The Bolshevik Revolution
and War with Poland
(1917-1921)

This section will feature pictures, history, stories, and other facets of Red Army life during the period between 1917 and 1921. Currently we have almost nothing here, but more will be added as time permits.

Red Army Statistics

The needs of the civil war saw a rapid rise in the numbers of the Red Army.  It began as a small organized group of men centered in Petrograd, but then spread throughout the country.

These numbers are misleading however.  They were poorly organized and spread across vast distances.  They could not be brought into action in large numbers like a massive sledgehammer.  They lacked the logistics and supplies to do so.  The numbers were constantly changing.  Desertion, disease, and battle all took their toll.

Many of these soldiers were also non-combatants.  They were employed in the rebuilding of windmills, farms, roads, and even used to catch fish.

Year

Strength of Armed Forces

March 1918

100,800

May 1918

306,000

February 1919

1,000,000

January 1920

3,000,000
October 1920 5,498,000

 

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The Bolshevik Revolution