4 nov 1919 anni - when whites retreat, NM gives names of "jackasses" (of all shades) to kontrraz to eliminate. however the oversight of Belash and commanders Karetnikov and Kalashnikov intervene, instead screening the arrested and judges it inadvisable due to likelihood of retribution. all are released in the promise of ceasing cooperation with whites.

Descrizione:

But, in spite of all attempts at community control the Makhnovist
Kontrazvedka, especially during periods of military reverses, re-
sorted to motiveless terror. Thus during the retreat of the 1" Donetz
Corp from Alexandrovsk on November 3-4, 1919, Makhno gave
the Kontrazvedka a list of 80 Alexandrovsk "jackasses", includ-
ing Mensheviks, Narodniks, and some Right SR bigwigs" In the
prevailing Black Terror these "jackasses" could only expect to be
liquidated. Remaining in the city were the Kontrrazvedka of the
Corps, headed by Zinkovsky, and the self-defense units which an-
swered to the city commandant. The latter also included a "regular
detachment of Makhnovist military police with its own command
staff, responsible for the maintenance of order and discipline in
places where troops are stationed.
And yet in the Makhnovshchina even the Batko himself couldn't
unilaterally pronounce such death sentences. Kalashnikov, com-
mander of the 1" Donetsk Corps and in charge of the city's defense,
along with his deputy Karetnikov, requested confirmation of the
sentences from the army chief-of-staff Belash. All the arrested were
screened at a meeting arranged by the Kontrrazvedka. As Belash
assessed the order to Makhno himself, “This would be motiveless
terror which, if carried out, would not improve the existing situa-
tion: the army is withdrawing, and the city is doomed to surrender.
Such massive terror would, naturally, stir up the population and,
ultimately, we would have a reciprocal White Terror from the Deni-
kinists directed against the workers."(As a result of the screening,
all the “jackasses” were released after giving their word of honour
not to take part in the White movement and not to help the Whites
materially. Belash's account seems accurate: none of the workers
were shot by the Denikinists.

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