In November of 1918, much of the world was joyfully celebrating the end of World War I, and our American “Doughboys” were coming home. But for one group of American Doughboys, the war had just begun. Around 5,000 American soldiers were part of an allied expedition to intervene in the ongoing Russian civil war against the "Red" Bolshevik forces. For a little over a year, the American Expeditionary Force in North Russia fought to give the anti-Bolshevik "White" Russians the upper hand. This is the story of the expedition told through the original film. Highlights include construction of forts for the cold winter, Russian Bolshevik prisoners, Russian War Brides, military training and fighting in and around Archangel Russia, awarding of military medals, and more.
Identities in the film:
Ambassador meeting around 04:00 timeline:
Personnel: Mr. Tchaikovsky, President of Archangel Govt.; Mr. Lindley, British High Commissioner; Le Marquis Torreta, Italian Minister; Prince Kourakine, Minister of Finance; Mr. Splaikovitch, Serbian Minister; Mr. Vienna, Brazilian Charge D’ Affaires; Tcheng Yen Tchai, Charge D’ Affaires ad Interrno China; Mr. Grudistell, Chairman Advisory Council of Government; Minister Garoetsky, Archangel Govt.; M. Zuboff, Secretary of Govt.
Timeline 34:35 – Reviewing forces: Maj Gen. E. Ironside, Col G.E. Stewart, C.O. 339th Inf.; CPT M.A. Goff; Maj. E.F. Ely; CPT Joel R. Moore; Maj. J. Brooks Nichols; Dr. Dewitt C. Pool (note in one place his name is spelled Poole but I think this is a mix up with the British Poole, American Charge D’ Affairs.
Timeline 10:01:30 – Awarding medals. It is difficult to determine where in the film the five men listed below appear. The archival annotations say:” General Ironsides pinning the Croix de Guere on heroes of the 339th infantry.” Then next scene, “The officer and five men of the 339th who have been decorated with the Croix de Guere. Left to Right: 2nd LT Dwight Fistler, Cpl. J.C. Smelinski, Cpl. C.A. Groebel, Privates Frank Rank, Oscar Lighter, and H.S. Soder.” Then next scene is “conferring the decorations by Lt. Col. F.E. Bury and an address to the honor man by Brig. Gen. Richardson.” Then the next scene is: “Presentation of the Croix de Guerre to nine officers and thirteen men of the 339th infantry.”
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