of Francis Joseph as cheerfully as condemned men who are led to the gallows. They went, after they had mutually sworn that they would not shoot at the Russians, that they would surrender at the first opportunity, and that they would turn their bayonets against the Magyars and the Germans.

“They did surrender, in companies, battalions, and regiments. They surrendered in the name of Slav brotherhood, in which their brave hearts had always believed. But many of them were bitterly disappointed in Russia. They volunteered for the front, but instead were sent to the Turkestan, to Siberia, to the Murnan railroad. Wonderful gunsmiths, locksmiths, and mechanics, men who had been employed in the Škoda works on the construction of heavy guns and mortars, begged the old government in vain to permit them to work in our munition factories. And when the revolution swept Russia, 300,000 Czechoslovak captives offered their ability and their labor. ‘We ask for nothing; we don’t want pay. We want to work twelve hours a day, just to help bring about the victorious and speedy liberation of the Slavs.’

“Out of these men were formed the Czechoslovak fighting units, or brotherhoods. Even during the darkest Sturmer days the Bohemians ,men of iron will, did not lose courage. When they were forbidden to form Czechoslovak units, they joined the Serbian volunteer corps. Ask M. J. Spalajkovich or General Zizkovich about Czech officers and soldiers in the Serbian volunteer corps; they are enthusiastic about their services. In the Dobrudja campaign Bohemians fought alongside their Serbian brothers; some of them left their heads there, others returned decorated with the crosses of St. George. In the Czechoslovak brotherhoods there are companies, every member of which is a chevalier of St. George.

“In recent difficult moments Czechs and Slovaks felt anxiety equally with us, but they did not despair. They said: ‘Even if the Russians throw away their guns, we won’t give up. We will start an offensive alone and will fight for the liberation of our fatherland as long as one of us is alive.’”