After the French units
arrived [1918-1919],
the 15th German division
moved to Nikolaïeff and
the idle time proved
damaging to some Germans
who were influenced by
the Reds. Its officers, lacking in all authority, failed to control some men. The Germans delayed sending delegates to Kharkov, to negotiate with the commissioner of Moscow. Vice-Admiral Hopman (the former commander of the German fleet of the Black Sea), was sent to delay the implementation of armistice in South Russia, and to apprise the French authorities of the state of affairs and to await instructions. Fortunately, General d'Anselme received information on the arrival of a couple of battalions from the 7th Greek Regiment hurried from Salonica. Destined for Nikolaïeff, Anselme invited Admiral Hopman to prepare for the relief of German soldiers according to the armistice. Hopman, dragged his feet about this, allowing his men to be disruptive to its implementation. Nearby, there was close danger from an attack by red forces. Gregorieff , controlled Red forces near Ekaterinoslav and threatened Nikolaïeff and Kherson. The Reds entered Kiev and advanced towards Kharkov opposed by White Forces near the Sea of Azov. His military equipment came from the older Austrian-Hungarian stockpiles, they were no substitute for German soldiers.
Petlioura, another Red leader, penetrated into Odessa on Dec.10 1918, but his force of 1.500 volunteers were afraid to march on the harbor defended by French seamen and 300 Poles. By December 18, the battalions the French 156th division (Général Borius) took possession of the city. The French chased the Reds hundreds of kilometres to the north of the city and north-easterly to Nikolaïev. Despite the French presence, much civil unrest continued with 100,000 armed civil workers on strike in Odessa, and the 40.000 blue-collar workers in Nikolaïev, who were provoked by the Germans; the 20.000 blue-collar workers of Kherson received their orders from Grégorieff, all of them were pro-bolshevik. The French had stepped into a hornet’s nest and by April 1919, they would leave the Ukraine to the Reds.