Pavel Dybenko...Obscurity and Lies

The murkiness regarding Dybenko's legacy in Russian History has allowed for false conceptions to thrive.
Unfortunately, intellectuals of early Soviet era history display an indifferent tone when bringing up the name Dybenko.  Most see Dybenko as an uneducated buffoon...a stupid careerist....a coward...a drunkard...or an overall lunatic of Lenin's fancies...Still others view Dybenko accordingly ..."without Alexsandra Kollontai" ...Dybenko would not be able to tie his own shoes.

Such nonsense... as Napoleon wrote, "winners write history"....whether it was Kerensky and his lot of incompetent ministers unable to deal with current events facing the great nation or Lenin and Trotsky whose ambitions destroyed the populist uprising known as Great October.   Or the even broader irony...the Romanov...whose bloody monarchy history led to revolution...being canonized after the fall of the soviet union.  All of the above so called leaders of public trust had only the desire of attaining and maintaining power in their own interests.





 

Pavel Dybenko's Quotes, Memoirs and Writings

...“The sailor’s life was one of a low creature without rights, whose duty it was to fulfill all orders without ever questioning them. The sailors always remained "gray cattle" without any rights on land as well as on the ship. Insulting was how one could describe how the officers hurried the sailors into a line up when meeting an officer on shore.  Inevitably, an officer would, for the most insignificant slip, over exaggerate an issue and then unceremoniously throw the sailor to the dog’s box or a lock up.  It wasn’t rare that screaming, demeaning, and disparaging language would be directed at the sailors. 

 “An idiot...I say…you’re an idiot! You are a bastard…etc.”   Of course the sailor had no choice but to reply to the officer ‘Yes, your highness’…as this drunken “highness” continued his tirade to a point of exhaustion whereupon the sailor would ultimately end up in the lock up”.  One should note that all the officers' staff consisted from the "verified" and "trustworthy" people. Those who were endowed with hereditary aristocracy, the sons of rich landlords, and the so-called "white bone".  The despotic leadership wasn’t unique to the navy, even when the sailors were greeting the army officers, instead of extending their hand, the officers would give the sailors only two fingers, definitely not a handshake.”

Pavel Dybenko 1912


 ..."The fleet and its political view for an accountable social democracy did not derive from university trained theoretical knowledge, nor an understanding for legal opportunism's.  Moreover the sailors may not have had their own printing press or enough of the elite literature thought necessary for complex thinking.  Nevertheless the sailor’s classroom and their views were crafted by the many confrontations with Tsarism".
Pavel Dybenko 1912 



“…my hands boiled in the salty water”
 Pavel Dybenko 1912


...“While laying on top of the hill, I am carried further and further away from the life of a sailor to the life of few men in few countries.  It’s a fairy tale for me, for the sailors, for most Russians.  But do I really have a right to be upset right now, when my whole being is at peace at the very thought of a free country and free people?  In an hour or two I still have to go back to the slavery and humiliation! 
Sadly, I am watching the sunset at the horizon. These purple skies, this surrounding beauty of nature make me hate my dependent life as a slave sailor. 
I really don’t want to go back to the ship, to part with nature, with the life of people who are free, who don’t know the sufferings the sailors go through…
Pavel Dybenko Norway Spring 1913 

“Excuse me, Admiral Von Essen, would you care for me to show you how to hit a target?”
“Keep your eyes on the target, as it is the right of any sailor to make the necessary corrections as needed”. 
 Pavel Dybenko Baltic Sea Spring 1914

From 1906 to 1915 5,757 sailors were condemned for preparation of revolts.

Among them:

196 were executed

1.320 were exiled to penal servitude,

1744 were put into different correctional institutions for various terms,

20 were locked up in fortresses,

876 were imprisoned in the naval jail,

others were exiled and sent to civil prisons with different types of punishments
Pavel Dybenko 1915

 “The Baltic Navy should be united so as its voice can be clearly heard by the Government”
 Pavel Dybenko April 1917

Authored:
“The Relationship between Tsentrobalt and the Fleet Headquarters”
“The Charter of Tsentrobalt”
Pavel Dybenko April 1917

...“It always seemed to a sailor that he was above a soldier or a worker and consequently this is his duty to be always the pace-setter.  This was the way they understood their tasks.  Self-esteem was often pushing the sailor to the places where the resistance would be the maximum.  Our small group formed of this type of sailors was perfectly aware of that and this was the reason why the sailors successfully managed to concentrate power at their hands.  It is common belief that the Provisional government lost its authority over the Baltic Fleet only at the end of September 1917 but that is wrong.  The authority of the Provisional government over the Baltic Fleet was lost in fact back in April 1917.  The fleet was living its own separate life, went its own way notwithstanding government policy and even though there were some hesitations they do not contradict the fact the actual power over the Baltic Fleet was lost by the government already in April.”

Pavel Dybenko 1917

...“We lost this time but as usual we will continued to keep our spirits up. This is just a resolution; another question is who will give the money in reality. The most important thing is that there is little trust for the new government and their lack of accountability.”

Pavel Dybenko May 1917

“…We were all exhausted by the long wait for the minister.  Finally, the phone rang I answered it. There was Kerensky’s secretary on line. He said that Kerensky ordered all of Tsentrobalt to show up at “Krechet” by 4 PM. But I told him that Tsentrobalt is an institution and the minister is supposed to come over, not the other way round. Besides we have many urgent and pressing matters to solve. We ask the minister to come over instead.” 
Pavel Dybenko May 1917

“Don’t worry, Vladimir Ilyich, these are lies; we are modest people, we are not about to start anything”. (Dybenko actually uses an idiomatic expression that if given word-for-word the translation is “We will not be getting into hell before our fathers”

Pavel Dybenko June 1917

  “Kerensky was crazy for letting us go free”
 Pavel Dybenko September 1917




...“in battle your order is law” 

 Pavel Dybenko September 1917



..."we consider it our duty to defend Petrograd.  We will fulfill our self-imposed obligation.  Not because of the request of a pitiful Russian Bonaparte (Kerensky) who retains power simply because of the unlimited patience of the Russian Revolution.  Nor because of the treaties made by our government with the Allies, treaties intended to smother the Russian Revolution.  We follow the call of our revolutionary sentiment."
Pavel Dybenko September 1917

  ..."the control over operational matters was firmly in the hands of the sailors themselves." 
Pavel Dybenko September 1917


...“From the second half of September, the provisional government became a piece of pure fiction in the fleet as well as in Finland: its threats produced only laughter and answering telegrams in which the refusal to comply with Kerensky’s orders was couched in very disrespectful terms.”
Pavel Dybenko September 1917



..."that the sailors fought not because they wanted to expiate their guilt before the Government, as Kerensky seemed to imagine, but because they were defending the Revolution and all it stood for with all their might. 
Pavel Dybenko September 1917



…The Russian Fleet has always stood in the front lines of the Revolution.  The names of its sailors are written in the book of the history of the struggle against Tsarism.  In the earliest days of the Revolution the sailors marched in the front ranks, our ultimate aim being deliverance from all misery.  And this life and death struggle with our own oppressors gives us the right to appeal to you, proletarians of all countries, with a strong voice against the exploiters.  Break the chains, you who are oppressed!  Rise in revolt!  We have nothing to lose but our chains!  We believe in the victory of the Revolution, we are full of this belief.  We know that our comrades in the Revolution will fulfill their duty on the barricades to the bitter end.  We know that decisive moments are coming.  A gigantic struggle will set the world afire.  On the horizon the fires of the revolt of all oppressed peoples are already glowing and becoming stronger."

“We demand from the Soviet of Soldiers, Workmen and Peasant Deputies and the Tsentroflot the immediate removal from the ranks of the Provisional Government of the “Socialist,”--political adventurer Kerensky, as one who is scandalizing and ruining the Great Revolution, and with it the great revolutionary people, by his shameful political blackmail in behalf of the bourgeoisie”.

The fleet does not recognize the Provisional Government; that the latter has been informed that it should not clog the telegraph with its orders, as the latter will all the same not be executed. 

Finally, the crews of the fleet were ready to both repel the invader and determine the form of government in Petrograd.”
Pavel Dybenko September 1917



...“The time has come to show how to die for the revolution!  For it is better to die for freedom and dignity than to live with out it.”
Pavel Dybenko September 1917 

...the “fleet was ready.”
Pavel Dybenko September 1917



“To everybody and all.
Tsentrobalt is calling to all who treasures achievements of freedom and revolution. Comrades!
The sun of truth and people’s victory has been shining brightly since the moment the power passed into the people’s hands. But dark clouds are hanging now over the horizon…Great steps were made before the 2d Soviet’s session.
1^st – the long awaited dream of people – the land came into the people’s possession;
2^nd – all the parties of the war were offered the truce at all the fronts;


3^rd – capital punishment is abolished at the front.
These are the achievements given to us by the revolution of October 25^th.
…In spite of provocative rumors that Tsentrobalt swept to the side of the betrayers Kornilov and Kerenksy, Tsentrobalt declares that the Baltic fleet sending its representatives to the 2^nd session of the Soviets entrusted them with voting for Soviet power, which it defended and will continue to defend. The whole Baltic fleet absolutely trusts the newly organized Soviet authorities and obeys it without any questions; we see this power as the only legitimate power.
Long live the people’s government of workers, peasants, soldiers and sailors!
Pavel Dybenko September 1917


“Tsentrobalt warns you against information spread by Kerensky, Kornilov and Kaledin. All the rumors about Germans taking Petrograd and Moscow are absolutely false. You can trust only the radio of the Military – Revolutionary committee and Tsentrobalt. We shall win. The criminal operation of Kerensky will be defeated.

Pavel Dybenko September 1917



...“Comrades! We, the Central Committee of the Baltic fleet declare to everybody that we safe guard the achievements of the revolution and rights of the oppressed class and that any attack on the people power would be defeated by all the might of the Baltic fleet”.

Pavel Dybenko September 1917

   

...“Before the latest naval operations began’, he said, “the admiral addressed a question to the Congress of the Sailors then sitting: Will they carry out military orders?  We answered: “We will—under the supervision from our side. 

But . . .if we see the fleet is threatened with destruction, the commanding staff will be the first to hang from the mast head.” 

In conclusion, stimulated by the universal sympathy, Dybenko confidently exclaimed: “They talk about the need of bringing out the Petrograd garrison for the defense of the approaches to Petrograd and of Reval in particular.  Don’t believe a word of it.  We will defend Reval ourselves.  Stay here and defend the interests of the revolution…When we need your support we will say so ourselves, and I am confident that you will support us.”  

 Pavel Dybenko September 1917

“Was there not enough butchering for you? You need more blood?” 
 Pavel Dybenko October 1917

“The crews of Tsentrobalt have decided to help the Soviets.  We will be sending battleships and mine crews out to Petrograd.  They will support the armed forces from Kronshtadt.  We now control radio broadcasting and are in constant communication with the executive committees of both Kronshtadt and Revel.  I thought it was important I told you and you know of it yourself.”

Dybenko then put a neatly folded piece of paper on the desk in front of the admiral.

'This is the calling of Tsentrobalt that has been accepted now.  Tomorrow it will be in the papers.  Soon you will receive the official orders of Tsentrobalt.’

Dybenko left and Admiral Razvozov continued to look over the letter the chairman placed before him, “The Baltic fleet won’t shake in fear in the face of any reaction forces or revolution enemies…
Pavel Dybenko October 1917

On board the “Polar Star” (the offices of the Tsentrobalt) there stood Admiral Razvozov, Dybenko asked him; “So, what about now? Do you believe now?”

Admiral Razvozov replied, “Yes. This is a miracle. Impossible things are happening. With such a passion and persistence you are bound to succeed.

Pavel Dybenko and the history of February 23rd

Pavel Dybenko and the history of February 23^rd

It is now two years removed from the 100 year anniversary of Great October.

Many years ago and after having met Pavel Dybenko a well renowned Soviet scientist named Vitaliĭ Iosifovich Gol’danskiĭ deemed Dybenko an extraordinary and legendary figure in Russian history.  According to Gol’danskii the spirit of Great October became more vivid to him while speaking with Dybenko and though many years had passed since their only encounter the impression Dybenko made remains clear as on that first day.  

Extraordinary?...Legendary?...two words hardly spoken when speaking about Pavel Dybenko.  Contemporary historians rely upon the written word of Soviet Archives.  Although one can find much in way of factual occurrences…there is just as much documentation motivated by propaganda and political influences.   

Case in point the events of February 23^rd.

The Soviet Archives tells of a tale that a disheveled, drunkard, and a coward of a man was responsible for a number of shameful events.  Henceforth, the disparaging and elimination of Dybenko’s influence on the navy and from government began.

We are all familiar with the resounding beat of the drum that occurs on every anniversary of February 23^rd.

            Pavel Dybenko unceremoniously retreats from a short battle at Narva.

He and his troops were said to be under the influence of spirits as they fled in an unorganized and chaotic way.  Others have told of Dybenko fleeing in his luxury railway car without giving the order to retreat thereby leaving his men in the lurch.   Most all infer Dybenko to have been such a coward, to have felt such fear…that he ran all the way to Samara!

Can the historian name the man who commanded the forces and retreated at Pskov?...how about the name of the man who commanded the forces and retreated from Revel?...Are contemporary historians aware that another figure in this Machiavellian plot, Lt. Gen. Parskii, previously commanded the forces and was responsible for the retreat from Riga in September of 1917?

Why does there seem to be more emphasis…more historical importance on this retreat than most any other in Russian history?  V. Lenin knows the truth…along with a small cadre of supporters. 

            Tsuryuopa, Stuchka, Krylenko, Polevin, Pravdin, Bronsky, Larin, Milyutin, Petrovsky, Bogolenov, Kozmin, Shlyapnikov, Krasikov, Nevsky, Kozlovsky, Trotsky, Raskolnikov, Stalin, and Slobodchkov

The entire convoluted fiction entitled Protocol 82 placing Dybenko at the center of such nonsense was meant to realize one result.  The censoring and removal from government of Pavel Efimovitch Dybenko.
Former Justice Minister Shteinberg declared the accusations and later trial had nothing to do with Narva…instead with  Dybenko’s political difference with the ruling order

Alexsandra KollontaiI proposed Dybenko had been betrayed, Narva was not the actual reason for his arrest, Lenin had simply used it as an excuse.

As for February 23^rd  

           

Meanwhile, at the Narva District and confronting the German advance Dybenko meets up with P.M. Bulkin who is chief of the group of sailors and soldiers retreating from Revel. Bulkin gives Dybenko a copy of his report sent to the Naval Board. Dybenko read, “All army units are demoralized, we are almost alone, those who stand to the end and defend the Soviet Republic. We asked for an additional 500 (or how many you have) sailors…..”, Bulkin went on to state the Germans kept bringing new reinforcements as his detachment continued to diminish.  The remains of Bulkin’s detachment were joined with the Northern Battalion of Dybenko’s.

The first fight the Northern Battalion was involved in took place near the small village of Ivveve. The fight lasted all day and all night on the 2nd of March. The air was cool and the snow thick making for a difficult engagement. The echelon of sailors met the Germans with two armored vehicles on platforms prepared to halt the advance.

The fighting of the battalion held in check many of advance attempts of the enemy. However, as with Bulkins units in Revel, no matter how many of the enemies were shot down they were always able to bring in more reinforcements. The battalion met the challenge of the enemy for what seemed like hours.
Then during one point of the fever pitched battle there was an explosion that rocked the earth. After the smoke cleared, the engineer driver and his assistant were killed and ten sailors seriously wounded. The sailors took up a defensive position. The fighting proved difficult without light artillery and reinforcements.

On the morning of March 3rd, the Germans began advancing with two columns, one along the railway and the other to the North along the Revel highway. It was early, the exhausted Northern Detachment were prepared. The Germans walked into a hornet’s nest. Fierce fighting took place near Vayvara-Korf. ...The fight continued with Dybenko, Pavlov, and Bulkin leading the detachment of sailors and soldiers from the Putilovsky plant through the thick snow attacking several times.

Brave Russians advanced several kilometers attacking the right flank of the Germans near Primorsky sector near Narva , The teutons column advancing from the north won over the Russian troops that were fighting there and in this way created the threat for Dybenko’s detachment of being turned from the rear. With no hope for reinforcements and over 500 dead and many more wounded, Dybenko was forced to retreat

As for reinforcements

According to Dybenko and his lieutenants the Supreme military council and specifically Bonch-Bruevitch provoked them on many occasions. The latter one kept promising to procure the sailors with everything they needed to fight but failed to do so. According to historical truthfulness the Red Army units didn’t just fail to help the sailors but moreover they were intentionally precluding them from organizing proper defense, while the sailors had no ammunition left the Red Army soldier had way too much and they spared them till it was too late to use them”.   Dybenko, Pavlov, Bulkin, and the remaining Northern Battallion retreat to Yamburg.

Lenin’s false accusations within Protocol 82 make the archives and historians have been relating Lenin’s falsehoods since. 

As for Dybenko’s frightened run “all the way to Samara”… more historical inaccuracy…Dybenko would not arrive in Samara until well after his appearance in Moscow.  It would not be until April of 1918 that Dybenko finds himself in Samara.

Even though universally held opinions regarding February 23rd remain, Protocol 82 runs contrary to the historical record.

What were those "political differences" with Lenin that Former Minister of Justice Shteinberg referred to? 
What did Kollontai mean when she stated Dybenko had been "betrayed"?

Double implications have become a familiar theme…one for the winners Lenin and Trotsky…the other for public consumption. The Myth that February 23rd was “birth of the Red Army Day” can be frankly tied to Trotsky’s taking control of the military in addition the Myth of February 23rd coming to be known as “Victory Day” can also be understood as the day Lenin and Trotsky wrested away the last vestige of challenge to their power by centralizing the military.

In order to achieve these results Pavel Dybenko and the sailors’ soviet Tsentrobalt were destined to become ashes under the rug of historical significance. 

George M. Levy

January 2015