Fok, Aleksandr Viktorovich

Born Aug. 25 (Sept. 6), 1843; date of death unknown. Russian lieutenant general (1904).

Fok graduated from the Konstantin Military School in 1864. From 1871 to 1876 he served in the Separate Corps of Gendarmes. He then fought in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78. In the 1890’s he commanded a regiment, and in 1900 he assumed command of the 4th Eastern Siberian Rifle Brigade, taking part in the suppression of the Ihet’uan uprising. During the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–05, he commanded the 4th Eastern Siberian Rifle Division, stationed at Port Arthur. Fok’s inept leadership led to a series of military setbacks at the approaches to Port Arthur, for which he was relieved of his command. After the death of General R. I. Kondratenko in December 1904, General A. M. Stessel’ put Fok in charge of the fort’s ground defense; both men were responsible for the overhasty surrender of Port Arthur. Fok was put on trial. Although he was vindicated in 1908, he was discharged from military service.