Pyotr Wrangel (1878–1928)
Born 1878 CE, died 1928 CE.
Baron Pyotr Nikolayevich Wrangel (August 27 [O.S. August 15] 1878 – 25 April 1928), nicknamed the "Black Baron", was a Russian military officer who served as a commanding general in the anti-Bolshevik Volunteer Army during the Russian Civil War. In 1920, he became the last commander-in-chief of the White forces in Southern Russia, which he reorganized as the Russian Army. A scion of the prominent Baltic German Wrangel noble family, Wrangel initially pursued a civilian career at his father's behest, graduating as a mining engineer, but later decided on a military career after volunteering for service in the Russo-Japanese War. A graduate of the Imperial General Staff Academy, he distinguished himself during World War I, becoming one of the first Russian officers to be awarded the Order of St. George for heroism. He rose to the rank of major general. After the October Revolution, Wrangel joined the Volunteer Army in August 1918 and was given command of major cavalry formations. He became known for his aggressive leadership and battlefield successes in the Northern Caucasus.
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