Episode Summary:
In this episode, we delve into the forgotten history of the Cossacks during World War II, focusing on their occupation of Friuli, a remote region in northeastern Italy. Often romanticized as noble warriors in literature, the Cossacks' role in the war was far more complex and darker than the myths suggest. Lured by the Nazis with promises of a new homeland, they became collaborators, only to be betrayed by the very forces they served. This is a story of displacement, survival, and the fragile human connections that emerged amidst the chaos of war.
Key Topics Covered:
The Romanticized Myth of the Cossacks
How literature like Gogol's Taras Bulba and Tolstoy's The Cossacks shaped perceptions of Cossacks as noble warriors.
The darker reality of their collaboration with the Nazis during World War II.
The Cossacks in Friuli (1944-1945)
The arrival of 22,000 Cossacks and Caucasian peoples in Carnia, a mountainous region in Friuli, Italy.
Their mission: to crush the partisan resistance and establish a "Kosakenland" (Cossack homeland).
The Free Republic of Carnia and its significance as a partisan stronghold.
Life Under Occupation
The initial chaos and violence as Cossacks plundered villages for survival.
The fragile coexistence that developed between Cossack families and local Friulian villagers.
Stories of shared kitchens, cultural exchanges, and unexpected friendships.
The Cossacks' Cultural Impact
The introduction of Eastern Orthodox Christian rituals and traditions to Friuli.
The fascination and fear surrounding Cossack customs, from ritual baths to their exotic attire.
The Retreat and Betrayal
The Cossacks' desperate retreat from Friuli in May 1945 as the Allies advanced.
The tragic "Betrayal of Yalta," where British forces handed over Cossacks to the Soviet Union, leading to mass deportations and executions.
The harrowing mass suicides along the Drava River.
Legacy and Memory
How the people of Friuli remember the Cossacks today.
Personal stories from descendants of both Cossacks and Friulians, reflecting on this shared history.
Notable Quotes:
"Have you been possessed by the devil to come to this country?" – A Friulian woman to a Cossack woman, capturing the shock of their arrival.
"We wandered, wandered, wandered." – A Cossack woman reflecting on her people's long journey.
"Our suffering continues." – A Cossack woman during the retreat, expressing the despair of displacement.
Key Figures:
General Pjotr Krasnov: The Cossack leader who sought refuge in Friuli, only to be betrayed and executed by the Soviets.
Don Graziano: A Friulian parish priest who acted as a mediator between Cossacks and locals, offering a glimpse of humanity amidst the chaos.
Olga: A Cossack officer’s wife who formed a bond with a Friulian family, symbolizing the fragile connections forged during the occupation.
Further Reading & Resources:
Books:
Victims of Yalta by Nikolai Tolstoy (1977)
Army of the Lost Rivers by Carlo Sgorlon (1985)
Stanitsa Terskja: The Cossack Illusion of a Homeland by Patrizia Deotto (2005)
Articles:
"The Cossacks and the Third Reich" by Oleg V. Ratushnyak and Fabio Verardo (2016)
"Cossacks in the Service of the Third Reich" by Adam Szymanowicz (2020)
Websites:
Carnia Libera 1944 (carnialibera1944.it)
Torzeando Blog (I cosacchi in Carnia, 2022)
Music Featured:
"Ой, віє вітер, віє буйний": An ancient Ukrainian Cossack song performed by Ensemble Khreshchaty Yar.
"Перший псалом": A Ukrainian Orthodox chant by the Vydubychi Orthodox monastery choir.
Royalty-free music and sound effects from Pixabay.
Closing Thoughts:
This episode uncovers a forgotten chapter of World War II, where the lines between occupiers and occupied blurred, and humanity persisted even in the darkest times. The story of the Cossacks in Friuli is a reminder of the complexities of history and the importance of remembering those who suffered and survived.BEYONDBERLIN.SUBSTACK.COM
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