The path of valour /
Semyon Budyonny, Marshal of the Soviet Union
- Moscow : Progress Publishers, 1972
- 443 pages : illustrations ; 20 cm.
Translated from the Russian (unknown translator).
By way of a preface -- Prior to the 1917 Revolution -- The Salsk partisans in the struggle for the Soviets -- From partisan detachments to regular units -- The defeat of Krasnov's White Army -- Fighting on the river Manych -- The cavalry corps fights for Tsaritsyn -- The fall of Tsaritsyn and the retreat to Saratov -- Versus Mamontov -- We capture Voronezh -- The attack on Kastornaya -- The first cavalry army -- The liberation of the Donbas -- The fight for Rostov -- The end of Denikin.
This book brings the reader the dynamic and striking memoirs of the well-known Soviet military commander, Marshal of the Soviet Union Semyon Budyonny. He gives us a vivid account of the heroic revolutionary struggle to uphold Soviet power in the south of Russia during the Civil War of 1918-1920. After a short account of his early years, Marshal Budyonny describes the first battles fought by partisan detachments to defend the people's power, the organisation of regular Red Army units and the rout of the divisions commanded by General Krasnov on the Don, the battles fought on the banks of the Manych and much else besides. The account of the formation of the Cavalry Corps is followed by a chapter on the grim battles for subsequent retreat to Saratov. Then come operations against whiteguard cavalry, the capture of Voronezh and the thrust against Kastornaya. The Cavalry Corps was alter to be expanded to form the First Cavalry Army under Budyonny's command. This Army liberated the Donbas and took Rostov-on-Don, which marked the beginning of the final rout of the whiteguard troops under General Denikin. Indeed 'the glory of those days shall never fade'— as we are reminded in the well-known Soviet song. This spirited and colourful account of past battles that were truly heroic and unforgettable is based on personal reminiscences, notes and archive material such as telegrams, battle directives and minutes, all of which complement each other and bring alive for the reader of today a memorable epoch of the struggle for Soviet power which was fought out on Russian soil by the whole people." -- from the dust jacket.