Home – Home – Jornals – Humanitarian sciences in Siberia 2015 number

The article analyzes the problem of rotation of senior officers in the Russian army during World War I. The object of research are military leaders appointed to the command positions of the Commander-in-Chief, Chief of Staff of the General Headquarters, commanders of the fronts and the commanders of armies during the World War I - 80 people in total. Based on the pace and criteria of the senior officers’ rotation the author defines two periods. The first period is conventionally designated as “imperial” (August, 1914 - March, 1917), the second period is called “revolutionary” (April - October, 1917). Comparison of rotations during these periods lasting for 2,5 years and 6 months respectively shows that after the February revolution of 1917 there was almost a five times increase in the rate of vertical mobility of general officers. During the “imperial” period rotation occurred mostly due to military expediency, i.e. the objective necessity to promote to higher positions the most talented military leaders with good reputation gained on the battlefield. Essentially, by the start of 1917 the Russian army had the best generalship for the entire period of World War I. The “revolutionary” period was marked by a political practicability, when military leaders were required to demonstrate not only their professionalism, but also an ability to adapt to complex revolutionary reality. As a result, some senior positions were held by those generals who, unlike previously, had not been in the service long enough or lacked the relevant experience. However, due to their personal qualities and their ability to find common language with the country’s new political leaders and with the soldiery they were promoted to higher positions.