The White Baron

Roman von Ugern-Sternburg was one of the most colorful figures in the Russian Civil War. He was an ultra conservative warlord mostly active in Mongolia. He adopted a modified version of Buddhism, believing himself as the reincarnation of Genghis Khan. He believed that it was his destiny to create a new horde. Sternburg's army was ethnically diverse with troops being Russian, Mongols, Tibetans, Poles, Japanese, Cossacks, and several other ethnic groups. He drove out Chinese influence in Mongolia. Sternburg was infamous for his cruelty, he mercilessly persecuted Bolshevik supporters and Jews alike. Some of the Mongol tribes believed him to be the god of war. During the early years of the Russian Civil War, he fought alongside the White Army scoring several minor successes against the Bolsheviks. He then became independent from the mainstream White Army in Siberia, and went on his own campaigns in Mongolia. As mentioned above, he drove the Chinese occupiers out of Mongolia. He rescued the Bogd Khan, a lead Buddhist priest from Chinese house arrest. Sternburg was in control of Mongolia as a reward for driving the Chinese out of Mongolia. His hated enemies, the Bolsheviks soon invaded Mongolia. He was soon defeated and executed by the Bolsheviks.