Background
Dundich, Toma was born on April 13, 1896 in Grabovac, Dalmatia. Son of a Croatian peasant.
Dundich, Toma was born on April 13, 1896 in Grabovac, Dalmatia. Son of a Croatian peasant.
As a teenager, emigrated to Latin America, and worked as a gaucho in Argentina and Brazil. Returned to Croatia, conscripted into the Austro-Hungarian army, 1914. POW in Russia, 1916. Joined the Serbian Volunteer Corps, fighting on the Russian side in World War I. After the revolution, joined the Red guard detachments in Odessa.
Became well known in the Red cavalry for his dashing exploits. Member of an international revolutionary battalion under Voroshilov and Budennyi. Fought against General Wrangel at Tsaritsyn.