Krasnaya Gorka fort guards the Baltic coast south of the Russian Krondstadt Naval Base. In mid-May the White Russian Northern Corps went on the offensive at Narva, catching the Soviets by surprise and destroying the 6th Red Rifle Division. With the Estonians approaching, the garrison of Krasnaya Gorka fort mutinied, but the 7th Red Army received reinforcements and counterattacked, pushing White Russian forces back until the front stabilized between the Luga and Saba rivers. In September, the White Russian Northwestern Army made another effort to capture Petrograd. Outfitted by arms from Britain and France, and with the operational support of the Estonian Army, Estonian Navy, and Royal Navy, the Northwestern Army began the operation White Sword on 28 September 1919. As part of their supporting action, the Estonian forces launched a joint naval and land attack against Krasnaya Gorka fort.

The Estonian assault against the fort was repulsed with signifcant losses. Meanwhile, the Northwestern White Army approached to within 16 kilometers of Petrograd, but the Red Army repulsed them. With their momentum broken, the White Russians and Estonians began a fghting retreat all the way to Estonia as the Reds poured on the pursuit.