Background
BERZIN, Reyngol’d was born on July 16, 1888. Son of farm laborer on Kinigsgof Estate, former Lifland Province.
BERZIN, Reyngol’d was born on July 16, 1888. Son of farm laborer on Kinigsgof Estate, former Lifland Province.
1916 graduate Pskov Ensigns’ School.
While still a child herded cattle, then worked at Fortuna Factory, Rujiena. 1905 joined Lat Social-Democratic Party. 1905 active in armed uprising of Rujiena Republic.
1906-1908 underground work. 1908-1911 worked in Riga. 1911 arrested for distributing illegal lit and imprisoned.
On release worked as stockman. 1914 drafted into Russian Army. 1916-1917 junior officer in active army.
During 1917 February Revol chairman, corps comt. Deleg, 2nd Congress of Soviets. Member. Executive Committee, 2nd Army (Minsk Rayon).
After 1917 October Coup member, Military-Revol Committee, old Western Front. Commanded detachments responsible for liquidating old Headquarters in Mogilev. Comissar attached to chief of staff, Soviet Supreme Commander in Chief.
December 1917 commanded 1st Minsk Revol Detachment, organized first attack on anti-Bolshevik forces under General Kaledin and Polish Legion of Dowbor-Musnicki. From early 1918 commander in chief. Western Front against counter-revol forces.
From June 1918 commander in chief, Northern Ural-Siberian Front, commanding 3rd and 9th Armies. From December 1918 inspector, Soviet Lat Army. From July 1919 member, Revol Military Council, Western Front.
Organized defense of Petrograd. 1919-1920 member, Revol Military Council, Southern and Southwestern Fronts. December 1923-July 1924 member Revol-Military Council, Turkestani Front.
Organized campaign against Basmachi. 1924-1926 member, Revol Military Council, Western Military district. 1927 relieved of duties in army for siding with Trotskyite opposition.
Transferred to admin work. From 1931 head, Joint State Political Administration-People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs Board, Far North Construction Trust (responsible for gold mining in Kolyma area with prison-camp labor). Arrested by People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs.
Communist Party member from 1905.