8th Army (RSFSR)

After initial success and an advance of more than 80 kilometers, it was forced to retreat under pressure of Konstantin Mamontov's cavalry actions into the deep rear of the 8th Army.

On 21 September 1919, the 8th Army occupies defensive positions between Nizhnedevitsk and the right bank of the Don River.

Commander Andrei Rataysky and chief of staff Gorchakov withdrew the Army from encirclement by the White forces, using the river Ikorets as a natural barrier.

The Red Army regrouped on the right bank of the Bityug river and on 24 November 1919, Brobov was taken after heavy fighting.

After a short period of rest, the 8th Army continued fighting heavy battles with losses in the Bataysk swamps and along the banks of the Don river.

The units were regrouped to force the Don River near Novocherkassk or Manychivsk, in coordination with the First Cavalry Army.

On 21 February, as a result of a strong counter-attack by the Whites, Rostov and Nakhichevan were abandoned by the Red Army.