Russian Civil War Flags

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Archival Research conducted at the Lenin State Library (National Archives) in 1999 and 2000. Excuse the poor quality of the copies, but the only way to get the pictures out of the library is by buying a copy from them and the Lenin Library does not have the best quality repro machines. I have attempted to maintain at least the same quality as the repro that came from the library - and that accounts for the large size of these images. Other images are being added as they are found.

Colors - all these flags are red with gold/yellow lettering and fringe (where applicable).

This page was last updated on 16 Feb 2003.

(This picture is provided for RCW Yahoo group viewing and is a color plate from R91 below) From left to right:

1. Officer of Novocherkassk Cossack College in parade uniform. In 1904 Novocherkassk Military College was rewarded with uniform of Don Cossack cavalry regiments. Single-breasted dark blue coat without buttons and hooked up. Dark blue trousers with scarlet stripes. Hat (papacha) with conical end and black short fur.

2. Cadet of Novocherkassk Cossacks Military College in campaign uniform. Since 1912 cadets were equipped with campaign uniform of khaki color. Dark blue trousers with scarlet stripes. Dark blue cap with scarlet piping. High heels, brown waist belt. And Cossack pattern sabre.

3. Senior Cadet of Orenburg Cossack College. Cadet’s uniform in Orenburg Cossack College was introduced in 1903. It was of Orenburg Cossacks troops pattern: black double-breasted coat. Collar and cuffs had broad silver lace. Gray-blue trousers had light blue stripe. Scarlet shoulder straps with "O.Y.” inscription.

Now for the cheesy commercialism - here are some books I have for sale regarding the RCW:

R91. Russian Cadets from 1864 to 1917. Another in the fine line of AST publications (see the RCW series, WWII series listed above). 46 page in Osprey format, hardback, with 8 color plates showing uniform details. A translation of the captions has been done and will be provided with the book. If your period of interest is Imperial Russia, this book is for you! $20. IN STOCK!

R92. Standards & Banners of the Russian Imperial Army, 1885-1917. Another in the fine line of AST publications (see the RCW series, WWII series listed above). 46 page in Osprey format, hardback, with 8 color plates showing flag details. A translation of the captions has been done and will be provided with the book. If your period of interest is Imperial Russia, this book is for you! Available only from On Military Matters (www.onmilitarymatters.com) and I will provide the complete translation via e-mail.

R96. White Army in North Russia, 1917-1920. A superb book by the master Russian Civil War researcher - Aleksandr Deryabin. He has put together a superb book detailing uniforms, equipment, and campaigns. Soft cover, 43 glossy pages with 8 color plates. A complete translation into English will be provided with purchase. $20 - in stock.

R97. Russian Army 1914-1917. This is a serious study of the Russian Army during WWI, before the Civil War. This is the Imperial Army, elements from which the Russian White Army was formed, trained, and equipped. This is a rare volume and extensive at approximately 160 pages. 4 color plates, numerous pictures, orders of battle, charts, breakdown by Regiment, etc. A wealth of information regarding the last years of the Imperial Army. In Russian only. $30 - in stock.

R98. Armies of Ukraine 1917-1920. A superb volume detailing the Russian Civil War forces in the South. Numerous charts, OOB, 6 color plates, 140 pages. Currently, I have only a translation of the picture captions, but will extend it to include a number of the OOB charts. $20 - in stock.

R100. Civil War in Russia: War with the White Poles. A 730-page volume, completely in Russian that details this part of the Russian Civil War. It is mostly text (all in Russian), but has numerous campaign maps throughout. If your Russian is up to speed, this is an incredible work that will answer numerous questions you have. $20 - two copies available.

	Red Army 14th Armored Car Detachment of the Petrograd Military Region. The flag says "Proletariat of all countries - Unite! 14th Auto - Armored Detachment, P.V.O." (Petrograd Voennoi Okrug) Notes: The Petrograd Military Region was established in Sep 1918 and it was also the first capital of the Soviet country.
	This is the back side of the above flag. It says "Armored cars are the true defense of the laborers, armored cars are the (awesome?) judge of injured labor. From the workers of the Engel's factory."
	Red Army "Destroy Wrangel!" Notes: Accepted on 20 Oct 1920 by V.K. Blucher. This flag was carried by the 51st rifle division and it was in the battle after this flag was accepted that Wrangel' himself was killed (and this flag was carried during the battle). (If not killed for real, killed in the press and no longer a threat to the Red cause). Side note: Wrangel' allegedly was not killed in battle, but went into exile following his defeat and died in Brussels in 1928. The Soviet propaganda machine was already working smoothly, eliminating folks, whether they died or not!
	Red Army "Forward - Defenders of Communism. The command of the armored train No. 56. COMMUNIST. Kanavinskiy Committee of the Peasant Workers Party (Bolsheviks)" Flag for Armored Train #56 - "Communist". Established in January 1918 in the town of Alatyr. It was a part of the 26th Zlatoust' Rifle Division on the line from Zlatoust to Samara. After this victory, it was sent to the 15th Rifle Division along with the 1st Horse Army on the Southern Front against Denikin in the region of Voronezh-Liski-Kupyansk-Svatovo. In January of 1920, the train was sent to the 12th Army to serve on the Western Front against the White Poles. This train was awarded the Revolutionary Red Banner for success against the Poles (Bourgois) on 10 Feb 1921.
	Red Army "To the II Moscow Infantry Course - from the Basman Regional Committee of the RKP". The 2nd Moscow Infantry Course - hand-delivered from the Basman Region Committee of the Peasant Worker Party (RKP).
	Red Army "For the faithful and for honor. 1922, 12 February. Volochaev. Flag for the 6th Order of the Red Banner Volochaev Rifle Division (formerly the 2nd Rifle Division). In Feb 1922 it received this title and banner.
	Red Army Front side. "Ivanov-Voznesensk Infantry Command Courses"
	Rear side. "Only Commanders from among the Worker - Peasants. Carry the Red Army to a conclusive victory". Flag for the 14th Ivanov-Voznesensk Infantry Course. 30 Apr 1918. The cadets took an active part in battles against Yudenich, active counter-insurgency in Yaroslavl, and the Kulak revolt in Tambovshchina. Notes: this flag sports the hammer and plough on the back and hammer and sickle on the front - a rare combination of the old and new symbols of the Soviets.
	Red Army Honored Revolutionary Red Banner for the 212th Infantry Regiment (of the 24th Rifles of the Samaro-Ul'yanov Iron Division). April 1918, formed in Zamosvorech'e in the Alexandrov Barracks from the 3rd Moscow Rifle Regiment and was sent to the Eastern front in June 1918, to the town of Inza. This regiment joined the ranks of the 1st Free Rifle Division (later became the 24th Rifles of the Samaro-Ul'yanov Iron Division). This Division took part in battles against Kolchak, the White Poles, and the Pelyurov Bands. Notes: note the hammer and plough within the star within the sun. On the back (below) you can see the sunrise symbol shining on the new Soviet order.
	Back side of the above flag (212th Inf Regt). "RSFSR. Proletariat of All Countries - Unite!" RSFSR stands for the Soviet Russian Federative Socialist Republic.
	Red Army This flag is for the Communist Detachment of the Children's Town (the city of Pushkin). 16 January 1919, this unit was formed for the defense of the Petrograd Communist Detachment of the Children's Town (Pushkin). It says "We, the Children's Town Communists go to war with Anglo-American Capitalism. Our motto: Death to the White Guard. Yes, welcome to the worldwide community of proletariat! Yes, welcome to the II Communist Imperium! 16 Jan 1919"
	Red Army Honored Revolutionary Red Banner of the VTsIK of the RSFSR for the Cavalry Brigade of the 45th Rifle Division. In the beginning, this brigade was formed from the bravest of the Cavalry Partisans, who were under the command of G.I. Kotovskiy. This cavalry started as a regiment, then became a brigade and finally a division all by itself. This unit took part in battles against the German occupation of the Ukraine, then in 1919-1920 fought against Denikin on the South-Western Front. The back side of this flag is the same as the one above for the 212th Rifle Regiment.
	Red Army "Proletariat of all Countries - Unite! The Red Army. From the Delegates of the 3rd International." Carried by the Red Army Delegates during the 1st Congress of the 3rd Communist International, March 1919.
	Red Army Front Side: "Red Army. The Liberation of Mankind's Labor. 159th Rifle Regiment - Political Detachment of the 6th Army." Carried by the 159th Rifle Regiment's Political Detachment of the 18th Rifle Division. This regiment fought on the Northern Front against Shenkurskiy (the Anglo-American Detachment in January 1919). The banner was handed to the attackers of Arkhangelsk in 1919. The soldiers in this unit fought well and the unit received, on 8 October 1919, the title of Honored Revolutionary Red Banner of the VTsIK RSFSR.
	Back Side: "Northern Eagles fulfill their duties for the Revolution! They will take Arkhangelsk! They will hoist the Red Banner of Labor in the snows of the far north!"
	Red Army "RSFSR - 20 June 1919. For the Liberation from White Oppression. To the Red the 9th Regiment. Thanks from the workers of the Kaiskiy Region." Flag for the 9th Rifle Regiment of the 29th Rifle Division. Regiment was formed in 1918 as part of the 29th Rifle Division, 3rd Army of the Eastern Front. In 1918, this regiment took part in battles against White-Czech's and the White Guard at the Ekaterinburg attack. In 1919-1920, took part in the liberation of Perm and the Kaiskiy Withdrawal. Jan-March 1920 - sent to the Western Front to fight in the area of Lepel'.
	Red Army "For showing manliness in the business of the Liberation of the Georgian Proletariat. To the 93rd Artillery Division from Tuapsa, 1 May 1921." 93rd Arty Division of the 34th Rifle Division. This Division was part of the 9th Army (April 1920 - May 1921). It took part in the destruction of Denikin's forces in the Northern Caucasus and later in the Transcaucasus.
	Red Army Flag for Armored Train #10 - Rosa Luxembourg. "Great labor From June 1918, this train fought on the Eastern Front against the White Czechs (no pictures of the train) and bands of Kolchaks. 16 January 1919 in the railroad club after the death of the German Proletariats Karl Libknekht and Rosa Luxembourg, it was decided to name this train Rosa Luxembourg. At the end of January 1919, the staff of this armored train type "A" renamed itself to "Armored Train #10 in the name of Rosa Luxembourg". This train took part in battles on the Volgo-Bugul'minskiy Railroad. In October 1919, the train fought on the Turkestan front, on the Trans-Caspians, and in Fergan.
	White Army: 9th Don Cossack Regiment. Colors are a black & red. This picture is from the Russian WWI museum in Moscow.
	White Army: 1st Labinskiy Cossack Regiment. Colors are, I believe red and black. The red has faded to an ecru. This picture is from the Russian WWI museum in Moscow.

That's it for now. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me at gauntlet2@hotmail.com. However, I've listed above pretty much all the information I have about these flags in particular.