New-York tribune., 1918-07-25
American Girls
I'm Death Battalion
Ask for Recruits
Wives of Russians Join
Organization Ready to
Take Place at Front

Into the Battalion of Death formed
here by Russian women eager to wrest
their fatherland from German domino
ton have gone two American girls
one from the West, the other from
New York City.
They are Mrs. Eleanor Koch, twen-
tyfour years old, of 191 Claremont
Avenue, and Mrs. Ella PROF, twenty
two, of 83 Hamilton Place. Mrs. Koch s
husband is Colonel Nicolay Koch, a
member of the Russian Artillery Com
mission sent here to enlist his coun-
trymen to continue the fight against
Germany.
Mrs. Piroff's husband is Paul Piroff
formerly a sous-captain in the Russian
army, and who, like his wife, is eager
to see Russia freed from the German
scourge
81 want to do some real fighting"
said Mrs. Koch yesterday. "and for
that reason have joined the Battalion
Of Death.
Won Fame With Rifle
Mrs. Koch's home is adorned with
trophies won by her skill with the
rifle. AS a horsewoman, it is said,
she had few superiors.
II am sure there are many women
in this country of Russian blood who
feel as | do, that we should get into
the fighting" continued Mrs. Koch.
"Now that l have set the example for
my American sisters / hope they will
join the battalion"
Mrs. Piroff was equally as enthusi-
astic as Mrs. Koch. 81 will not hesi-
tate to face the foe," she said, "for +
know that I can shoot gun as we'll
as any man. And there are lots of
other women of Russian blood who will
join the battalion now that two Ameri-
can girls have set an example"
According to Mrs. Koch, the affairs
of the battalion are moving most
smoothly. More members are joining
daily and plans are under way to use
a local armory three times week
for drilling under Colonel Koch and
Captain Piroff.
Recruiting To Be Pressed
1t is planned to open recruiting sta
tions throughout the United States
wherever there are large numbers of
Russians. Besides the Battalion of
Death, there will be other organiza-
tions formed for which Russian men
and women will be recruited. There
will be a Red Cross organization, q
hospital unit, and a division which
will devote it's time to making band
ages. Special attention will be given
by some to the rounding up in this
country of Russian "slackers."
Colonel Koch is in favor of sending
United States troops, supported by q
native Russian army, into Siberia
Munitioned by this government, he
suggests that the troops work their
way west, supported and joined by
loyal Russians. These, Colonel Koch
thinks, would appear in large numbers
and would be a most valuable asset
against Germany.
AS ViceGovernor of Voronesh. 900
miles southeast of Moscow, Colonel
Koch had years of training in the Rus
sian army. He entered the present
war with his three sons, all of whom
for bravery, were made Cavaliers OF
st. George. One is dead, a second is
manned. and the third is missing.
Won Brides in America
Colonel Koch came to this country
as a member Of the Russian Artillery
Commission. When German propaganda
broke Russia down his project to take
into the country an army of native
Russians as the nucleus of force to
drive out the Germans was born.
A man of middle age, somewhat gray
and of military bearing, Colonel Koch,
who was widower, was married to an
American girl shortly after his arrival
here. Captain Piroff also found bride
after landing in this country.