The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army

Transcription

1 The Workers' a Peasants' Red Army By Marja Erwin The Workers' a Peasants' Red Army was by e large a be-documented army of e Russian Civil War. Its hiory largely reflects e coitions which shaped e hiory of e oer armies. At fir, e Red Army a Red Guas were volunteer forces wi elected officers. Mo units were local formations. In mid-late 1918, e Red Guas became part of e Red Army, a e Red Army became a conscript force wi appointed officers a military specialis. Until mid-1919, several of e republics, including e Ukrainian Rada Republic a e Crimean Sovyet Republic, maintained eir own armies. The Workers' a Peasants' Red Army grew from about 200,000 personnel in April 1918 to almo 5,500,000 personnel in November 1920, but ey were never able to arm more an about 600,000 combat troops. Workers' a Peasants' Red Army (June 1918) In e Armies a Fronts: 141,000 bayonets 8,000 sabres 2,086 machine guns? artillery pieces In e Military Diricts: 17,000 bayonets A few hured sabres? machine guns? artillery pieces up to 200,000 combat troops in June Workers' a Peasants' Red Army (December 1918) In e Armies a Fronts: 203,000 bayonets 25,000 sabres 4,301 machine guns 928 artillery pieces Workers' a Peasants' Red Army (June 1919) In e Armies a Fronts: 320,000 bayonets 35,000 sabres 7,263 machine guns 1,810 artillery pieces Workers' a Peasants' Red Army (January 1920) In e Armies a Fronts: 255,000 bayonets 49,000 sabres 9,112 machine guns 2,445 artillery pieces Workers' a Peasants' Red Army (July 1920) In e Armies a Fronts: 297,000 bayonets 69,000 sabres 10,122 machine guns 2,168 artillery pieces Workers' a Peasants' Red Army (October 1920) In e Armies a Fronts: 338,000 bayonets 7 10,559 machine guns 2,616 artillery pieces 594,000 combat troops in October In e Military Diricts: 55,000 bayonets 277 machine guns 163 artillery pieces In e Military Diricts: not lied In e Military Diricts: not lied In e Military Diricts: not lied In e Military Diricts: not lied 5,427,000 personnel in all units in November

2 The Souern Front & Nor Caucasus Military Dirict, arou October 1918 In e fall of 1918, e Souern Front included 6 divisions a e Nor Caucasus Military Dirict anoer 9 divisions. In e following mons, e fronts were divided into several armies, e divisions were reinforced, a new divisions were formed. Souern Front (October 1918) 27,000 bayonets 4,000 sabres 630 machine guns 133 artillery pieces about 47,000 combat troops 2 Orel Infantry Division 1 Kursk Infantry Division 2 Kursk Infantry Division 1 Voronezh Infantry Division 3 Voronezh Infantry Division Kikvidze's Infantry Division Special Brigade of e 5 Moskva Infantry Division Sablin's Special Brigade Zakharovich's Brigade Mironov's Brigade Separate Kamyshin Regiment Nor Caucasus Military Dirict (October 1918) Nor of e Manych 32,000 bayonets 6,000 sabres 535 machine guns 203 artillery pieces about 51,000 combat troops 1 Communi Infantry Division 1 Don Infantry Division 2 Don People's Infantry Division 1 Morozovskaya Don Infantry Division 2 Composite Cossack Division Sou of e Manych up to 75,000 bayonets 4,000 sabres 225 machine guns 48 artillery pieces up to 85,000 combat troops (probably between 20,000 a 40,000 combat troops) 1 rough 4 Infantry Divisions (The Taman Army was e 3 Infantry Division) The Origins of e Ukrainian Rada Army, December 1918 rough February 1919 At e beginning of e war wi e Directory, e Ukrainian Rada Army included 2 divisions a 1 separate brigade, deployed norea of Ukraine in Orel, Kursk, a Voronezh provinces. Several Russian units were deployed in e same area, including Kozhevnikov's group a e boer guas, but ese were part of e Souern Front a were not available to e Ukrainian Front. In addition, e Ukrainian Rada Army counted on e support of pro-rada/sovyet partisan forces roughout Ukraine. Ukrainian Army (December 1918) 13,000 bayonets 1,200 sabres? machine guns 28 artillery pieces 1 Ukrainian (2 brigades) 2 Ukrainian (2 brigades) 3 Ukrainian (only 1 brigade; subsequently reassigned to e Souern Front) Pro-Rada/Sovyet rebels roughout Ukraine (not lied above)

3 After e capture of Kyiv, e Ukrainian Army expaed to 3 1/3 divisions wi 4 separate brigades. Of ese, 2 2/3 divisions were Ukrainian regulars, 2/3 of a division were Ukrainian partisans, 2/3 of a division were Russian regulars, a 1/3 were international troops. 2 Russian brigades were reassigned to support e Ukrainian Front. Ukrainian Army (February 1919) 1 Ukrainian (2 brigades of regulars) 2 Ukrainian (2 brigades of regulars) 9 (only 1 Brigade present) Trans-Dnipr (Grigoriev's partisan brigade, Dybenko's regular brigade, a Makhno's partisan brigade) Belenkovich's Rifle Brigade (regulars) 3 Boer Gua Brigade (regulars) International Brigade (regulars; forming) The Ukrainian & Souern Fronts, arou February 1919 When e Ukrainian Rada Army captured Kyiv, e Ukrainian Front included 2 divisions, 3 separate brigades, a partisan allies; e Souern Front included 4 armies a 1 divisions, while e Caspian-Caucasian Front included only e remnants of 2 more armies. Ukrainian Front (February 1919) 44,000 bayonets about 62,000 combat troops 4,000 sabres 606 machine guns 124 artillery pieces Ukrainian 1 2 Ukrainian Belenkovich's Brigade Dybenko's Brigade International Brigade Boer Guas Makhnovi rebels in negotiations wi e Red Army Donets Group, Souern Front (February 1919) 13,000 bayonets about 17,000 combat troops a few hured sabres 150 machine guns 26 artillery pieces 1 Partisan 2 Partisan 3 Partisan 4 Partisan 8 Army, Souern Front (February 1919) 23,000 bayonets about 34,000 combat troops 402 machine guns 62 artillery pieces Moskva 1 Inza

4 9 Army, Souern Front (February 1919) 32,000 bayonets about 56,000 combat troops 7,000 sabres 730 machine guns 152 artillery pieces Ural Composite 10 Army, Souern Front (February 1919) 32,000 bayonets about 61,000 combat troops 10,000 sabres 758 machine guns 220 artillery pieces 1 of e 10 Army 2 of e 10 Army 3 of e 10 Army 4 of e 10 Army 1 Kamyshin Separate Cavalry Division 11 Army, Caspian-Caucasian Front (February 1919) 19,000 bayonets about 47,000 combat troops 7,000 sabres 847 machine guns 159 artillery pieces In retreat; later consolidated into Army, Caspian Front (February 1919) 9,000 bayonets about 16,000 combat troops A few hured sabres 259 machine guns 19 artillery pieces In retreat; later consolidated into 33

5 The Ukrainian & Souern Fronts, arou June 1919 As e Armed Forces of Sou Russia began eir offensive, e Souern Front included 6 armies a 24 divisions. It soon received extensive reinforcements from e Ukrainian a Eaern Fronts. At e same time, e Ukrainian Front had 3 armies a 7 divisions. In oer to shore up e Souern Front, units were rushed from e Ukrainian a Eaern Fronts; many arrived piecemeal a were reorganized into new divisions. Shortly ereafter, e Ukrainian Front was abolished. Its forces were divided between e 12 Army of e Weern Front a e 14 Army of e Souern Front. 1 Ukrainian Army, Ukrainian Front (June 1919) 21,000 bayonets about 34,000 combat troops 441 machine guns 94 artillery pieces 1 Ukrainian 2 Ukrainian 3 Boer Separate Bessarabian Rifle Brigade 1 Separate Cavalry Brigade 3 Ukrainian Army, Ukrainian Front (June 1919) 12,000 bayonets about 17,000 combat troops 159 machine guns 53 artillery pieces 5 Ukrainian Belorusian Rifle Brigade Partisan Otryad (The 6 Ukrainian had mutinied) Crimean Army, Ukrainian Front (June 1919) 9,000 bayonets about 11,000 combat troops 46 machine guns 25 artillery pieces 1 Crimean 2 Crimean 2 Ukrainian Army, Souern Front (June 1919) 10,000 bayonets about 12,000 combat troops 22 machine guns 7 artillery pieces 7 Ukrainian (The 1 Insurgent had been merged into e 7 ) 13 Army, Souern Front (May 1919) 17,000 bayonets about 30,000 combat troops 493 machine guns 135 artillery pieces 7 (only 2 Brigade present) 9 42 Separate Ukrainian Rifle Brigade

6 8 Army, Souern Front (May 1919) 16,000 bayonets about 36,000 combat troops 724 machine guns 149 artillery pieces (only 2 brigades present) 1 Moskva Workers' Division 9 Army, Souern Front (June 1919) 7,000 bayonets about 20,000 combat troops 3,000 sabres 388 machine guns 82 artillery pieces Army, Souern Front (June 1919) 8,000 bayonets about 26,000 combat troops 6,000 sabres 492 machine guns 111 artillery pieces Cavalry Division 6 Cavalry Division Army, Souern Front (June 1919) 5,000 bayonets about 11,000 combat troops 159 machine guns 29 artillery pieces 34 Kalmyk Division (brigade-sized) 7 Cavalry Division In e Rear Areas, Souern Front (June 1919) 16,000 bayonets about 34,000 combat troops 4,000 sabres 578 machine guns 79 artillery pieces 33 (only 2 Brigade present) Expeditionary Division of e 8 Army Expeditionary Division of e 9 Army

7 The Souern & Soueaern Fronts, arou October 1919 After e Armed Forces of Sou Russia broke rough Souern Front, e Stavka transferred forces from e oer fronts. In Augu 1919, e Souern Front counterattacked, but e Armed Forces of Sou Russia again defeated it. In September, it was divided into e Souern a Soueaern Fronts. During e Battle of Orel a e pursuit of e Armed Forces of Sou Russia, e Souern Front included 3 to 5 armies. The 12 Army was reassigned from e Weern Front at October, a e Horse Corps became e 1 Horse Army in November. In e same period, e Soueaern Front included 2 to 3 armies. The 11 Army was reassigned back from e Eaern Front. 12 Army, Souern Front (November 1919) 27,000 bayonets about 44,000 combat troops 611 machine guns 136 artillery pieces Cavalry Division 14 Army, Souern Front (October 1919) 20,000 bayonets about 45,000 combat troops 5,000 sabres 809 machine guns 182 artillery pieces Latvian Eonian Sablin's Group (division-sized) Pavlov's Brigade Red Cossack Brigade 11 Cavalry Brigade 14 Cavalry Brigade 13 Army, Souern Front (October 1919) 26,000 bayonets about 35,000 combat troops 290 machine guns 96 artillery pieces Svechnikov's Composite Stankevich's Group (division-sized) Separate Rifle Brigade 13 Cavalry Brigade

8 8 Army, Souern Front (October 1919) 31,000 bayonets about 55,000 combat troops 8,000 sabres 639 machine guns 174 artillery pieces Fabritsius' Group (division-sized) Skudra's Group (division-sized) 3 Separate Rifle Brigade 4 Cavalry Division 6 Cavalry Division 11 Cavalry Division 56 Cavalry Brigade In e Rear Areas, Souern Front (October 1919) 9,000 bayonets about 16,000 combat troops 3,000 sabres 173 machine guns 46 artillery pieces (only 3 brigade present) 11 Cavalry Division 9 Army, Soueaern Front (October 1919) 32,000 bayonets about 49,000 combat troops 614 machine guns 174 artillery pieces (only 1 brigade present) Army, Soueaern Front (October 1919) 19,000 bayonets about 39,000 combat troops 5,000 sabres 621 machine guns 127 artillery pieces Dumenko's Cavalry Corps (division-sized)

9 11 Army, Soueaern Front (October 1919) 10,000 bayonets about 21,000 combat troops 3,000 sabres 318 machine guns 45 artillery pieces (wiout its 1 Brigade) 7 Cavalry Division Moskva Cavalry Division Garrison/Security Forces The Souweern & Caucasus Fronts, arou February 1920 At e beginning of 1920, e Red Army reorganized its forces. Their forces opposite Odesa a Crimea became e new Souweern Front, while eir forces at Roov a opposite e Caucasus became e new Caucasus Front. The Souweern Front included 3 armies wi 14 divisions; 3 to 5 divisions were separated from e field armies to fight e Makhnovis a oer partisans. The Caucasus front included 5 armies wi 31 divisions. 12 Army, Souweern Front (February 1920) 23,000 bayonets about 44,000 combat troops 771 machine guns 121 artillery pieces Separate Cavalry Brigade 14 Army, Souweern Front (February 1920) 15,000 bayonets about 28,000 combat troops 474 machine guns 117 artillery pieces Latvian 13 Army, Souweern Front (February 1920) 7,000 bayonets about 18,000 combat troops 3,000 sabres 311 machine guns 48 artillery pieces Cavalry Division 13 Cavalry Brigade In e Rear Areas, Souweern Front (February 1920) 12,000 bayonets about 19,000 combat troops a few hured sabres 251 machine guns 58 artillery pieces 7 57 Eonian

10 8 Army, Caucasus Front (February 1920) 9,000 bayonets about 33,000 combat troops 4,000 sabres 799 machine guns 157 artillery pieces Cavalry Division 1 Horse Army, Caucasus Front (February 1920) a few dozen bayonets about 15,000 combat troops 9,000 sabres 238 machine guns 19 artillery pieces 4 Cavalry Division 6 Cavalry Division 11 Cavalry Division 9 Army, Caucasus Front (February 1920) 12,000 bayonets about 27,000 combat troops 515 machine guns 144 artillery pieces Army Cavalry Division 10 Army, Caucasus Front (February 1920) 8,000 bayonets about 23,000 combat troops 4,000 sabres 477 machine guns 127 artillery pieces Caucasus Cavalry Division Don-Stavropol Cavalry Brigade

11 11 Army, Caucasus Front (February 1920) 18,000 bayonets about 37,000 combat troops 3,000 sabres 632 machine guns 86 artillery pieces Expeditionary Corps (division-sized) Cavalry Division Moskva Cavalry Division Major Sources Krivosheev, Soviet Casualties a Combat Losses in e Twentie Century. Khromov et al., Entsiklopediya Grazhdanskaya Voina i Voennaya Interventsiya v SSSR. Direktivy Komaovaniya Frontov Krasnoy Armii. ( gg.) (Vols. I, II & IV)