Anatoly Rogozhin

Anatoli Ivanovich Rogozhin was a Russian officer who served in the Imperial Russian Army, the White Army, and was the last commander of the Russian Corps in Serbia during World War II.

He was born on April 12, 1893 in the Chervlen stanitza of the Terek Cossack Host, the son of a cossack officer. After being raised in a cadet school and completing the Nikolaevsk Cavalry School, Rogozhin commanded several cossack units in Persia. Returning to Russia in 1914, Rogozhin fought on the South-Western front during World War I. He then served in Kiev, then went to Terek where his unit confronted rebellion in the face of the February Revolution.

In June 1918, Rogozhin participated in the Terek Cossack rebellion against the Bolsheviks and became a part of the White movement.

After evacuating from Russia, Rogozhin served in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes in the border patrol. During World War II he joined the Russian Corps, becoming the commander of a regiment. He received an Iron Cross second class for bravery in battle. Upon the death of General Boris Shteifon, he became the last commander of the Corps.

Rogozhin managed to negotiate a surrender with the British forces. He and his men were targeted for repatriation to the SMERSH but were saved by British general Steele. He became the commander of the refugee camp. He also helped organize the evacuation of Russian veterans of the Corps and was one of the last to leave the camp in 1951. Organizing the Russian Corps Combatants veterans organization (Союз Чинов Русского Корпуса), he also established the Nashi Vesti (Our News) periodical magazine.



Rogozhin moved to the United States where he continued being active in white emigre organizations. He died on April 6, 1972, and is buried in the Novo Deveevo Russian Orthodox convent in Nanuet, New York by a chapel dedicated to the Corps.