Comrade Red Army men, commanders and commissars! The defence of Petrograd depends not only on the Seventh but also on the Fifteenth Army. By pressing Yudenich’s troops from the South you safeguard Red Petrograd: the greatest energy and offensive spirit is required of you. You are tired, you are exhausted, but the hour has arrived when all obstacles have to be overcome with the maximum effort of will, beating down fatigue and bringing all your strength to bear. The entire situation demands this. We can now direct at Yudenich co-ordinated blows by the Seventh and Fifteenth Armies. Do not lose a day, or an hour, but press forward, advance: Yudenich’s end is near, and this means that the rest that you have deserved is also near.
Long live the Fifteenth Army! [82]
82. At the moment when the initiative passed to us in the Petrograd direction, the Fifteenth Army (commanded by Kork, with Kuk as chief of staff), held the front between Lake Pskov, Seltso, Batetskaya station and Lake Velye. Given its situation in relation to the line of the enemy’s principal blow, this army was able by moving straight ahead to threaten Yudenich’s deep rear and communications. The Fifteenth Army was ordered by Western front headquarters on October 24 to attack in the Luga-Pskov sector. The wooded nature of the locality, cut up by rivers, marshes and lakes, offered great advantages for defence. Units of the Fifteenth Army, advancing extremely slowly, took Luga on October 31. Only by the combined operations of the Seventh and Fifteenth Armies was the complete liquidation of Yudenich’s adventure finally accomplished.
Last updated on: 23.12.2006