Grigory Semyonov
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grigory Mikhaylovich Semyonov, or Semenov (Russian: Григо́рий Миха́йлович Семёнов) (September 13(25), 1890–August 30, 1946), was leader of the counterrevolution in the Baikal region and beyond in 1917–1920, Lieutenant General (1919).
Semyonov graduated from Orenburg Military School in 1911. He took part in World War I and became a yesaul. In July of 1917, Semyonov was appointed Commissar of the Provisional Government in the Baikal region, responsible for recruiting counterrevolutionary volunteer military units. After the October Revolution, Semyonov stirred up an anti-Soviet rebellion, but sustained a defeat and fled to Manchuria. In August of 1918, he managed to consolidate his positions in the Baikal region with the help of the Czechoslovak Legions, and imposed his ruthless regime. The so-called Siberian Provisional Government appointed Semyonov commander of a detached unit with the headquarters in Chita. Initially, Admiral Kolchak refused to recognize Semyonov's authority, but later he would have to accept this fact at the insistence of the interventionists and appoint Semyonov Commander-in-Chief of the Chita military district. In the early 1919, Semyonov declared himself Ataman of the Transbaikal Cossack Host with the support from the Japanese. In February 1919, he formed the Jewish regiment which fought successfully against local partisans.
Due to the defeat of the White movement, Admiral Kolchak transferred his power to Semyonov in the Far East. However Semyonov's forces in Siberia were little better than thugs. They stole, burned, murdered, and raped civilians who lived in territory his troops controlled. Semyonov either could not control his soldiers or did not care. In November of 1920, units of the Red Army and guerrillas forced Semyonov's tiny army out of the Baikal region. After having retreated to Primorye, Semyonov tried to continue fighting the Soviets, but was finally forced to abandon all Russian territory in September of 1921.
Semyonov first ran away to Manchuria and then he settled in the USA where, after a short period of time, he was accused of committing acts of violence against the American soldiers of the Expeditionary Corps. Semyonov was eventually acquitted. He came back to China where he was given a monthly 1000-yen pension by the Japanese authorities. The ataman lived mostly in Northern China. He had ties with the Japanese intelligence community and, having been a leader of the White emigrants of the Far East, was in charge of their anti-Soviet activities. In September of 1945, Semyonov was captured by the Soviet Army in Manchuria and sentenced to death by hanging by the Military Board of the Supreme Court of the USSR. He was executed on 29th August, 1946.
