Unique photographic cadets of the detachment of ataman Semenov (OMO) I. Belovskogo and his brothers

The archive consists of 19 photographs and one business card, and can serve as a ground for very interesting historical study. In modern literature it is considered that the name "Prelovsky" of Polish origin. It has been suggested that his race numerous Prelovskiy living in Eastern Siberia and the Russian North, could lead from the exiled Polish nobles. The us version seems to be incorrect, as under Emperor Paul I in the lists of the Selenga garrison battalion had ofier with that name. In this archive there are photos of three brothers: Vasily Ivanovich (he is the owner of a business card), Ivan Ivanovich and Pyotr Ivanovich.

All three brothers are at a family photo taken, apparently, in the late 1900s or early 1910s, About the degree of relationship depicted we can only guess; a character with a beard, anthropologically similar to the three young men, can be their senior, the fourth son – for the father or uncle he's too young. His appearance (long hair and beard) can talk about his chosen spiritual career. An indirect confirmation of this are two identical photos of an elderly man with long hair and graying beard, dressed in either a blouse or priestly robe (cassock), photographed, apparently, in the 1930s the same the old photograph. Under our assumption, is the father of brothers Prelovsky, perhaps, a priest. It is also possible that the beard and suit (if it's a blouse) can be a sign of fascination with tolstoyism, very in those years, popular among the provincial intelligentsia. Unfortunately, definitive conclusions to do here is impossible, since the vague type of costume, and pectoral crosses clergy in the home were not. Besides, it could be deacon, to which the pectoral cross was not supposed to. In the picture also there is a girl with the same facial features. Its kinship with the brothers is included in the archive photo taken in Irkutsk Atelier Gustave Ann July 14, 1925, on the back of which is signed: "For good memory kristne as a sign of the delicate position from a loving goddaughter and sisters. Goncharova Prelovskaya". Facial features Goncharova, nee Prelovsky, it's easy to see the girl standing in the group family photo, second from the right. Moreover, this same photo is present itself "Cresta", youthful beautiful woman with a very recognizable piercing gaze (third from right). Her photo in the archive is present in a single version; made it, judging by the costume and the headdress, in the same Studio and at about the same time (maybe same day). Under our assumption, it was brought up Prelovsky children left without parents. It is possible that she was their legal guardian. On her role in the family indirectly indicates its place in the picture is actually in the center. What is the relationship to the second depicts a middle-aged women (left), is unclear. In accordance with the practice of the time, it is likely a distant relative, and perhaps also one of the guardians. More photos from this archive it is not found anywhere else. Very interesting also are some pictures of the brothers Prelovsky in uniform. The senior, Vasily Ivanovich, can be identified by the characteristic moustache and beard. Two photos (one of them signed), he is depicted in the form of a warrant officer of the 1st Siberian infantry regiment. This photo was taken after February, 1917, before the February revolution this regiment wore the patronage of Emperor Nicholas II, was called "1-m Siberian small of His Majesty", and has been lettered not-digital, and veselava the cipher "N II". Ensign W. I. Prelovsky in military fashion, dressed in fatigues with large horn buttons. On the chest – established in 1915 the sign of the Irkutsk military school, a crash course which (according to order) graduated from our hero. The archive also includes the same full-body photo, which is visible to the checker with a knot omeopatiche sample. Its presence suggests that Basil Pelowski graduated from College no later than the spring of 1917, as early as the summer of the graduates of military schools began to supply daggers instead of sabers. Both pictures are clearly dated to the end of school and sent to the front. The second brother, Peter Pelowski, he studied in the same school. The archives contain both the signed photo in the form of Juncker, uvolnitelnuyu a badge issued from the side of an overcoat.

Most, however, an interesting the this archive, which represents the highest historical value, photos Juncker, awarded the George cross Special Manchurian detachment of ataman G. M. Semenova. Without a doubt, this is a Juncker – on the perimeter of the ring to present distinctive trim of military braid. Whether on the field of the ring one of the images, set will not succeed because of damage to the emulsion. Perhaps it arose from-for careless storage, but you can't take it intentional. George cross Special Manchurian detachment of ataman G. M. Semenova is clearly visible in the photo, and it can be identified not only by the characteristic shape of the sign (flattened, with wide trimming), but also enhanced the image of St. George and images on the rays on the top of the sun and the other three which is an abbreviation of "OMO" (Special Manchurian Detachment").

Special Manchurian detachment (lad) of the chieftain was formed by captain G. M. Semenov in December 1917 at station Manchuria Chinese Eastern railway. The basis for the detachment was formed during the Interim government on the Directive of the headquarters of Irkutsk military district of the Mongol-Buryat cavalry regiment, which before the October revolution was never over. At the end of December in the ranks of the regiment joined a significant number of demobilized Transbaikalian Cossacks, by which its population in January 1918, reached 556 people. 10 Jan G. M. Semenov signed a decree on the formation of additional Hiking Semenovsky regiment (base – 300 Serbian volunteers, Colonel Dragovic) and artillery battery 2 gun squad. Thus was formed a squad called the Special Manchurian the place of reason. By the summer of 1918 OMO were part of an infantry brigade (1-y Semyonov and 2nd regiments of the Manchu dvuhsotletnego composition with machine-gun teams of eight guns), cavalry brigade (1th Mongol-Buryat and 2nd Daur shelves chetyrehjadernogo composition with machine-gun teams of six guns), two officers of the company, two Serbian company, later consolidated in the equestrian division. The total number of the detachment, according to incomplete data, was not less than 4 thousand people. Artillery OMO consisted of no less than 14 guns, two of which are heavy. The squad had four armored trains, equipped mechanical workshops in the Harbin Chinese Eastern railway, one armored car and 15 trucks, which if necessary could be mounted machine guns and light guns. The auxiliary units consisted of one engineer company and the Korean workers company. During 1918 – 1919 squad with varying success, was fighting with the red army and the guerrillas. 24 Dec 1919 Supreme ruler of Russia Admiral A. V. Kolchak acknowledged for the G. M. Semenov the rank of major General, promoted him to Lieutenant General and appointed commander of the troops of three military districts, TRANS-Baikal, Amur and Irkutsk on the rights of the commander in chief of the armies. On 4 January 1920 Kolchak gave G. M. Semenov all power "on the territory of the Russian Eastern Borderlands" (Eastern Siberia, the Amur region and Primorye). In fact, the power Semenova on some of these areas lasted until October 1920, when the remnants of his parts, after a fierce battle withdrew to Manchuria. Most experts agree in the assessment of the activities of the detachments of Semenov as a Cossack freemen, not enough considered with any laws and widely practiced looting and shootings, including the civilian population. However, in the ranks of his troops was always a lot of idealists, who fought with the Soviet authorities.

About the award system OMO know quite a few, and scarce information is abundantly diluted with rumors and speculation, distributed with the 1990s, mainly some collectors awards. However, the existence of St. George OMO there is reliable information. The type was first described in the journal of the Russian emigration "Military true story" back in the 1960s For obvious reasons after 1920 who served in the unit of G. M. Semenov, and their descendants, by all means tried to hide this fact and destroy all evidence. Thanks to this award winning award winning OMO no local collections or on sale almost never occur. In this photo, we believe, depicts the youngest of the brothers Prelovsky – Ivan. He because of their age could not manage to finish the Irkutsk military school and to be in the squad G. M. Semenov the rank of cadets. It is also possible that he studied at the military school, founded by order of G. M. Semenov in Chita and existed in 1918 – 1919 Indirect confirmation of the update is the dark color of the shoulder straps to the cadets in the photo (a dark cloth is clearly visible from under the lace), while the Irkutsk military school was rated straps white. It can also serve as an argument in favor of intentional damage image so that it was impossible to prove the fact supplies it to the Chita school. Or at the end of the Civil war, either in the first years of peace I. I. Prelovsky emigrated from Russia. He is buried in the United States; as part of the archive is a colorful, postcard format photos of his grave.

Realizing its responsibility before history, we decided not to break up the family archive to pieces, as it is the totality of these documents with a common provenance, may allow current or future generations of researchers to make a number of discoveries that can, quite possibly, to produce a real revolution in the study of the Civil war. Sale of the archive in parts that are now rare, such a possibility would have destroyed almost completely. The guarantee of authenticity. Rarity.

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