Alexander Samsonov
| Aleksandr Vassilievich Samsonov | |
|---|---|
General Aleksandr Samsonov, 1913.
|
|
| Born |
14 November 1859 Andreevka, Kherson Governorate, Russian Empire (now Ukraine) |
| Died | 30 August 1914 (aged 54) Willenberg, East Prussia (now Wielbark, Poland) |
| Allegiance |
 Russian Empire
|
| Service/branch | Imperial Russian Army |
| Years of service | ~1877–1914 |
| Rank | General of the Cavalry |
| Commands held |
Warsaw Military District (1906–?) Second Army (1914) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | see below |
Boxer Rebellion
Russo-Japanese War
Aleksandr Vassilievich Samsonov ( Russian: Алекса́ндр Васи́льевич Самсо́нов; 14 November [O.S. 2 November] 1859 – 30 August [O.S. 17 August] 1914) was a career officer in the cavalry of the Imperial Russian Army and a general during the Russo-Japanese War and World War I.
Samsonov was born in Kherson Governorate of the Russian Empire in what is now part of the Ukraine. After graduation from the Vladimir of Kiev Cadet Corps and elite Nikolaev Cavalry School, he joined the Imperial Russian Army at age 18 as a cornet in the 12th Hussars Regiment.
Samsonov fought in the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78. After this war he attended the Nikolaevsky Military Academy in St. Petersburg. On November 4, 1888 he was appointed senior aide to the staff of the 20th Infantry Division, and from July 10, 1885 to February 4, 1889 served as Senior Staff Adjutant to the Caucasus Grenadier Division. From March 11, 1890 through July 26, 1896 he worked at various assignments at the Warsaw Military District. He subsequently became commandant of the Elisavetgrad Cavalry School. During the Boxer Rebellion (1900), Samsonov commanded a cavalry unit. During the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), Samsonov commanded a cavalry brigade of the Ussuri Siberian Cossack Division. He was promoted to command all Russian cavalry forces in the First Siberian Army Corps following the Russian defeat at the Battle of Telissu. His forces subsequently protected the Russian flanks at the Battle of Liaoyang. Through these conflicts Samsonov gained a reputation as an energetic and resourceful leader, but some observers criticized his strategic abilities. After the Battle of Mukden in 1905, he accused General Paul von Rennenkampf of failing to assist him during the fighting. The ensuing quarrel made the two mutual lifetime enemies.
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