Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Wars and ConflictsΒ  permalink

The Great War

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Amphion (U3338999) on Tuesday, 28th February 2006

  I am currently involved in an indepth study of the Great War, and especially its impact on Blackpool. (The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Front). Study is going well, but I would like to hear from anybody who has any genuine information with regards The Great War whether it be the battle fronts, the home front, or at sea.
  This year marks the 90th anniversary of the battle of the Somme. Also, the 90th anniversary of the dath of Staff Nurse Mary Clough. Mary is the only female named on the Blackpool cenotaph. However, I know she cannot be the only nurse or indeed female who gave her life during the campaign, so I plan to use her anniversary to remember with homage all those others. if you know of any please feel free to contact me.

  Link to this forum: The Great War

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by OUNUPA (U2078829) on Wednesday, 1st March 2006

  Hmmm...The Russian Women's Battalion of Death was one of the best-known volunteer units had been formed by women.
  It had been organized by Maria Bochkareva who had worked before WWI as a foreman on factory building sites.
  After 1914 she had campaigned to enlist in the R. army and by February 1917 ,she had risen to the rank of sergant ,having spent two years in the trenches with several wounds and a number of medals to prove it.
  She appealed to Brusilov to let her form a shock battalion of women.Brusilov saw no reason to object....since his own wife was working in the medical services at the Front,he didn't see why other women should not go there to fight.The battalion was hastily formed and blessed on Red Square in Moscow before their departure for the Front in June 1917.
  And when on 16 June that R. 'offensive' began..then amidst the chaos,even her shock troops stood little chance of success...but Bochkareva's Battalion of Death did much better than most.
  The women broke through the first two German lines....but then they came under heavy German fire.
  The women dispersed in confusion,while most of the men stayed put in the German trenches,where they had found a large supply of vodka and procceeded to get drunk.
  Despite the shambles around her ,Bochkareva battled on.
  At one point she came across one of her women having sexual intercourse with a soldier in a shell-hole.She ran her through with a bayonet...but the soldier escaped.
  Eventually , with most of her volunteers killed or wounded , even Bochkareva was forced to retreat.
  
  The 'offensive' was over...
  
  It was Russia's last.

  Link to this forum: The Great War

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by Amphion (U3338999) on Monday, 6th March 2006

  Very interesting story. Thank you Ounupa.
  
  June 1917 would have been after the abdication of the Czar, of course.
  Given the choice, I think i'd rather be making out in a shell hole, than running starkers at Gerry. (Blackadder goes forth)

  Link to this forum: The Great War

  Report message3

• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Goldfinches (U2947535) on Monday, 6th March 2006

  
  
  
  
  The Lancashire Family History Society covers Blackpool and may have information on women from the area who served in the Great War.

  Link to this forum: The Great War

  Report message4

• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Goldfinches (U2947535) on Monday, 6th March 2006

  
  
  ......was Mary an Alexandra Nurse? There may be records there to research?

  Link to this forum: The Great War

  Report message5

• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Amphion (U3338999) on Monday, 13th March 2006

  Mary was indeed an Alexandra nurse. Unfortunately, many of the records were destroyed in the 1940's by of all people, the GERMANS.

  Link to this forum: The Great War

  Report message6

Back to top