Khatanbaatar Magsarjav - Khatanbaatar's Elite Khalkha Contingent

Khatanbaatar's Elite Khalkha Contingent

Across Mongolia Magsarjav mobilized about 800-2000 soldiers. Out of these, 400 of them were a Elite Commando called Khalkhyn Tsereg (Халхын Цэрэг), meaning 'Khalkha's soldiers'. The Khalkhyn Tsereg (Халхын Цэрэг) were Magsarjav's most trusted contingent and entirely consisted of ethnic Khalha Mongol soldiers, recruits from various regions of Mongolia. This elite commando troops played a major role in most of the miliatary victories of Mongol army over its enemies whether they would be Chinese, Red Russians or White Russian Guards.

It is said that he personally recruited each of the individuals in the elite commando and thus knew everyone by their place of origin. Though the actual geographic distribution is not well known, it is often speculated them coming mostly from today's Zawkhan, Tuv, Khuwsgul, Bulgan, Ömnögovi, Khovd, Arkhangai and Uvs provinces of modern Mongolia.

After each fight or gathering, he would order his troops to gather back at the specific time and location for the next campaign. All of his elite troops would always obey his orders.

From 1912 to 1921 Khatanbaatar led his troops and fought White Russians and Chinese more than 30 times. He defeated Chinese troops many times, later managed by ruse some White Russians (including well-known general Bakich). Small groups of the Whites were destroyed.

At the same time, Magsarjav with his detachment of 400 men very carefully pursued big White troops retreating from western Mongolia to Xinjiang: he waited for weapon from the Reds, as well as reinforcements. Majority of the contingents of White Russians in the western Mongolia were defeated with and without support of Soviet Red Army, majority were receded to Xinjiang.

Khatanbaatar's fame of bravery and success were broadly publicized during the time of pro-communist rule in Mongolia, while negative sides of his activity were concealed.