Activities of General of the Infantry M.V. Alekseyev during His Office as Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the North-Western Front in June–July 1915
| 01 April 2025
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Anniversaries
Lyashenko K.I., Moscow, Russian Federation
Activities of General of the Infantry M.V. Alekseyev during His Office as Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the North-Western Front in June–July 1915
Abstract
The article based on archival documents and sources of personal provenancereviews the particularities of activities of M. V. Alekseyev during his office as Commander in Chief of the armies of the North-Western front in June-July,1915. In pre-revolutionary, Soviet and white ?migr? historiography there is a lack of substantial academic studies dedicated to the activities of this prominent military leader. Interest of national historians in M. V. Alekseev’s figure has peaked after the dissolution of ideological prohibitions. Researchers seek to revive the memory of the “forgotten war” and its “forgotten heroes”. Existing historiography and archival documents allow highlightsomefacts of M. V. Alekseev’s biography and service and trace his career. On the other hand, fragmented and superficial scholarshipon the most important stage of his life leaves a good scope of work for researchers. The source basis for the article is comprised of archival documents from two archives: theRussian State Military History Archive (RGVIA)and the department of manuscripts of the Russian State Library (NIOR RGB). RGVIA fond no. 55 “Alekseyev M. V.” contains telegrams from the senior ranks in the General Headquarters and commanders of different levels, operational materials (informationon ammunition, direct line conversations, operational situation reports), documents that characterize strategic and operational situation at the front. The department of manuscripts of the RSL fond no. 855 “Alekseyevy-Borel’, Alekseyev Mikhail Vasilyevich”stores the so-called “Argentinean archive”. The most valuable sources in the fond are M. V. Alekseyev’s letters from the front addressed to his wife and son that bypassed censorship. They provide insight into M. V. Alekseyev’s opinion on strategic situation in the lines, failures that plagued the Russian troops, problems that arose with the quickly deteriorating situation, sources of various problems; on his attitude towards soldiers,officers and commanders, as well as the enemy. In the letters to his loved ones Alekseev shared his inmost thoughts, judged himself and his actionsin the line of duty. These letters allow understand the character of military leader, his worldview, psychological qualities, and study the actions of him whobore responsibility for the lives of millions andfor the future of the nation in one of the most difficult and tragic periods of his own life. Seeing as Mikhail Vasilyevich left no memoirs, his letters are military leader’s most precise and informative documentary heritage.
Keywords
Archive, source, letters, First World War of 1914-1918, Great Retreat, M.V. Alekseyev, RGVIA, NIOR RGB.
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About the authors
Lyashenko Kirill Igorevich, leading science editor of the editorial board of the “Herald of an Archivist” magazine, Moscow, Russian Federation, +7-965-211-21-27, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it