1915: The Great War continues with increasing ferocity and devastation, and – tragically; inevitably – generates carnage and casualties on a scale heretofore unimagined in man’s history.
And so: While in 1914 at there were at least seven articles in the Jewish press (specifically, in The Jewish Chronicle) – at least, those I’ve identified! – covering or pertaining to the service of Jewish soldiers in the army of Imperial Russia, 1915 brought forth at least twenty-four such news items. Of the twenty-four, twenty-one were published in The Jewish Chronicle, one in l’Univers israélite (France), and two in The Jewish Exponent (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).
You can read (and in one case, find a link to) the text of all these items transcribed verbatim, below. The single “linked” item (from the l’Univers israélite, “Les soldats juifs dans l’armee russe” – The Jewish Soldiers in the Russian Army) was the subject of a blog post of February 28, 2017. (To simplify this post, only that article’s title is actually given.)
An observation: One of the articles from The Jewish Exponent, “Three Hundred Russian Jews Decorated”, of May 21, 1915, was obviously derived from an article in The Jewish Chronicle that appeared three weeks before, on April 30. Entitled “Russo-Jewish Distinctions in the War”, clues to the article’s source are the mention of the recruit Markovitch’s shooting-down of a German airplane (or, “a e r o plane” in 1915 parlance), and the award of the Order of Saint Anne (or, Saint Anna), Second Degree, to the military physician Leipuner. So, it would seem that despite the refreshing absence of Facebook and Twitter, information still had a way of getting around (via telegraph? via rapid conveyance of newspapers between England and America via ship?), albeit a bit more slowly than today.
However, I don’t know the source of the Exponent’s article “A Jewish Girl in the Ranks” of June 11, 1915. Possibly the Chronicle, as well?
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Likewise, you can read the titles of the articles in this and related posts in Eastern European Jews – Soldiers and Civilians – in the First World War – An Overview.)
And so, the articles…
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MORE JEWISH BRAVERY IN RUSSIA
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
January 1, 1915
The Jewish soldiers Kane, Marslialek, and Tziz, have obtained the order of St. George for bravery. The Jew, Shuler, was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant for skillful leadership. He was, however, killed in the next battle.
General Volkoff last week wired to the Red Cross headquarters, praising the heroic conduct of the Jewish military doctor, Leo Dushansky, who, despite his poisoned hand, had remained at his post. Dr. Dushansky died like a hero, and the Red Cross meeting honoured his name by rising.
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JEWISH COLLECTIONS FOR RUSSIAN SOLDIERS
January 1, 1915
M. Margolin has received permission to go to the Front, to distribute presents to the soldiers purchased with the 25,000 roubles collected by the Jews at Kieff. Under the direction of the Baron A. Gunzberg and Advocate Grusenberg, a similar collection is being made by the Jews at Petrograd. At Wilna and other places warm clothes are being collected by the Jews for the Army.
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RUSSIAN ARCHBISHOP KISSES JEWISH HERO
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
January 1, 1915
During his visit to the Caucasian battlefront, the Archbishop of Grusia made many friends among the Jewish soldiers. He expressed himself as very pleased with their behavior, and embraced and kissed one Jewish hero.
STIRRING TRIBUTE FROM AN OFFICER
Letters continue to reach the Press from Russian officers, in which thanks are expressed to Jewish soldiers for their bravery, very often displayed in saving the lives of officers and soldiers. One officer wrote that in the very first battle he realised that the Jew was a real soldier. His self-sacrifice, his contempt for death, and his courage are highly commended.
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Les soldats juifs dans l’armee russe
l’Univers Israelit
January 1, 1915
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YOUNG JEWISH HEROES IN RUSSIA
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
January 8, 1915
The Russo-Jewish volunteer Reichelson, aged only fourteen, has been promoted to the rank of sergeant for bravery in the field. Two Jewish boys from Nicolayeff named Sharfinowitch and Gelfenstein, escaped to the theatre of operations after dispatching a petition to Grand Duke Nicholas, expressing their wish to fight for their country.
During the week the Jewish soldiers Goldschwanger, Daitelzweig, Teletnikoff, Reznik, Dubinsky, Spigel, Biedermann, and Koffmann obtained the Order of St. George for bravery. Telatnikoff was also created corporal for capturing an Austrian General. A report has reached Petrograd that eighteen other Jewish heroes had been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
The ultra anti-Semitic Press is greatly annoyed at the continued reports of Jewish distinctions in the field, and it is endeavouring to counteract the good impression created by them by atrocious libels and by suggestions that the Jews bribe the newspapers to praise them. The anti-Semites are also greatly annoyed at the success of the Petrograd Chanucah service which made a deep impression on the numerous Russian officers present. The Mayor of Petrograd, Count Tolstoi, his deputy, M. Demkin, and the Perfect, Prince Obolensky, were profoundly moved by the march of the wounded Jewish soldiers, many of whom were accompanied by military nurses.
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MORE RUSSO-JEWISH DISTINCTIONS AT THE FRONT
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
January 22, 1915
During the last few days two more Jewish soldiers, Goldner and Kaplan, were promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Dr. Yapolski has received the order of St. Vladimir and a sword, and Dr. Goldberg the Order of St. Stanislav and a sword for bravery in the field. The Jewish soldiers Panitch, Yosem, Grover, Duboff and Volmir won the Order of St. George. The fact that the number of Jewish soldiers [who were thus] decorated is proportionately very large is due to their persistence in undertaking dangerous and heavy tasks, always coming to the forefront in case of [need].
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THE RUSSIAN ARMY AND THE JEWS
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
January 29, 1915
Two more Jewish soldiers, Schuster and Holtzman, have obtained the Order of St. George for bravery.
The Jewish doctors enrolled in the Army Medical Corps are again covering themselves with glory. They are repeating the heroic deeds which won them fame in the Russo-Japanese war. They expose themselves to all kinds of dangers in their attempts to save the lives of the wounded. In the last few days a bomb from a hostile aeroplane killed the oldest doctor of the Odessa Jewish Hospital (Itke) [?] while he was attending to the wounded in a Galician battlefield. In another battle Drs. Fuchs, Volodersky, and Zederbaum were wounded in the exercise of their duty.
Wounded Jewish soldiers continue to arrive from the Front in all parts of the country. Even in the small towns the synagogues are filled with them during the services.
THE ANTI-SEMITES AT WORK
It is, however, a matter of deep regret that our enemies are at work even in hampering Jews in the efficient discharge of their patriotic duties. Thus at Znamenka the authorities are offending Jewesses who had offered their voluntary services for the Red Cross, and for whom they could not find any other name than “Svidovki” when addressing them. Our coreligionists were ultimately obliged to resign from the institution. It is also reported from the front that one Commander on submitting the name of a Jew for promotion to the rank of officer received an intimation that it was preferable to award Jewish heroes the Order of St. George only.
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FURTHER JEWISH DISTINCTIONS IN RUSSIA
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
February 5, 1915
Rabbi Treistman, who has recently had some trying experiences under the Geman regime at Lodz, is back again to his community. The Germans allowed him to return to guide his coreligionists, and the Tsar has bestowed upon him a medal for zealous service in consideration of his successful work.
The Russian Jewish soldiers Simkin (aged sixteen, whose two brothers have also distinguished themselves at the front, one having been wounded whilst reconnoitering in an aeroplane), Klintchin, Henichovitch, Portnoi, Freidman, Rukman, Kukla, Domb, Kazdan, Victor, Katzenelbogen, Zelitchenko, Gurevitch, Borisovsky, Ezernitzky and Shapiro have obtained the order of St. George for bravery. The Tsar and the Empress Marie visited Shapiro in the hospital. The Tsar handed over the Order to him and the Empress requested the doctors to save the soldier’s arm, which they succeeded in doing. The soldiers Rivkin, Dizur and Weiss have obtained the second class of the Order of St. George, and Dr. Gershun has received the third class. Dr. Glickman has obtained the Order of St. Anne and a sword. Both Dr. Glickman and Rivkin were, however, killed in subsequent battles. The hero Davidovitch, whose fine work was reported some time ago, has also died from his wounds.
Baron A. Gunzburg and Advocate Grusenberg, who have just returned to Petrograd from the front where they distributed thousands of presents to the soldiers (including four million cigarettes), have brought with them cheerful messages. The General in command and the officers were delighted with the presents. The officers expressed their admiration of the Jewish soldiers, and they were deeply moved by the kindness of the Jews in sending them presents and encouraging messages. The Jewish guests dined with the officers. A similar reception was accorded at the front to the deputation of the southern Jews, headed by Crown Rabbi Temkin, and to the Rabbi of Novidvor who distributed the presents.
I might add that far from desiring to reduce the number of the Jewish soldiers, it was last week officially announced that even Jewish only sons will be called for service in the next recruiting year.
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GROWING LIST OF RUSSO-JEWISH HEROES.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
PETROGRAD
February 12, 1915
Within the last few days the Russian Jews, Chwollis, Reichenstein, Konstantinovsky, Grodsky, Edelmann, Sheinfen, Berenstein, Sergeant Dechman, and the two brothers Brodkin have obtained the order of St. George. Safian obtained the rank of lieutenant and the second class of the order of St. George, while his brother, in the capacity of a military doctor, obtained the Order of St. Anne and St. Stanislav. Kaplan was awarded the second class of the Order of St. George, and was promoted a sergeant. The military doctor Sorin received the Order of St. Stanislav and Ratnev became a sub-lieutenant. The wounded Jewish volunteers Gutman (aged thirteen) and Seltzer (aged sixteen) were also awarded the Order of St. George. A member of the Imperial Family visited Seltzer in the hospital.
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RUSSIAN JEWS AND THE WAR
MORE RUSSO-JEWISH DISTINCTIONS.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
PETROGRAD
February 19, 1915
The Russian Jewish soldiers Kolnik, Derzavetz, Stern and Bogdanoff have received the Order of St. George. The same Order has been bestowed on eighteen Jews serving in a Red Cross section at the front.
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RUSSIAN JEWS AND THE WAR
DECLARATION IN THE DUMA
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
PETROGRAD
February 26, 1915
Deputy Freedman stated in the Duma the other day, amidst loud applause, that though the Jews had suffered heavily during the last six months and their plight was terrible they would overlook all the hardships they endured and fight loyally for the Empire. Many noble Russians continue to be deeply impressed by the loyalty of our coreligionists. Three officers addressed a striking letter to a Jewish family at Bielostock, praising the fair treatment of Christians by Jews, and promising to fight for Jewish rights after the War. At the Wilna Jewish Hospital, the Priest Rozmainsky asked the wounded Christian soldiers, whenever the heard of the spreading of anti-Semitic libels, to remember how good the Jews were to them. Prince Urusoff at Elizabethgrad spoke in similar terms at the Jewish Military Hospital, and the Army Commanders continually note the absence of Jewish cases of desertion.
It must not be supposed, however, that matters are smooth everywhere. Last week the Premier received a memorial from the Nationalist Party, complaining that the Jewish students were allowed to finish their courses instead of being summoned to the front, and expressing the fear that such a policy would result in an abundance of Jewish intellectuals after the war.
M. Purishkevitch, too, has once again changed his front. Addressing the Real Russians last week, he gave ample proofs of his return to his old anti-Semitic policy, although he announced that he would only take the Jewish problem in hand after the war. On the other hand, M. Stolypin (brother of the late Premier) has condemned in the Novoe Vremya the stringent regulations concerning the right of domicile of Jewish wounded soldiers and of their relatives who visit them in the hospitals outside the Pale.
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ANOTHER STRIKING LIST OF RUSSIAN HEROES.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
PETROGRAD
February 26, 1915
During the past week another batch of Jewish heroes have won the Order of St. George. The names of the soldiers are Magasayeft, Azrel, Lichtenstein, Levitin, Goldblum, Kornfeld, Bornstein, Kapulsky, Tchornt, Hershkovitch, Wasserman, Brenner, Nachtigal, Rosen, Vedman, Kuzmitz, Peckar, Lusky, Katz, Ogol, Ginzburg, Tzalkovitch, Saphirstein, Bolotin, Frank, and Poliak. The military doctor, Zeldoff, obtained the Order of St. Stanislav, and the volunteer Samuel Finkelstein (a distinguished pupil of the Petrograd College of Music, who is only twelve years of age), won a military medal and was raised to the rank of corporal. The young hero is now lying wounded in a hospital here, but hopes soon to return to the front. The number of Jewish heroes is growing so rapidly that at Moscow alone eighty Jewish Chevaliers of the Order of St. George were registered during the last half-year.
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LARGE RUSSO-JEWISH HONOURS LIST
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
March 12, 1915
The latest battles have brought more glory to the Russian Jewish soldiers, a particularly large number of them having obtained the Order of St. George in the past week. The recipients (who, together with those already recorded since the beginning of the war, number 200) were: –
Meyerovsky, Yanovetz, Eisen, Val, Pakshver, Glotman, Kostovsky, Lebedinsky, Canter, Yankelevitch, Burtmn, Ostrovsky, Gubkin, Nazimov, Breinovsky, Grusenberg, Stolpner, Borispolsky, Corporal Rabbinowitch, Katzenelsohn, Alpert, Bliazer, Mornenetz, Nefedoff, Plachuta, Pleshakov, Zadikoff, Shmutkin, Sretensky, Sterhnoff, Shevelin, Blagoslovensky, Tongkonogl, Fridenson, Emin, Shotz, Slutkovsky, and Samsonoff.
The Jew, Helfman, obtained the rank of Lieutenant, the Order of St. George and the Order of St. Stanislav, and the military doctor, Asness, obtained the Order of St. Stanislav.
BOY HEROES
The Jewish boys, Elijah Giznburg, aged fourteen, and Rudzki, aged fifteen, have won the Order of St. George. The former, who was wounded, was also promoted to the rank of Sergeant. The two youths joined the army as volunteers.
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MORE RUSSO-JEWISH DISTINCTIONS
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
March 19, 1915
During the past week the Jewish soldiers Bichovsky, Skrotzky, Shochnik, Farfel, Kirsh and Yochelson, have won the Order of St. George. Five other Jews won similar distinctions, but the military censor at the front, for reasons best known to himself, only permitted the mention of their initials or first names. The military doctor, Alexander, received the Order of St. Stanislav.
Lieut. Kaplan enjoys the distinction of having remained at the front despite the fact that he was wounded twelve times.
The Duma Red Cross Company deeply deplores the loss of the distinguished Jewish female medical assistant, Olshwanger, who died at the Caucasian front.
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RUSSO-JEWISH DISTINCTIONS
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
March 26, 1915
Another Jewish boy, Lazare Koffman (of Ekaterinoslav), who is only thirteen years of age, has won the order of St. George on the battlefield. It is anticipated that he will be admitted to the Cadet Corps to be trained for commissioned rank, by a special permit of the Tsar.
The Jewish soldiers, Markovitch and Shlionsky, also received the Order of St. George, and thirty-six members of the Bielostok Jewish Red Cross Field Company were recommended to the Tsar for awards for bravery. The military doctor, Monosson, received the Order of St. Stanislav.
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RUSSO-JEWISH WAR HONOURS
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
April 9, 1915
During the week the Jewish nurse Annie X. has won the St. George medal for bravery under fire. X. (the censor is responsible for the suppression of her full name) is the first Jewess to obtain the distinction. In addition, M.M. Agol, Katznelsohn and Moshkovsky, Jewish pupils of the Wilna gymnasium, who volunteered for active service, won the Order of St. George. Their colleague Klioner obtained a military medal. The Order of St. George was also bestowed on twenty-three Jews whose initials alone were recorded, and on Corpl. Zelkovich, the volunteer Shimel (aged sixteen), and Chaim Abramovitch, who distinguished himself in the Japanese war. In the present campaign the latter captured a regimental flag, and was wounded during the exploit. The Commander in Chief, Grand Duke Nicholas, personally congratulated the hero on the brave deed, and the Commandant of Kieff ordered the account of M. Abramovitch’s achievement to be read out before the garrison, which cheered the hero. The son and son-in-law of M. Abramovitch were also wounded during the war.
The military doctor Sternberg has been appointed a State Controller.
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RUSSIAN JEWS AND THE WAR
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
April 16, 1915
In the course of the week the Jews, Nuchimson, Churik, Ruchlak, Oska, Krul, and Rosenthal, as well as sixteen other Jews whose initials only were published, have won the Order of St. George. One military doctor also obtained the Order of St. Stanislav.
The Commander of the Forces at Wilna has expressed to the Chief Rabbi there his high appreciation of the valour of the Jewish soldiers.
The Jewish communities in many cities sent large numbers of Easter presents to the soldiers at the front, without distinction of creed.
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RUSSO-JEWISH DISTINCTIONS IN THE WAR
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
April 30, 1915
A young Jewish recruit, Markovitch, has been awarded all the four degrees of the Order of St. George for bringing down a German aeroplane. Another Jewish boy (aged fourteen), Lev Israel, who serves as a volunteer at the front, won a military medal. The military doctor, Leipuner, obtained the Order of St. Anne (second degree). He had has a distinguished career in the army. In the Russo-Japanese campaign he won the Order of St. Stanislav. In addition thirteen Jews, whose initials alone were allowed to be published, received the Order of St. George, thus bringing up the total of Jews to whom the Order has been granted during this war to three hundred. Five of the partially-named thirteen heroes also became non-commissioned officers.
THREE HUNDRED JEWS POSSESS THE ORDER OF ST. GEORGE
A further bestowal of the Order of St. George within the last few days has brought up the number of Jews possessing this distinction to three hundred. In one case, Markovitch, a young recruit, received all four degrees of the Order for having brought down a German aeroplane.
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HEAVY LIST OF RUSSO-JEWISH WAR HONOURS
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
May 14, 1915
Another heavy list of distinctions won by Jews in the recent battles appeared during the week. The soldiers Rizik, Shlioma, Zelkovich, Brazel, Cohen, Reles, Ketner, Zeifman, Chorovitzer, Grinkevitch, Lebovich, Farkhman, Fisher, Chaitov, Tarnovsky, Hendler and Gunzberg, have obtained the Order of St. George. Levinson obtained the same Order for the second time during this war, and Abraham Zelkovitch, Tabakoff and Bershakovsky, who won the Order in the Russo-Japanese campaign, received higher degrees. The Military Doctor State Councillor Abelman has received the Order of St. Vladimir (third degree) and Dr. Goldberg, who recently won in the field the Order of St. Stanislav, has just obtained the Order of St. Anne (third degree) for a fresh act of bravery.
THE TSAR THANKS MANY COMMUNITIES
The Tsar has sent his thanks to the Jews of Borisov, Mozir, Pinsk, Ihumen and Osipovitch for their loyal messages on the occasion of the fall of Przemysl. His Majesty has permitted the Russo-Jewish emigrant, Dr. Chargin, who was one of the medical officers of the Ophthalmic Hospital at Bolgona, to return to Russia and to enter the Army as a military doctor.
JEWISH WAR GIFTS TO THE TSAR
Jewish deputations representing the communities of Kamenetz-Podolsk and Nicolayeff have been received by the Tsar. The deputations handed to the Tsar substantial contributions to the war fund, for which his Majesty tendered his hearty thanks to the donors.
JEWS IN THE ARMY
All the Liberal organs, without distinction, and even the former organ of the Synod, the Kolocol, have condemned the agitation commenced by the Russkoe Znamya and Zemstchina in favour of the exclusion of Jews from the army on the alleged ground that they were traitors and cowards. The Liberal organs paid great tribute to the brave Jewish soldiers.
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Three Hundred Russian Jews Decorated
The Jewish Exponent
May 21, 1915
The number of Jewish soldiers in the Russian army who were decorated with the order of St. George for bravery now exceeds three hundred. In one case, Markowitch, a young recruit, received all four degrees of the order for having brought down a German aeroplane.
A military doctor, Leipuner, obtained the order of St. Anna, second degree. He has had a distinguished career in the army. In the Russo-Japanese war he won the order of St. Stanislav.
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A Jewish Girl In The Ranks
The Jewish Exponent
June 11, 1915
Chaya Salkind, aged eighteen, a Jewish girl, has been discharged from the Russian army, in the ranks of which she fought with distinction, until her identity was disclosed. She volunteered disguised as a man some time ago, and won the esteem of the superiors at the front.
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RUSSO-JEWISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN GERMANY
September 3, 1915
TO THE EDITOR. – From Mrs. R.S. TOWNSEND, 2, Orchard Studios, Brook Green, W.
SIR, – I have in my possession a number of postcards written to the Evening News Prisoners of War Fund from Russian Jewish prisoners of war in Germany begging for help to trace their relatives in London, in the hope that they may send them occasional letters, money or parcels. I should be immensely grateful if you could be of any assistance to these men through the medium of your paper, either by tracing their relatives or by interesting any of your readers in their fate. I may say that the postcards are mostly written in Russian.
The following is a list of the prisoners’ names and the relatives whom they seek: –
Kiva Kopersteiun seeks a brother-in-law by the name of Maks Ruz.
Schaja Golomb seeks a brother by the name of Chaim Golomb.
Jacob Erichevitch seeks a relative by the name of Isaac Feldman from the town of Slonim.
Morduch Kahan seeks his brother Max Cohen.
Chaim Breinisen seeks a sister by the name of E. Zatz.
P. Goichman, from the Kovensky Government, Novo-Alexandrovsky District, seeks his brother.
Yehiel Kuretsky seeks any relative who may be in London.
Isaac Nizinsky seeks two uncles by the respective names of Abraham Nizinsky and Osher Litenberg.
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FIVE HUNDRED RUSSO-JEWISH HEROES
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
September 3, 1915
During the last two months the roll of Jewish soldiers who won the Order of the Medal of St. George for conspicuous bravery in the battlefield has increased by another hundred. The total number of Jews who have obtained the Order or the Medal during the present campaign is now five hundred. Among those newly decorated heroes were the Jewish volunteers Kayema (aged fifteen), Gorodovsky and Kellin (both aged sixteen), Palomnise (aged eighteen), and Koshkin and Greitel (both aged nineteen). Alperovitch, Sergt. Kapnelson, Zismanovtich, and Palomnise won three degrees of the Order. Advocate Meyerovitch received “gold arms” for bravery. In addition sixty-five more Jewish doctors and members of the Army Medical Corps have won decorations.
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MORE DISTINCTIONS FOR RUSSO-JEWISH SOLDIERS
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
PETROGRAD
December 24, 1915
During the past three months the list of Jews who received the Order or Medal of St. George for bravery at the front has increased by about another hundred and forty. The total number of Jews who obtained the Order or Medal is now six hundred and forty-six. Among the new knights are the youths Maltinsky (aged fourteen), and Frenkel (aged fifteen), who volunteered for service in the army. Rubinstein and Dubovitzky obtained four degrees of the Order of St. George, and Blacher, Laivenberg, Michailovitch, Moshkovsky, Mandel and Meineter obtained three degrees of the Order. Seventeen others among the new knights obtained two degrees of the Order. In addition, many Jewish military doctors and members of the Red Cross received the Order of St. Anne and St. Stanislaus and gold and silver medals.