A TERRIBLE ORDEAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1850, 9 July 1918, Page 1

A TERRIBLE ORDEAL

WOMAN SOLDIER’S TEST

THE BATTALION OK DEATH. “YOU MUST OBEY.” Before Russia formed her Battalion of Death for women soldiers who were determined to set an, example to the less courageous men, Vera Butchkarelf, who was later the leader of the Battalion, had served as a soldier in the regiment in which her husband was serving when lie was killed. After the news of her husband’s death arrived she left her home, just across the Urals, saw the exCzar, and obtained permission to serve in the Army as a soldier. Every effort was made to break the spirit of the young woman-soldier, who describes her experience sis follows : I was led to the main tent of the medical officers. They were astounded when the petty officer reported that the major had sent me to be examined for enrolment with the troops. The medical men gathered in a group, and literally talked me over. Finally one of them said something in a low tone, and laughed. Then they all laughed, ai,ul looked at me curiously. I could see very plainly that (hey thought 1 merely wanted to make a show of myself. The chief officer gave my guide a command which seemed to startle even that stolid, thick-vis-aged person. It was (he order that I be passed up for immediate examination with new recruits.

The officer said: “Strip yourselves and deposit your clothes here," indicating (he piles on the counter.

I had known instinctively that this was coming, and I had steeled myself •against it, Yet I shuddered and involuntarily recoiled, 1 looked down (he ten I. 1 saw a long line of men standing single-tile wailing to move along past a medical officer, who slopped each one just long enough to feel Ids body, tap his lungs, test his heart, and adjudge his general physical condition. Every man in this 'long line was naked. 1 turned my eyes back to the officer across the counter from me. Perhaps there was a mule protest in them, even though I had known this thing would come. I began to realise that Major KornilolV was determined to “shame" me out of camp for the sake of discipline.

The officer looked at me coldly. Tie said hut one word: “Obey!" That word made me the soldier again. I had come to lie a soldier, and a soldier I would be. Without a word, and with the medical officer and it hundred or more new recruits looking on, I took off my clothes and piled them piece by piece on the counter where the other new soldiers —men —had piled theirs. “Take your place in line!” One by one we moved up until at last it was my turn to step before the examining officer. He, 100, had been prepared evidently for my coming. He stepped back from his little table, as I stepped before him, my head up, making a brave effort to tight back the tears and show myself unashamed to go through the routine fixed for all soldiers. The officer clapped his hands in mock glee. His aides clustered around him, and turned their eyes full upon me. For a minute I stood motionless, facing all as boldly as I ever afterwards faced a charge of Gormans. Then a marvellous thing happened. The examining officer, who, until the war, had been a civilian physician at Odessa, suddenly made an impetuous motion with his hands. He turned sharply to his assistant, and gave a terse, stern command: “Sir, your coat!” The assistant drew himeslf up and saluted. Quickly he divested himself of his coat. He was about to hand it to me when the other officer stopped him with an imperious gesture.

“Madame will permit me?” the chief officer asked, with a deference that was as courteous as that of any olden knight in the service of his lady fair. He opened the coat and wrapped it gently about my shoulders. It -covered me to the knees.

I cried then—the first, and, I am proud to say, the last time. The officer-signalled a subordi-

unto, and ordered that a uniform lie brought. He led me, then, to a small enclosure at the side of the tent, which was used by him when he worked over his reports. Here I put the uniform on. When I stepped out, the ol'lleer was awaiting me.

“You pass from me now, madame, into other hands," he said. “I wish I might be your commander through all the experience before you, but I (anno). You will have many hurts, but all who understand will, I :,m sure, honour you for Russia’s sake. I salute you, madame, in the name of the soldier you have become.” And, after serving against the Germans, going over the top, and being wounded, the woman soldier organised the Battalion of Death.