Savage Division
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Savage Division was an ethnic Cavalry Division of the Imperial Russian Army composed of Chechens and Dagestani. It partook in World War I under Russian general Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich Romanov, brother of Tsar Nicholas II. Additionally, the Savage Division remained loyal to the Russian provisional government during the Russian Revolution of 1917.
[edit] Kornilov affair
Division commander general Krymov and his officers reacted to a supposed rebellion of German agents in Petrograd by relocating from the war front to Petrograd during the Kornilov affair. However, Muslim delegates of the Petrograd Soviet, nominal members of the Russian Constituent Assembly, arrived to the Division directly from the capital and not only dispelled rumors of rebellion, but also demonstrated with documents that General Krymov himself was a rebel and was leading his troops against the government. Among these Petrograd Soviet's delegates were some well-known Muslims, such as the grandson of Imam Shamil. For that reason, they were not arrested, a decision that went against Krymov ‘s officers wishes. Such an arrest would have been a violation of ancient Chechens and Dagestani customs of hospitality. Unable to fulfill his order, Division commander Krymov committed suicide.
