That time we battled Russia in the snow
There are two things we can be certain of this winter; northern states are enduring blizzard-like conditions and there is once again serious tension between the US and Russia. Which is why we were fascinated to learn that many winters ago, America actually invaded Russia, and soldiers from Michigan known as "The Polar Bears" fought bloody battles against Russian forces in the snow.
We recently sat down with author James Carl Nelson to discuss his latest book, "The Polar Bear Expedition: The Heroes of America's Forgotten Invasion of Russia 1918-1919". In this podcast, Nelson paints a vivid picture of how these soldiers squared off against a larger and better equipped Red Army, endured deadly conditions and why this little known part of the war reveals a lot about modern Russian attitudes towards The United States.
The image gallery above features some amazing US Army Archive photographs taken during this period. The photo descriptions are below:
1. "When America invaded Russia" The podcast title illustration featuring a US Army Signal Corps photo from 1919, taken near the Vologda Railway.
2. March 7, 1919- Reindeer teams were used by soldiers from the 339th Infantry, 85th Division, and in the background is one of the churches near their post in Archangel, Russia.
3. April 5, 1919- US Army Capt. Joel Moore, 339th Infantry, 85th Division, Company M, displaying a sword which formerly belonged to a Battalion Commander of the 6th Saratov Regiment, who was killed during an engagement between Bolshevik forces and Company M near Bolshie Ozerka.
4. April 8, 1919- Bolshie Ozerka Front, Russia. Tents of US Army, 310th Engineers, 85th Division, Company C, pitched among forest trees at the side of the road at Verst 18, Bolshie Ozerka Front.
5. Winter 1919- US Army 339th Infantry after resting for an hour, following a 17-hour march through the woods and swamps, set out for the front again. They are seen in this picture along the main railroad line.
6. Feb. 17, 1919- Vologda Railway Front, Russia. Blockhouse at Verst 455 surrounded by the forest, white with a new covering of snow. This picture was taken on one of the coldest days of the year when the temperature reached a point of fifty degrees below zero.
7. The cover of James Carl Nelson's latest book, "The Polar Bear Expedition: The Heroes of America's Forgotten Invasion of Russia".
