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Boris GeruaMajor General of the General Staff.
Date of Birth: 09.03.1876
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Russian Military Officer and Commander
- Military Career in the Russo-Japanese War
- High-Ranking Positions
- World War I and Heroism
- Chief of Staff and Staff Officer
- Russian Revolution and Emigration
- Artistic Pursuits in Exile
- Later Years and Legacy
Russian Military Officer and Commander
Early Life and EducationAlexander Ignatyev was a renowned Russian military officer and general-major. He graduated from the Page Corps and the Nicholas Academy of the General Staff in 1904. Ignatyev subsequently participated in the Russo-Japanese War and World War I.
Military Career in the Russo-Japanese War
Upon graduating from the academy, Ignatyev volunteered for service in Manchuria. He held the position of senior adjutant to the 2nd Army Corps. During the Battle of Liaoyang, he served as an ober-officer for assignments in the reconnaissance department of the general quartermaster's office under the commander-in-chief in the Far East.
High-Ranking Positions
In 1906, Ignatyev became the senior adjutant of the 42nd Infantry Division's staff in Kiev. Three years later, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and became assistant to the 2nd ober-quartermaster (reconnaissance department) in the Main Directorate of the General Staff. By 1912, he had attained the rank of colonel and became an exceptional professor of tactics at the Nicholas Military Academy.
World War I and Heroism
At the outbreak of World War I, Ignatyev was appointed commander of the 123rd Kozlovsky Infantry Regiment. He led the regiment in the Battle of Galicia and in fights along the Dunajec River. For his valiant defense of the city of Jasło from October 3-4, 1914, he was awarded the coveted George's Weapon.
Chief of Staff and Staff Officer
From April 1915, Ignatyev served as chief of staff of the 31st Infantry Division. He later became chief of staff to the Leib-Guard Izmaylovsky Regiment and participated in repelling the German army's offensive during the battles near Chełm and Krasnostaw. In early June 1916, he was promoted to general-quartermaster of the "Guard Troops."
Russian Revolution and Emigration
During the Russian Revolution, Ignatyev was arrested on August 31, 1917, for his support of General Kornilov's rebellion. However, he was released due to lack of evidence. He subsequently fled to Finland and eventually to England, where he became chairman of a special military mission to provide aid to the armies of Generals Miller, Yudenich, Denikin, and Admiral Kolchak.
Artistic Pursuits in Exile
In addition to his military career, Ignatyev had a passion for painting. He attended the Drawing School of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts in St. Petersburg while serving as a junior officer and continued his art studies in London. Ignatyev exhibited at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and became a renowned portraitist, landscapist, and book illustrator.
Later Years and Legacy
Ignatyev passed away in March 1942 and was buried in Devon, England. He published his memoirs, "Воспоминания о моей жизни" (Recollections of My Life) in two volumes. Ignatyev also contributed numerous articles to various military journals. He actively participated in the publication of the handwritten magazine "Измайловская старина" and was a member of the Izmaylovsky Union.
