Battle of Peregonovka (1919)

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Bettle of Peregonovka


caption=
date=September 1919
place=Southeast of Uman, Ukraine
territory=
result=Makhnovist Victory
combatant1= (Anarchists)
combatant2=flagicon|Russia Elements of the Volunteer Army (Monarchists, Anti-Communists)
commander1=Nestor Makhno
commander2=Shilling
A. Ya. Slashchev
strength1= Unknown
strength2= 6,000-7,000 rifles & sabres
27-40 artillery pieces
casualties1= Unknown
casualties2= Heavy

In the Battle of Peregonovka (or Perehonivka) in September 1919, part of the Russian Civil War, the (Makhnovist) Revolutionary Insurrectionary Army of Ukraine routed elements of the (White) Volunteer Army. The battle involved several major engagements, near Pomoshnaya, Yelizavetgrad, Tashliche, Krutenkoye, Uman, Peregonovka, and Krivoi Rog.

Background

In mid-August 1919, with the Ukrainian People's Army and the White Volunteer Army converging on Kiev, the Red Army around Odessa (including elements of the 12th and 14th Red Armies) abandoned the city and retreated northwest. In early September they linked up with other 12th Red Army forces west of Kiev.

Other formations, including most of the largely-anarchist 7th Insurgent Rifle Division and one brigade of the 58th Rifle Division (the Crimean Rifle Division) left the Red army and reconstituted the Revolutionary Insurrectionary Army of Ukraine at Pomoshnaya.

Units of the Ukrainian People's Army occupied Uman and the surrounding area, while some units of the White Volunteer army landed at Odessa and marched north, and other units of the Volunteer Army occupied Yelizavetgrad and marched west.

The Volunteer Army sought to destroy the Makhnovist forces and secure the rail line from Odessa to Yelizavetgrad (and the rest of the AFSR's territory). The Makhnovist forces sought to preserve their army and return to their home base (in Yekaterinoslav province, behind the White lines).

Composition of the Makhnovist Forces

The Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine, led by Nestor Makhno, comprised four corps and army units:
* 1st Donets Corps, led by Kalashnikov
* 2nd Azov Corps, led by Vdovichenko
* 3rd Yekaterinoslav Corps, led by Gavrilenko
* 4th Crimean Corps, led by Pavlovsky

Each corps included 3-4 large regiments of infantry and 3-4 smaller regiments of cavalry, but little artillery. In the main battle, the 1st and 2nd corps covered the eastern sector (front) around Peregonovka along the Yatran; the 4th corps covered the southern sector (right flank), the cavalry forces, detached from their parent corps, covered the northern sector (left flank), and the 3rd corps covered the western sector (rear).

Composition of the White Forces

The Volunteer Army committed the 4th Crimean Infantry division and various independent brigades in the battle. The regiments of the 4th Crimean Infantry Division (of the Volunteer Army) were named after the regiments of the 13th and 34th Infantry Divisions (of the prewar Tsarist Army).

Composition of the Ukrainian Directory Forces

Tiutiunnyk's Group of the Ukrainian People's Army, comprised two divisions, one brigade, and supporting units:
* 5th Infantry Division
* 12th Infantry Division
* 1st Galician Infantry Brigade
* Several Armored Trains

Each division or brigade had 2-3 regiments of infantry and supporting artillery. By the end of August, the 5th Infantry Division and 1st Galician Infantry Brigade had deployed around Uman, and the 12th Infantry Division had deployed around Talnoye and Shpola, supported by the armored trains.

Timeline Debate

According to Arshinov, the armies met at Krutenkoye on September 25th, Peregonovka one day after Krutenkoye, and Krivoi Rog one day after Peregonovka. According to Voline, the armies met at Krutenkoye on September 25th and Peregonovka on the 26th. According to Belash, the armies met at Krutenkoye on September 25th, Peregonovka on the 27th, and Krivoi Rog on October 1st.

References

Belash, Aleksandr & Belash, Viktor, Dorogi Nestora Makhno.