Red cavalry against Selim Pasha

23
Red Army in 1922-1923 conducted two very difficult mining operations in Bukhara - and the cavalry played a primary role in them (Gissar expedition).

Called to the aid of the Bukhara people's Soviet government for help, units of the Red Army, having successfully eliminated Enver Pasha's troops, themselves were seriously injured - primarily from the unusual conditions of terrain and climate. The epidemic of malaria took on an unprecedented size and caused great damage to the troops. This epidemic had especially adverse consequences for cavalry units. This was taken into account when the second operation against Selim Pasha was carried out in spring 1923.



After the suppression of the movement of Enver-pasha, beginning in the fall (October-November) of 1922, in East Bukhara there is a feverish organizational work of the successor of Enver, Selim-pasha (Khoja-Somi-Bey), to form and strengthen the Basmachi detachments and organize a second campaign against Bukhara Soviet power.

The political objectives of the campaign: "The union of Bukhara, Turkestan and Afghanistan into a single Muslim state." The immediate task was to overthrow the Bukhara Soviet government and expel units of the Red Army from Bukhara.

Red cavalry against Selim Pasha


By 1 February 1923, with the active participation and abundant material assistance of England, Selim Pasha was able to gather under his hand all the Basmachi detachments, including the detachments of the largest Basmac leader Ibrahim-Bek (totaling up to 4000 - 5000 people). In addition, in Western Bukhara, in the area of ​​Nur-Ata (30 - 35 km north of Bukhara), groups of Mullah Abdu-Kagar (numbering up to 2000 people) were grouped. In total, on the territory of the BNSR, Selim Pasha's forces were numbered approximately in 7000 - 8000 people (of which armed - 4000 - 5000).


1 schema.

The organization of the detachments did not have a clearly defined harmonious personnel system; its basis is the territorial system. The enemy, being on horseback, was distinguished by the swiftness of the first onslaught - but with a clear superiority in strength. When fought or pursued, his mood dropped, and he quickly retreated, splitting into small groups of 3 - 5 people.

Fighting night avoided. The intelligence service, especially the secret service, was excellent. With the help of the locals or the Basmachis, the live connection between the squads worked perfectly. In battle, voice communication was widely used, which in mountain conditions made it possible to transmit orders to distances up to 3 - 4 km.

At the rate of Selim Pasha, there was a specially appointed Kurbashi (commander), who led, if I may say so, political education. The main attention of Selim Pasha was drawn to the decomposition of the opponent's units (leaflets, appeals calling on the Red Army to side with the great Muslim army, etc.). The relevant work was carried out among the population.

The material support of the Selim Pasha troops with food, equipment and weapons was of an accidental nature - with the exception of weapons and ammunition, which were partially purchased on the territory of Bukhara, while the main part was sent by special transports from Afghanistan. The system of taxes, indemnities and robberies was widely applied.

Most of the command posts were replaced by Afghan officers (up to 80 people). The armament of the dzhigits was very diverse - from the wicker multuki to the modern English rifles. It is necessary to note the extremely careful attitude towards weapons and ammunition: they left dead and wounded on the battlefield, but the weapons and ammunition were usually taken with them.

The territory of the Bukhara People’s Soviet Republic can be divided into the 2 part by the conventional line Nur-Ata, Kermina, Karshi, Kerki) - to the east this is a mountainous relief filled with spurs of the Gissar ridge, to the west - flat territories fringed from the north and south by sands Hissar Range, running from Sultan Hazret to the south-west. During the operation, river obstacles served as a serious obstacle. The most important of them are the rivers Surkhandarya, Kafirnigan and Vakhsh. Imprinted fast and turbulent currents, the small number of constant crossings and means of transport. The nature of the terrain, the relative lack of roads in the valley. Surkhandarya attached great importance to the existing means of communication and nodes of these roads. Mountain roads and paths in the majority represented a system of cornices (ovrynchey), consisting of gaps, filled with flooring of boards and wattle, fortified with stakes driven into rocks.

In February, the 1923 of Selim Pasha, taking advantage of the small number and dispersion of units of the Red Army, began to attract the local population to its side and quickly expand its influence.


2 schema.

In the first half of March, the Selim Pasha detachments, descending from the mountains, are already operating in Western Bukhara. Occupying a kishlak behind a kishlak, the Basmachi detachments, armed with English carbines and automatic weapons, richly supplied with ammunition, already represented a formidable force. There was a tense situation.

To eliminate the Selim Pasha detachments, the directive of the Red Army headquarters appointed the 3 th cavalry brigade of the Stavropol 2 them. Blinov cavalry division in the 11-th and 12-th cavalry regiments and one 76-mm battery.

1 March, 1923, the brigade is given the task of occupying a starting position in the Shirabad area with subsequent actions to the northeast - against the Selim Pasha units operating in the areas: a) Yurchi, Denay, Regar; 2) Karatag, Hissar, Dushanbe.

To occupy the initial position, the team moves 2 columns: right - 11-th cavalry regiment - on the right bank of the r. Amu Darya along the state border on the route Kiikchi, Ulam, Ak-Kum, Karnas, Kelif, Uch-Tut and further to Shirabad; the left - 12-th cavalry regiment and brigade headquarters - along the route Karshi, Guzar, Tengi-Khoram, Ak-Rabad, Derbent, Agarchi, Shirabad.

The enemy’s reconnaissance detachments sent to the Kelif, Ak-Rabad line were not found. The connection between the columns and the brigade headquarters is only telephone (via government wires; it acted with great interruptions).

By the end of March 10, the right column, not meeting the enemy, reached Kelif and settled down for the night; the left column of the vanguard reached Tengi-Horam, and the main forces with the brigade headquarters - Art. Humvalyak.

In 4 hours of March 11, a reconnaissance detachment of the 11-th cavalry regiment (half a squadron with 2 machineguns, a Golovskaya commander), moving along the valley of Kugitang in the direction of Ak-Bulak (20 km northeast of Kelif), collided with a unit of Haid-Bek (300 - 350 sabers), moving to Kelif. There was a collision. Basmachi, not accepting the attack, retreated to the western slope of Mount Kugitang to the mark of 2675, dismounted and went over to the defensive.

In the 10 watch, the regiment, making an alarm, concentrates on the Ak-Bulak to 12 hours, and in the 13 hours, turning into battle order, goes on the offensive in the direction of Kundzak and after a short but stubborn resistance knocks the enemy down and faces the outgoing gang. with the main forces Selim Pasha (up to 1500 sabers with 7 machine guns). Boiled hard battle. Basmachi several times rush to the attack - but with the support of the fire of heavy machine guns and the only gun of the Rosenberg system, all attacks are repulsed, and the enemy, losing a lot of people killed and wounded, moves in disorder up the valley of the river. Kugitang in the direction of the 12 th cavalcade.

Until 200, the hacked basmachis remained on the battlefield. Several Kurbashis were captured, including Khaid-Bek. The military treasury with 1,5 was taken with pounds of silver coins of the tsar's minting, standards, marching headquarters, weapons and horses. In this battle, the commander of the machine-gun squadron Tolmachyov (being wounded, remained in the ranks), the platoon commander Golovkov and the Red Army Sovet, Sidorov and Medvedev especially distinguished themselves.

The first clash of the red cavalry with Selim Pasha's troops ended unsuccessfully for the latter. And in this battle fighters and commanders who had no experience of mountain war fought. Despite this, they acted competently - in the difficult conditions of the mountainous terrain of Bukhara. The horse, most of which required repair, also coped well with the difficult conditions of the mountain theater.

The days of 12 - 15 March went to the organization of the environment and the defeat of the Selim Pasha troops. During this time, the 12 th cavalry regiment was pulled up.

Do not sleep and the enemy. Sowing in the mountains with his squad, Selim Pasha, in turn, is actively preparing for a fight with the red cavalry. March 13 intercepted the appeal to the population of Shirabad vilayet, from which it followed that the purpose of the Selim Pasha parish was to raise a rebellion in the valley of the r. Kugitang and unite local Basma gangs under their command. But his attempt to descend from the mountains fails.

The brigade command sets the following task to the regiments: “Go on the offensive and smash Selim Pasha, preventing him from dodging east along the road through Derbent, Shirabad, Termez”.

The beginning of the offensive is March 18.

By this time, exits to the east from the valley of the r. Kugitang 16 - 17 March is a series of minor skirmishes, with the aim of closing the main forces Selim Pasha into the ring. At this time, new data about Selim Pasha’s intention to break west to the Guzar, Karshi area, to receive rifles and ammunition for further movement to Old Bukhara, Samarkand, Fergana, come.

Having assessed the current situation, the brigade command takes the following decision: surround and smash the main forces of Selim Pasha in the triangle Koludar, Guzar, art. Tengi-Choram, not allowing the enemy to break through to the north and west.


3 schema.

In 4 hours of March 18, units of the brigade attack Selim Pasha, and after a stubborn 8 hour battle, break it. Under Selim Pasha, a horse was killed, and he himself was wounded in the leg. His troops, divided into groups of 50 - 100 people, begin to withdraw in different directions. Persecution is organized. For two days, day and night, almost without rest, the brigade regiments, clinging to the largest detachments of retreating basmachs, pursued them to the utter defeat. The pursuit continued over km 175 - under incredibly difficult conditions (lack of water and fodder). Before 300, people (killed, wounded and captured) fell into the hands of red cavalrymen. Up to 200 horses, weapons and several machine guns were captured. Losses cavalrymen: killed platoon commanders Polyakov, Melnikov, the Red Army soldier Krasov; lightly wounded commander Chichkanov.

As a result of the operation of the Selim Pasha gang in 1500 of the horsemen, only fragments remained - approximately 150 - 200 sabers. For this operation, the Revolutionary Military Council of the Turkestan Front expressed gratitude to the entire composition of the brigade and awarded many fighters and commanders with military orders.

The combat conditions of cavalry in Bukhara were extremely hindered by the mountainous nature of the terrain, the poverty of the roads, impassability (off-road), the lack of sufficient visibility, the lack of human settlements (for quartering), and the need to fight the elements. All this left a special imprint on the actions of the cavalry.

The full success of the cavalry brigade in the considered mining operation was achieved thanks to the excellent organization of the merciless pursuit of the defeated enemy. The preparation of the persecution (by all means and forces) was well organized and conducted.

The practice of mountain battles led to the emergence of interesting tactics. So, when reconnaissance units or patrols approached a bush or forest that could not be pre-inspected, patrols gave several machine-gun bursts or bursts along the bush or forest edge. If there was an enemy there, then he either answered (denoting his presence) or hid.

Professionalism, energy and courage of the fighters and commanders became the key to their victory over an uneasy opponent in the setting of a mountain theater.
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23 comments
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  1. +12
    26 November 2018 05: 12
    An interesting topic ... and a colorful basmachey photo
    The experience of our ancestors in the fight against the semi-partisan formations of the Basmachi will be needed for a long time ... at least in the same SYRIA ... taking into account its features.
    Thanks to the author for the article hi
    1. +1
      26 November 2018 12: 55
      How often is this experience used in modern times?
    2. 0
      27 November 2018 13: 51
      I look, you are an amateur in this matter, despite the marshall stars. In the photo are not basmachis, but the king https://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_1484w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2016/08/18/Interactivity/Images/ crop_90CPJ057.jpg? uuid = eAN8OGV9Eea02DPpMbWibQ of Afghanistan Habibbul Kalahani. Photo taken in 1929 during the civil war in Afghanistan. It’s annoying that hundreds of people who read this article will really think and prove foam to their acquaintances in the photo that’s the basmachi.
      1. +7
        27 November 2018 14: 06
        You marshal do not offend
        Firstly, some kind of photo there is the most insignificant that is in the article, it is probably taken just for the picture. The main thing is text and diagrams. It is obvious. By the way, the pictures are primarily paid attention to children and those who do not read the text. Usually.
        And secondly, it doesn’t at all follow from the link you provided that
        The picture is not basmachi, but the king
        . When loading a link, we see just a photo - without any explanation at all.
        So you didn’t tell us anything. With all due respect hi
        1. The comment was deleted.
        2. 0
          27 November 2018 19: 13
          А так https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/the-fight-over-a-shrine-for-a-tyrannical-afghan-king/2016/08/20/932f652e-6557-11e6-b4d8-33e931b5a26d_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a3af9696c13f
          1. +4
            27 November 2018 19: 19
            And why do we believe some
            By Pamela Constable and
            Sayed Salahuddin August 20, 2016
            She, this Pamela - a famous scientist, specialist? And where is the indication of the source of the photograph - how should it be?
            1. +8
              27 November 2018 19: 24
              Yes, the most important thing is not even Albatroz
              And not exactly who (Ivanov, Petrov, Sidorov or some Habibul) is depicted in the photo - but what exactly is it looked Basmachi in our Central Asia, for, as rightly noted in the article -
              Most team posts have been replaced Afghan officers

              That is just - in the subject wink
              1. +6
                27 November 2018 19: 27
                To the point.
                And I still remember the film "Officers" - just in time for the topic of the article. And the kurbashi is such a noble - a hardened enemy of Soviet power laughing
                1. +8
                  27 November 2018 19: 30
                  And I draw your attention to this fact - the highest command of the Basmachi - the Turks,
                  the middle and junior command personnel are Afghans.
                  And ordinary cannon fodder is our Turkmens and Tajiks.
                  This is how our dear neighbors and partners loved Russia, at all times. They will become
                  1. +5
                    27 November 2018 19: 47
                    So maybe this is a myth, how is it fashionable nonche? About the national liberation movement, which supposedly was the Basmachi? We see that funding, supervision and leadership grew because of the cordon
      2. 0
        5 January 2019 14: 03
        He is not a king, but an emir, who in the beginning of 1929 usurped power in Afghanistan, until the end of 1929, however, he was unable to correct and survive. In the early 1920s, he was a basmach in one of the Enver Pasha detachments.
  2. +14
    26 November 2018 05: 35
    Yes, the skill, courage and perseverance of the red cavalry must be paid tribute. Well done
  3. +14
    26 November 2018 06: 46
    Rare and valuable information
    By the way, testifying under what close attention our Central Asia was - and the British, and especially the Turinists - the Young Turks (Enver Pasha, Selim Pasha) - dreaming of leading large Basmach formations and personally supervising their actions.
    1. +11
      26 November 2018 08: 07
      That's for sure
      Not without reason Turkish generals and officers led the Basmach movement. Our sworn friends and admirers in a number of territories
      1. +10
        26 November 2018 13: 01
        Mountain war tactics, and even in cavalry execution ...
        Yes, and the leadership of the Basmachi in the hands of the Turkish military personnel
        overall impressive
      2. +10
        26 November 2018 13: 17
        Not without reason Turkish generals and officers led the Basmach movement.

        this despite the fact that in the same period of time, our country helped the Turks during the Greek-Turkish war.
        a great example of what kind of reliable partners they are (in double quotes)
        1. +9
          26 November 2018 17: 05
          By the way, the issue of the Turkish footprint in the Basmach movement is poorly understood
          and he promises big surprises ...
  4. +9
    26 November 2018 07: 18
    The article is completely unexpected and interesting. Yesterday I thought about what topic the next article will be ....
    I really liked the above diagrams. Thank.
  5. +5
    26 November 2018 08: 41
    people were different than the current ones.
  6. +2
    26 November 2018 19: 05
    We are the red cavalrymen
    And about us
    Epistles of speech lead a story -
    About how clear in the night
    About how rainy days
    We proudly and boldly go into battle (s)
    The Red Army glorified itself forever.
  7. +2
    26 November 2018 20: 07
    Good article. Terrain schemes are especially helpful.
  8. 0
    27 November 2018 09: 59
    Colorful photo!
  9. +5
    27 November 2018 12: 57
    Thanks for the little info.
    The material is very interesting!

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