Nikolai Dukhonin
The Final Command Amidst Revolution: A pivotal figure at the precipice of the Russian Revolution, his brief tenure as Supreme Commander marked a critical juncture.
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Overview
Imperial Russian General
Nikolay Nikolayevich Dukhonin was a distinguished Russian general, serving as the final Supreme Commander of the Russian Army following the October Revolution. His brief but critical tenure occurred during a period of profound upheaval, leading up to the Bolsheviks' consolidation of power.
A Tumultuous Tenure
Born in 1876, Dukhonin's military career spanned the late Imperial era and the early days of the Russian Republic. He rose through the ranks, gaining experience in intelligence and commanding troops during World War I, before finding himself at the helm of a disintegrating army during a national crisis.
End of an Era
His refusal to cease hostilities against the Central Powers, defying Bolshevik orders, led to his dismissal and subsequent tragic death. Dukhonin represents a key figure caught between the collapsing old order and the rise of the new Soviet regime.
Biography
Early Life and Service
Nikolay Nikolayevich Dukhonin was born on December 13, 1876, in the Smolensk Governorate of the Russian Empire. His early military career saw him serve within the Kiev Military District, where he developed initial experience in intelligence operations prior to the outbreak of the First World War.
World War I Experience
Upon the commencement of the First World War, Dukhonin assumed command of a Russian regiment. He was subsequently assigned to the Third Army, serving under General Ruzsky as the senior adjutant in the intelligence department. This period provided him with significant exposure to the operational and strategic challenges of the Eastern Front.
Military Service
Rise Through the Ranks
By the spring of 1917, Dukhonin held the position of Chief of Staff for the Southwestern Front. His performance and perceived loyalty led to his advancement. In August 1917, he was Quartermaster General of the Southwestern Front.
Appointment to GHQ
He was notably selected by Alexander Kerensky to replace Mikhail Alekseyev as Chief of Staff at the Supreme High Commander's Headquarters (Stavka) in Mogilev. This appointment occurred following Alekseyev's resignation in the aftermath of Kornilov's failed coup. Alekseyev himself had suggested Dukhonin as his successor, aiming to maintain influence over affairs at Stavka.
Supreme Command
De Facto Leader
Following the Bolshevik seizure of power during the October Revolution and Kerensky's subsequent flight from Petrograd, Dukhonin effectively became the Supreme Commander of the Russian Army. However, his authority was nominal over an army rapidly disintegrating.
Key Responsibilities
In this capacity, he was responsible for managing the remnants of the Russian military apparatus amidst widespread chaos and the dissolution of central authority. His command was exercised during a period of extreme uncertainty and fragmentation.
The Revolution's Crucible
Defiance of Bolshevik Orders
The Council of People's Commissars, led by Lenin, instructed Dukhonin to cease hostilities and initiate armistice negotiations with the Central Powers. Dukhonin met with Lenin and Nikolai Krylenko to discuss the proposal but adamantly refused the directive on November 22, 1917.
Dismissal and Replacement
In response to Dukhonin's defiance, Lenin immediately broadcast his dismissal as Commander-in-Chief via wireless. Nikolai Krylenko was appointed as his successor. Concurrently, military missions from Britain, France, Italy, Japan, and Romania, based at Stavka, issued a joint note citing the 1914 treaty that prohibited separate armistices.
Final Act of Command
Dukhonin's last significant action was ordering the release of officers held prisoner at Bikhov, notably including Lavr Kornilov and Anton Denikin, who would become key figures in the White movement.
Tragic End
Lynching in Mogilev
Dukhonin subsequently surrendered to Krylenko in Mogilev. However, on December 3, 1917, he was murdered by a mob near the railway station. Accounts suggest this mob may have been supported by Krylenko's Bolshevik military escort.
Conflicting Narratives
There are multiple, often conflicting, accounts of Dukhonin's death. One narrative describes him being bayoneted to death on the spot by soldiers and sailors under the alleged order of Red Army officer Pavel Dybenko. Another account suggests that despite Krylenko's pleas to the soldiers not to harm Dukhonin, the mob attacked him as he appeared at the window of his railway car, preventing his transfer to Petrograd for trial.
Family and Emigration
Seeking Refuge
Following the tumultuous events of the revolution and the death of Nikolai Dukhonin, his family sought refuge abroad. They emigrated to Yugoslavia, seeking safety and stability away from the escalating conflict and political turmoil in Russia.
External Resources
Further Reading
For deeper insights into the life and times of Nikolai Dukhonin, consult the following resources:
- Short biography on FirstWorldWar.com (opens in new tab)
- Nikolai Dukhonin at Find a Grave (opens in new tab)
References
Source Citations
- ^ Dates given in the Gregorian calendar
- ^ Soviet Foreign Policy Vol. 1 1917 - 1945, ed Andrei Gromyko and Boris Ponomarev, Progress Publishers, 1980
- ^ Preclík, Vratislav. Masaryk a legie (Masaryk and legions), váz. kniha, 219 pages, first issue vydalo nakladatelství Paris Karviná, Žižikova 2379 (734 01 Karvina, Czech Republic) ve spolupráci s Masarykovým demokratickým hnutím (Masaryk Democratic Movement, Prague), 2019, ISBN 978-80-87173-47-3, pages 36 - 39, 41 - 42, 111-112, 124–125, 128, 129, 132, 140–148, 184–199.
- ^ a b Kalpaschnikoff, Andrew (1920). A prisoner of Trotsky's. New York: Doubleday. OCLC 1050864318.
- ^ Reed, John (1919). Ten Days that Shook the World. New York: Boni & Liveright. p. 291.
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