254. TELEGRAM TO M. V. FRUNZE

First published in 1935 in Krasny Arkhiv No. 5. Printed from a typewritten copy. · page 458

In code
Secret

Frunze, R.M.C., Southern Front[1]

Having received the exultant telegrams from Gusev and yourself, I am afraid of excessive optimism. Remember that at all costs you must enter the Crimea on the heels of the enemy. Prepare as carefully as possible, and check whether all the fords for taking the Crimea[2] have been studied.

Lenin

October 16, 1920

[1] Frunze was made Commander of the Forces of the Southern Front in September 1920.

[2] The Crimea was liberated by the Red Army in November 1920.