Battalion of Death: The women's-only assault force that fought on the battlefields of WWI

By 1917, after three years of brutal conflict in World War I, the Russian army was in complete disarray.

The war had devastated Russian forces, which resulted in nearly 1.7 million deaths and more than 3.5 million wounded.

The army’s morale plummeted, with desertions becoming widespread and entire units mutinying against their commanders.

The February Revolution, which had overthrown Tsar Nicholas II, only deepened the chaos, and the new Provisional Government under Alexander Kerensky struggled to maintain control.

As such, the government faced overwhelming pressure to continue the war, despite its growing unpopularity and the deteriorating conditions on the battlefield. 

As a result, by the spring of 1917, the Russian military was on the brink of collapse.

Soldiers were deserting in overwhelming numbers, and many regiments outright refused to fight.

The Provisional Government was in a difficult position, as they were still obligated to their commitments to the Allies.

Yet, their task became nearly impossible as the morale of the army crumbled. It was within this crisis that Maria Bochkareva, a proven and skilled soldier, proposed creating an all-female combat unit.

Bochkareva believed the women’s battalion could serve as a powerful example to men and reignite their willingness to fight. 

The idea of recruiting women for front-line combat was considered revolutionary, particularly since women had largely been restricted to nursing and support roles.

However, given the desperate circumstances, the Provisional Government saw potential in Bochkareva’s plan.

They believed that the Battalion of Death might instill a sense of shame in the men who were abandoning their posts.

The government hoped that by allowing women to take up arms, traditional ideas of masculinity would be challenged, pushing male soldiers to reengage with the war effort.

As a result, Bochkareva received permission to recruit and train the female battalion. 

Maria Bochkareva had been born to a peasant family in 1889, and rose from humble beginnings to become one of Russia’s most unconventional wartime leaders.

She joined the Russian army in 1914, which was an unusual step for a woman, after receiving special permission from Tsar Nicholas II.

Her early front-line experiences deepened her commitment to the war effort, as well as the hardships she faced made worse by an abusive marriage and difficult labor conditions.

By 1917, when she proposed creating an all-female battalion, Bochkareva had earned the respect of her male counterparts. 

The 1st Russian Women’s Battalion of Death was officially formed and attracted over 2,000 volunteers, though only around 300 were accepted due to the strict requirements.

Bochkareva personally led the recruitment drive, and she traveled across Russian cities to find women who would be willing to serve.

These recruits came from diverse backgrounds, ranging from peasants to women from educated, urban families. 

She also personally oversaw their training to ensure they were prepared for the realities of front-line combat.

Those who were successful underwent an intense training period focused on weapons handling, trench warfare tactics, and military discipline.

Bochkareva enforced strict discipline among the women, expecting them to meet the same standards as male soldiers.

Her focus on discipline and physical endurance mirrored her military experience and the women who joined admired her courage and saw her as a symbol of strength.

Most of all, Bochkareva emphasized sacrifice and national duty.  

Initially, women’s involvement in Russia’s military during World War I was limited to support roles, such as nurses, medical assistants, and factory workers.

As casualties mounted and the demand for labor grew, many women moved into industries previously dominated by men.

However, early exceptions like Evgeniya Shakhovskaya, Russia’s first female military pilot in 1914, demonstrated that women could handle combat-related tasks. 

By 1915, societal pressure for women’s direct involvement in the war increased. Women’s organizations demanded recognition for their contributions and the right to join the military.

These demands, initially resisted, became harder to ignore as the situation at the front worsened.

The February Revolution of 1917, which ended Tsarist rule, opened the door to social reforms and provided opportunities for women like Maria Bochkareva, who had already proven themselves in combat, to advocate for all-female combat units.

The battalion became one of the first instances in Russian history where women were formally integrated into front-line combat roles.

Even after the formation of units like the Battalion of Death, many women continued to serve in support roles, but these battalions represented the first formal integration of women into front-line combat. 

The first recruits to the Battalion of Death received only a few weeks of training before being sent to the front, but Maria Bochkareva’s strict methods ensured they were as prepared as possible under the difficult circumstances.

The decision to form the battalion came at a critical moment when Russia’s war effort was nearing collapse, coinciding with preparations for the Kerensky Offensive, the government’s final attempt to regain control of the Eastern Front. 

The Battalion of Death first saw combat in July 1917 during the Kerensky Offensive.

Sent to bolster the 10th Army near Smorgon, an area already ravaged by heavy fighting, they encountered deeply demoralized male soldiers unwilling to confront the enemy.

On July 9, the women undertook a daring raid on German trenches, charging across no-man's-land under heavy artillery fire and successfully capturing a section of enemy defenses.

Their actions impressed commanders and briefly rallied surrounding troops. 

However, the broader situation soon unraveled. Widespread desertions left Russian forces unable to support the battalion’s advance.

As a result, the women, sustaining heavy casualties, were forced to retreat under fierce counterattacks.

Roughly one-third of the battalion’s members were killed or wounded during the battle.

Regardless, their bravery earned widespread respect, with reports of their courage reaching both Russian and foreign audiences, including praise from The New York Times, which contrasted their determination with the collapsing Russian front. 

Reactions to the Battalion of Death within the Russian military reflected the divided nature of Russian society in 1917.

Some military leaders, including General Lavr Kornilov, commander-in-chief of the Russian army, cautiously supported the battalion.

He admired Maria Bochkareva and believed her unit could inspire demoralized troops.

However, many officers remained skeptical, doubting the long-term effectiveness of women in combat.

Some feared that instead of boosting morale, the women’s presence might further discourage male soldiers. 

Soldiers were similarly divided. Many, worn down by the war, greeted the female battalion with derision, doubting whether the women could handle the physical and emotional demands of combat.

For some, the battalion’s presence challenged their courage, leading to feelings of embarrassment and resentment.

However, others who saw the women in action came to respect their bravery and welcomed them as comrades. 

Public opinion varied widely. Women’s rights activists and Provisional Government supporters saw the Battalion of Death as a step toward gender equality and proof that women could serve their country.

Publications like Russkaya Volya praised the battalion’s discipline and courage, presenting it as a heroic attempt to defend Russia.

In contrast, conservative factions, including religious groups and traditionalists, strongly opposed women in combat, viewing it as an affront to traditional gender roles.

These critics voiced their disapproval through the press and public protests, which only added to the battalion’s controversial reputation. 

After the failure of the Kerensky Offensive, the Battalion of Death saw little further combat.

The political chaos following the October Revolution, which brought the Bolsheviks to power, severely disrupted military operations.

Bochkareva struggled to keep the unit together, but the army’s overall disarray made this impossible.  

By October 1917, the Bolsheviks had seized power in Russia during a second revolution, and, as such, the battalion’s role became more complicated.

This was primarily due to the fact that the Bolsheviks opposed the war and saw no need for a combat unit meant to inspire soldiers to fight.

As a result, Bochkareva’s battalion became increasingly isolated. Divisions within the unit also grew, as some women supported the revolution, while others remained loyal to the Provisional Government or wished to return home.

These internal divisions made it difficult for the battalion to maintain cohesion. 

The final blow came after the October Revolution, when the rapid dissolution of the Russian army left no place for units formed under the old regime.

Although Bochkareva attempted to rally her soldiers, most deserted or joined other factions during the chaos.

The battalion was officially dissolved by late 1917. As the country plunged into civil war, many women from the battalion returned to civilian life or aligned themselves with various sides in the conflict.

The Russian Revolution, which initially enabled the battalion’s creation, ultimately led to its dissolution.