Russian and Cossack Remembrance of Refugee Life in the 1920s.

The article focuses on the refugee experiences of Russian and Cossack members of the White Army in the early 1920s following their defeat by the Bolsheviks and evacuation to Istanbul and surrounding areas. It compares the living conditions, social organization, and morale of Russian troops stationed mainly in Gallipoli and Cossack units settled in Çatalca and Lemnos, highlighting that both groups endured harsh camp conditions including inadequate shelter, food shortages, and disease outbreaks. While Russian troops under leaders like General Kutepov maintained stronger military discipline, unity, and hope for returning to Russia, the Cossacks suffered from weaker leadership, fragmented camp structures, and declining morale, which led some to desert or collaborate with other forces. The study illustrates how displacement reshaped identity, loyalty, and collective memory among these refugees and underscores the political complexities of forced migration in the postwar period.