Activities of General of the Infantry M.V. Alekseyev during His Office as Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the North-Western Front in June - July 1915
The article based on archival documents and sources of personal provenance, reviews the particularities of activities of M.V Alekseyev during his office as Commander in Chief of the armies of the North-Western front in June-July 1915. In pre-revolutionary, Soviet and white émigré historiography there is a lack of substantial academic studies dedicated to the activities of this prominent military leader. Interest of national historians in M.V Alekseev’s figure has peaked after the dissolution of ideological prohibitions. Researchers seek to revive the memory of the “forgotten war” and its “forgotten heroes”. Existing historiography and archival documents highlight some facts of M.V Alekseev’s biography and service and trace his career. On the other hand, fragmented and superficial scholarship on the most important stage of his life leaves a good scope of work for researchers. The source basis for the article is comprised of archival documents from two archives: the Russian State Military History Archive (RGVIA) and the department of manuscripts of the Russian State Library (NIOR RGB). RGVIA fond no. 55 “Alekseyev M.V” contains telegrams from the senior ranks in the General Headquarters and commanders of different levels, operational materials (information on ammunition, direct line conversations, operational situation reports), documents that characterize strategic and operational situation at the front. The department of manuscripts of the RSL fond no. 855 “Alekseyevy-Borel’, Alekseyev Mikhail Vasilyevich” stores the so-called “Argentinean archive”. The most valuable sources in the fond are M.V Alekseyev’s letters from the front addressed to his wife and son that bypassed censorship. They provide insight into M.V Alekseyev’s opinion on strategic situation in the lines, failures that plagued the Russian troops, problems that arose with the quickly deteriorating situation, sources of various problems; on his attitude towards soldiers, officers and commanders, as well as the enemy. In the letters to his loved ones Alekseev shared his inmost thoughts, judged himself and his actions in the line of duty. These letters allow understand the character of military leader, his worldview, psychological qualities, and study the actions of him who bore responsibility for the lives of millions and for the future of the nation in one of the most difficult and tragic periods of his own life. Seeing as Mikhail Vasilyevich left no memoirs, his letters are military leader’s most precise and informative documentary heritage.