Thanks for the hard work Frank. It’s a great read.
Ralph
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Great Read Frank.
Alyn
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Excellent article. Thanks, Frank.
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Great history lesson Frank. Thanks for sharing it with us.
We have a small town here in central Florida, Marsaryktown, very close to Charlie as a matter of fact, named after Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia.
Mike
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Thank you, Frank, for adding this to our files. This is one of those thoroughly unknown events in America (most of us would have no idea that any American served in Siberia, or knowing it, why).
The Legion is fascinating for all the military and political turmoil it represents, and some of which it engendered.
I think it's a typo on the upper end of the number of troops. I've seen estimates usually lower than the 70,000 noted on the lower end.
In any event, the Legion experienced much of sadness and betrayal its countrymen would know 20 years later. They were conscripted to serve in the Army of a king from whom they wished to be free; volunteered to serve against the Austrians just in time to have their captors declare an armistice (and sign a secret cooperative treaty); were transferred to French Control; were given free pass out of Russia that was subsequently revoked by Reds who were concerned with the movement of the equivalent of 5 divisions of trained and unified troops inside their borders (with the Tsar's collapse, the legion represented the single largest military entity in Russia).
Allies wanted to retrieve enormous quantities of ordnance and raw materials given to the Tsar to keep him in the fight, but that the Allies wanted back now that Russia was out of the war; and they were hoping the Legion could help them.
All this to say that Frank's article opens a little known window whose complexity is just scratched. Bravo, Frank.
And, if anyone stumbles on a cover from ANY of the belligerents, but especially the Czech Legion, in this period, treasure it. Hens' teeth.
David
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07:52:53pm
Yes, Marsaryktown, is close to this county but thankfully not that close. It appears that the Czechs who settled there decided to raise chicken for the eggs. Possibly a wise business decision.
Marsaryktown, a town about 35 miles south of Lecanto is along Rte 41 on the way to Tampa and passing through during some months is a challenge in who can hold their breathe longest. The smell is often intense and reminds me of passing some of the duck farms on Eastern Long Island.
One word description
PHEW !!!"
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Stamporama member Frank Tonge has just posted a new article on the site, Czechs in Siberia, which gives historical background and philatelic details for stamps that were issued between 1918 and 1920 for local use by Czechoslovakian troops in Siberia. This is another one of those great examples of a simple philatelic puzzle opening up a fascinating line of inquiry. (The article also happens to be timely for me as there is an imposing pile of Czech stamps on my hobby table at the moment!)
Thanks for the hard work Frank. It’s a great read.
Ralph
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re: New Article: Czech Army in Siberia
Great Read Frank.
Alyn
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re: New Article: Czech Army in Siberia
Excellent article. Thanks, Frank.
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re: New Article: Czech Army in Siberia
Great history lesson Frank. Thanks for sharing it with us.
We have a small town here in central Florida, Marsaryktown, very close to Charlie as a matter of fact, named after Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia.
Mike
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re: New Article: Czech Army in Siberia
Thank you, Frank, for adding this to our files. This is one of those thoroughly unknown events in America (most of us would have no idea that any American served in Siberia, or knowing it, why).
The Legion is fascinating for all the military and political turmoil it represents, and some of which it engendered.
I think it's a typo on the upper end of the number of troops. I've seen estimates usually lower than the 70,000 noted on the lower end.
In any event, the Legion experienced much of sadness and betrayal its countrymen would know 20 years later. They were conscripted to serve in the Army of a king from whom they wished to be free; volunteered to serve against the Austrians just in time to have their captors declare an armistice (and sign a secret cooperative treaty); were transferred to French Control; were given free pass out of Russia that was subsequently revoked by Reds who were concerned with the movement of the equivalent of 5 divisions of trained and unified troops inside their borders (with the Tsar's collapse, the legion represented the single largest military entity in Russia).
Allies wanted to retrieve enormous quantities of ordnance and raw materials given to the Tsar to keep him in the fight, but that the Allies wanted back now that Russia was out of the war; and they were hoping the Legion could help them.
All this to say that Frank's article opens a little known window whose complexity is just scratched. Bravo, Frank.
And, if anyone stumbles on a cover from ANY of the belligerents, but especially the Czech Legion, in this period, treasure it. Hens' teeth.
David
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
01 Mar 2013
07:52:53pm
re: New Article: Czech Army in Siberia
Yes, Marsaryktown, is close to this county but thankfully not that close. It appears that the Czechs who settled there decided to raise chicken for the eggs. Possibly a wise business decision.
Marsaryktown, a town about 35 miles south of Lecanto is along Rte 41 on the way to Tampa and passing through during some months is a challenge in who can hold their breathe longest. The smell is often intense and reminds me of passing some of the duck farms on Eastern Long Island.
One word description
PHEW !!!"
Login to Like
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