Battle of Mariupol (1919)

On March 19, the first offensive of the Dnieper Division took place, during which Nestor Makhno's troops forced the enemy to flee to the city, after a long firefight. This caused great panic among the troops of the Volunteer Army. On March 21, after reading an order for the brigade to advance in the eastern direction, Makhno explained that he could not take Mariupol at once and had to retreat from it. Troops were subsequently redeployed and the city was occupied by the 8th and 9th Regiments. The city's capture was complicated by the presence in the raid of Entente warships. But Mariupol was surrounded on three sides, and in the coming days would be taken.[1]

On March 25, the second offensive began, and on March 27 the city was occupied by the Makhnovist guerrillas. The people greeted them joyfully, and a committee of the underground Bolshevik Communist Party, a military-revolutionary committee, and a commissariat of the Soviet People's Militia were immediately organized in the city. The head of the 1st Zadneprovsk Division, Pavel Dybenko, telegraphed from the liberated Mariupol to the Soviet People's Commissar of the USSR:

The 8th and 9th Regiments and the Artillery Half-Regiment distinguished themselves in battles, smashing the enemy to pieces and capturing rich military booty. The resilience and courage of the regiments was extraordinary. During the offensive, the regiments came under fire from the enemy and a French squadron of 60 guns. Despite the destructive fire of the enemy, the regiments went without a shot until the collision with the enemy, after which under the command of the courageous commander of the 8th Regiment, repeatedly distinguished himself in battle, Comrade Krylenko attacked. The enemy's fortifications were stormed. During the assault, there were casualties: 18 killed, 172 wounded. The enemy was thrown into the sea. These glorious regiments went on the offensive again without rest. I am asking to award the 8th and 9th Regiments, the Artillery Half-Regiment with special Red Flags and the commander of the 8th Regiment, Comrade Krylenko, with the Order of the Red Banner. I would like to thank the commander of the 9th Regiment, Comrade Takhtamyshev, and the commanders of the batteries of the Artillery Half-Regiment. More than 3,500,000 pounds of coal were seized. The French squadron hurriedly left the port after our ultimatum. In one day, 300 thousand poods of coal were taken out of the port. Coal loading continues. The funds have been released so far. The division urgently needs a commission for the deployment and distribution of coal. Two minesweepers were captured and hastily put into service, I temporarily appointed foremen, machinists, hold firemen, signalmen, helmsmen and commanders on the minesweeper, commanders, mechanics, and navigator were needed. In the ensuing offensive, hundreds of Cossacks surrendered with weapons in hand. Our units came close to Taganrog.[2]

Nestor Makhno himself was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.[3]