Lavr Kornilov went down in Russian history as the organizer of the rebellion against the Provisional Government. The general could not calmly look at the collapse of the army and the country, to whose service he gave the best years of his life. Kornilov died in 1918. If he stayed alive, the fate of the White movement could well have turned out differently.
From the biography of Lavr Kornilov
Lavr Kornilov was born in 1870 into a rather poor family with many children. His father was an officer. There was always not enough money for life, I had to save on everything. At the age of 13, Lavra was assigned to study at the Omsk Cadet Corps. He studied with diligence and always had top marks in all disciplines.
After completing his studies at the Cadet Corps, the young man continued to work on his education at the Mikhailovsky Artillery School. Subsequently, Lavr Georgievich graduated with honors from the Academy of the General Staff. Being an exemplary cadet, Kornilov could apply for distribution in a good regiment and quickly make a career.
But Laurus chose the Turkestan Military District. For several years of service on the borders of the Russian Empire, Kornilov managed to visit Afghanistan, Persia, India and China. The officer spoke several languages. In carrying out reconnaissance operations, Kornilov easily masqueraded as a traveler or merchant.
Kornilov met the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War in India. Upon receiving the news that Russia had entered the war, he immediately asked to join the army. The officer received a position in one of the headquarters of the rifle brigade. At the beginning of 1905, part of it was surrounded. Kornilov led the brigade's rearguard and with a daring attack broke through the enemy's defenses. Thanks to his ingenuity and decisiveness, three regiments were able to leave the encirclement.
For his participation in the war with Japan, Lavr Kornilov was presented to the Order of St. George, 4th degree, and was also awarded the St. George weapon. Kornilov was awarded the rank of colonel.
In the service of the Tsar and the Fatherland
At the end of the war, Kornilov served in China for several years, solving diplomatic issues. In 1912 he became a major general. Kornilov showed his best side during the years of the imperialist war. The division commanded by the general was named "Steel".
Kornilov was a tough enough leader, he did not spare himself or his soldiers. However, his business qualities were respected by his subordinates.
In April 1915, Kornilov was wounded and taken prisoner by Austria. He managed to escape. Through Romania, the general moved to Russia, where he was greeted with honor. Kornilov's merits were rewarded: he received the Order of St. George, 3rd degree.
Years of testing
Kornilov greeted the February revolution, hoping that the country would finally enter a period of renewal. In March 1917, he was appointed commander of the Petrograd Military District. Considered until that time a convinced monarchist, Kornilov took part in the arrest of the royal family, carried out by the decision of the Provisional Government. Subsequently, the actions of the new government aroused indignation in the general: he criticized the order to introduce the principles of democracy in the army. He did not want to witness the disintegration of the troops, so he preferred to go to the front.
The Russian army was losing combat capability in front of Kornilov's eyes. The interim government also could not get out of the protracted political crisis. Under these conditions, Lavr Kornilov decides to lead the army units subordinate to him to Petrograd.
On August 26, 1917, Kornilov announced an ultimatum to the Provisional Government. The general demanded that all power in the country be transferred to him. The head of the government, Kerensky, immediately declared Kornilov a traitor and accused him of organizing the coup. But the Bolsheviks played the main role in the liquidation of the famous "Kornilov mutiny". Lenin's party managed to mobilize forces in a short time to counter the rebellious general. The participants in the failed coup were taken into custody.
After the October Revolution, Kornilov, together with his loyal subordinates, fled to the Don. In alliance with generals Denikin and Alekseev, he participated in the creation of the Volunteer Army, which marked the beginning of the White Guard movement.
General Kornilov was killed on April 13, 1918 during the assault on Krasnodar. One of the shells hit the house where the general was.
