This happened in 1905, in the Russian-Japanese war. Our shelves were in eastern Manchuria Sypingayskih positions. To them, the location of the Japanese rider made with a white flag. On behalf of his general, he offered to any of the Russian officers to go out and in the broad field of battle with the Japanese saber poedinschikom.
In the Russian camp began to look for someone to put up against a samurai.
Then, before the tent of the commander of a tall and very thin lieutenant. His name was Alexander Saichich, 32 years old, he was a Serb from Montenegro, of the tribe of Vasoevichey. By his own request, he went to war with the Japanese and served in the detachment of Montenegrin volunteers Jovan Lipovtsev. The award-winning and wounded, brave Lexo Saichich volunteered to hack to death samurai.
This Montenegrin was known for his martial art. He could ride a horse at full gallop, crawl under it during the race, and said, if one day at the fair, he jumped two oxen harnessed to the yoke from Rahl. Simple stick he knocked the sword out of the hands of an experienced fighter, but somehow come together in a duel with the Italian fencing master, disarmed him and forced to flee without looking back.
To the sound of the march Lieutenant Saichich left the Russian ranks in the middle of the field. Was moving to the rider with the Japanese curved sword, katana. Samurai wore a black fur and as he later recalled Montenegrin, like views of the evil eagle. The fear of God. Rallying the troops voice died down, when opponents jumped on one another and the earth reeled under the horses’ hooves.
Swords rang, and suddenly rolled to a glancing blow, when they cut his forehead, Lex said Saichich deadly attacks.There was a scream, and the horse Samurai already scurried off, dragging their feet stuck in the stirrups dead body. The corpse of a black fell a hundred meters in front of the first row of Japanese troops. Saichich reached the lying opponent, bowed, and went galloping back to her.
Russian troops welcomed Montenegro’s stretched out on command “Attention!” Then there was a thunderous applause. Admiral Rozhdestvensky made lieutenant Saichicha in his arms wide, and soon, with a special accompaniment arrived and Japanese Admiral Togo, a slight bow to congratulate the winners. For this fight Lexo Saichich got the troops nicknamed “Murom”.
Murometz new century – Aleksandar Lexo Saichich
It was a picture that took place only in the epic songs: to build a two armies, Russian and Japanese, the battlefield had to share two warriors. One of them was Lieutenant Aleksandar Lexo Saichich …
The rain poured down, it seemed the sky above Cetinje cry. ”Tears – say the chroniclers, – did not hide nor King Nikola, Queen Milena nor were damp and shawls princes and princesses, while the majority of the people wiping tears with his hands.” It was April 7, 1911. In Cetinje hospital “Danilo I” from the effects of falling from the top floor of the Royal Palace, died captain Aleksandar Lexo Saichich, a 38-year life. In the funeral procession, which two days later, while attending State Orchestra and the honorary squad moved to the cemetery, along with the palace and the diplomatic entourage, silently walked mass of people.
At the head of the procession, as a kind of document of the deceased, on several pillows lay orders and medals: Russian Orders of St. Vladimir, with swords and ribbon Grade II, St. Anne’s I and II, St. Stanislaus with swords and ribbon II and III, Russian medal for being wounded , Montenegrin medal for bravery and Danilov Order IV degree, the Italian cross … A curious collection and heraldry would say experts. They then take this opportunity to whisper recounted last year’s event, which cost the life of a man before whose samurai sword and concealed their tresses.And then what happened?
Muromets of the century, as it was named after the Battle of Russian Eun-ju-Ahn of their legendary hero Ilya, Aleksandar Lexo Saichich heard that the fire engulfed the first floor of the Royal Palace at Cetinje and domchalsya like without a soul. At the risk of being and the top floor, where there were many jewels especially valuable gifts Montenegrin court, and the king of the many rulers of Europe and the world. And while most sought through the fire to reach the top of the first floor, Lex took off his shirt, soaked it in the first pelvis with water, wrapped around the head and ran through the flames. From above he could, dropping down to people to save a lot of valuable things, without which modern numerous visitors of the Museum of King Nikola, would remain deprived of a holistic view of the history of these spaces. And when the fire began to threaten and to himself, and when it was impossible to escape down the stairs, he jumped on the stone-paved courtyard, and heavily damaged the two kidneys.
He had long been ill while under care and supervision of all, with frequent visits by the king and his family, but does not cure it. Man died in front of military prowess is clearly in front of the armies, and bowed Russian Admiral Rozhdestvensky and his Japanese counterpart in the order of Togo. Before the stories about the event itself, that is a battle with the samurai, fast marching step should go through life Saichicha. Aleksandar Lexo Saichich was born in a village near Berane Winitzki August 5, 1873 at the family estate worthy descendant of Vuk Brayoticha – a famous commander Vasa Saichicha, writes in his entertaining and detailed work, “Montenegrins in the Russian-Japanese war,” historian al Djuro Batrichevich. School and high school he attended at Cetinje, the pet of Prince Nikola. High school he went to Dubrovnik, where arrived in Belgrade, where he graduated from Infantry School junior officers and then as adjutant Vasoevichey Brigade, served in Montenegro 3 years. From this time and there is the story of his incredible skills. It was said that he could ride a horse at full gallop, crawl under it at the time of the race, jumping, turning back, his sword slicing through an imaginary opponent. And at fairs, when about all the people he could jump, and the largest horse. One day, as mentioned, he jumped two oxen harnessed to the yoke from Rahl. But in Mount Turia over to give birth, in the crotch and shepherds today show two stone border, which was once jumped Lexo Saichich. Than six meters.
About the ability with which he acted sword, the people were legendary. One says that to tease his brother’s uncle Mila Nizhnevasoevichskoy brigade commander, he threw himself on his sword cane and immediately knocked the gun from his hands. Then move that few of those present could see his sword, he threw his shirt button under the throat. Italian fencing teacher at Cetinje he humiliated in a duel when, after a few blows knocked the gun from his hand and forced him to flee without looking back, as proven weak mentor.
With the intention to improve as a warrior, he went to Istanbul and served three years, lieutenant Turkish guard.From there he went to Russia, where he, in the beginning of February 1904 broke the Russian-Japanese War. A real chance for a warrior, a lieutenant, to the knowledge and skill to be confirmed on the battlefield. He confirmed them so that in the course of a 2-year war in the far east of Russia received three severe wounds in three battles and chest hung a handful of medals and awards. This was not enough, and it is rooted in the folk song thanks to duel with samurai. But where and how an event that was recorded and Russian chroniclers, witnesses non-shiny actions of his army?
The two armies advanced towards each other. And then they stopped by Jung-Joo Ahn, in eastern Manchuria, near Vladivostok. Russian to Japanese, in the second year of the Russian-Japanese War (1904-1905). According to the classical set design, should lead the battle in the middle of the field. Wide, of course. And while the Russian strategists were looking for a better way, which would have led them to victory, after a series of failures, from the opposite camp stood out rider with a white flag. What does he want?
The commander of the Japanese troops, through his messenger with a white flag, and claimed the Russian colleagues to choose one warrior that before the battle will come to duel with their samurai. Russian staff officers were, to put it mildly, stunned. Gray heads with epaulettes could not believe that the Japanese in the early 20th century, stick to their old custom. The Council took a long time, if not send a duelist – a shame, but if they decide to take the Japanese challenge, then send someone to confront their skillful and experienced warrior. They knew that a victory in this duel is a psychological advantage for the coming struggle.
And the decision was made: to find a volunteer who will want and dare to confront the samurai. They found him at once, or should I say, he found them. As soon as the camp came a voice about finding a volunteer who has to protect the honor and glory of Russian weapons and martial arts, commander of the front of the tent, almost running rushed tall and thin lieutenant.
- Aleksandar Saichich of Bera, Montenegro – he saluted sharply. - A subject of Prince Nicholas, now in the service of His Imperial Majesty, I am ready to go to a duel with the hated enemy …
And while the officers looked incredulous 32-year-old volunteer, he stood rooted to the spot in front of them, patiently waiting for further orders. The senior officers for a long time whispering and then decided there was no choice but to give him a chance when he arrogantly asked him, and no one else tried.
Pet of Prince Nikola saluted by the rules and immediately went in search of a horse and a sword, which he would best approached. He quickly found his sword, from the range of horses selected only the third. The fact that the rider on the team could move from left to right, avoiding the attack of the enemy.
unreal to the environment, like our epic songs Saichich left in the middle of the field. Accompanied by the music of a military march. From the opposite camp, says the story, went a warrior dressed in black fur. The fear of God.Lexo said later that he napomnal him some evil Montenegrin eagle. Duel of life and death.
Voices of the troops subsided when duelists moved against each other. Loosen the earth under the hooves of horses. Then, after hitting a groan of steel on steel. Both continue in the saddle. Then again butt. Aimed hero to hero. The poet saw it this way: “One flew to the other / As Eagles hit / And waved their swords / To the Sun poured …” As a chorus of sighs antique troops, on the one and the other.
Then Saichich felt cruel pain and something warm spilled from his forehead into his eyes. Sleeve of his uniform, he had a moment to wipe the blood and saw the unfortunate cut on his head. In a moment, he bent down and swung his sword. Heard a cry against the ear, and then the majestic “long live” in Russian. Terrible whinny made him turn: Samurai horse ran wildly, pulling host to his feet stuck in the spurs. He fell a hundred meters in front of the first row of Japanese troops.
Saichich reached the stationary body, bowed, and went galloping back to his own. His music is met and the command “attention”. Then, as they say, on the Russian army resounded loud applause. Among his first congratulated Russian Navy Admiral Rozhdestvensky, one of the ablest generals, and soon, with a special accompaniment arrived and the Japanese navy admiral Togo and easily bowed to the winner. Chivalry while it was still in the price.
However, this is a psychological advantage achieved victory in the duel, did not help Russian army under Eun-ju-anomie. Historians estimate that battle like no man, and Russian-Japanese war belongs to the military defeat of Russia, legalized in Portsmouth (USA), September 5, 1905.
After winning the duel, Aleksandar Lexo Saichich became a Knight of the Order of St. Anne, the highest Russian award, and the owner of many other differences. In addition, the Russian government has identified him a good amount of gold Napoleons 40 annually for life. In the distant Manchuria, he was promoted to the rank of captain until the end of the war he commanded a squadron of horse-Amur Dragoons. Sabre, which he defeated samurai, now kept at the Military Museum in Moscow.
Soon he ovenchanny deserved fame, returned to Cetinje, where Prince Nikola confirmed his rank of captain.However, most of the time he spent writing poetry and translating from Russian. Until the unfortunate jump from the top floor of the Royal Palace …
In the Russian-Japanese war as volunteers participated, many Montenegrins. Some of them out there and got the rank of general, for example, etc. Ante Gvozdenovic, Jovan Popovic Lipovac, Andrieu Bakic … Such a number of soldiers had long been the foundation of unverified stories that Montenegro then declared war on Japan and that has not signed a truce. Famous Montenegrin historian Novak Razhnatovich, among other things, explains:
“The history of a certain Montenegrin-Japanese war of the century – pure hoax. But despite the fact that the war between Russia and Japan was far from the important interests of Montenegro and of course all the sympathy Montenegrins were Russia’s side. At a certain commitment Montenegrins same faith and fraternal Orthodox Russia, likewise lasted for two centuries, moral, political and material support for Russia Montenegro. example, financial assistance for Montenegro from Russia in the early 20th century was the following: the full weaponry and uniforms of the Montenegrin army, including the costs of two battalions of the regular army, and almost the entire contents of a relatively expensive Montenegrin court, the cost of the Montenegrin Embassy in Istanbul, the content of the two middle schools – teachers Theological Institute and the Maiden, Russian church, the government and the people greatly helped Montenegrin Metropolitan clothing, clothes, books , funds for the construction and repair of churches. Separately, especially in the years of crop failure, Montenegro, Russia gave a considerable amount of grain almost every year … ”
Razhnatovich further emphasizes the following:
“Fallacy, which we are talking about here, made a coincidence that one of the old custom of monarchs. More Czar Alexander III gave the prince Nikola words” the only sincerely friend, “gave him the rank of Honorary Colonel, that is the honorary commander of a Russian regiment near Odessa. When in the early the war against Japan, this regiment went to the front, Prince Nikola, as an honorary commander, sent a telegram calling on God to help the victory of Russian arms, and his regiment to give effect to the heroic struggle for a better future and the glory of Russia. And it’s “participation” in the Montenegrin War. ”
In the Russian-Japanese War and participated Prince Arsen Karadjordjevic (1859-1938), the younger brother of King Peter and the tenth child of Prince Alexander and Princess Persia. As a colonel, he commanded the Cossack cavalry regiment in the army of General Reneklipra. In the famous Battle of Mukden, he showed exceptional bravery and was awarded the highest award of the Russian imperial – a golden sword. On this occasion, he was promoted to the rank of General, Chief of Cavalry Division.
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