The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki: Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919

by Joel R. Moore, Harry H. Mead

1920 · Library of Alexandria

Someone Blunders About Medicine Stores--Spanish Influenza At Sea And No Medicine--Improvised Hospitals At Time Of Landing--Getting Results In Spite Of Red Tape--Raising Stars And Stripes To Hold The Hospital--Aid Of American Red Cross--Doughboys Dislike British Hospital--Starting American Receiving Hospital--Blessings On The Medical Men. At Stoney Castle camp in England, inquiry by the Americans had elicited statement from the British authorities that each ship would be well supplied with medicines and hospital equipment for the long voyage into the frigid Arctic. But it happened that none were put on the boat and all that the medical officers had to use were three or four boxes of medical supplies that they had clung to all the way from Camp Custer. Before half the perilous and tedious voyage was completed, the dreaded Spanish influenza broke out on three of the ships. On the "Somali," which is typical of the three ships, every available bed was full on the fifth day out at sea. Congestion was so bad that men with a temperature of only 101 or 102 degrees were not put into the hospital but lay in their hammocks or on the decks. To make matters worse, on the eighth day out all the "flu" medicines were exhausted. It was a frantic medical detachment that paced the decks of those three ships for two days and nights after the ships arrived in the harbor of Archangel while preparations were being made for the improvisation of hospitals. On the 6th of September they debarked in the rain at Bakaritza. About thirty men could be accommodated in the old Russian Red Cross Hospital, such as it was, dirt and all. The remainder were temporarily put into old barracks. What "flu"-weakened soldier will ever forget those double decked pine board beds, sans mattress, sans linen, sans pillows? If lucky, a man had two blankets. He could not take off his clothes. Death stalked gauntly through and many a man died with his boots on in bed. The glory of dying in France to lie under a field of poppies had come to this drear mystery of dying in Russia under a dread disease in a strange and unlovely place. Nearly a hundred of them died and the wonder is that more men did not die. What stamina and courage the American soldier showed, to recover in those first dreadful weeks! No attempt is made to fasten blame for this upon the American medical officers, nor upon the British for that matter. Many a soldier, though, was wont to wish that Major Longley had not himself been nearly dead of the disease when the ships arrived. To the credit of Adjutant Kiley, Captains Hall, Kinyon, Martin and Greenleaf and Lieutenants Lowenstein and Danzinger and the enlisted medical men, let it be said that they performed prodigies of labor trying to serve the sick men who were crowded into the five hastily improvised hospitals. The big American Red Cross Hospital, receiving hospital at the base, was started at Archangel November 22nd by Captain Pyle under orders of Major Longley. The latter had been striving for quite a while to start a separate receiving hospital for American wounded, but had been blocked by the British medical authorities in Archangel. They declared that it was not feasible as the Americans had no equipment, supplies or medical personnel. However, the officer in charge of the American Red Cross force in Archangel offered to supply the needed things, either by purchasing them from the stores of British medical supplies in Archangel or by sending back to England for them. It is said that the repeated letters of Major Longley to SOS in England somehow were always tangled in the British and American red tape, in going through military channels. At last Major Longley took the bull by the horns and accepted the aid of the Red Cross and selected and trained a personnel to run the hospital from among the officers and men who had been wounded and were recovered or partially recovered and were not fit for further heavy duty on the fighting line. He had the valuable assistance also of the two American Red Cross nurses, Miss Foerster and Miss Gosling, the former later being one of five American women who, for services in the World War, were awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal. On September 10th, we opened the first Red Cross Hospital which was also used in connection with the Russian Red Cross Hospital and was served by Russian Red Cross nurses. Captain Hall and Lieutenant Kiley were in charge of the hospital. A few days later an infirmary was opened for the machine gunners and Company "C" of the engineers at Solombola. A good story goes in connection with this piece of history of the little Red Cross hospital on Troitsky near Olga barracks. There had been rumor and more or less open declaration of the British medical authorities that the Americans would not be permitted to start a hospital of their own in Archangel. The Russian sisters who owned the building were interested observers as to the outcome of this clash in authority. It was settled one morning about ten o'clock in a spectacular manner much to the satisfaction of the Americans and Russians. Captain Wynn of the American Red Cross came to the assistance of Captain Hall, supplying the American flag and helping raise it over the building and dared the British to take it down. Then he supplied the hospital with beds and linen and other supplies and comfort bags for the men, dishes, etc. This little hospital is a haven of rest that appears in the dreams today of many a doughboy who went through those dismal days of the first month in Archangel. There they got American treatment and as far as possible food cooked in American style. In October the number of sick and wounded men was so large that another hospital for the exclusive use of convalescents was opened in an old Russian sailor's home in the near vicinity of American Headquarters.

The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Campaigning in North Russia 1918–1919

by Joel R. Moore Harry H. Mead Lewis E. Jahns

2024 · Prabhat Prakashan

Step back in time to the tumultuous days of the Russian Revolution with The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki: Campaigning in North Russia 1918–1919. This riveting account chronicles the little-known story of the American Expeditionary Forces’ mission in North Russia, where they fought Bolshevik forces during the chaotic final years of World War I. As you journey through the pages, you’ll discover the challenges, heroism, and complexities faced by the American soldiers who were sent to intervene in Russia’s civil war. The authors provide a detailed and first-hand account of the expedition’s operations, offering readers a rare glimpse into this pivotal, yet often overlooked, chapter of military history.What motivated the United States to send troops into a faraway land embroiled in revolution? How did the American soldiers adapt to the harsh conditions and fierce resistance they faced? This book sheds light on these crucial questions, giving voice to the soldiers' experiences and struggles in a foreign and hostile environment. Through engaging narratives, this book explores the political, military, and human aspects of the mission, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the American role in North Russia during this volatile period. This is a must-read for history enthusiasts, military scholars, and those interested in the broader impact of World War I. Are you ready to discover a hidden chapter of history that changed the course of global events?Grab your copy of The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki today and explore the untold stories of the soldiers who fought in the frozen trenches of North Russia. This book offers an eye-opening perspective on one of the most challenging and dramatic military campaigns of the 20th century. Don't miss the chance to uncover the secrets of this historic expedition. Buy The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki now and dive into a gripping story of courage and conflict in a turbulent time.