Army Intelligence Report- Breakdown of Military Discipline

Thesis: The spread of Bolshevik ideas among the Russian army in the summer of 1917 has led to widespread discontent and general defiance of the war forced upon them by their superiors.

• In the Northern Front, there is a complete lack of confidence in the officers and other commanding personnel.


• Soldiers believe they cannot be punished for what they do.


• They desire peace at any price.


• Any attempt by the officers to regulate the life of the army is seen as counter-revolution.


• Large numbers of soldiers are feigning sickness to leave the front


• Refuse to carry out orders, call Kerensky a traitor.


• In the Western Front, war weariness, malnutrition, mistrust of officers has contributed to defeatist agitation and refusals to carry out orders.


• Some try to fraternize with the Germans


• Soldiers are listening to Bolshevik newspapers, that cry out against the Provisional Government.


• On October 1, 8,000 soldiers refused to go to the front and demanded to be sent home. They then stormed the armory and assaulted the Assistant Commisar


• In the Southwestern Front, disintegration is in full swing. Bolshevik influence is increasing due to general disintegration, absence of strong power, and the lack of supplies and equipment.


• Peace at any price and under any condition, every order is met with hostility.


• Soldiers are organizing raids on country estates


• Courts are paralyzed because of the attitude of the soldiers, there is nothing to enforce order.


• Supplies must be given by the winter campaign, or the army will completely disintegrate and will be destroyed.