Battle of Pskov (1918)

Battle of Pskov
Map of the Battle of Pskov
Location Pskov, Russia Result Central Powers Victory
Belligerents
German Empire	Soviet Russia Latvian Riflemen

The Battle of Pskov or the Pskov Offensive was a battle that occurred during Operation Faustchlag on the Eastern Front during WWI.

Background

Prior to the Battle of Pskov Germany and Russia had signed an Armistice and were negotiating a Peace deal. The Soviet negotiators attempted to stall the negotiations. when the armistice expired the Germans relaunched their offensive on the eastern front attempting to finally secure a peace deal with the Soviets.

Battle

The 2nd red army regiment first entered battle with German forces on February 23rd at the Cherekha and Mnoga temporarily stalling the German advance until the 24th when the regiment was forced to retreat. by the 24th fighting was already occurring in the outskirts of Pskov. On the 25th retreating Latvian Riflemen made their way to the battle from Latvia and began to reinforce Russian positions at Lyubatovo. on the 28th the battle finally ended with Pskov. being fully taken.

The Red forces offered up severe resistance to the advancing German forces. They were even able to kill 30 German officers, 34 non-commissioned German officers and 206 German soldiers when launching 2 shells at pyroxylin canister at an occupied German rail station.

Aftermath

after the battle the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed ending all offensive actions in the Baltics except in Narva which was later captured on the 4th.