Battle of Pulkovo

The Battle of Pulkovo was the decisive battle of the Kerensky-Krasnov Uprising. Anti-Bolshevik Forces under Pyotr Krasnov were defeated by the red army under the command of Leon Trotsky and one Colonel Muraviev. The number of reds is believed to be somewhere around 10,000 to 4,000 while Kerensky only had 700 (600 cavalry including Cossacks). The red forces weren't soldiers and Krasnov's men were far more experienced, he also had 12 cannons and 1 armored vehicle evening the odds.

Prelude
Leon Trotsky was desperate for any help he could get. He received inexperienced troops and rigorously looked for competent commanders. One caught his eye, Colonel Muraviev. Trotsky saw him as disloyal and he really only fought because he had a grudge against Kerensky. He was resource and a good general however which led to him being accepted. The Bolsheviks were in no position to be picky. The entire revolt was on edge. The reds were desperately enlisting as many people as they could, even getting women to join the fight. Chaos had no quite yet ensued, but a defeat would result in it.

Day 1
The anti-bolsheviks began to bombard Pulkovo Heights. At first they way overshot, but slowly they got closer and closer. Soon they hit a road very close by. The reds must have believed that a direct hit was imminent. Later two red artillery pieces arrived and were hastily set up while under enemy gunfire. The inexperienced artillery men surprised everyone by landing many good hits on their enemies. The artillery and on coming night ended the fighting for the day

Day 2
Early November 13th Krasnov's cossacks charged the bolshevik artillery, but the soldiers once again showed their mettle and pushed it back forcing a retreat. It soon started to rain and news soon spread of the white retreat from nearby Tsarskoye Selo. Due to the heavy casualties of this battle the revolt soon collapsed. Red troops advanced onto the former enemy postions and found large numbers dead. Pyotr Krasnov was captured during the fighting, but was later released on the false pretenses that he would stop opposing the Bolsheviks.

Analysis
A key to the red victory was their use of 2 artillery batteries which without them would have virtually guaranteed their defeat.