Vladimir Peniakoff
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Lieutenant-Colonel Vladimir Peniakoff DSO MC (1897-1951), nicknamed Popski, was the founder and commander of Popski's Private Army, q.v.
[edit] Early Life
Vladimir Peniakoff was born in Belgium to Russian parents.
In 1914 he studied at Cambridge University and describes his early education in "Popski's Private Army" : "For years I never had less then three tutors who pumped knowledge into my precocious brain".
Vladimir initialy had conscientious objections to the first world war but by his fourth term at Cambridge he had changed his mind. Unlike many of his peers, he opted to join the french artillery as a private rather then go through the lengthy training that a commission in the British Army entailed. He was injured during his time in the French Army and was invalided out after the armstice.
In 1924 he emmigrated to Egypt where he worked for a suger manufacturer. Here he married Pamela Hope (who later went on to marry Tom Matthews, former Managing Director of Time Magazine). Vladimir and Pamela had two daughters, born in 1931 and 1933. During this time he learned to fly and navigate vehicles through the desert. Vladimir Peniakoff was a polyglot who spoke English, Russian, Italian, German, French and Arabic well.
He joined the British Army in 1940, getting a commision in the Libyan Arab Force. For his activities in the unit he later formed read his history of the unit he formed: "Popski's Private Army".
[edit] Death
Shortly after his book was published he contracted a fatal brain tumor.
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