Ukrainian marine factor during First World War

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Ukrainian marine factor during First World War

Journal Title: Eminak - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 1

Abstract

Showing up and characteristics of the role of Ukrainians in the structure of the armed forces of the Russian and Austro- Hungarian empires are important in the study of the history of Ukraine and military history of leading European countries during the First World War (1914-1918). These issues for a long time were given in a simplified form and misrepresented by the Soviet ideology, suppressed by Polacks and Romanians, and even today falsified by the Russian chauvinist elements. According to modern scientists’ statement, personnel of the armed forces of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Empire on January 1, 1917 consisted of 65 % of Ukrainian and 28 % of Russians, but in the Baltic Fleet there were 73 % of Russians and 15 % of Ukrainian. Many Ukrainians formed a part of the naval forces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Military and political events that led to the overthrow of the czarism in Russia shook many soldiers of Ukrainian origin. In spring 1917 mass Ukrainian military movement started in the Baltic Fleet. Ukrainian sailors – Senior Lieutenant M. Bilynskyi, Lieutenant S. Shramchenko and others, tried to Ukrainize crews of their warships, lift the blue-yellow flag and transmit ships in the Black Sea. Due to the efforts of Colonel V. Savchenko-Bielskyi, a warrant officer Y. Khrystych and others everywhere in the Black Sea Fleet the Ukrainian Rada were created on the ships, that later became the first Ukrainian naval command. To a large extent due to the activity of Ukrainian officers the Black Sea naval infantry units were Ukrainized. The same situations occurred in other fleets – Caspian, Siberian, Amur, and North-Arctic. Authorities of the Black Sea Fleet welcomed and supported the movement of Ukrainization, because they considered that it could be an escape from the Bolshevik propaganda, which began to emerge stronger and stronger. However, to realize their plans fully Ukrainians failed because of the Russian-Bolshevik coup in October 1917. Ukrainian soldiers who served in the Adriatic played an important role in units of the navy forces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Especially their role was the most noticeable in the submarine fleet and military-navy sanitary-medical service during the First World War. The most popular among Ukrainians were Admiral J. Okunevskyi, Rear Admiral O. Zaryckyi, and Colonel M. Rozhankivskyi. The analysis shows the significant role of the Ukrainian sailors during the First World War. The Ukrainian officers and sailors demonstrated to the full training and high moral and fighting qualities as a part of the naval forces, where they were in service.

Authors and Affiliations

Andrii Lozynskyi

Keywords

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EP ID EP257155
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