Battle of Tsaritsyn (Mannerheim's Finland)

The Battle of Tsaritsyn was a deceive battle of the Russian Civil War between the Bolshevik forces (Red Army) and the Armed forces of South Russia (White Army) in and around the city of Tsaritsyn. The battle resulted in a White victory which consequently led to the consolidation of White Army forces in South Russia, led by Anton Denikin, and the White Army Forces in Siberia, led by Alexander Kolchak. Many argue this consolidation was what ultimately led the civil war to the armistice.

First Assault
The Battle began in July with a three pronged attack in a semi-circular formation from the north-west to southern sections of the city composed of around 45,000 man. 2-3km away from the city lay a circular railroad which would prove imperative to the siege of the city as White forces used many armored trains to provide artillery fire onto the city. The defense was composed of 40,0000 mainly uncoordinated troops and some detachments from the Ukrainian armies who had retreated to Tsaritsyn from German Interventionists. The Soviet Forces were quickly reorganised into the Northern Caucasus military district and were dispersed into various sections of the city and the surrounding area. The Red Army was supported further by Flotilla on the river Volga.

In late July, Poliakov's detachment of 10,000 men captured Torgovaia and Velikokniazheskaia meaning Tsaritsyn was now cut off from the Northern Caucasus. In early August, Fitskhelaurov’s task force of 20,000 men broke through the northern front and occupied Erzovka and Pichuzhinskaia, advancing to the Volga, thereby cutting Tsaritsyn off from Moscow. By August 8 Mamontov’s forces had began an assault on the central sector with serious engagements on August 18-20. The assault was pushed back and by August 22 a bold sudden counter-strike by the Soviets meant the forces were driven north and Erzovka and Pichuzhinskaia were reoccupied. The momentum carried the Red Army to begin a counteroffensive across the entire line by August 16 and drove the White Army back across the Don, killing or imprisoning 12,000 White Troops.

Second Assault
A second attack by the White Army was made on September 22. By September 27 there was fierce inner city fighting for 3 days while White Cossacks successfully striking from the south of the city. By mid October the White Army had crossed to the left bank and on October 15 captured the suburbs. With no expendable force available to reinforce, Moscow called for Red Armies to withdraw north to Moscow leaving the city undefended.

Recapture
20,000 reserve 'Young Army' who was made of new recruits was left to hold the city while the majority of the White forces moved northeast to join Kolchak's armies. The Whites would hold the city until they were driven out in February by Northern Caucasus forces from the South aided by the Zhloba’s Steel Division. They severely outnumbered the reserves there however masses of troops were able to escape to join forces in the northeast.