Empress Alexandra's War Relief Work July 1914 - February 1917

[griffh]

Thanks for the link!

You are welcome rgt9w.  I so wish the photo album was available on Amazon....

[griffh]

I would say it was probably stuck in a envelope or handed to a aide to deliver possibly both.


I have some more information you might find interesting:
On 10 September 1915 the Russian 5th army on the Northern front claimed it anti-aircraft fire downed a german aircraft bombing a hospital train at Ponomunok in the Dvina area. No reported German losses. I wonder if it was sponsored by the IF?

Ann I agree with James as one continually reads in the Empress's war correspondence of couriers arriving or departing with letters.

James, just to say, thank you for sharing that very interesting information!!!


     



   
   

[griffh]

Happy Holiday Season to everyone!!!

[griffh]

I wanted to take a moment and say how grateful I have been to Ted Rosvall and Charlotte Zeepvat for publishing my last three article in Royalty Digest Quarterly.

Just to say, it was only after I published my first article that interest was shown in publishing my book and in consideration of this fact I have decided not to publish article #4 or #5, bu to include the material in my book.

Again I am so grateful for the opportunity Ted and Charlotte has given me.

And a great big thank you for all the posts on my thread and just to say I will start another thread when my book is published.

[Helen]

Thank you for the season's greetings and the lovely card. And congratulations on having found a publisher for your book. With your two other articles not being published in Royalty Digest Quarterly, I look forward to it all the more now.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[griffh]

Thank you for the season's greetings and the lovely card. And congratulations on having found a publisher for your book. With your two other articles not being published in Royalty Digest Quarterly, I look forward to it all the more now.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Oh thank you so much Petra!

And just to say, your wonderful book of correspondence between the Empress and her brother Ernst Ludwig and his wife, Elleonore, has been an invaluable support in establishing a more accurate view of Alexandra Feodorovna and as such continues to be an invaluable addition to the historiography of the late imperial period!!!

And Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!!!

[Helen]

Griff, thank you for your comments. It's always good to hear that my book has been useful.

[rgt9w]

Griff,  I look forward to reading your book once it is published.  I really enjoyed the first three articles on the subject.

[griffh]

Griff,  I look forward to reading your book once it is published.  I really enjoyed the first three articles on the subject.

Thank you so much Roy for your kind remarks and just to say I am working day and night on my book manuscript.  Happy Holidays....

[JamesAPrattIII]

Merry xmas. I will be reading your book one day. I am glad my information has been of help to you. I may have some more information for you next year.

[griffh]

Merry xmas. I will be reading your book one day. I am glad my information has been of help to you. I may have some more information for you next year.

Thank you James so much and just to say I will stay in touch with you via email. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year...

[JamesAPrattIII]

In reply 131 there is mention of Italian aircraft in Lybia. There is a book that has just come out that I sumbled upon on Amazon called "A Box of Sand" that deals with this campaign there.

[griffh]

In reply 131 there is mention of Italian aircraft in Lybia. There is a book that has just come out that I sumbled upon on Amazon called "A Box of Sand" that deals with this campaign there.

Thanks so much James!!!

[JamesAPrattIII]

I have some more information on the Russian Military air fleet:

KAOs were to have 6 aircraft with 6 more in reserve at aviation company level
Fortress AOs were to have 8 aircraft with 8 more in reserve in the fortress

At the start of the war Russia had 30 KAOs and one FAO the 3rd which was attached to the Russian 3rd army they were supposed to have 372 aircraft but only had 199
the Fortress AOs were supposed to have 128 aircraft but only had 64.
The Russians only had 219 pilots to fly 263 aircraft!
Do to losses and slow production there were only 209 operational aircraft at the front in January 1915

To help prevent their own soldiers from shooting at them on 19 August 1914 an order went out to start painting roundels on their aircraft.

In the late 1914 and early 1915 period the Germans converted their Fest FAs to FFAs and the Russian converted their Fortress AOs to KAOs. Among other things it ment issuing the units tent hangers for the aircraft because the wood and canvas aircraft of the period did not last very long if kept out in the open exposed to the elements. They also issued them tents and other field gear for the officers and men. They were also issued more transportation which for the germans it ment more motor vehicals and for the Russians it usually ment more horse drawn vehicals.

[JamesAPrattIII]

This is from the book "Diary of the Commander of the Imperial Guard" V. M. Bezobrazov:

4/17 January 1916
The supply and sanitary train of the Member of the State Duma Purishkevich arrived this morning. he complained about the difficulties and delays in the train's way and asked me to intervene inhis favor. I did so but, in spite of his insistent demands at the Headquarters of the Front, his train is not allowed to go forward. Purishkevich showed me his huge train, very well equipped, which has a operating car, a large pharmacy, a library, an officers store and kitchen, enough for 20,000 men. In the evening he had supper with me. This political personality gave me the impression of being very nervous, restless, conceited, and ambitious.

5/18 January
Purishkevich has obtained authorization to move his train forward, but he is apparently offended by the lack of attention to him and has declared that he is moving to another front. It is too bad that one has offended him. He has put a great amount of work to organize such a large scale and useful enterprise.

8/21 February
....By order of Empress Alexandra Foedoronva, a bath train with laundry came to us.

Note this is when the author was in command of the Guards army on the Northern front.