The White Generals Wrangel, in the field, could gauge the strength of the enemy and the morale of his men. He knew that the front line must be reduced to the minimum possible length, and that the only counter-attacks of any value were those made on the basis of a unified plan. In Wrangel's view the only possible course of action was a retreat into the Crimea and the Caucasus, followed by total reorganisation. But Denikin insisted that the Whites must not abandon the Don territories; if they were going to retreat, let them at least attempt to defend the Don, even if the attempt was doomed from the beginning.
When Wrangel presented his report on the state of the front and outlined his strategic plans, Denikin made no effort to dis-guise his dismay. It became quite obvious to Wrangel that the Commander-in-Chief had entirely lost touch with the situation.