During the Civil War, rivers and lakes are widely
used by warring parties as the lines of defense and the way forces maneuver.
Therefore, the combat activities of the military fleets, which is a great help
Red Army in the fight against the interventionists and White Guards on the Volga, slightly,
Northern Dvina, on-Don, Dnieper, Amur, Azov and Caspian seas, Ladoga
and Lake Onega, attached exceptional importance.
Flotilla represented formation
Workers 'and Peasants' Red Fleet to solve various problems in the seas,
lakes and rivers as myself, and in order to facilitate land
troops.
Fleets have glorious traditions and rich combat experience. AT
Russian state first Flotilla was established in 1570 year
Baltic Sea to protect from pirates Narva sea route. Then, in different
years, created the White Sea Flotilla, on the Dnieper, Caspian and Azov
seas. for example, Caspian Flotilla was created by decree of Peter I 1722 year,
and the Danube Flotilla - in 1771 year for fighting against
Turk. She is actively supporting the troops Suvorov.
Kaspiyskaya fleet, November 1722 of the year
In connection with the outbreak of civil war and military
intervention in the spring of 1918 year unfolded a large-scale work to create
river and lake flotillas. They quickly obeyed front (army,
sometimes division). In Red Navy was established more 30 offshore, lake and river
flotillas. The largest of these were the Volga-Caspian, Azov, Onega,
Volzhskaya, Dnipro, Northern Dvina flotilla.
Military flotilla assigned the following tasks:
artillery support troops, The landing and the organization of crossings, capture
onshore enemy targets, fighting his own river, transportation and
crossings, protection of its troops, onshore facilities from the effects of river power
the enemy, and to ensure economic transport. marine and
lake flotilla consisted mainly of destroyers, minonostsev and Others
ships and vessels, river - converted from civilian courts
departments. Strike force flotilla were gunboats.
ships used for the formation of flotillas,
tugs, barges, boats and other vessels and floating structures. Depending on the
combat supplies and weapons they are divided into gunboats
(refitted steamers, armed 2-3 caliber guns 75-152 mm
several machine guns), floating battery (self-propelled and self-propelled barge,
armed 1-2 caliber guns to 210 mm), cruisers (usually tugs,
armed 37-102-mm guns and 3-4 pulyemyotami), messengers and support
vessels (boats, armed with a small-caliber gun and 1-2 pulyemyotami).
Flotilla consisted, usually, of 3-5 divisions
minonostsev and kanlodok (by 3-4 ship in each), 3-4 guard battalions
ships and minesweepers, patrol boats and various auxiliary vessels, a
also part (departments) marine Corps (usually landing party from 400-800
human) and aviation (air Division). flotillas carried Guide
Commander of the military council (sometimes political department) and Staff. To communicate with
ground troops, rear bases and ships the headquarters of major fleets have
incorporates communication services department (Front large ships had
radio stations). The personnel of the completed from the Baltic sailors and
Black Sea fleet.
Flotilla were heavy artillery means
Command on operational and combat tasks in the implementation of the maneuver
troops, they often served as the vanguard of the strike groupings
ground troops, advancing along the coast. Important role in
fleets played hydroaviation, follow in the floating hangars, tow
warships. It performs the task of exploration, patrol service,
setting minutes. Mobile means of landing troops were.
So, in May 1919 of the year, When unfolded the offensive
Eastern Front against the White Guard armies of Admiral Kolchak, actively
assisted the ground forces the sailors of the Volga Flotilla. To that
Time in service fleet consisted: 21 kanlodka (while boats
were reduced in 5 divisions), floating battery, 6 guard and 10 messengers courts,
air Division (11 gïdrosamoletov), aeronautic detachment and landing
squad (800 sailors).
Azov flotilla ships
Art sailors of the Volga Flotilla in solving problems
promote the 2nd Army troops as they crossed the river Vyatka manifested in the use
different modes of action: ferry troops on a broad front, support
the Army fire naval artillery, tactical landings in
rear fortified enemy positions, organization of the defense side and rear of the army of
Kolchak's flotilla attacks, impact on the rear communications
enemy forces by shelling Yelabuga and other items.
Besides, Azov flotilla 1920 year, contributing
Southwestern edge to eliminate Wrangel landing Kuban, actively
used minelaying. So, on the night 19 August 5 patrol boats
postavili Bakht 100 min type "Fish",
24 August boat flotilla set more 80 min. At these mines blew
enemy destroyers "Hot", gunboat "Altai" and transport "Volga".
In this way, It started during the Civil War, military
flotilla acquired rich combat experience. For the first time in the history of the art of war
fighting in the rivers and lakes have received such a large scope.
Gabriel Tsobehiya
