The 27th Infantry - -
AEF Siberia
In 1918, the Russian government under the Bolshevik's, signed a separate peace treaty
with the German government ending Russia's participation in World War I. 
This treaty dissolved the Eastern Front in Russia and
released German troops to the Western Front in France. Because Russia had been an ally of
the Western Powers, vast quantities of supplies had been shipped to Russian ports. The
Allies were concerned the supplies would fall into the hands of warring Russian factions
who the Allies feared would turn the supplies over to the Germans. Civil war had broken
out in Russia among the Communists, the Reds, and factions loyal to the old Czarist regime
the Whites, along with other less significant factions.
In Siberia, the Trans Siberian railroad was the only East-West transportation link in the entire country. Whoever controlled the railroad would also control the movement of the supplies stockpiled in the Russian port of Vladivostok, located in eastern Siberia on the Sea of Japan.
The Battalion departed Manila on 7 August,
1918, aboard the "Crook" arriving in Vladivostok on 16 August. The Battalion's
mission was to assist the Regiment in safeguarding stockpiled war supplies in Vladivostok,
protecting the Trans Siberian Railroad, and assisting the in the evacuation of the Czech
Legion, which had fought its way from the Ukraine, across the breath of Russia, to
Vladivostok.The 27th Regiment (commanded by Colonel Henry D. Styer) was not the only
Allied force in Siberia. The U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment (the Polar Bears) as well as
British, Canadian, Czech, Chinese, Italian, French and Japanese troops also participated
in the expedition.All American forces fell under the command of General Graves.
The Battalion's first mission was to move to
the Ussuri sector and operate with the 12th Division of the Japanese Army under the
command of LTG Oi. (The Battalion would again reestablish their relationship with the 12th
Division when the Battalion trained with the 12th Division's 30th Regiment during
"Orient Shield 94".) From late August to early November, 1918 the Battalion
helped secure the Trans Siberian Railroad from Vladivostok north to Khabarovsk. It was
during this period that the Regiment earned its reputation for marching prowess, moving
over 1000 miles in less than a month! In the first winter campaign the Battalion
accompanied White Russian and Japanese forces in pursuit of the Bolsheviks or
"Reds", who were retreating near Spasskoe and Ussuri. During the campaign, the
Japanese and White Russians became weary from the tremendous cold and rapid pace of the
pursuit and soon fell out alongside the route, unable to go on. But the men from the 27th
Regiment, though subjected to the same hardships continued to advance and soon passed
their allies, continuing their pursuit of the retreating Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks were
soon subjected to continuous attacks from different directions. The tireless soldiers of
the Regiment exhausted the Communists 
as
Russian Wolfhounds wear down a wolf, resulting in the capture of a Bolshevik strongpoint.
The Japanese commander, GEN Yamada, despite his chagrin for the failure of his own troops,
sent a note to the Regimental commander: "The Chief of the General Staff at Tokyo
congratulates you upon your fast and able occupation of Khabarovsk."
From mid November 1918 until the Spring of 1920, the Battalion guarded the Railroad in
the vicinity of Yefgenyefka, 200 miles north of Vladivostok. In the spring of 1920, the
Regiment was given the responsibility to guard the Trans Siberian Railroad west toward
lake Baikal.
Companies A and B were ordered to
the Lake Baikal sector while the remainder of the Battalion remained at Yefgenyefka
erroneously called Spasskoe by the Americans. (Spasskoe was a town two hundred miles away
from the railroad.) As a result of the Regiment"s actions in Siberia and earlier
exploits in the Philippines, the Wolfhound legend was born; from this time forth, the
Regiment and its Battalions would be known as the "Wolfhounds". In addition to
its nickname, the Regiment's Coat of Arms was now complete. With its crest representing
its first campaign in the Philippines, the Siberian service is represented by the blue
Polar Bear with a white "S" for Siberia, outlined by an artillery shell. This
was the emblem of the Allied force in Siberia.
In early January, 1920 The Battalion received orders to consolidate at
Vladivostok for redeployment to the Philippines. 
On
17 January the Battalion, minus C and D embarked aboard the "Great Northern" and
sailed to Manila arriving on 26 January. C and D company would not complete their arrival
at Vladivostok until 25 February. With the remainder of the Regiment, C and D companies
embarked aboard the "Thomas" on 10 March arriving in Manila on 17 March. While
in the Philippines the Battalion(-) was headquartered in Manila, while C and D companies
were headquartered at Cuartel de Infanteria. The next move would take the Battalion to
Hawaii.
More pages on AEF: Siberia
Background on the Russian Intervention
Admiral V. Kolchak
Trans-Siberian Railroad
More Reading
Last Updated:
Monday, March 31, 2008
