Churchill'S Abandoned Prisoners: The British Soldiers Deceived in the Russian Civil War

During the Russian civil war, fifteen British prisoners were captured and held by the Bolsheviks. This book tells their story of bravery and survival, highlighting the tensions between the Allied powers and the Bolsheviks that led to World War Two.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 272 pages
\n Publication date: 14 March 2019
\n Publisher: Casemate Publishers
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Winner of the Britain at War Book of the Month Award for May 2019, Churchill's Abandoned Prisoners delves into the previously suppressed story of fifteen British prisoners captured during the Russian Civil War. The Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 posed a significant threat to the Allied war effort, leading to the formation of an Allied force comprising British, American, French, Czech, Italian, Greek, and Japanese troops stationed across Russia to support the anti-Bolsheviks (the 'White Russians). However, war-weariness and equivocation about getting involved in the Civil War resulted in the Allied powers dispatching only a sufficient number of troops to maintain a show of interest in Russia's fate, rather than providing the Whites with a real chance of victory.

Caught up in these events is Emmerson MacMillan, an American engineer who, driven by loyalty to his Scottish roots, joins the British army in 1918. Emmerson travels to England, where he undergoes training with the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps and volunteers for service in the Far East.

The book intricately details the eighteen-month-long bitter fighting along the Trans-Siberian Railway, culminating in Trotsky's Red Army's victory. It showcases the exploits of the only two British battalions to serve in the East, the "Diehards" and "Tigers." An important chapter explores the complex relationships between the Allies, as well as the challenging dilemmas faced by the commander of the American Expeditionary Force and the humanitarian work of the Red Cross.

The narrative then shifts to focus on the actions of Emmerson and the other soldiers in the select British group, who are ordered to "remain to the last" and coordinate the evacuation of refugees from Omsk in No. The book sheds light on the bravery and resilience of these individuals as they faced unimaginable hardships and risks to ensure the safety of those in need.

Churchill's Abandoned Prisoners is a compelling and informative work that offers a fresh perspective on a lesser-known chapter of World War I. Its meticulous research and vivid storytelling make it a must-read for anyone interested in military history, international relations, and the human cost of war.

\n Weight: 528g\n
Dimension: 234 x 169 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781612007533\n \n