The founding of investigation commissions at the Russian government's military and navy (March - May, 1919)

Hundreds of former officers and dozens of previous Russian army generals became servicemen in the Red Army or at least took part in organization and operation of Soviet military managing authorities in the first months of Soviet regime. This took place due to many different reasons: sometimes these officers or generals remained in their positions by inertia even after the power has been transferred to Bolsheviks; sometimes they went to serve for ideological reasons, for unscrupulousness or for necessity; they joined the Red Army voluntarily or were mobilized by force, making such acts for provocative or sabotage purposes. In many cases, all reasons given above were closely interweaved. That is why we can’t find out the main cause among them, because the only one who knew the genuine motives for his behavior, was the one who made such deeds. A significant part of these officers and generals moved to anti-Bolshevik side after the Civil War had begun. So, the question of treating officers and generals who served for Soviet military managing authorities or in the Red Army, became one of acute problems, which emerged in counter-revolutionary armed units, corroding them internally. In each case, this question was solved in its own ways, depending mostly from the reasons why these men had served in the Red Army or for the Soviet power. But the attitude to such people was also determined by a judgement, given to such acts from the supreme power. The documents published here contain information about the way, which the Russian government, headed by Supreme governor Admiral A. V. Kolchak, chose to solve this problem. Special investigation commissions in the Ministries of War and Navy were founded in the spring of 1919. These documents allow us to understand, who exactly formed these commissions, how were they supposed to work, and what solutions could be made, following the results of their activities. The most interesting document could be the memo, addressed from the Minister of War to the chairman of Central investigation commission. The Minister offered to use the practice established by A. I. Denikin’s order in the Volunteer army, as a sample. A. V. Kolchak also supported the Minister’s offer, imposing his resolution of agreement to the memo. The documents also represent views and sentiment prevailing among the top military ranks of counter-revolution side in the spring of 1919, and their attitude to servicemen who have displayed hesitation.