The story of Britain's invasion of Russia at the end of the First World War has remained largely untold. Although not its initial architect, its chief advocate, was the passionately anti-Bolshevik, Winston Churchill. Churchill's Crusade is the first complete account of a unique military operation - one which, if it had succeeded, would have changed the history of Russia, Europe and the World.
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Mentioned in Contemporary Review, 2008.
Title mentioned following article in History Today, 2008.
About the Author
Major-General Clifford Kinvig is the author of River Kwai Railway and Scapegoat: General Percival of Singapore. He is a former Senior Lecturer at RMA Sandhurst and Director of Army Education.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good work on an important episode,
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This review is from: Churchill's Crusade: The British Invasion of Russia, 1918-1920 (Hardcover)
Some of the most important episodes in history are those that are unknown to all but a few. An example of this is the foreign intervention in Russia during the latter's civil war at the end of WWI. A whole host of countries and organizations actively opposed the rise of the Bolsheviks in Russia, and many of them sent troops to actively fight the Red Army. These countries included the US and England; the latter behind the insistence of Winston Churchill. Though their intervention came to nought; in its wake was a permanent distrust of foreigners in general, and the West in particular, by Russia for the rest of the 20th century. This book is one of the few modern publications to explore the history of this episode from beginning to end. Major and minor characters, both in smoky halls of public office and smoky ruins of battlefields, are brought forth. Intentions are laid out as the author revisits old documents; many of them available only in certain archives. Though involving many, the book justifies its title as it was Winston Churchill who really pushed military intervention in Russia; to the point of costing him his seat in parliament and sending him into the political exile for over a decade.
The book moves at a brisk pace, and is structured as an extensive piece of journalistic work. There is little commentary; hence the text comes across as objective. There are also numerous references to other books on this episode; another plus. Altogether, a good book on an important topic.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Book for today's times,
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This review is from: Churchill's Crusade: The British Invasion of Russia, 1918-1920 (Hardcover)
Overall, an interesting book on the Allied intervention in the Russian Revolution during and after World War I. This book is very much a political history that focuses primarily on the British and Commonwealth involvement. Only brief mention of the more exciting escapades that occurred in this campaign such as Robin Bruce Lockhart's exploits, or Agar's sinking of the Oleg. I'll also warn you, since it focuses heavily on the political side of events, it is a dry book. The author also downplays the American and French contributions to this campaign.
The main impression one walks away with after reading this book, is that other than Winston Churchill and perhaps General Ironsides, no one had a clear goal as to what would be achieved by intervening in the Russian Revolution. A clear-cut case of a campaign that failed due to the absence of clear-cut, achievable goals.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An impoortant contribution,
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This review is from: Churchill's Crusade: The British Invasion of Russia, 1918-1920 (Paperback)
Churchill managed to be at the cneter of events throughout his life. He was a central figure in numerous, now seemingly minor, endeavors that had a lasting impact such as Churchill's Folly: How Winston Churchill Created Modern Iraq. This book examines his role and the story of the British intervention against the Bolsheviks in 1920.
The British intervention was part of an international intervention in Russia against the rise of Communism. This saw the deployment of French troops, Greeks in the Crimia, Americans and Japanese in Siberia and other nationalities elsewhere. The British intervened in northern Russia near the Arctic circle, particularly around Archangel where they sought to protect an allied supply depot. The intervention began in August of 1918 and lasted until March of 1920. Some 6,000 British troops and another 6,000-10,000 allied troops participated in the north Russia campaign. Around 600 were killed in action. This is a fascinating story and one that deserves more attention. This is a good start, a well written popular account of the conflict. Seth J. Frantzman
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