Special army forces and their formation on the territory of the Simbirsk region in 1918 - 1922

A few secret unpublished archival documents are introduced into scientific circulation. They reflect the process of forming communist special forces on the territory of the Simbirsk province in 1918 - 1922. These forces worked together with the units of the Red Army, units of the Cheka and internal affairs agencies. The author concludes that the formation of special forces in the Simbirsk province was local in nature and was caused by the extremely difficult situation in the administrative units of the province. Still these units made a significant contribution into the preservation of Soviet power during the Civil War by opposing counter-revolutionary forces and gangs, participating in the elimination of anti-communist rebellions and the protection of granaries. Though the level of military training of the soldiers of the emergency forces was very low.