First Special Brigade, 1916-Transit

Discussions on all aspects of the First World War not covered in the other sections. Hosted by Terry Duncan.
Post Reply
jerryasher
Member
Posts: 395
Joined: 27 Jul 2018, 23:31
Location: California, USA

First Special Brigade, 1916-Transit

#1

Post by jerryasher » 02 Feb 2019, 20:00

I have the First Special Brigade departing Colombo on the 19th of March, 1916. Does anyone know the date of arrival or departure from Djinbuti or Port Said. the convoy ( at least two ships )arrive Marseilles April 20th, 1916. Many thanks in advance.

James A Pratt III
Member
Posts: 897
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 01:08
Location: Texas

Re: First Special Brigade, 1916-Transit

#2

Post by James A Pratt III » 05 Feb 2019, 06:59

If this is the unit of the Russian Army sent to France the book "With Snow on there Boots" should have it


jerryasher
Member
Posts: 395
Joined: 27 Jul 2018, 23:31
Location: California, USA

Re: First Special Brigade, 1916-Transit

#3

Post by jerryasher » 05 Feb 2019, 21:08

Thank You Mr. Pratt; Found the book you mentioned in WorldCat.org and will be ordering through our public library as an inter-library loan.

User avatar
jwsleser
Member
Posts: 1363
Joined: 13 Jun 2005, 15:02
Location: Leavenworth, KS
Contact:

Re: First Special Brigade, 1916-Transit

#4

Post by jwsleser » 06 Feb 2019, 21:17

With Snow on their Boots will not answer your question. The movement of the first contingent of Russian troops (~9.000 men) is covered on pp. 35-36. Embarkation was to start on 29 February 1916 in Dalny. The sailing dates were:

29 Feb - Latouche-Tréville (1.600 men)
2 March - Himalaya (2.500 men)
12 March - Sontay (2.400 men)
Not given - Tambor (1.550 men split between her and Yaroslav)
Not given - Yaroslav (1.550 men split between her and Tambor)
Not given - Atlantic (622 men split between her and Amazon)
Not given - Amazon (622 men split between her and Atlantic)

March 18 was the last sailing. The sailing order above appears to be correct. Chapter 2 fn 19 states that even the French records don't agree on sailing dates and numbers. Not all the ships sailed together.

Latouche-Tréville and Himalaya stopped in Port Said "shortly after 1 April'. There were stops in Hong Kong, Singapore, Djibouti and/or Aden.

I feel the best place to find your answer will be convoy/sailing records for French shipping. There is a very expensive French history on the special brigades that might have this detail.

Also note that only this part of the 1st Special Brigade sailed using this route. All the remaining Russian forces left from Archangel to Brest (including the 2nd and 4th Special Brigades for Salonica).
Jeff Leser

Infantrymen of the Air

jerryasher
Member
Posts: 395
Joined: 27 Jul 2018, 23:31
Location: California, USA

Re: First Special Brigade, 1916-Transit

#5

Post by jerryasher » 09 Feb 2019, 10:47

Thank you jwsleser: You confirmed the first three. Don't know about Tambor or Yaroslav will research. Atlantique and Amazone are French ships that would remain on the Marseilles to East Asia run for years. Might be able to narrow the window of sailing even a bit more. Again many thanks.

Post Reply

Return to “First World War”