This book was the only one written by Boleslaw (as he was known) and covers the time when he served in a Polish cavalry unit, fighting for the Russians during WWI. Based on his experiences covers a short time from the beginning of the Russian Revolution when the Russian army began to break up through the forces of defeat, starvation, useless slaughter and Communist propaganda. His unit (there were similar units fighting for the Germans and Austrians), then decided that their oath to the Czar was null and void and they attempted to reach fellow Polish units across the front lines.
During the course of a few months, the unit was caught in the terrible civil war that raged throughout the former Russian Empire. They fought and were pursued by the Whites, Reds, Greens and any bandit bands they ran across as they zig zagged throughout the central Ukraine. For anyone interested in an on the ground experience that was that chaos, this is an excellent novel as he apparently only changed the names of some of the “players”. Knowing neither friend nor foe, the Poles liked to move at night when there was less chance of being seen and as their numbers dwindled, they had to become more careful of any contact with individuals or groups as they could not know the allegiance of those individuals.
Finally they were surrounded by strong Red detachments and their only recourse was to dissolve the regiment and try to escape individually or in small groups. His vivid description of their final salute as they lowered their banner is emotionally moving.
After the war, Boleslaw made several films in Europe, then was offered numerous directing positions in Hollywood, working with a multitude of famous actors and actresses. He died in 1937.
More than a novel, this book is an excellent history of individuals caught up in a chaotic time, only seeking like most people, an opportunity to go home and have a normal life.
