https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/the-fight-for-petrograd-0zs8rgjsk
Last weekend reports reached Petrograd that M Kerensky had collected an army and captured Tsarskoe Selo, and that Cossacks had advanced within five miles of the city. It was generally believed that the star of the Bolshevists was on the wane and that the forces of the Provisional Government would soon appear in the streets. The friends of the former regime took heart, and on Sunday the Military Cadets made bold to reoccupy the Hotel Astoria and to assume the protection of the girls in the Central Telephone Station. Both places were soon attacked with machine-guns by the “Red Guard”. The lads defended themselves bravely, but were compelled to yield. The Astoria was recaptured by a storming party of blue-jackets. The Bolshevists then attacked the Military Schools, which surrendered after a spirited defence, and the boys were taken to the Fortress of St Peter and St Paul. The rattle of machine-guns continued throughout the day, but by 6pm all was quiet. I was accidentally present at one of these engagements, when my cabman, seized with panic, insisted on being paid off and abandoned me. Fortunately I found a guide who conducted me to the British Embassy. The Military Cadets everywhere were hunted down and murdered. Most of the victims had taken no part in the fighting. ln one of the canals 11 bodies of these unfortunate lads were found together. The killed and wounded on both sides during the day probably numbered 300.
november 20, 1917
The fight for Petrograd
The comparative ease with which the Bolshevist party accomplished the downfall of the Provisional Government was mainly due to the passive attitude of the troops of the garrison. The precipitate flight of M Kerensky at the first signal of danger told its own tale, and the last stand on behalf of his Government was made by a force of women and boys — cadets of the Military School garrisoned in the Winter Palace.Last weekend reports reached Petrograd that M Kerensky had collected an army and captured Tsarskoe Selo, and that Cossacks had advanced within five miles of the city. It was generally believed that the star of the Bolshevists was on the wane and that the forces of the Provisional Government would soon appear in the streets. The friends of the former regime took heart, and on Sunday the Military Cadets made bold to reoccupy the Hotel Astoria and to assume the protection of the girls in the Central Telephone Station. Both places were soon attacked with machine-guns by the “Red Guard”. The lads defended themselves bravely, but were compelled to yield. The Astoria was recaptured by a storming party of blue-jackets. The Bolshevists then attacked the Military Schools, which surrendered after a spirited defence, and the boys were taken to the Fortress of St Peter and St Paul. The rattle of machine-guns continued throughout the day, but by 6pm all was quiet. I was accidentally present at one of these engagements, when my cabman, seized with panic, insisted on being paid off and abandoned me. Fortunately I found a guide who conducted me to the British Embassy. The Military Cadets everywhere were hunted down and murdered. Most of the victims had taken no part in the fighting. ln one of the canals 11 bodies of these unfortunate lads were found together. The killed and wounded on both sides during the day probably numbered 300.
Since Sunday the city has been tranquil and no further attempt was made to dispute the authority of the Bolshevists, whose position, however, was still extremely precarious, in view of the refusal of all the other Socialist parties to cooperate with them, and of the widespread indignation aroused by Sunday’s events both in the Army and among the civil population.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-11-18/register/bitter-fighting-in-moscow-3phz86lf6
At the beginning the Extremists were in possession of the Kremlin, from which they were driven out by the Military Cadets after a considerable fight. The Extremist forces then laid siege, bringing up three 5in guns. The first place they attacked was the Hotel Metropole, where the guests, among whom were a number of foreigners, were cooped up in a single large room. They were rescued at the instance of the foreign Consuls without casualties. The theatre square was covered by scientifically constructed trenches. The attack on the Kremlin was then intensified. Heavy guns were discharged at its ancient walls at point-blank range. The walls were breached and the buildings within set on fire by the bursting shells. Art treasures from the Hermitage Palace, sent from Petrograd for safety in Moscow, are reported to have been destroyed. The Church of Vasili Bazhenov, in the Red Plain, was slightly damaged; likewise the Cathedral of the Assumption.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-11-18/register/bitter-fighting-in-moscow-3phz86lf6
november 18, 1917
Bitter fighting in Moscow
A trustworthy report from Moscow gives a terrible picture of events there. The Military Revolutionary Committee organized an uprising and the Committee of Public Safety defended the city. The former were supported by the bulk of the garrison and the Red Guard, and the latter by the Military Cadets and the White Guard, consisting of students and older schoolboys.At the beginning the Extremists were in possession of the Kremlin, from which they were driven out by the Military Cadets after a considerable fight. The Extremist forces then laid siege, bringing up three 5in guns. The first place they attacked was the Hotel Metropole, where the guests, among whom were a number of foreigners, were cooped up in a single large room. They were rescued at the instance of the foreign Consuls without casualties. The theatre square was covered by scientifically constructed trenches. The attack on the Kremlin was then intensified. Heavy guns were discharged at its ancient walls at point-blank range. The walls were breached and the buildings within set on fire by the bursting shells. Art treasures from the Hermitage Palace, sent from Petrograd for safety in Moscow, are reported to have been destroyed. The Church of Vasili Bazhenov, in the Red Plain, was slightly damaged; likewise the Cathedral of the Assumption.
Fighting continued uninterrupted for five or six days. Finally, after losses computed at between 8,000 and 10,000, an armistice was arranged and prisoners on both sides released. Such authority as was left was handed over to the Military Revolutionary Committee. Thus both capitals pass into the lands of the new Government of the People’s Commissaries. At present the Lenin-Trotsky combination is all-powerful. The Extremists feel themselves firmly seated in the saddle, and they intend to ride the horse to the finish.
Petrograd is quiet, though there is growing anxiety for the future. Tomorrow the food ration will be reduced to ¾lb for every two days. Thus it is hoped to avert famine for 12 days. The People’s Commissaries are trying to force officials at the Ministries to work under pain of being sent to the front, cancellation of bread cards, and so forth. None of the bourgeois papers has appeared since the new revolution.
Petrograd is quiet, though there is growing anxiety for the future. Tomorrow the food ration will be reduced to ¾lb for every two days. Thus it is hoped to avert famine for 12 days. The People’s Commissaries are trying to force officials at the Ministries to work under pain of being sent to the front, cancellation of bread cards, and so forth. None of the bourgeois papers has appeared since the new revolution.
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