Admiral Kolchak

Ushakovka flows into the Angara, near - the prison where the admiral spent the last few days. (Chamber, where he was recently returned to the old number - the fifth, making it so the memorial.) "He was shot here, under this cliff. Winter 1920 has stood the harsh even by Siberian standards, in such bitter cold, even if desired, it was impossible to dig out the grave. And the Bolsheviks in a hurry, they were not up to the ceremony, "- says the Deputy Director of the Irkutsk regional museum Vladimir Pork. Body after the shooting was loaded onto the sled, was taken to Ushakovka and dropped into the hole. (From the numerous hole Irkutsk citizens always took water - running water, of course, it was not until the 40's, and the hole "revive" the time.) This is a barbaric burial led to many speculations. The most stable spring and got the body was buried according to Christian rites. "Angara until May under the ice, and there is a strong current. And at the bottom of small crustaceans live, are able to leave a few hours away from the body skeleton," - said Vladimir Svinin, several decades of experience in the Irkutsk-lived Kolchak.Back in the 60s Pork able to meet with one of those who brought out the sentence.Post or at least fix the story on paper scientist, for obvious reasons did not dare. "My companion then spoke softly, it was not clear he was proud of his actions or still was confused." When the Admiral came over and announced that they would be shot, he said, it seems, is not surprised: "That's it? Without trial?"Pray before the execution refused, stood quietly, arms folded across his chest.Asked only to convey the blessing of his wife and son. About Anna Timireva, who went voluntarily under arrest to the end not to part with him - not a word. Probably did not want his last words to her, Anna had heard from the drive the sentence. A few hours before the shooting Kolchak wrote her a note, so to her and did not come down. For decades, a piece wandered into folders investigations."Dear my love, I got your note, thank you for your kindness and care about me ... Do not worry about me. I feel better, my colds go. I think that the transfer to another cell is impossible. I think only of you and your fate ... not worried about myself - all known in advance. For my every move being watched, and it is very difficult to write ... Write to me. Your notes - only the joy of what I have. I pray for you and admire your self-sacrifice. My dear, beloved, my, do not worry about me and save yourself ... Good-bye, I kiss your hands. " Goodbye no more. He was shot February 7, 1920, on the next day after his birthday."I ask the Commission of Investigation to tell me where and by virtue of the sentence was executed Admiral Kolchak and whether I like him very close person, given his body to bring to the ground by the rites of the Orthodox Church. Timireva Anna."Resolution on the letter: "Answer that the body was buried Kolchak and no one will be granted." A verdict was not any. Just a note to the Revolutionary Military Council of the 5th Army: "Do not spread any news of Kolchak, do not print nothing, and after class we send Irkutsk strictly official telegram explaining that the local authority prior to our arrival did so under the influence of the White Guard conspiracies danger ... in Irkutsk. Lenin. " Note graduate of the Faculty of Law University of St. Petersburg, a lawyer, even if that failed. Kolchak, who had no legal education, wrote in 1919: "I have full authority, I can actually shoot the criminals, but I give them to court, and cases drag on."Harlampievsky church, where in 1904, married Kolchak, the irony lies in the street of the 5th Army - the same one that made the Irkutsk Soviet. The church, once gracefully beautiful, in Soviet times it was a hostel ... Now gray-beige restored ruins of a temple."It may have been too strong for him as a person"Since dating before the shooting took place five years. Most of the time they lived apart - each family, both - the sons. Not seen for months, once - a year. At the costume ball, it will give him (and a few friends), your photo "in Russian Costume" - we will publish it today. And many months later, each home will tell Anna Vasilyevna that this picture is hanging in the cabin of Kolchak. And he carries everywhere with him her glove.She first confessed her love for him - with a frankness of Pushkin's Tatyana and determination of its namesake Karenina. "I told him I love him." And he has a long and, as it seemed, hopelessly in love, he replied: "I told you that I love you." - "No, I say, I always want to see you, always think about you, for me such joy to see you."And he was embarrassed to spasm in her throat: "I love you more than love." It will take another three years, and they will see - in front of everyone and secretly, in fits and starts. And all will know that love, and Mrs. Kolchak, Admiral's wife recognized her friend: "You'll see, he will divorce me and marry Anne Vasil." Timireva divorces her husband in 1918 and from that moment would be his common-law wife. She was 25 years old, he was - 44. His family had long been in France ..."Timireva was very lively, witty and charming woman. In addition to the feminine charm of Kolchak, who loved her enthusiastic, a little skittish, even love, admired her sharp mind and an interest in politics," - says Professor of Russian History RSPU.Herzen, Anatoly Smolin, in preparation for writing Timireva Kolchak."It may have been too strong for him as a person, knowing how not to lose heart, even in wordly circumstances. She went to jail for Irkutsk Kolchak samoarestovavshis to support - says Smolin. - To help him in recent days to maintain dignity - it is already felt that it would be a symbol. And tried to make this character was not "grayed out" even before the end of a moment of weakness. ""Finally there is a bridle on the Council of Soldiers 'and Workers' Deputies, and start talking to him properly tone, I have your letter, such a lovely day and ... - a strong spring thaw with a bright sun - all together led me to the wonderful state of mind, and so I want to believe that nothing - we still povoyuem! " - Letter from Anne Timireva March 17, 1917. "From reading the newspapers, the arguments of the coalition government, of comforting the events in the Navy, about Lenin, anarchists and other such delights head finally came into disrepair ..." - Letter dated May 7, 1917."She was arrested a former courtesan - Kolchak's wife"Timireva after the execution of Kolchak was released from prison - not for long.Already in June 1920, it sent "a term of two years without the right to use her amnesty in Omsk concentration camp of forced labor." Freed from the camp, she's getting married - out of desperation, helplessness of, and since then has a hyphenated name. "Over the counter-revolutionary activity, expressed in the manifestation of evil and its environment hostile attacks against the Soviet government, NGO UGB NKVD arrested a former courtesan - the wife of Kolchak, Knieper, Anna Vasilieva Timireva ... Charged with the fact that, being hostile to Soviet power, in the past was the wife of Kolchak, was the entire period of active struggle against Soviet power Kolchak the last time ... before his execution ... At this time Knieper, not separating politics Soviet government on certain issues, showed their anger and resentment towards the existing system, that is a crime under art. 58, § 10 of the Criminal Code. Knieper guilty themselves recognized. " Term - five years.Ordeal continues. "To free it by no means impossible - it is connected to the tip of Kolchak's military and active woman" - with a truly Bolshevik gallantry assesses the nature of his "trust" the representative of the Siberian Cheka. Son of Anna Vasilyevna from his first marriage Volodya Timirev for correspondence with his father who are abroad will be shot in 1938."Chimera in the Admiral's uniform""From my point of view, Kolchak was a born scientist. 50 years ago, when I came to the museum, my colleagues, paleontologists have worked with the collections brought back Kolchak. They are now perfect - clear ordering, huge, brilliantly crafted scientific apparatus. I was associated with members of the Geographical Society, and they are even in Soviet times in awe of him talking about work. But this is only one side of the coin "- we talk with Vladimir pork in a large cold room museum, where once the report of the expedition appeared Admiral Kolchak ...Irkutsk bourgeois government Kolchak was shot, and those who were not shot, was forced to leave - in 24 hours. Much of the local population Kolchak hated more than the Bolsheviks ... It is not known serfdom, and the peasants were on the average Russian standards wealthy. "Who was surrounded Kolchak? Officers who lost their estates in Russia, the hereditary serf. They belonged to the peasants as serfs, the people are not counted. And met with hatred, which might not be. Thrashing the peasants, they had almost a habit ". Today's attitude toward the "supreme ruler of Russia" in Irkutsk is hardly unequivocal: "Kolchak - an extremely versatile personality, a true diamond that always opens a new face: a polar scientist, a famous military theorist ... The Civil War brought to the forefront of people different kind - chieftains. Kolchak failed to recognize the fifth column in the person of SR, was unable to establish relations with the invaders - that is, with the Allies. But his undoubted merit in the fact that the white flag was in the clean hands. Suppose he lost, but he deserves to be example, it is hard to blame than anything. " Pathetically apologetic point of view, which is a supporter of associate professor of the history of the Irkutsk Technical University Pavel Novikov, is growing today among the intellectual youth of Irkutsk. And actively supported by the Cossacks and political organizations, calling themselves "patriotic". Supporters of this "canonization" confront historians and representatives of the older generation, are far removed from politics, for which the reign of Kolchak - part of their own life experiences. "Do not take our today's critical attitude to Kolchak as a result of communist education - explains this view Pork. - Just among us there are many people whose families suffered from the cruelty of Kolchak. My uncle got off light - he only broke all the ribs, while looking for "red" ... Many of the peasants who have moved into our province during the Stolypin reforms were forced entire villages to seek safety in the woods. Their villages were burned just. " Partisan party-in-law escorted Pork gold reserve army of Kolchak to Irkutsk. "They went to the guerrillas, as feared, that they would have Kolchak. The insurgency, organized by the Bolsheviks in Siberia - the myth of the Soviet time. It arose spontaneously - as a reaction to cane discipline, insane reprisals and requisitions." Red "was then considered the lesser evil. So Kolchak's own cruelty, alas, only helped the Communists. Luck of the Communist Party - that she was able to take spontaneous movement dissatisfied in their hands. " They chose the "red", since it is well-known "white". And then it was too late to resist.Kolchak himself their political views in letters to his beloved outlines very clearly: "Let us call a spade a spade, as it is hard for our country: in fact at the heart of humanity, pasifizma, fraternity races is the simplest animal cowardice ..." Comrade "- is synonym for coward before all things. " Another extremely intelligible assessment: "What is democracy? - It's depraved masses of the people wanting power. The power can not belong to the masses by law the number of nonsense: every practical politician, if he is not a charlatan, he knows that the decision of two people is always worse than one /.../, finally have 20-30 people can not make any sensible decisions, but stupid. " This was said in 1919.The search for the red and their supporters in the villages, developed into a massacre and beatings, the policy of "scorched village" hatred engendered. Many farmers had just taken off his coat soldier of World War I, they were tired of war and, by and large, have been generally indifferent to any authority. But Kolchak began to mobilize the peasants. "Power grows out of rifle - this formula of Mao Zedong is very suitable for the characterization of what was happening here in the Revolution and the Civil War. Kolchak did not control, could not control the military forces. Much depended on the officers, among whom, as in any volunteer army, there were many adventurers. They playing with destiny - reflects the history of Head of Department of the Irkutsk Technical University, Professor Igor Naumov. - If Kolchak himself can be regarded as an idealist, in his inner circle were people who wanted to make a career at any cost. Kolchak was dependent on them. He became a hostage situation, predetermined his death. "Baron described the Budberg Kolchak, "emaciated and severe-looking": "Undoubtedly, very nervous, impulsive, but a sincere man." "It's a pity to look at the unfortunate admiral, pushed around by various advisers and speakers, he hangs out at the behest of those who managed to bring his confidence." And here are excerpts from the diary, NV Ustryalov for 1919: "One can perhaps say that this person feels a certain stamp of rock, doom."Admiral enunciated by the Supreme Ruler of Russia, was keenly aware of the responsibility for their country and their powerlessness: "Being Russian compatriot ... be Kerensky, Lenin, and Dybenko Krylenko ... because the whole world looks exactly like this, because Judas Iscariot for centuries symbolized the Jews, a collection of some of these individuals gave our democracy, our "God-bearing people.""What do you think, Kolchak - a brand for our region?" - I asked a colleague of Irkutsk, anxious now fashionable theme of the monument is "supreme ruler of Russia." In truth - the tragedy repeats itself as farce. "Chimera admiral in the form of" Anna jokingly called Timireva Kolchak. Today, this sounds like a metaphor can not be more timely.ReferenceAlexander Kolchak was born in 1874 in the officer's family, he graduated from the Naval College. He is famous as an explorer of the Siberian Arctic. The participant of Russian-Japanese War, commanded the destroyer "Angry" and an artillery battery at Port Arthur, was awarded the golden arms "For Courage". At the beginning of the First World War he served in the headquarters of the Baltic Fleet, the organizer of a successful mine warfare at sea. In 1916, promoted to rear admiral, then a vice-admiral and appointed commander of the Black Sea Fleet. Supported the February Revolution. In June 1917, resigned in protest against the collapse of the Russian fleet. At the same time gave an angry speech to the sailors at sea and threw a golden gun. In August-October 1917, the consultant of the U.S. Navy, then joined the Navy in the UK, but his duties did not start. In April-May 1918 involved the formation of white troops in Manchuria. In November of that year he was appointed minister of war of the Directory. After the military coup on November 17-19 - Supreme Ruler of Russia with dictatorial powers. White Czechs arrested near Irkutsk. He was shot in February 1920 in Irkutsk on the personal order of Lenin.Timireva Anna was born in 1893 in Kislovodsk, a son of a famous musician Safonov. In 1906 the family moved to St. Petersburg, where she graduated from Anna High School Princess Obolensky (1911) and was engaged in drawing and painting in a private studio, SM Seidenberg. Fluent in French and German. In 1911-1918 years. - Married to SM Timireva. In 1918-1919 - the translator of the Press Department of the Office of the Council of Ministers and the Supreme Ruler.Samoarestovalas after the arrest of Kolchak in January 1920. Released the same year on October amnesty. In May 1921 a second arrest. Arrests and deportations in 1922, 1925, 1935, 1938 and 1949. Prior to 1960 - in the "minus" without the right to live in 15 major cities of the USSR. In between arrests worked as a librarian, archivist, a painter, props in the theater, draughtswoman. Rehabilitated in March 1960. She died in 1975.