Yashka · Chapter
I Organize the Battalion of Death explained
Maria Bochkareva recounts the founding of the Women's Battalion of Death in Petrograd in May 1917.
What happens
Maria Bochkareva recounts the founding of the Women's Battalion of Death in Petrograd in May 1917. After proposing the idea at a conference of the State Duma, she gains the support of Rodzianko, Brusilov, and Kerensky. A public meeting at the Mariinsky Theatre draws 1,500 volunteers, and the number swells to 2,000. Bochkareva imposes strict discipline, no committees, and a pledge of absolute obedience. The women are housed at the Kolomensk Women's Institute, outfitted, and begin training under male instructors from the Volynski Regiment.
Themes in this chapter
Patriotism and Sacrifice
Bochkareva calls on women to sacrifice personal interests and serve as an example to save the Motherland.
Revolution and Disillusionment
The battalion is a response to the collapse of discipline and morale in the revolutionary army.
Honor and Discipline
Bochkareva insists on strict discipline, no committees, and severe punishment for disobedience.
Characters to notice
- Maria Bochkareva
Organizes the Women's Battalion of Death, addresses recruits, and imposes strict discipline.
- Mikhail Rodzianko
President of the State Duma; supports Bochkareva's proposal and introduces her to Captain Dementiev.
- Alexander Kerensky
War Minister; speaks at the Mariinsky Theatre meeting and approves the battalion.
- General Brusilov
Commander-in-Chief; approves the Women's Battalion idea before it is taken to Kerensky.
- General Polovtzev
Commander of the Military District of Petrograd; supplies outfits and male instructors.
- Captain Dementiev
Commandant of the Home for Invalids; escorts Bochkareva, arranges her speech, and supports the battalion.
- General Anosov
Introduced as a supporter of the battalion; present at the garden meeting.
Key passages
“Women, do you know what I have called you here for? Do you realize clearly the task lying ahead of you? Do you know what war is? War! Look into your hearts, examine your souls and see if you can stand the great test.”
Bochkareva asks the assembled women if they truly understand the horrors of war and if they are prepared to endure them.
Opening of her address to the recruits in the garden of the Institute.
“I will have no committees in the Battalion. There will be strict discipline, and any offence will be severely punished. There will be punishment for even slight acts of disobedience.”
Bochkareva declares that the battalion will operate without committees and with harsh discipline for any infraction.
Emphasizes her rejection of the committee system that had weakened army discipline.
“If I take up the organization of a women's battalion, I will hold myself responsible for every member of it. I will introduce rigid discipline and will allow no speechmaking and no loitering in the streets.”
Bochkareva promises to personally guarantee the conduct of every volunteer and to enforce strict order.
Response to critics at the Duma conference who feared the battalion would cause scandal.