In connection with the treacherous conspiracy by a section of the commanding personnel on the Petrograd front [35] articles have appeared in the press which are being interpreted as a sign of change in Soviet policy in military matters, particularly where the military specialists are concerned. According to reports from the political workers, rumours of this kind are being extensively spread among the commanding personnel, and this is giving rise to feelings of alarm and uncertainty. I therefore consider it necessary to make clear that Soviet policy in military matters remains unchanged, for it is not the product of the fantasy of particular individuals or groups but results from the collective experience of many hundreds of thousands of workers and peasants.
The honourable commanders of the Red Army – and they are the overwhelming majority – will, as before, enjoy the confidence and backing of the Soviet power, as its valued collaborators in most responsible posts.
35. A section of the commanding personnel of the Petrograd front organised a plot against the Soviet Government at Kronstadt, Oranienbaum, Krasnaya Gorka and Krasnoye Syelo. Their organisation was linked closely with Yudenich and set itself the aim of capturing Petrograd with the troops of the North-Western Army. The plotters made contacts on two dreadnoughts (the Petropavlovsk and the Andzei Pyervozvanny) and counted on their support, as well as on help from the British fleet. The leader of this revolt was Neklyudov, the commander of the Krasnaya Gorka fort. The premature launching of the revolt, the failure of the crews of the dreadnoughts to go over to the rebels, and the absence of British aid had the result that on June 12, 1919 only Krasnaya Gorka was held by the conspirators. After bombardment from Kronstadt, Krasnaya Gorka was retaken by a detachment of sailors on June 16.
Last updated on: 18.12.2006