THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN NORTHERN RUSSIA.

Rare album of photographs of the RAF in Archangel supporting Anti-Bolshevik forces during the Russian Civil War.

[Photograph album. Russia: c. 1918-1920.] 86 original photographs, of which 10 large format (approx. between 160 x 210 mm. and 130 x 195 mm.), 24 medium format (approx. between 100 x 150 to 80 x 120 mm.), the remainder mostly between 75 x 100 mm. to 65 x 90 mm., with a few smaller, mounted on 15 leaves, oblong 4to (220 x 310 mm.). Contemporary embossed leather with leather binding strap (extremities faintly rubbed, fore-edge of lower cover with very small rubbed patches).

The North Russia Expedition was a campaign fought by the Allies in north-western Russia against Bolshevik forces after the October Revolution. Starting in the final months of the First World War, the campaign finally ended in 1920 with evacuation of Allied forces.

This album includes images of the RAF headquarters, 4 of a R.E.8 two-seat biplane reconnaissance and bomber aircraft, 8 images of ships sailing on the icy Northern Dvina River and ploughing through ice of the White Sea, and various personnel including: ‘Captain Wiswell, Bomber Pilot R.E.10 [sic]’; Lt. Clarke LoC [Lines of Communication]’ and ‘Captain Brown ARS RAF’ [Aircraft Repair Section].

Military action can be clearly seen in some photographs, with various destroyed buildings and guns being towed on sleds, while others give a more human dimension, including Russian sentries, Russian kitchen staff, the local fire brigade and RAF personnel having ski races. Topographical and townscape scenes appear mostly in large format, although there are also small format shots of a ‘Cerf’s [sic] house’ and a ‘Bolshevik village’.

Winter scenes predominate, but there are a number taken during the summer, including one of a tented camp. The RAF billets appear to be surrounded by water in the warmer months.

This exceptional album illustrates the international dimension of the aftermath of the Russian Revolution.