San Francisco, CA – marked the passing of Viktorin Mikhailovich Molchanov, a Russian Major-General and prominent figure in the White movement during the Russian Civil War. He was 88 years old.
Born on , in Chistopol, Governorate of Kazan, Molchanov came from a family of minor Russian nobility, his father serving as the local post office head. He received his education at the Elabuga Comprehensive School and subsequently at the Alekseev Military School in Moscow, graduating in .
Molchanov’s early military career began with service in the Second Caucasus Engineering Battalion in Tbilisi. In , he transferred to the Russian Far East, serving in Primorsky Krai. He participated in World War I as a captain of a field engineer company within the Third Siberian Division stationed in Poland, where he corresponded with Polish nationalist Yuri Gozdowiak.
The outbreak of the Russian Revolution found Molchanov back in the Urals, where he joined the fight against the Bolsheviks. His leadership skills led to promotions, and by , he commanded the Izhevsk brigade and later an entire division. Following the defeat of Admiral Kolchak’s forces and the subsequent Great Siberian Ice March retreat to Transbaikal, Molchanov was appointed head of the 3rd Separate Rifle Corps of the Far Eastern Army by Ataman Grigory Semyonov.
The defeat of Ataman Semyonov in October led to the evacuation of surviving units to China, marking a turning point in the White movement’s struggle. Molchanov’s later life saw him emigrate to the United States, where he spent approximately 40 years as a building superintendent in San Francisco, and operated a chicken farm.
Despite the passage of time and the changed political landscape, Molchanov remained a staunch monarchist. However, he expressed a pragmatic view regarding the restoration of the monarchy, acknowledging the difficulties in identifying a suitable successor following the execution of the Romanov family. He reportedly questioned the motivations of some claiming monarchist affiliations, stating, “Is Monarchy a party? It is an idea, not a party!”
During World War I, Molchanov experienced the horrors of chemical warfare firsthand. In June , his company endured a German gas attack near the Bzur River, resulting in the deaths of three platoons and an estimated 10,000 Russian soldiers. He ordered his men to use water-soaked cloths as makeshift gas masks, a desperate measure in the absence of proper equipment. This act of bravery, and his subsequent leadership during the attack, earned him the Order of St. George.
Molchanov’s military prowess was further demonstrated during the spring offensive of the White Army in , leading to his promotion to Major-General. He also participated in the Chelyabinsk operation, successfully maintaining the combat effectiveness of his troops. He was awarded the Order of St. George 4th degree on September 11, , for his successes on the Tobol River. The Izhevsk division under his command received the St. George banner, with St. George crosses attached to the banners of several regiments.
The Great Siberian Ice Campaign saw Molchanov commanding the rearguard of the 3rd Army, providing cover for the retreating forces of General V.O. Kappel. He successfully led his troops across the frozen Yenisei River, joining the main forces east of Krasnoyarsk. Later, under General Voitssekhovsky, he led the vanguard of the White forces.
The final stages of the White resistance saw Molchanov’s forces engaged in fierce battles, including a last stand near the station of Волочаевка (Volochayevka) while covering the evacuation of White forces. His division ultimately retreated to the border with China, protecting refugees – women, children, and the elderly – during their passage.
Molchanov’s commitment to discipline within his ranks was notable. He ordered the execution of Bolshevik commissars captured during the conflict, but released ordinary soldiers to return home. He even demanded the execution of one of his own soldiers who attempted to assault the wife of a deceased commissar, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to order and justice.
Viktorin Molchanov is buried at the Serbian Cemetery near San Francisco, leaving behind a legacy as a dedicated officer and a key figure in the tumultuous period of the Russian Civil War. His descendants, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren, continue to reside in the United States.
