World Memory: Monument to soldiers and officers of the Russian Expeditionary Corps unveiled in France

A monument to soldiers and officers of the Russian Expeditionary Corps was unveiled today in the historical bastion Fort de la Pompelle (also known as Fort Herbilon), located on the south-eastern approaches to Reims. During World War I the Russian Infantry Brigade Corps sent to France under an agreement between the Russian and French governments stopped the German offensive.

"We are paying tribute to the Russian defenders of Reims, who were struggling side by side with French soldiers", - stressed Adeline Hazan, Mayor of Reims. In September 1916 the Infantry Brigade Corps from Russia repulsed at least five enemy attacks during a fierce 12-hour battle. Russian units played an important role in the offensive operations that ensued the following spring. During just one operation in April 1917 the Corps lost 70 officers and 4472 soldiers.

Among participants of battles was Rodion Malinovsky. The future Marshal and Minister of Defense of the Soviet Union served during World War I as an ordinary machine-gunner and was sent to France as a member of the expeditionary corps. For his military work he was twice awarded the French military award the Croix de Ger.