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Gutsunaev KazbulatOfficer of the Russian army, participant in the First World War and the Civil War
Date of Birth: 01.01.1875
Country:  Dive |
Content:
Early Life and Military Education
Kazbulat Shamilovich Gutsunaev was born into an Ossetian family in Novo-Khristianovskoye, Terek Oblast. As an Orthodox Christian, he received a home education. On December 20, 1896, he enlisted as a volunteer in the Ossetian Horseback Division.
Gutsunaev excelled in military service. Within a year, he was awarded a longitudinal stripe for intelligence gathering and the "Scout Distinction Badge." In 1899, he was promoted to senior non-commissioned officer and remained in service beyond his required term.
In 1900, he applied to the Elisavetgrad Cavalry School but failed the entrance exam. Undeterred, he remained in the division for another year without financial benefit. Despite this setback, he was admitted to the school the following year.
As a junior second lieutenant in his third year, Gutsunaev won a prize and an award-winning revolver for a shooting competition. His skills in fencing earned him an entry on the marble board at the school, and his competitive riding skills were recognized with another marble board in the riding arena.
Military Career
In 1904, Gutsunaev graduated from the school with First Class honors as a cornet in the 43rd Tver Dragoon Regiment. He became the assistant chief of the regimental training team and participated in the Russo-Japanese War. On September 10, 1911, he was promoted to staff captain.
Gutsunaev married Eugenia Yaronis in 1911 and had a son, Vadim, in 1914. As a staff captain in the 16th Tver Dragoon Regiment, he deployed to the First World War. The regiment was part of the Caucasian Cavalry Division, which fought on both the Western and Caucasian fronts.
Distinguished Service Order
In June 1916, Gutsunaev was awarded the British Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) while serving with the 1st Caucasian Cavalry Corps in Persia. The order, awarded for "personal bravery or leadership leading to distinguished results," was given to Gutsunaev for his assistance to British troops in the Mesopotamian campaign. The specific act of valor that earned him the award remains unknown.
The Civil War and Death
After the Russian Revolution, Gutsunaev joined the Volunteer Army as a colonel and commanded the 3rd Ossetian Regiment. He died in battle near Kiev on September 7, 1919. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.
According to an account by R. G. Bintimirov, Gutsunaev's regiment was attacked by an infantry regiment. The Ossetians counterattacked with a cavalry charge, resulting in the deaths of 21 men (including 19 officers) and the wounding of 15 officers and one enlisted man. Gutsunaev's body was found on a potato field on the outskirts of the village four days later. He had been shot in the back between the shoulder blades.
