General Malsagov’s deed

Anna Demchenko, exclusive to Vestnik Kavkaza

After the revolution of 1917 many representatives of the Russian Empire’s elite had to emigrate. The majority of emigrants, including the most successful and talented, couldn’t find their place in the new world. When the Fascist intrusion began in the USSR many white émigrés tried to help their motherland, but the country refused the support. Safarbek Malsagov was one of the few people who managed to help for the motherland, even though he was far away from it.

He was born in Vladikavkaz on July 26, 1868, to an Ingush noble family. Following the family tradition, he decided to join the military – in 1885 Malsagov joined the 45th Dragoon North Regiment and in 1886 he entered the prestigious Elisavetgrad Cavalry School, from which he graduated after a year. Later he became lieutenant in the Dagestan Horse Regiment in Temir-Khan-Shura. There he was the chairman of the regiment court and participated in the population census.

Malsagov was a skillful shooter. He won several prizes in district shooting contests during his service in Temir-Khan-Shura. In 1904 he became Lieutenant Colonel. In 1907 Malsagov was sent to Tiflis as an aide of the regiment commander where he covered for his chief from time to time. In 1911 Malsagov became Colonel for perfect service.

An unexpected twist in his miltary career took place when he was put forward to be the commander of the Ossetian Horse Squadron in Stavropol. The division went through difficult times. In 1905-1907 serious military unrest appeared in the squadron due to revolutionary events. The unrest was severely suppressed. After this, very strict square-bashing was launched in the squadron. It influenced negatively on the soldiers who were mainly proud Caucasians. Ahead of Malsagvov’s coming, a scandal erupted. The mass media published information on the conditions in the squadron. The society was shocked by numerous abuses which often led to the death of soldiers. Stealing, beating, and fights were typical for the squadron. Often a guilty person was forced to ride a horse without a saddle or run before a horse. Malsagov managed to eliminate abuse and compose a core of officers who provided order without using severe measures. The new commander also organized an educational system for the military men.

After the beginning of the First World War, the squadron was included in the 8th Army of Brusilov on the South-West front. After this, the squadron quickly covered the distance to the German front and took part in battles between Lvov and Tarnopol in Galicia. The squadron which three years ago was dispirited and ineffective showed perfect training and courage in battles near Rakitno, Belaya Volya, Tikhbizh, and Strutseni.

In January 1915 Malsagov was appointed the commander of the 1st Dagestan Horse Regiment; on October 31st, 1915, he became Major General.

Despite the revolution of 1917, Malsagov didn’t abandon the army. Only after signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in spring 1918, he headed to the Caucasus. In Ingushetia which was the General’s motherland, the Bolsheviks fought Denikins. The last managed to capture power for a while. Soon he became the envoy of Ingushetia in the headquarters of the Volunteer Army.

In 1920 the General emigrated to France and was employed by a factory. He was a common poor worker. Despite his poverty, he was respected by emigrants from the Russian Empire.

During the Second World War Malsagov worked in the International Red Cross. He saved a lot of lives. Malsagov rejected numerous proposals from Nazi Germany on cooperation and maintained independence which enabled him to save many lives of war prisoners. Later prisoners from the USSR talked about Malsagov and his deeds with admiration and gratitude.

Malsagov was respected also by German officers. One of prisoners said about his wonderful escape: “I was taken to be executed with other prisoners. We arrived in a damp cellar, were forced to take off our clothes, blindfolded and put up against the wall. The light was off. A few moments later a command should be given and our corpses should be burnt. At this moment I heard “As-salam alaykum” in mother-tongue. Then the person named himself in Ingush and in Russian: “I am General Safarbek Malsagov.” I responded: “Safarbek, according to our traditions I cannot answer to “As-salam alaykum” naked; it is a great shame; I prefer you see my corpse than my naked body. Safarbek came to me: “It’s alright. It is our Vainakh etiquette, but the situation here is different.” Then he went to the other room where the head of the camp was and talked to him loudly. The German general apologized to Safarbek and ordered him to cancel the execution.”

Malsagov spoke fluent German, French and English. It helped him in his work in the Red Cross. He died a year before the end of the war. During a dinner he was sitting under a portrait of one of Puslovskie in their house in Warsaw. Suddenly the heavy portrait which had hung there for at least 20 years fell on the General and hurt his head. The General died in hospital and was buried in the Muslim Tatar graveyard in Warsaw.