Re: New Nicholas & Alexandra Video - Mini Series? Part II

[edubs31]

June, 1917 - Alexander Palace

The next scene begins with Nicholas taking tea alone with Alexandra in the drawing room one afternoon. The ex-Tsar tosses a newspaper onto the table in front of him in disgust...

Nicholas: Rubbish!
Alexandra: What is?
Nicholas: The war, the revolution, everything. How is it that every great accomplishment is met with an equally crushing setback?
Alexandra: The advance?
Nicholas: It's been repelled. All we've done is traded lives. Some of theirs for some of ours. No ground has been taken.
Alexandra: Alas, the fighting remains where it has been. A stalemate.
Nicholas: And for all the effort Kerensky has put in. Sometimes I feel like if he and I were working together, traveling about the country and haranguing soldiers, that we could accomplish great things. But there he is, alone, and here I am.
Alexandra (reaching across and taking his hand): You have us my darling.
Nicholas (after a pause): The children will be greatly disappointed.
Alexandra: They've learned to live with disappointment. They aren't little girls anymore, and Alexei is quickly becoming a man.
Nicholas (tears filling his eyes): Its now how it was supposed to be. God. I've never shied away from a fight. But all I can think about is getting away from here.
Alexandra: Livadia?
Nicholas: If wishing made it so.
Alexandra: God will keep us together and keep us safe, no matter where we are sent.

The scene cuts away and shifts to the bedroom of Olga and Tatiana. They sit at a pair of dressers with their backs turned to one another, trying on perfumes and brushing their hair...

Olga: Papa seems miserable these past few days.
Tatiana: Yes I know, it's awful. For once Mama seems like the cheerful one.
Olga: It breaks my heart. Thanksgiving was so lovely. He looked the happiest he's been in many months.
Tatiana: I just can not understand how things change so quickly. One day we are told of Kerensky's advance, and how well it is going, and then the next it's the German's with the upper hand.
Olga: It's war Tanya. It can all change that quickly.
Tatiana: It's madness...Have you spoken to Papa about it?
Olga: No not yet. I'm afraid to ask given the mood he's in. Besides I don't want look to sad in front of him and Mama.
Tatiana: Yes, I don't either.
Olga: Have you been speaking with Mama?
Tatiana: A little. She has been looking more kindly on Kerensky of late.
Olga (surprised): Kerensky?
Tatiana: Yes, she admires his bravery and his consistency. She does not like that he's a socialist, of course, but she tells me he is a good man with the courage of his convictions. That for better or worse he has always been a socialist, and that he does not change his views to meet the fashion of the moment.
Olga: The newspapers said he's been ill recently. A lot of touring around Russia and reviewing troops at the front. He must be exhausting himself.
Tatiana: Yes Mama mentioned that too. Says she hopes the poor man will not break down before he puts things right for Russia. She pities him and wishes there was something as nurses we could do.
Olga (after a pause and brushing her hair): Well, I'd leave the Minister's care to you and Mama. I think a desk job suits me better this time.
Tatiana (chuckling): Oh Olenka.
Olga (amused): Ah! Dammit, again!
Tatiana (alarmed and moving over next to her sister): What is it?
Olga: Look, more clumps of hair. It keeps falling out little by little.
Tatiana: Mine too. You must brush it gently.
Olga: Will there be anything left in a few weeks?
Tatiana: I don't know. Doctor Botkin said it's from the measles, or perhaps the antibiotics they gave us. He said we probably wouldn't lose all of it, but we will have to cover the patches until it has had time to grow back.
Olga: It looks awful. I'd just assume shave my head and wear a wig until it all grows back at once.
Tatiana: Now there's a thought.
Olga: What? Shave our heads?
Tatiana: Well, I had to, remember?
Olga (middy amused): Yes, and I remember you despising every minute of it.
Tatiana: It takes some getting used to. I might not even bother with the wig this time.
Olga: Bald? You'll look like the cue ball on Papa's billiards table.
Tatiana (suppressing her laughter): Only when we're together maybe. Walking outside or in the presence of others we could wrap scarves around our heads. It might even look quite fashionable.
Olga: Well I guess you might be onto something. It can't look any worse than bald patches and falling clumps of hair.
Tatiana: No.
Olga (excitedly): Lets go see what Marie and Nastya think!
Tatiana (taking her sister the hand): They'll think we're crazy.
Olga: They already do.
Tatiana (amused): Alright. Lets go see what they're up to.
 
The scene shifts inside the bedroom of Marie and Anastasia. Each of the sisters are shown gathered around each other. Anastasia seated in the ledge of a nearby window sill, Tatiana leaning against a wall, and Marie and Olga both seated in chairs. Things pick up in mid conversation...

[edubs31]

Marie: I never thought of what it would be like to lose my hair.
Olga: It won't be lost forever dear. It needs some time to grow back healthy is all. Think of it like Papa's garden. We clear the grounds and dig up a fresh plot of land and then plant seeds. After a few weeks those seeds bloom and grow into plants.
Marie (smiling): Like our hair.
Olga: And who knows. Perhaps it will grow back even prettier than before!
Anastasia (sarcastically): I see. When our hair grows back we can then pick it like the plants in the garden and feed it to the Governess!
Tatiana (slapping Anastasia on the leg while Marie giggles and Olga rolls her eyes): Oh shut up Shyvz!
Olga: Yes, Nastya, be kind. You know Tanya is the only one who knows what we're all going through now.
Anastasia (hopping down from the ledge): Well I don't like this at all. I'm sixteen now. That means I finally get to wear my hair up like the rest of you, and now this?! It isn't fair!
Tatiana: I was sixteen four years ago when I got the Typhoid. How do you think I felt?
Anastasia: Yes I remember. And I also remember you hated it. Having to wear that dreadful wig all through the Tercentenary tour. It looked like an ugly bird's nest on your head.
Tatiana: Nastya I swear I will smack you!
Marie: Girls, please!
Olga: Yes, come now.

Just as temperatures in the room begin to rise Alexei cracks open the door to their bedroom and enters...

Tatiana: Alexei?
Alexei (cheerfully): Hello!
Olga: We're you listen to us the whole time?
Alexei: Not the whole time.
Tatiana (disgusted): Ugh. What is it with the younger ones in this family?
Marie: How are you feeling today Alexei?
Alexei (pulling up a chair next to his sisters): Fine thank you! I hear you're all having a little problem. Thought I could help.
Olga (amused): Well I thank you darling but I'm not sure what you can do. This is sort of a girl's issue, hmm?
Alexei: That's not true. Clumps of my hair have been falling out too.
Anastasia: You're a boy Alexei, it's not the same. Boys already have short hair. Some men have no hair at all. It's different for a lady.
Olga: She's right darling.
Alexei: I heard your plan and I want in on it too!
Tatiana: Plan? What plan?
Alexei: You're going to shave your heads. I think it's a great idea!
Marie (amused): Why do you think that?
Alexei (springing up from his chair and pacing around his sisters): Well if your hair keeps falling out it will look ridiculous to keep it like it is now. You'll look like old maids except not with grey hair.
Anastasia: Oh Alexei quiet yourself.
Olga: No, let him speak.
Alexei: Nastya do you remember when you wrote me and Papa at the Front last year? You said you would cut off your hair and dress in soldier's uniform if it meant you could come with us.
Anastasia (folding her arms): I was just jealous is all.
Alexei: But I also just heard you say it's worse for you to go without hair now than it was for Tanya at the Tercentenary.
Anastasia: Yes, so?
Alexei: Well I don't think that's true. Look at us then and look at us now. Tanya had to been seen by all the Russia people and we all got many photographs taken. She had to wear that wig. But now here we are, stuck inside the palace. No one is looking at us or taking our pictures. The only people we have to impress are ourselves...I for one love all of you. You're all beautiful to me, hair or no hair.

The sisters collectively thank Alexei and look around at each other with moist eyes, moved by their brother's kind words...

Marie: Alexei is right.
Olga (taking her brother by the hand): You're such a wise young man. When did you get so smart?
Alexei: Umm, a few weeks ago I think.
Tatiana (smiling): We'll go through it together like everything else we do.
Alexei: And I'm going to shave my head too. I want to look just like you!
Marie: You don't have to do that Alexei, it's alright.
Alexei: No I want to. Like Tanya said, if we're going to do something we're going to do it together. That means all of us.
Olga (smiling and extending her arms): Come here you!

Alexei rushes over to his sister and embraces her with a warm hug as the other three girls gather round. The scene shifts to another afternoon. The four Grand Duchesses are shown strolling along in the park together with their brother. Passing them by are several soldiers. Most of them politely smile and tip their hats but one pair snickers, apparently amused by the scarves the daughters of the ex-Tsar are forced to wear to cover their bald scalps. Anastasia notices their reaction and speaks up...

Anastasia: They laugh at us for having to wear these things. I'd like to sock each of them in the mouth.
Tatiana: Nastya! Behave yourself and act like a lady. Besides, most of the men are being polite.
Olga: Well if they think we're embarrassed they're in for a real shock.
Marie: Now?
Olga (smiling): Now.
Tatiana (as her brother fiddles with his camera): Alexei, it's time. Take the camera and go run ahead.
Alexei (excitedly): Alright!

The Tsarevich moves several feet in front of his sisters, lined up in a row. He aims his camera in their direction as the soldiers look on..."Are you ready girls?" Olga asks. Her sisters nod affirmatively and start to giggle as Alexei calls out "three, two, one, smile!" Given the go ahead the sisters tear the scarves off their bald heads, smile and pose as their brother snaps the picture. The film camera pans around the grounds showing the surprised looks and laughter of many of the surrounding guards and members of the imperial household, including the seated Empress with Sophie Buxhoeveden and Nicholas standing and chatting with a pair of soldiers, Count Benckendorff, Prince Dolgoruky and Pierre Gilliard. Focusing back on the daughters and Alexei for one last clip the siblings are shown gathered round and enjoying a light moment of laughter. Alexei and Anastasia rub each other's bald scalps as Olga places her arms around her sisters Tatiana and Marie. The scene fades slowly and cuts away.

[Rodney_G.]

Several appealing scenes there about the children shaving their heads. Not much appears in the memoir literature, nor even the IF diaries, about the girls' and Alexei's feelings about going 'bald'. But there are many photos of them posed seemingly quite at ease with their  unusual appearance, including several  in which they stand  with young male soldier/guards. And looking quite happy . I believe that, after the initial decision to cut their patchy hair, they became quite confident in their looks, which were good genetically to begin with , and which still came across in their faces.

But then again  I'm not unbiased.

In any case, fairly realistic and , cinematically moving.

[JamesAPrattIII]

Eb I have some errata:
1239 Admiral Rostosov I have never heard of him
1242: brusilov would be addressed as Mr general not general to use the correct new Order No1 form of address before it would have been Your excellency
1243; The Kerensky offensive mainly hit Austrian troops who collapsed and either fled or surrendered. There were NO German tanks in service at this time
1245: I don't no if antibiotics or the term were in use at this time best use the term drugs or medicines.
1246: I think Gilliard mentions him taking a picture of OTMA when they all took their headscarfs off and he took a picture of them bald.

Back to Petrograd April 1917 some Bolos are discussing Lenin's April Thesis:
Bolo 1: Did you hear Lenins speech. He publicly declared war on the provisional Government!
Bolo 2: Yes, he either must be totally out of touch with reality or insane!
Bolo1: Even Pravda has refused to print it do to a "breakdown" in its printing plant. Crowds are even demanding he be arrested.
Bolo 3: Comrades, Lenin realizes the radical and liberal intelgencia are either to stupid or too afraid to rule Russia even if they were put in power. He also knows that the Provisional Government is badly divided and cannot really take action against him. There are also large mobs of armed men in and around Petrograd we can use.
Bolo 2: and how can we do that?
Bolo 3: With these! (opens a bag and hands him a roll of ruble notes) and there is more to come
Bolo 1: Wow! That should do nicely. Where did you get them?
Bolo 3: I really can't say. Let's just say Citizen lenin has friends with plenty of money to spare
Bolo 1: This money will also be usefull in funding our propaganda campaign against the Provisional government blaming them for everything that goes wrong.
(scene fades)

(Scene german agent Steinwachs in Stockholm is writng to his superiors:)
"Lenin's entry into to Russia successful. working exactly as we wished."
(scene shift to german foreign ministry in Berlin A german official reads this note and smiles)
(scene fades)

[JamesAPrattIII]

Scene Petrograd 20 April 1917 OS a Bolo leader is siting in a room doing paperwork when he hears a noise and goes to a window and sees a column of soldiers and civilians marching down a distant street. There is a knock at the door and a man enters somewhat breathless from running>
Bolo leader: What is it?
Man who just entered: Sorry to disturb you citizen but a protest has broken out against the government because of Foreign minister Miliukov's note to the Allies that Russia will fight on to victory but also has some ambiguous language about "annexations and contributions" that has almost everyone on the left furious.
Bolo leader: We must get word of this to Lenin and get our own people into the streets and take advantage of this trouble.
(scene fades)

(Scene the next day 21 April 1917)
Soldiers and workers parading down the streets with banners saying "Down with the Provisional government" they meet up with another group of protester carrying banners saying "Long Live the Provisional government" both groups clash a few shots are fired the crowds disperse in all directions leaving a few wounded and dead behind. Scene ends

Note this is what is called the April revolution Lenin's first attempted power grab)

[edubs31]

Rodney. Nice thoughts, thank you. And of course I agree!

James in response to some of your errata. Thank you for some clarification on the Austrian vs German confusion regarding Kerensky's offensive. Was there something major launched against the Germans around this time too? A spring/summer offensive aimed at pushing the Germans back and a retaking of lost territory in the Eastern Front? I feel like I might be mixing up or blending together two sources.

I believe's Sophie B's memoirs mentions Alexandra's approval of an Admiral Rostosov. Here is the source...posted on the APTM no less; http://www.alexanderpalace.org/alexandra/XXIX.html

I'll eliminate the German tanks. I popped that in there without giving it much thought. An unwise assumption on my behalf. Thanks for the minor edit on the proper way to address a general. I'm still struggling to on those proper post-revolution titles/addresses.

Far as Gilliard is concerned. I think you're right, he likely did snap the famous shot of the sisters removing their scarves and posing together. This might fall into the category of one of those acceptable uses of artistic license however. A good way to cap a semi-fictional bonding scene (that surely was similar to something that took place in reality) between the Grand Duchesses and their brother.

[rudy3]

Admiral Alexander Razvozov was commander of the Baltic Fleet 7(20) July - 5(18) December 1917

[edubs31]

Admiral Alexander Razvozov was commander of the Baltic Fleet 7(20) July - 5(18) December 1917

Thanks for the confirmation Rudy!

James, one other small item. When did the term "Bolos" first come into use? It was my understanding that it was a derogatory term adopted, initially, by the British and really didn't come into use until 1919/20. Well after the scenes you've created using the term.

[edubs31]

June, 1917 - Winter Palace, Petrograd

Refocusing our attention on the inner working of the Provisional Government, the next scene begins with Pavel Miliukov and Prince Lvov walking down a main hallway inside the Winter Palace and engage in conversation. Various members of the Duma along with their aides nod to acknowledge the Prime Minister and his former-Minister as they pass...

Prince Lvov: Kerensky is at full throttle. I'm not certain how he manages to stand up half the time.
Pavel Miliukov: You should really try to reel him in. He's a man of questionable judgement even when rested and healthy. When he is neither of those things we all stand to pay the price.
Prince Lvov: He's ready to take over for me.
Pavel Miliukov: The role of Prime Minister?
Prince Lvov: Yes, it's inevitable. I cannot blame him of course, or those who wish to see him at this post. My days in power are clearly numbered. He is the only an who can generate the necessary support and enthusiasm from both our base and our tentative allies in government.
Pavel Miliukov: Yet he's a polarizing figure. For every supporter he wins you in the middle or on the right he loses two on the left.
Prince Lvov: It's those damn Bolsheviks. They don't care about Russia or the plight of its people, they only want power, at all cost.
Pavel Miliukov (after pausing to acknowledging a former-colleage): A few months ago when I made my speech on the establishment of the Provisional Government a man shouted out, "who elected you". I managed to finish the speech but to this day haven't been able to take my mind off those three words. It's the sentiment the carries on to this day. Truth in simplicity. That's what the Bolsheviks preach. We Kadets are not being viewed as the moderate and sensible middle ground. To them we're an unacceptable half measure. The one's stifling progress and denying the full promise of the revolution to the people.
Prince Lvov: Just as we socialists supported the revolution in March the Bolsheviks are now fomenting revolution from within.
Pavel Miliukov: And they are succeeding. Chaos is spreading across the provinces. I hear reports of peasant soldiers burning and looting the manor houses and driving out the squires. Sentencing many to death. I would recommend a postponing of the upcoming elections until November. Hopefully by then some manner of order with be restored.
Prince Lvov (nodding in agreement and lowering his voice): An aide passed along a report to me yesterday. A band of peasants in Saratov apparently forced their way into the home of Prince Saburov and hacked him to death with axes and knives. It was retribution for the role he played as land captain in 1906 when he hung twelve peasant rebels in the village in full view of their wives and children.
Pavel Miliukov: The revolution has inspired them to detest power and privilege, and the Bolsheviks feed off that anger.
Prince Lvov: How can I in good conscience tell these people they are wrong? When you hear stories such as this you come to realize that the plight of the squires is simply punishment for their boorish and brutal behavior during centuries of serfdom. For the workers in the cities the revolution represents change and progress. But for the peasants in the countryside it serves as revenge. The behavior of these serfs is the result, speaking as a landowner myself, of our original sin...If only Russia had been blessed with a real land aristocracy like that of England, which had the human decent to treat their peasants as people rather than dogs, then perhaps things would have been different.
Pavel Miliukov (entering Lvov's office and taking a seat across from him at his desk): This is true, and yet it only tells half the story. From the perspective of those in power why should the peasants or the revolutionaries be trusted? Tsar Alexander the Second was an autocrat who never the less saw fit to free the serfs from their bondage some forty-six years ago. His reward? Death.
Prince Lvov: Shortly thereafter the American President Lincoln had done the same and also met with death, but that is hardly the point.
Pavel Miliukov (sighing and pulling a letter out of his pocket): I have something else to show you. A letter I've received from an angry Tambov squire...(unfolding and reading). "Your local committees are powerless to do anything and even encourage the theft of property. The police are asleep while the peasants rob and burn. The old government knew better how to deal with this peasant scum which you call, 'the people'."
Prince Lvov: There can be no progress when such contempt prevails between classes.
Pavel Miliukov: Precisely my point.
Prince Lvov: But I still have faith in the government. A good parliament can resolve differences and legislate effectively. We must create a lasting republic by building it from the top down, rather than the bottom up. Yes it will likely offend some, like your gentleman that rhetorically asked who elected those of us in power. But no republic can sustain that first does not have humble and benevolent statesmen at its helm.
Pavel Miliukov: I see it your way, but do the people?
Prince Lvov (camera zooms in on Lvov's face): In time they will. But first the Constituent Assembly must crown the great Russian revolution. It must lay all the vital foundations for the future order of the free democratic state. It will bear the responsibility for the entire future of Russia...It must be the essence of all the spiritual and mental forces of the people.

[edubs31]

The scene cuts away and picks back up with a montage of clips accompanying the words of Maxim Gorky. In a letter to his wife Ekaterina the prominent writer and revolutionary describes what he sees as a deterioration in both sprit and social order...

Maxim Gorky (voice narrates): "Today’s demonstration was a demonstration of the impotence of the loyal democratic forces. Only the Bolsheviks marched. A demonstration of 400,000 workers marched in Petrograd with banners chanting "All Power to the Soviet!" I find myself despising them more and more. They are truly Russian idiots. Most of the slogans demanded "Down with the Ten Bourgeoise Ministers!" But there are only eight of them! There were several outbreaks of panic. It was disgusting. Ladies jumped in to the canal between the Champs de Mars and the Summer Gardens, waded through the water in their boots, pulled up their skirts, and bared their legs. Some of them fat, some of them crooked. The madness continues, but it seemed that it is beginning to weep the people out. Although I am a pacifist I welcome the coming offensive in the hope that it may at least bring some organization to the country, which is becoming incorrigibly lazy and disorganized."

- A large demonstration of thousands of workers wearing red arm bands, holding up signs and chanting pro-Bolshevik slogans makes in way down Nevsky Prospekt in the afternoon.
- Much to the amusement of their male counterparts and the children who they've followed into the water, dozens of women spontaneously hike up their skirts and jump into the canal. They bare their legals and douse themselves with water in an attempt to beat the sweltering heat while not even bothering to remove their boots in many instances.
- In another clip a gathering of a dozen or so Bolshevik supporters, tired and lazy, sits on a street corner eating and drinking while marchers pass them by. Their banners lean up against light posts and mailboxes or are simply tossed carelessly onto the ground. Many of the men amuse themselves by stretching out in a reclined position while others cover their eyes with their caps and indulge in an afternoon nap.

At the conclusion of Gorky's brief description the scene fades and cuts away.

[edubs31]

July, 1917 - Petrograd

The next scene picks up where the previous left off; in the streets of Petrograd. The Bolsheviks are mounting an offensive. Thousands of troops and loyal supporters, carrying with them guns or red banners work their way down Nevsky Prospekt. A small gathering are shown mounting a machine gun on one end of the main street while others gather round and shout slogans. In another clip armored cars tear down avenues with soldiers firing off gunshots into the air. A bourgeoise couple is stopped in their car by a pair of belligerent soldiers with rifles. The male driver tells his terrified wife to be calm as two men approach either window and demand that they exit the vehicle. Without arguing the couple grab a few belongings and are assisted onto he sidewalk as a group of four men take over their motorcar and drive away...

The scene shifts to across town and having left from the Winter Palace minutes earlier a vehicle pulls up to greet those positioned at the front of the Bolshevik ranks. Emerging is an official escorted by two guards with message in hand...

Official (greeted by a pair of Bolshevik officers): I wish to speak with who is in charge.
Officer #1 (sarcastically): In charge?
Official: Yes I have a message to deliver.
Officer #2: Who are you?
Captain (appearing from in behind a row of soldiers): A message from whom?
Official: Hello captain. I have with me here a letter and a permit signed by Comrade Kerensky.
Captain (handed and then looking over the pieces of paper, smiling and beginning to chuckle): Oh yes, this is very good.
Official: Captain?
Captain (crumpling up and tossing the items back at the official): I've been told that Kerensky has already been arrested. (laughter overheard from the Captain and other Bolshevik soldiers)
Official: No, but that isn't so. I've just spoken with him. You've received some bad information I'm afraid.
Captain: Have I?
Official: Yes. Minister Kerensky is at the Winter Palace with Prime Minister Lvov, and very much in charge.
Captain: Well he's not in charge of us. Far as I'm concerned he's the enemy. This permit and letter are worthless. You might as well show us a permit with the signature of Nicholas the Second.
Official: I beg your pardon Captain but I must insist...
Captain (interrupting): Shut your mouth and listen. Tell Alexander Feodorovich that if he wishes to negotiate a truce he damn well better send more than a lonely little official like you. Otherwise I suggest he prepare himself for this uprising. We have come to storm the palace and take over the government that rightly belongs to the true Russian people that support the Bolsheviks...Run along now little man before it's too late! (patronizingly)

The Captain is shown starring down the official who looks on equal parts appalled and scared. Without a word he nods towards his escorting guards and turns to reenter the vehicle. The next scene shows an animated Kerensky speaking with Prince Lvov, a pair of high ranking army officers, and two members of the Provisional Government at his office inside the Winter Palace. The Commanders lay out a street map of Petrograd on a table and point out locations where the Bolsheviks currently occupy...

[edubs31]

Alexander Kerensky (pacing back and forth): What do they expect from us? They cannot reasonably believe we will simply lay down our arms and pull out of the war.
Prince Lvov: Perhaps a timetable for withdraw then?
Alexander Kerensky (aggravated): We shall agree to no such thing! It would completely undercut our military efforts and betray our allies. The Bolsheviks have no respect for either!
Representative #1: Their supporters need hope.
Alexander Kerensky: Hope of what?
Prince Lvov: Hope of that their sons and husbands and brothers will return home from the front in one piece. I agree with you that the Bolsheviks, generally speaking, are a menace. But on the topic of the war their rage is only that which reflects the frustration of the Russia people as a whole.
Alexander Kerensky (shaking his head): Even if we would consider compromising with them on the war, how could we? The American President Wilson has sent Elihu Root with a $325-million loan. They demand a continuation of the war in return for their support. We need the money and our allies need our troops. Root has been speaking to the papers recently as well. "No war, no loan" is his trenchant quote.
Commander #1: Mister Minister, Mister Prime Minister, could we have your attention for a moment?
Kerensky & Lvov (collectively): Yes of course.
Commander #1 (pointing to various locations on the map): Take a look here. We have been told that the greatest concentration of Bolsheviks lies along Nevsky Prospekt, and within this general vicinity. There appear to be large empty pockets here and here however where they are insufficiently manned and we believe we can expose their weaknesses.
Prince Lvov: In the event a violent confrontation proves necessary, how long will it take to mobilize your forces Commander?
Commander #1: I can have my men in position within fifteen to twenty minutes of 'go' order. They are already divided into several pockets and can flow into each route like water through piping. We can hold off the Bolshevik advance long enough to evacuate you from the Winter Palace.
Alexander Kerensky: Evacuate?
Commander #2: Yes Mister Minister, I'm afraid we cannot guarantee your safety here. (Kerensky shakes his head in disgust)
Prince Lvov: Do we think they can still be reasoned with?
Commander #2: After the ignorant display and sign of disrespect they showed us an hour ago? Not likely.
Alexander Kerensky: The time for diplomacy is past. Besides who is it we wish to speak with? Far as I can see there is no single person or even a small group of people in power on the Bolshevik side. Lenin, Trotsky and a small group of radicals who organize these movements is all. But no one appears to have full control, or the final say.
Commander #1: Yes Mister Prime Minister it is a highly volatile situation. An unruly mob made up of great numbers.
Commander #2: Also, our spotters tell us that Lenin has been hesitant to order an all out assault.
Prince Lvov: Hesitant?
Commander #1: Apparently he addressed a large gathering outside the Kschessinska Mansion for only a few moments. He is said by some to have appeared rather nervous.
Alexander Kerensky: He's wavering. He is learning fast the difference between what it means to preach rhetoric and actually lead. I think he understands the gravity of the situation and finding it difficult to come to terms with making live and death decisions that will effect thousands of his supporters.
Prince Lvov: Yes, it is no longer abstract and theoretical.
Commander #2: But still they advance, with or without his consent. The Kronstadters are marching on.
Alexander Kerensky: Commanders you should alert the Cossacks to mount themselves on the the rooftops.
Commander #1: Yes indeed, the order will be given.
Prince Lvov: And we should be leaving here Minister Kerensky, and quickly (gazing momentarily out the window). As the Commanders have said, for the time being it is not safe.
Alexander Kerensky (pausing and nodding his head while looking back down at the map of Petrograd): Alright. Lets go.

Kerensky locks eyes with Lvov, a look of concern passing across both of their faces, as the scene fades quickly and cuts away. The next scene is a collection of clips given voice narration by Maxim Gorky...

[edubs31]

Maxim Gorky (voice narrates): "The Black Hundreds, hooligans, anarchists and desperate workers all joined together under the red slogan of Bolshevism. They marched together toward the Tauride Palace and took cover exchanging fire with rightists and loyalists before a stand off ensued. From a top the roofs of tall buildings undetectable gun fire pierced their lines holding them at bay...Worst of it all was the crowd. The philistines, the worker and the soldier, who is in fact no more than a brute. Cowardly and brainless, without an ounce of self-respect and no understanding as to why he is on the streets, or what he is needed for, or who is leading him and where. Whole companies of soldiers threw away their rifles and banners when the shooting began and smashed the shop windows and doors. Is this the revolutionary army of the free people? It is clear that the crowds on the street had absolutely no idea of what they were doing. It was all a nightmare. Nobody knew the aims of the uprising or its leaders. Were there any leaders at all? I doubt it. Trotsky, Lunacharsky and Lenin jabbered something or another, but it was all lost to the mood of the crowd...Kerensky ordered the uprising be put down and troops stormed the offices of the Pravda, the Kschessinska home and Fortress of Peter & Paul. Bolshevik strongholds were under siege much to the surprise of the Soviet. Still there were some fifty-thousand armed and angry Bolsheviks surrounded the palace ready to retaliate, but orders to take it never came. Wild shooting continued and then suddenly, the skies opened with a torrential rain that poured down. This created further chaos and convinced many of the rebels to turn away...After it was clear Kerensky's forces had gained the upper hand the Bolshevik leadership dissolved completely. Trotsky gave himself up to the police and Lenin, accused of being a German spy and traitor to the revolution, fled. He spent a night sleeping in a haystack with a comrade and very nearly failing to avoid detection. I'm told he then escaped across the border to Finland disguised as a fireman. One wonders if this is the last we shall hear of Vladimir Ilyich."

- Another massive procession of Bolshevik soldiers and vocal supporters is shown marching down an avenue towards Tauride Palace.
- As they arrive they are forced to take cover as gunfire is exchanged. Some are shot to death attempting to cross from one side of the street to the other by snipers positioned on the tops of buildings.
- In Taverns soldiers guzzle down beer, wine and vodka, between their shifts making for a rowdy scene. In another clip drunken soldiers and Bolshevik supporters are shown tossing rocks and bottles through shop windows and looting stores.
- In the Kschessinska mansion Lenin, Trotsky and Lunacharsky, stand around a table and glance at a map jabbering away at one another. The expression on their faces eludes to their general confusion, uncertain of what exactly to do next.
- Loyalist troop are shown storming the Pravda and Fortress of Peter & Paul overwhelming the small band of Bolsheviks guarding each. Hostile fire is shown being exchanged in one clip and in another Bolshevik soldiers are shown simply tossing their weapons aside, throwing their hands up in the air, and giving themselves up to arrest.
- A large group of several thousand disorganized Bolsheviks is shown stationed within striking distance of the front entrance of the Winter Palace. Some sing revolutionaries songs and appear determine but many others look confused and uncomfortable. Suddenly the light sprinkle of rain drops turns into a downpour and many begin to lose their motivation, heading off quickly in the opposite direction.
- Handcuffs are shown placed around the wrists of Leon Trotsky and he is led into the room of a building presumably to be interrogated.
- Lenin meanwhile shakes the hands of a few fellow comrades and ducks out a back door of the Kschessinska mansion and into a waiting car, taking with him a friend on his escape journey. In another clip the two men and shown hiding in a haystack by a barn as a gathering of men with dogs and flashlights pass by. Lenin closes his eyes, swallows, and takes deep slow breaths until he can see the men and their search dogs disappear into the night.

The scene then fades slowly to black and cuts away.

[JamesAPrattIII]

errata:
There were NO antibiotics around during WW I

The term Bolo which I used as a short for Bolshevik was coined by a British officer during the Allied intervention in North Russia. The full name of the party was the Russian Social Democratic Workers party (Bolshevik) or RSDWP(B). They were often called pre-1917 the Social Democrats along with the Mensheviks

reply 1253 I don't think the term "full throttle" was used during the WW I period. I think it really is a recent term.  I understand one Russian officer used the term sucked oranges to describe officers who overworked themselves. So you can have them saying "I worry about Kerensky overworking himself he could end up as a sucked orange as they say in the army". Note Kerensky was using both Cocaine and morphia in 1917

Good July revolution scenes

Kerensky offensive the plan was for a series of secondary attacks to be made by the Northern, Western and Rumanian fronts then the main offensive was to occur on the Southwestern front. The Kerensky offensive began with the main attacks on the Southwestern front with the secondary attacks on the other fronts occurring later. The offencsive was led by newly formed shock  or storm or Death battalions made up of volunteers and many of the most reliable of the troops left in the Russian army they managed to breakthrough but most of the rest of the troops either failed to leave the trenches or even march to the front. With most of their reliable troops casulaties in the shock battalions who lead the Kerensky offensive the rest of the army crumbled under the german counterattack. The attacks on the Northern and Western fronts soon fizzled out and some cases the troops advanced captured the german trenchs and then retreated back to their own trenches at the end of the day!?

Maria Botchkravena book is on lone

[JamesAPrattIII]

correction Maria Botchkareva book is online

Early May 1917 Lenin is in his office with his secretary V.D. Bonch-Bruyevich:
Lenin: It seems those fools in the Provisional Government believed my story about the failed revolt last month. It was all do to "actions" of some "hotheads" on the Petrograd Committees. We failed because we were "insufficiently revolutionary". Next time we won't be.
Bonch-Bruyevich: Here (hands lenin a piece of paper) is the make up of the new cabinet of the provisional government. It looks like they are all liberals and socialists.
Lenin: (Looks at Paper): Yes! Good! no doubt things will go from bad to worse since they are all so stupid and we will be seen as the only conceivable saviors of Russia.
Bonch-Bruyevich: Here (hands Lenin some more papers) are the lead stories for tomorrows newspapers we are putting out.
Lenin (looks at papers): Good! print them! and to think a few months ago we didn't even have a printing press!
Boch-Bruyevich: Here (hands Lenin papers) are the latest reports of the military organization on the mood of the Petrograd garrison.
Lenin (looks at paper) Yes! we need to win over more of the garrison with our propaganda and more money.
Bonch-Bruyevich: More money is on the way from Sweden
Lenin Good! (smiles)
(montage of scenes of Russian currency being printed in Germany and it being passed from bag to bag until it gets to Lenin who smiles when he gets it.)
(Scene ends)