Nikolai Babies: both died of the best cavalry of Baron Wrangel

History 03/01/20 Nikolai Babies: both died of the best cavalry of Baron Wrangel

Dashing Cossack Nikolay Babaev was one of the last hopes of the commander of the white Russian army in the Crimea, Baron Pyotr Wrangel. Riddled with bullets and whip shrapnel grenades, with broken arm, stately and beautiful, but with traces of smallpox on his face, the young warlord loved women and respected by subordinates. Few white troops could match him in popularity. He was known as a strong and incorruptible commander, the hero.

October 8, 1920, the whites began Zadneprovsky operation to cut off the Kakhovka bridgehead of the red army from the rear. It was one of the last major campaigns of Wrangel’s troops beyond the Crimea: was the question of whether to stay in Northern Tavria, the rich, unlike the Peninsula, breads, and other resources. The battle proceeded with variable success. White managed to defeat the 3rd Soviet division. Particularly stubborn battle ensued at the Nikopol town on the right Bank of the Dnieper river, South of modern Dnipropetrovsk region – where the cavalry corps of Ivan Barbalich and Babyeva a total population of 6 thousand infantry and cavalry attacked the 2nd Cavalry army under the command of Philip Mironov, the don Cossacks, who joined the service of the red.

the Last success Babiev

In this particular case, Wrangel was at stake, if not all, very much. Success in the struggle for Nikopol allowed the commander in chief hoped to join up with the army of Jozef Pilsudski on the right Bank of the Dnieper. Whatever may be said later skeptics, Wrangel wanted the Alliance with the poles and joining forces against the red army. Perhaps, only when this condition occurs, the Baron was still hoping to break out of the Crimea and to influence the outcome of the Civil war.

indeed, 11 Oct cavalry Babaeva captured Nikopol, the next day, apostolove, and moved up to 25 km from the river inthe depths of Ukraine. However, in other areas the army of Wrangel was not as successful, losing Berdyansk and Polye. Commander of the Southern front, Mikhail Frunze demanded from the commander Mironov destroy all crossed the Dnieper whites, if need be – even at the cost of his own life.

Irreparable blow to the white generals

the Unprecedented brutal battles over the right Bank of the Dnieper was played on October 13, when part of Wrangel’s army, suffering heavy losses, wavered and began to retreat, provoking a stampede at the crossings. Killed General Babiev that, in the opinion of the commander-in-chief, demoralized Cossacks. Shock white for some time lost the ability to resist serious than have used red. Wrangel himself in his autobiographical “Notes” compared the loss of the commander with the disaster. This tragedy is largely due, in his opinion, that the Kakhovka bridgehead was not taken.

“At nine o’clock in the morning was received a short telegram to General Daniel Dratsenko: “Yesterday, 30 Sep shell killed General Babiev”. It all became clear. With the death of their beloved leader died the soul of the cavalry, disappeared in the rush, lost faith in their own strength, wrote Wrangell. The position couldn’t save took command almost immediately, a wounded General Vyacheslav Naumenko. Confusion possessed shelves. Part of the lynx began to retreat to the crossings. Rally the disorganized enemy went on the offensive. Confusion in the ranks of the upset of cavalry increased. To restore order was impossible. All rushed to the crossings. On the narrow forest roads, swamps, mixed thediva cavalry and infantry units… Shaken by all he had seen, the confused General Dratsenko gave the order to withdraw the whole army to the left Bank of the Dnieper river”.

the Father survived the son

At the time of death Babaevo was the 34th year. He was born in Labinsk Department of the Kuban belonged to the Cossacks-rubincam they always stressed its special position in comparison with the rest of the Kuban. Father Wrangel’s favorite, Lieutenant-General his name is gavriIl Babies, is survived by his son: he has also served as Anton Denikin and then Wrangel died in exile on the island of Lemnos in 1921.

Babies Jr. was one of those young commanders who moved and made a career in the Civil war period. With the outbreak of world one of the best riders of the Kuban was lucky to get on the Caucasian front. In contrast to the European theater of operations, served here in the ranks of the Russian Imperial army knew a lot more victories than defeats, and, most importantly, not subjected to such agitation and expansion as their brothers in arms. In just five years, Babies grew out of the centurion of the Imperial Russian army of General of the Armed forces of South Russia: on the titles, it was a meteoric rise, although Civil and there have been more incredible stories. Superiors consistently noted the bravery, courage Babyeva as the trooper and his competence in commanding positions.

“his battle For the tireless work of selfless bravery, personal courage and selflessness shown in continuous battles in the Kuban with the superior forces of the enemy for more than three weeks. Always being personally threatened in all places under heavy artillery, machine gun and rifle fire, he repeatedly threw himself in front of his troops, leading them invariably to victory”, — noted in the rationale for awarding the Cossack order of St. Nicholas, which occurred less than a month before the death of the winner.

“Ruled over all”

Features Babeeva was confirmed by a number of injuries. In his relatively short life he received their 18 fatal 19-E. for the First time very young Cossack was wounded in the stomach during the Persian campaign. Here is a shot of the Turks in 1916, another severe wound in the head – Babies received under Tsaritsyn in may 1919. Between these events fit a complex injury of the right hand. The bullet went in the place where the fingers moving into the palm. The phalanges were fractured and protruded forward not bending. A bit operated a thumb. Now Babies couldn’t write, but somehow signed documents with his left hand and cut with the sword. And still manage to keep dead fingers cigarette. During the attack he had to keep the reins in his teeth.

“Babies-commander is ease and mobility, the distinctiveness and chic, summed up in his article “General-Lieutenant” military historian Paul Streljaev. — In the saddle was impressive, sitting deeply and freely, ruled over all. On a light red horse with bald feet “in white stockings”, a funny and quick — he flew to the shelf wide range. Quickly stopping the horse, three to five jumps, taking the left hand under the visor, loud and slightly husky voice, nodding head up to the words of the command passed over the heads of the order, pervaded the regiment: “it’s Great, well done-Kornilov!”

the Perpetuation of memory in France and USA

the Veterans of the 1st Labinsky regiment has not forgotten about his commander and in the years of exile. Kuban Cossacks scattered across the globe. Those who settled in the American Acting, named in honor of Babyeva their village, and in France his name was given to the villages in the communes of Troyes and Saint-Julien.

“Babies was one of the most brilliant cavalry generals in the South of Russia, — categorically said the Baron Wrangel. Is quite exceptional courage and impulse, with a few cavalry flair, a great horseman, beloved by officers and Cossacks, he, commanding the regiment, brigade and division, he has won brilliant victories. His horse attacks are always made confusion in the enemy ranks. During the great war and the internecine warfare, being constantly in the most dangerous places, General Babiev received nineteen wounds. And his right hand was reduced, however, despite all the wounds, not knowing restraint, the impulse has remained the same. Hot Russian patriot it is with the greatest indignation belonged to the treacherous work of Cossack independence supporters. I could be calm for those parts at the head of which he stood”.

Dmitry AboutKunev

Source:
© Russian Seven

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