RUSSIA IN REVOLT.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 December 1917, Page 2

RUSSIA IN REVOLT.

SCI3XES IN Tilii TRENCHES. WHAT A.Y AUSTRALIAN SAW. Petty-Officer Pincott, the son of Bumley residents, has returned to Australia on furlough from Russia, where he was one of the special corps of 500 British soldiers who were sent from England with armored motor cars to stiffen up the Russians. 'He tells an interesting story of the revolutions in Russia, besides adding some facts about the trip across from England to Archangel. The transport the corps left England in was caught in the ice, and for a whole winter the men and ship were tied up in Lapland, the Land of the Midnight Sun. During the long night the soldiers brought an electric lighting plant from the ship and made their own daylight. When the ice thawed the transport made for Archangel, where the Britishers were received with wonderful enthusiasm. At first the corps was sent to the Caucasus, bound for 'Turkish Armenia,. but later oil was moved to Baku, on the Caspian Sea, and then to Odessa, on the Black Sea. The men later saw Dobrudja, in Southern Roumania, and were then despatched to Northern Roumania. Towards the end of February the' corps was moved to Galicia, where preparations were being made for a big offensive, and the Britishers went into the trenches there along with the Russians.

"It was there that we heard, news of the ,firfcs| revolution, and there were murmuringsi that reached to discord. in the trenches," said Piucott, "Kornlloff did everything possible in the attempt to keep the Russians at it, but it was of no avail. Meetings were held in the trenches, and many of the Russians became half-hearted. We were distributed among them to try and add 'backbone, and the Cossacks were all solid. The bombarcl 1 ment, prior to the advance, was begun. There was plenty of ammunition, plenty of rations, and everything except one thing, the spirit of some, but not all, of the Russians. After our bombardment of the Austro-Germans had gone on for three days the order came to advance. Many of the Russians went on all conquering. but others simply would not leave the trenches. Their officers cried for shame. Yes, Some of tho9e Russian officers proved themselves if ever men did. They went, out and beseeched their men to follow, but too often there was no response. \YTiTIe one regiment would be ultra loyal and dash forward, sometimes to a three-mile depth in the enemy lines, others funked it absolutely. GALLANT OFFICERS. "The officers stood on the trenches, and, pulling the epaulets from their uniform, waited till an Austro-German shell or 'bullet sent them out for ever. They showedtbe in"<;n who would not fight that they at least know how to die. There could not have been anything more tragically thrilling the war than the selfsacrifice of these Russian officers. Some of the rank and file would not on any /account leave the safety of the trenches. It riled us. One of our men—a chap from New Zealand—got hold of sonic of them and literally threw them out. We lost several of our best men in this engagement. Our cars went ahead in the hope that the Russians would regain courage, but it was of no use. A lull in the attack became necessary, and then the, source of the desire not to fight became exposed. The German spies in the ranks sent the cry broadcast. 'The German cavalry has surrounded us.' Two Russian regiments had previously left t.lie trendies with their officers powerless to stop them, and the revolt spread. It developed into a panic. MILLIONS ON THE RUN. " 'Nemelski Cavalaire' was the one mad cry. Retreat was necessary. Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of men on the run. The Russians went back 100 miles in a few days. Still with the same mad cry, they kept on running, running—to they didn't know where. Anything in the way was east aside. Cars and carts got mixed up in the crush and the rush down the narrow roads —and when 50 miles behind we were forced to come after then we saw signs of the debacle everywhere. Jt was absolute chaos. The Co3sacks attempted to quell the fears, but without success. We were fighting rearguard actions all the time. The Austro-Germans bad been practically invited to come 011, and the spectacle was seen of them fighting hand to hand with the Russian artillery. RUNAWAYS -STOPPED. "It liad to stop somewhere, but nobody knows where that mad run would have stopped only for a British officer. Loyal Russian regiments and fhe Cossacks hod sought to round them up, and was the manoeuvre of this British officer, Colonel Valentine, that saved the situation, for a while at any rate. The road of retreat was through hills with a railway intersecting, and lie contrived to get a stationmaster to send trains along and block up the road. He held up the inob for a while, thopgh many scrambled through and on again. But with the hold-up came opportunity for thought and some reason at length prevailed. The runaways were prevailed upon to make another stand, and, showing how feeble was the force against them, they, as far as I know, still hold the line there. Whole regiments have, however, disappeared, either into the heart of Russia, or taken . prisoner by the Germans. Wo lost 12 cars in the retreat. We stayed there for six weeks, and wore then sent to KiefT, the capital of Old Russia. It yras intended to give us a good rest there, but, even more appreciated was the news that came . through that permission had been granted for lis to have a short furlough to our homes. PETROGRAD ALL NERVES. "When we left Petrograd the city was well marked by shells and bullets, and showed signs in plenty of (lie first revolution. It was still suffering from the 'jumps.' Everything would appear to be quiet, when a row would suddenly break out, aiid bang, bang, bang*! There were no police in the city, the military carrying out their duties. Russia, and especially Petrograd, relied to a great extent on overseas manufacturers, and the pinch is being felt to-day. Business is still being carried on in Petrograd, tut you have to take your turn to get Served. A lot may happen between the time you give an order and get delivery.' Boots and clothing are at high prices, ) and food is on rations.

"The situation is full of possibilities; l)ut my own opinion is that RorriilofF is the one man who may save Russia. lie js a Cossack, and it is the Cossacks who are the better class and absolutely loyal to Russia and the Allies. Of fiile physique and outstanding personality, Korniloff has proved himself a tremendously wave man, and the Cossacks swear by

him and will do anything for him. He lias been wounded three times, and was once, when wounded, taken prisoner by the Austrians. His own strategy and the loyally and bravery of Hie Cossacks resulted in his rescue." Petty-Officer Pincott wears the uniform of a petty officer of the Royal Naval Air Squadron. He 'holds the Distinguished Service Medal and th» Russian Order of St. George. He,.with five other officers, has permission to remain in Australia for seven weeks. He must then report to I'etrograd.