September 7, 1918 – Doughboys Land in Russia
Pictured – American troops were preceded by a landing party of US Navy sailors, who had accompanied the original British landing in August.
The first American ground troops landed in north Russia in September 1918, reinforcing the growing Anglo-Canadian force at Archangel. The “Polar Bears” were America’s largest contribution to the Russian Civil War. Although more Yankees landed at Vladivostok in the Far East, they would take no part in fighting, while the Americans at Archangel were swept into a trench war against the Red Army. 144 Americans would die in north Russia during the war.
U.S. Magazine Rifle caliber 7.62mm Model of 1916