Frunze, General Mikhail Vasileyvich. (1885-1925). Born, Pishpek. A professional revolutionary and soldier, Frunze, after some ten years of internal exile under the Tsar, managed to escape captivity in 1914. He continued his activities in Irkutsk and Chita and in 1916, managed to gain a position as a statistician in the 'All-russian Zemstvo Union on the Western Front, and head the Bolshevik underground in Minsk.
Chosen as chairman of the Soviet of Workers', Peasants', and Soldiers' Deputies in Shuya, Frunze commanded and led the Ivanovo-Voznesensk and Shuya Red Guards in the Moscow Uprising, 30 October 1917. Ultimately, he rose to command the fourth Army of the Eastern Front during the Civil War, assumed command of the Southern Group on 5 March 1919, and led successful operations against Admiral Kolchak. He liberated the Northern and Central Ural mountains and was then re-assigned to command the Turkestan Front from 15 August 1919-10 September 1920.
He defeated General Wrangel's White Army in the great battles of 7-17 November 1920, and subsequently held political positions in the Ukraine and the Politburo, where he was appointed Deputy Director for Military Affairs in 1924. It was Frunze who was the author of the 'unitary military doctrine,' synthesising a unity of offensive action, ideological training and the 'promotion of world revolution'. He is valued as one of the fathers of the Red Army, and the creator of the Soviet Advanced Military Schools.

AJP

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