Pavel Zhuravlev (partisan)

Pavel Nikolaevich Zhuravlev (Russian: Павел Николаевич Журавлев) (July 22, 1887, Alexandrovsky Zavod – February 23, 1920, Alexandrovsky Zavod) was a leader of the partisan movement in Transbaikalia from 1919 to 1920 during the Ataman Semyonov's regime.

Early years

Being born to poor Cossacks, Pavel Zhuravlev started working in gold fields when he was 12 years old. In 1915 Pavel Zhuravlev was drafted into the Russian Imperial Army and fought on the Romanian Front. After his two wounds Pavel Zhuravlev was transmitted to a reserve regiment from which he deserted in 1917.

The Russian Civil War

Pavel Zhuravlev came back to Transbaikalia and joined the Bolsheviks, and in April 1918 he was appointed the commander of the Red Army regiment which fought against the Special Machurian Detachment of Ataman Semyonov. After the defeat he fled to Amur Oblast disguising himself as Kudrin. On April 21, 1919 Pavel Zhuravlev was chosen to be the Commander-in-chief of the Eastern Transbaikalian Front, and he participated in the Bogdat battle. Pavel Zhuravlev was deadly wounded near village Molodovsky on February 19, 1920. He was buried in a mass grave at Alexandrovsky Zavod. Many streets were named after him in Transbaikalian cities.

References

• Ушаков М. Вожак заб. партизан // Годы и люди. — Чита, 1960;
• Василевский В. И. Революция и Гражданская война в Заб.: Краткий биографический указатель. — Чита, 1989;
• Календарь знаменательных и памятных дат Чит. обл. на 1997 г. — Чита, 1997.