Churchill's Crusade

[Dolphin]

Churchill's Crusade (ISBN 978 1 84725 021 6) is, I believe, the best history so far written about the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War, with a focus on the British aspects of the campaigns. In very clear language, the author explains why the efforts to prop up the faltering and squabbling White armies were always doomed to failure, despite the enthusiasm of Churchill, the Minister for State and War, who essentially kept the British components in Russia after it was obvious to just about everyone else that their efforts were in vain.

As well as explaining the high level political/strategic matters, the book also provides an insight into the life of the ordinary soldiers who were attached to the White armies. The anti-Bolshevik forces knew what they were half-heatedly fighting against, but didn't seem too sure about just what it was they were fighting for. Add to that the endemic corruption and laziness that permeated the White armies, and disaster was certain.

The book does have some minor irritating spelling errors, such as 'Britian' and 'Yudenicht' while Sgt Pearse VC has his name spelt with a 'c'. Nevertheless, it's well worth reading for a good account of that futile campaign or, to be more accurate, given the Whites' inability to coordinate their efforts, series of campaigns.

Gareth