World War One | Nicholas II

1st August 1914 – the beginning of the end of the great European monarchical Empires

On 1st August [O.S. 20 July] 1914, the Russian Empire entered the First World War, the Great War, which became one of the largest and most tragic events of the 20th century. It not only changed the political map of the world, but also marked the end of the centuries-old era of the great European monarchical Empires.

The reason for the outbreak of war was the murder in Sarajevo of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife Duchess Sofia, on 28th (15th O.S.) June 1914 by members of the Mlada Bosna organization led by Gavrilo Princip. It is noteworthy that the assassination took place on Vidov Day, a sorrowful date for the Serbian people associated with the defeat on Kosovo Polje in 1389.

On 23rd (O.S. 10th) July, Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with an ultimatum, and a few days later declared war on the Balkan kingdom. Russia, fulfilling its allied duty and speaking out in defense of Orthodox Serbia, began a general mobilization. In response, on 1st (O.S. August (O.S. 19th July), the German Empire declared war on the Russian Empire. Following this, the largest powers of Europe, and then dozens of other nations, were involved in the armed confrontation.

The war engulfed 38 countries. About 74 million people were mobilized into the ranks of the armed forces, more than 10 million of whom died or died of wounds. In the Russian Empire, contemporaries called this conflict the Great War, the Second Patriotic War or the Great Patriotic War, emphasizing its national character and significance for the fate of the Fatherland.

The Russian Imperial Army performed its duty with honor, showing courage and dedication on the battlefields. However, the revolutionary events of February and October 1917 led to the collapse of the monarchy and historical Russian statehood. After the seizure of power by the Bolsheviks, the Brest-Litovsk Peace Treaty was concluded with Germany and its allies, which meant Russia’s withdrawal from the war on the most difficult terms. This decision entailed huge territorial losses, became one of the reasons for the Civil War and marked the end of the Russian Empire.

On 11th November 1918, the First World War ended. The Entente states celebrated the victory, but Russia, which suffered colossal human sacrifices and made a huge contribution to the fight against the Central Powers, was no longer among the victorious powers.

One of the most tragic results of the Great War was the disappearance of four great Empires at once – Russian, German, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman. Their fall meant not just a change of state borders, but the end of an entire historical epoch that for centuries determined the political, cultural and spiritual image of Europe. Instead of the long-awaited lasting peace, the continent received new contradictions, revolutions and upheavals, which two decades later led humanity to an even more terrible catastrophe – World War II.

Update on the proposed Nicholas II museum complex in Mogliev

Posted on September 14 by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: artist’s concept for the Emperor Nicholas II
museum complex proposed for Mogliev

On 3rd July 2024, I reported that a new museum complex dedicated to Emperor Nicholas II was being planned for Mogliev in Belarus. The complex was to be constructed on a hill in Gorky Park, next to the Church of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers. Unfortunately, the proposal was met with protests from locals, who were opposed to the demolition of a 16th-century castle to make way for the new museum complex.

A new place for the museum complex was chosen in the historical heart of Mogliev. As specified in the OJSC “Institute “Mogilevgrazhdanproekt”, the museum complex will be located on the Square of Glory[1], on the site of the former building of the General Headquarters of Emperor Nicholas II, situated in the southwestern part of the adjacent Gorky Park. The museum complex will form a single architectural ensemble within the framework of the Church of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers.

PHOTO: artists concept for the proposed Emperor Nicholas II museum complex in Mogliev (above), and map showing it’s location in the in the southwestern part of the adjacent Gorky Park

The new museum will be dedicated to the events of the early 20th century: the First World War, the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Imperial Army, the stay of of Emperor Nicholas II in Mogliev, the Knights of St. George, and the February Revolution of 1917.

Walking paths will stretch throughout the park, observation decks, sculptural compositions, small architectural follies, and beautifully landscaped flower beds. The concept of the project provides for the improvement of Gorky Park from the central entrance group of the museum complex to the existing Regional Museum of Local Lore.

The realization of the proposed Nicholas II museum complex is of course is pending approval. Town hall meetings will be held in Mogliev, in which citizens will have an opportunity to have their say.

***

PHOTO: the former Governor’s House and
later General Headquarters in Mogilev. 1915

On 8th August 1915, the Headquarters (Stavka) of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Empire was transferred from Baranovichi to Mogilev. From August 1915 to March 1917, Emperor Nicholas II, served as Commander-in-Chief[2], and the city assumed the role of Military Capital of the Russian Empire.

The Tsar travelled back and forth on the Imperial Train, from Tsarskoye Selo to Mogilev, where he settled in the Governor’s House, situated on Governor’s Square. He was often accompanied by his son and heir Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich.

The official historiographer in the retinue of Nicholas II, Dmitry Dubensky, describes the Emperor’s quarters as follows:

“The Emperor’s rooms were located on the 2nd floor of the Governor’s House. His Majesty’s office had two windows overlooking the square. It was decorated modestly furnished with simple provincial furniture, a sofa and a small desk, which the Tsar kept some of his papers. Adjacent to this room was the bedroom of His Majesty and Heir with iron camp beds, a washbasin, a dressing table, and several chairs. On the walls over the beds, there were many Orthodox crosses, many of which were gifts from family members.

“From the hall to the left is a dining room, quite large, decorated with simple ordinary furniture. There are two additional rooms for the Minister of the Imperial Court Count Vladimir Borisovich Frederiks (1838-1927) and one for Major-GeneralVladimir Nikolaevich Voeikov (1868-1947).

“In addition, there were small rooms for five or six servants, the Tsar’s valet, cooks, and others.”

Sadly, the former Governor’s House, which housed the General Headquarters was destroyed during the Nazi invasion of 1941-45. In the years following the Great Patriotic War, the Soviets showed no interest in reconstructing the historic building. The only building which survived to the present is the former District Court House, which today houses the Mogilev Regional Museum of Local Lore, which features permanent exhibition rooms dedicated to the stay of Nicholas II in Mogilev, from 1915 to 1917.

NOTES:

[1] The 16th century square, originally named as Torgovaya Square, was situated on a high hill at the confluence of the Dubrovenka and Dnieper rivers. After the annexation of Mogilev to Russia in 1772, Torgovaya Square was named Governor’s Square. In 1919, the square was named Sovetskaya, and in 2014, the year marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders, it was renamed Square of Glory.

[2] On 5th September (O.S. 23rd August) 1915, Emperor Nicholas II assumed personal command of the Russian Imperial Army, after dismissing his cousin, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich (1856-1929) from the post.

Nicholas II’s uniforms on display in Tula

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

On 21st August 2024, a new exhibition The Forgotten War opened in Tula. The exhibition is dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War. The venue for the exhibit is the Tula branch of the State Historical Museum,

The exhibition is a joint project of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum in Pushkin and the State Historical Museum in Moscow, showcasing about 200 items from the collections of the two museums.

Of particular interest to visitors will be uniforms and portraits of Emperor Nicholas II and his son Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich, on loan from the Sovereign’s Military [aka Military] Chamber in Tsarskoye Selo. Among the uniforms of Nicholas II is the Tsar’s cherkeska and beshmet of His Imperial Majesty’s Own Escort and pelisse of His Majestey’s Life-Guards Hussar Regiment. Other items on display include WWI vintage news reels, weapons, documents, photographs, awards and a tactile model of the Military Chamber.

The exhibition is divided into four sections: The War Image, The History of the Sovereign’s Military Chamber, The Imperial Family during WWI, and The St George’s Chevaliers Portraits.

The exhibition is designed to draw attention to the preservation of the historical memory of the military conflict, which for Russia has long been the “Forgotten War”. Recall that during the Soviet years, Russia’s contribution and sacrifices made during the First World War were neither discussed or commemorated. In destroying the tsars, the Bolshevik revolutionaries denounced the Great War as “imperialist”, thus robbing it of its potential for a popular legacy. It was not until 1st August 2013 that Russia marked Russian Soldiers’ World War I Remembrance Day for the first time.

The collections of the Sovereign’s Military Chamber – which includes the State Historical Museum on the First World War – are both part of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum. The Sovereign’s Military Chamber was founded in May 1913.

Following the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, it was decided to create a war museum, which included a gallery of portraits of the Knights of St. George among other exhibits. Some of the museum’s employees were sent to the Front. Subsequently, they returned with “trophies” which were added to the museum’s funds. Additional items were transferred from other museums and private collections, as well as items donated by the families of those who particpated in the Great War.

The dedicated employees of the Sovereign’s Military Chamber and the Historical Museum carefully preserved their collections even during the Soviet years. It is thanks to their efforts that this priceless collection of Russian World War One artifacts has been preserved to the present day.

The exhibition The Forgotten War. The Military Chamber and the Historical Museum: Keepers of Memory runs until 21st October 2024, at the Historical Museum, which is housed in the the former mansion (above photo) of the merchant Belolipetsky family in Tula, located 193 kilometers (120 mi) south of Moscow.

***

PHOTO: the Sovereign’s Military Chamber – which includes the State Historical Museum on the First World War – are both part of the Tsarskoye Selo Museum

PHOTO: Emperor Nicholas II’s uniforms on display in the Sovereign’s Military [aka Military] Chamber in Tsarskoye Selo. The uniforms were previously on display in the Alexander Palace, before the private apartments of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna were recreated in the eastern wing of the palace between 2015 and 2021.

New museum dedicated to Nicholas II to be built in Mogilev

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: Emperor Nicholas II reviews his troops on the square in front
of General Headquarters in Mogliev during the First World War

A new museum complex is to be constructed in Mogliev, situated in eastern Belarus, about 76 kilometres (47 miles) from the Russian border. The complex will be built on a hill in Gorky Park, next to the Church of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers – the family of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II, who were canonized as saints in 1981 by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), and in 2000 as passion-bearers by the Moscow Patriachate.

The Tsar travelled back and forth on the Imperial Train, from Tsarskoye Selo to Mogilev, where he settled in the Governor’s House, situated on Gubernatorskaya Square. He was often accompanied by his son and heir Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich.

The new museum will be dedicated to the events of the early 20th century: the First World War, the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army, the stay of of Emperor Nicholas II in Mogliev, the Knights of St. George, and the February Revolution of 1917.

The timing of the project has yet to be announced, however, the following architectural drawings gives us a first glimpse of the museum complex. As you can see, the building complements that of the adjoining Church of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers:

NOTES:

[1] On 5th September (O.S. 23rd August) 1915, Emperor Nicholas II assumed personal command of the Russian Imperial Army, after dismissing his cousin, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich (1856-1929) from the post.

Nicholas II assumes command of the Russian Imperial Army, 1915

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Paul Gilbert

On this day – 5th September (O.S. 23rd August) 1915 – Emperor Nicholas II assumed the position as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Imperial Armed Forces.

After the great retreat of the Russian army in the summer of 1915, the Tsar removed his cousin Grand Duke Nicholas “Nikolasha” Nikolaevich (1856-1929) of the position on 21st August 1915.

In the order, the Tsar wrote with his own hand: “With firm faith in God’s mercy and with unshakable confidence in the final victory, we will fulfill our sacred duty of defending the Motherland to the end and will not disgrace the Russian land. Nicholas”.

Some historians have wrongly suggested that Nicholas II’s decision was disastrous, citing that the move was largely symbolic. It was at this stage of his reign that the Tsar’s patriotism reached its zenith. He travelled up and down the Eastern Front on the Imperial Train, in his motorcars and even on horseback to show himself to his troops, boasting morale, reviewing troops, inspecting field hospitals and preside over meetings with his chief-of-staff General Mikhail Vasilyevich Alekseyev (1857-1918).

PHOTO: Nicholas II with his chief-of-staff General Mikhail Vasilyevich Alekseyev

When Nicholas II assumed command of the Russian armed forces, he appointed Alekseyev as Chief of Staff of the General Headquarters and placed in charge of all military operations. He served in this capacity from August 1915 to March 1917.

According to Russian historian George Mikhailovich Katkov (1903-1985): “Alexeev was a modest and reserved man, an educated general, to whom the Tsar treated extremely attentively . . . . Every morning the Tsar and Alexeev discussed the affairs of the front for several hours. They apparently understood each other well, and there is no indication that the Emperor tried to impose any strategic or tactical ideas on his Chief of Staff. In fact, Alexeev was the commander-in-chief, and each of his undertakings was supported by the Sovereign.”

History has now proved that Russia made great gains under Nicholas II’s command. For instance, shortly after he assumed command of the armed forces, the Russian Imperial Army carried out at least 15 major victorious operations, not counting the Brusilov Breakthrough. Russia’s military historians now believe that had the revolution not interfered, Russia was bound to have won the war.

On 1st September (O.S. 19th August) 1916, he wrote the following in a letter to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna:

“Thank God, the news is good – on the first day of our offensive we captured 300 officers and more than 15,000 Austrian and German soldiers…”

On 16th December 2013, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu opened a sculptural composition dedicated to the heroes of World Wars I and II on the grounds of the National Defense Control Center (NDCC) building – situated on Frunze Embankment in Moscow. The WWI monument (above) features Nicholas II on horseback, recognizing and honouring his efforts during the Great War.

FURTHER READING:

“They did not betray their oath” – the fate of the generals who remained loyal to Nicholas II + PHOTOS

Photo album belonging to Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich returned to Alexander Palace

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Paul Gilbert

Photo © Tsarskoye Selo State Museum

A rare photo album “The Russian Campaign. March to August 1915”, which belonged to Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich and was kept in the Alexander Palace, has been returned to the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum.

The album was one of several rarities purchased at foreign auctions and donated to the museum by the philanthropist and long-term friend of the museum, Mikhail Karisalov. The other items include two paintings by Karl Friedrich Schultz, and a plate from the famous Raphael service, manufactured in 1903 at the Imperial Porcelain Factory. The paintings and plate were originally from the Catherine Palace.

In total, the museum’s collection now includes 226 items donated by Mikhail Karisalov or acquired with his financial support. It is thanks to the kindness and generosity of this man, that the museum has been able to recoup many of its treasures which were lost or stolen during the Nazi occupation of Pushkin [Tsarskoye Selo] in 1941-44.

The photo album “The Russian Campaign. March to August 1915” consists of 168 photographs taken during the Russian campaign of the First World War – from March to August 1915. The photographs were taken by British photographer George H. Mewes, who was appointed official photographer to the Russian Imperial Army. Hewes took photographs for a number of prominent British newspapers and magazines, including The Daily Mirror, The Times History of the War, Field Notes from the Russian Front and The Russian Campaign.

Similar albums about the military campaigns of the Russian Imperial Army during the First World War were presented as gifts to Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich, the son and heir of Emperor Nicholas II. Museum researchers believe that the albums were kept in the Tsesarevich’s Classroom, which was located on the second floor of the Eastern Wing of the Alexander Palace. “We can only assume that “The Russian Campaign. March to August 1915″ album, among many other items, was seized from the Alexander Palace during the 1930s or 1940s,” says Victoria Plaude, curator of the museum’s photograph fund.

On the flyleaf of the album is a museum label. The inscription in ink reads: “Alexander./palace/floor. nasl-ka/class/No. 683”. This clearly indicates that the photo album was in the Alexander Palace in Alexei’s Classroom. The label found on the album is identical to those on other items from the Alexander Palace, and now in the Collection of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum.

Photo © Tsarskoye Selo State Museum

The photo album was made in London by Jonson & Sons. Photos of different sizes are pasted on sheets of gray cardboard. On the top cover of the album is an embossed gold inscription: “Photographs by G. H. Mewes, special correspondent of the Daily Mirror”.

The pictures are accompanied by captions in English. On the flyleaf of the album there is an inscription: “It has been the aim of the correspondent to illustrate for the British public the heroic part performed by their Russian Allies in the Great War”.

The photographs are only a small selection of about two thousand photographs taken by Mewes for the Russian Imperial Army, which were reproduced in illustrated magazines around the world.

British photographer George Mewes and American journalist Stanley Washburn were on the Russian front in 1914-1915. In addition to periodicals, these photographs were later featured in Washburn’s book “The Russian Campaign. April to August, 1915”.

Memorial plaque to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna installed in Istra

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: view of the bronze memorial bas-relief of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna

On 25th May 2023, a bas-relief plaque depicting Empress Alexandra Feodorovna was installed on the façade of the Drama Theatre, in Istra, situated 40 km northwest of Moscow.

During the First World War, the building served as an infirmary for wounded Russian soldiers, from September 1914 to the end of 1917.

The bronze bas-relief was made by Moscow sculptor Philip Trushin, and financed by the academician and philanthropist Vladimir Yatsuk.

PHOTO: Moscow sculptor Philip Trushin (right) unveils his bas-relief of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna

The rite of consecration of the memorial plaque was performed by the clergyman of the Resurrection New Jerusalem Stavropegic Monastery, Father Paisius.

The memorial plaque, depicts Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, dressed in the uniform of a sister of mercy, set against the background of soldiers of the Russian Imperial Army.

During the First World War, Alexandra Feodorovna organized a whole network of infirmaries, which included 85 institutions for wounded soldiers in Tsarskoye Selo, Pavlovsk, Peterhof, Sablin and other places. Many of the infirmaries were built at the Empress’s own expense.

PHOTO: view of the former infirmary for wounded Russian soldiers in Istra

Honouring Imperial Russia’s WWI soldiers

Posted on August 1, 2022 by Paul Gilbert

Никто не забыт, ничто не забыто!
No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten!

Russia’s entry into World War One in August 1914, was based on Russia’s commitment to defending Orthodox Serbia, its pan-Slavic roles, its treaty obligations with France, its concerns over German or Austro-Hungarian dominance in the Balkan region, and its concern for protecting its status as a great power.

1st August – marks the official Day of Remembrance of Imperial Russian soldiers who died in the First World War of 1914-1918. The commemoration day was officially introduced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2012. It is on this day, which officials lay wreaths to World War I memorials, Russian cities organize exhibitions dedicated to the war and military units hold solemn assemblies.

During the Soviet years, the First World War and those brave Russian soldiers who gave their lives for the Fatherland, was virtually ignored and forgotten. Soviet dogma dictated that the Great War was a clash of imperialist powers.

How many Russian soldiers laid down their lives “For Faith, Tsar and Fatherland!”? How many fathers, husbands, sons never returned home? According to some estimates, the number exceeds 1,600,000 people, the largest number of casualties among the soldiers and officers of the countries participating in the First World War. The estimate does not include civilian casualties.

Dozens of monuments to soldiers of the Russian Imperial Army, who fought and died during World War One, have since been erected in major cities across Russia. Below, are just three of the finest:

On 16th December 2014, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu opened a sculptural composition dedicated to the heroes of World Wars I and II on the grounds of the Ministry of Defence on the Frunze Embankment in Moscow.

The WWI monument features Emperor Nicholas II on horseback, recognizing and honouring his efforts during the Great War.

Monument to the Heroes of the First World War on Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow, opened on 1st August 2014. Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna is depicted in this monument, providing aid to a wounded soldier.

Monument to the Heroes of the First World War in St. Petersburg, installed at the Vitebsk Railway Station on 1st August 2014. It was from this station, that Emperor Nicholas II travelled on the Imperial Train along a specially built line to Tsarskoye Selo.

Никто не забыт, ничто не забыто!
No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten!

Nicholas II orders uniforms for Victory Parade 1917

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Paul Gilbert

There is a common myth that during World War One, Russia’s only breakthrough was the Brusilov Offensive in September 1916. There were allegedly no other successful campaigns. This myth is absolutely incorrect. Shortly after Nicholas II assumed command of the armed forces in 1915, the Russian Imperial Army carried out at least 15 major victorious operations, not counting the Brusilov Breakthrough.

PHOTO: Victory Parade uniform on display in the Russia in the Great War Museum,
Sovereign Marshall Chamber, Tsarskoye Selo

Nicholas II was so confident of Russia’s victory against Germany and Austria during the First World War, that in 1916, he ordered a new uniform be designed for the Victory Parade he planned to hold in Berlin, and then in Constantinople in 1917.

The new uniform was designed by Viktor Mikhaylovich Vasnetsov (1848-1926), a Russian artist who specialized in mythological and historical subjects. The uniforms were sewn in Siberian factories and stored in army warehouses in Petrograd.

PHOTO: The khaki cloth “bogatyrka” cap

The uniform consisted of a long-brimmed overcoat, with a leather jacket and trousers, leggings and and a cap designed for troops of the army and air force, as well as the crews of armoured car, armoured trains and scooters. The khaki cloth cap was called a “bogatyrka” – because of the similarity with the ancient helmets of Russian heroes.

Following the 1917 Revolution, this uniform was redesigned for use by the Cheka – the Bolshevik secret police.

The October Revolution 1917 in the International Context. Interview with Professor Dominic Lieven

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Paul Gilbert

CLICK on the IMAGE above to watch VIDEO in English. Duration: 24 minutes.

A remarkable interview with Cambridge Research Professor D. Lieven (born 19 January 1952) about the reasons for and the outcomes of the 1917 October Revolution, as well as his family’s personal experience with it. He also speaks about Russia’s involvement in WW1, the Russian-German relationships, and gives an extraordinarily objective evaluation of Tsar Nicholas II’s abilities as a ruler, and comments on the most important decisions during his reign. Dominic Lieven is a research professor at Cambridge University (Senior Research Fellow, Trinity College) and a Fellow of the British Academy and of Trinity College, Cambridge.

Professor Lieven is the third child, of five children, of Alexander Lieven, of the Baltic German princely family, tracing ancestry to Liv chieftain Kaupo. He is the elder brother of Anatol Lieven, British author, Orwell Prize-winning journalist, and policy analyst, and he is distantly related to Christopher Lieven (1774–1839), who was Ambassador to the Court of St James from Imperial Russia over the period 1812 to 1834, and whose wife was Dorothea von Benckendorff, later Princess Lieven (1785–1857), a notable society hostess in Saint Petersburg and influential figure among many of the diplomatic, political, and social circles of 19th-century Europe. Lieven is a great-grandson of the Lord Chamberlain of the Imperial Court of Russia.

He is the author of numerous books on on Russian history, on empires and emperors, on the Napoleonic era and the First World War, and on European aristocracy, including: Russia’s Rulers Under the Old Regime, Yale University Press (1989); The Aristocracy in Europe 1815/1914, Macmillan/Columbia University Press (1992); Nicholas II: Emperor of all the Russias, John Murray/St Martin’s Press/Pimlico (1993); and The End of Tsarist Russia: The March to World War I and Revolution, Penguin Random House (2015).

***

This video is produced as part of the project for the book The Romanov Royal Martyrs, which is an impressive 512-page book, featuring nearly 200 black & white photographs, and a 56-page photo insert of more than 80 high-quality images, colorized by the acclaimed Russian artist Olga Shirnina (Klimbim) and appearing here in print for the first time. EXPLORE the book / ORDER the book.