Armed Forces of South Russia

Armed Forces of South Russia
Вооружённые силы Юга России
Most territory controlled by South Russian forces as of October 1919
Active 8 January 1919 – April 1920
Country South Russia
Allegiance Russia GCAFSR
Size 85,000 (January 1919)
160,000 (July 1919)
270,000 (October 1919)
Engagements
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief Anton Denikin

The Armed Forces of South Russia or AFSR (Russian: Вооружённые силы Юга России, translit. Vooruzhyonniye sily Yuga Rossii, VSYuR) were formed on 8 January 1919, it incorporated many of the smaller formations of the White Army in South of Russia (called "White South" in Soviet historiography), including the Volunteer Army (which was renamed the Caucasian Volunteer Army). Besides that, the AFSR included the Don Army, the Crimean-Azov Army, the Forces of Northern Caucasus and the Turkestan Army.

In January 1919, it numbered 51,000 Infantry, 34,000 Cavalry, 204 Field guns, 682 machine guns and 6 armoured trains. By July 1919 it had grown to 104,000 Infantry, 56,000 Cavalry, 600 Field guns, 1,500 machine guns, 19 aircraft, 34 armoured trains, 1 Cruiser, 5 Destroyers, 4 Submarines and 20 Gunboats. By October, after heavy losses and the transfer of units to other armies, the armies' strength fell drastically.

The Volunteer Army from its inception until January 23, 1919 carried the same name. Then after becoming a part of the Armed Forces of South Russia, from January 23, 1919, until May 22, 1919, it was renamed to Caucasus Volunteer Army. On May 22, it split into two formations: the Caucasus Army, and the Volunteer Army. The Caucasus Army disbanded on January 29, 1920 and was replaced by the short-lived Kuban Army. Troops of the Kuban Army ended up surrendering by April 18–20, 1920 to the Red Army. The Volunteer Army continued to exist from May 22, 1919 until March 26/27, 1920, when the remaining troops were evacuated from Novorossiysk to Crimea. Most then merged there with Wrangel's forces.

In early April 1920, Anton Denikin, commander-in-chief of the AFSR, delegated all authority to Pyotr Wrangel, who took command of the so-called "Russian Army", which included all units remaining from the AFSR after its defeat in the Northern Caucasus.

Order of Battle of the AFSR, early 1919

Volunteer Army (known as Caucasian Volunteer Army from January 23 - May 22, 1919)
Commanders: Gen. Anton Denikin (April 1918 - April 1920)

  • 1st Army Corps (Gen. Kutepov)
  • 2nd Army Corps (Gen. Promtov)
  • 5th Cavalry Corps (Gen. Yuzefovitch)
  • 3rd Kuban Cavalry Corps (Lt. Gen. Shkuro)
  • Kiev Army Group (Gen. Bredov)

Caucasus Army (split from Caucasian Volunteer Army on May 22, 1919)
Commanders: Lt. Gen. Pyotor Vrangel (May 21 - December 8, 1919)
Lt. Gen. Viktor Pokrovsky (December 9, 1919 - February 8, 1920)

  • 1st Kuban Corps (Lt. Gen. Pokrovsky)
  • 2nd Kuban Corps (Gen. Ulaguy, later Gen. Nahumenko)
  • 4th Kuban Corps (Gen. Shatilov, later Gen. Toporkov)

Don Army (joined AFSR on 23 February 1919)
Commanders: Gen. Vladimir Sidorin (February 1919 and April 1920)

  • Northern Group (Starshina Semiletov)
  • Southern Group (Gen. S. Denisov)
  • Trans-Don (Zadonskaya) Group (Col. Bykadorov)

Turkestan Army

  • Zakaspiyskaya Composite Inf. Division (Maj. Gen. Lazarev)
  • Turkestankaya Rifle Division (Maj. Gen. Litvinov)
  • Cavalry Division (Maj. Gen. Oraz-Khan Sedar)

See also

Sources

  • Н.Е.Какурин, И.И.Вацетис "Гражданская война. 1918-1921" (N.E.Kakurin, I.I.Vacietis "Civil War. 1918-1921") - Sankt-Peterburg, "Polygon" Publishing House, 2002. ISBN 5-89173-150-9

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