(1922 - 5. 7. 1960)
H ikolay Kolchev P., Corporal, katerist 28-th separate motorized pontoon-bridge of the Red Battalion, was born in 1922 in a. Nikolaevka Samoilovsky district, Saratov region. Russian. He graduated from the 7 classes of Nicholas School. In the prewar years, he worked on a tractor stud "Elanskii.
In 1941, drafted into the Red Army. From August 1941 until the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War, fought in the South-Western, Stalingrad, the Don, the 3rd Ukrainian, 3 and 2-nd Russian Fronts. He took part in defensive battles of the first period of the war, the Battle of Stalingrad, the liberation of Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, the defeat of Nazi troops in Germany. Crossed the River Dnieper, Southern Bug, Dniester, Vistula and Oder. For military distinctions awarded the Order of the Red Star (1944) and the medals "For the defense of Stalingrad", "For the capture of Berlin" and "For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941 - 1945.."
. W tion of the Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin and medal "Gold Star" Nikolai Petrovich Kolcheva awarded 29 June 1945 for heroism in crossing the Oder River in the vicinity of r
. Stettin (now z. Szczecin).
Fter the end of the Great Patriotic War, NP. Kolchev returned to his native village. He was elected village council chairman Nicholas. In his later years worked as postmistress. Quiet, always responsive to requests and needs of people, fair and honest, he enjoyed great prestige among the villagers.
. NP Kolchev died July 5, 1960.
.
F or the river crossing the West Oder heavy military equipment were collected four pontoon bridge ferry
. The enemy shelled the crossing heavy artillery fire. It would take a skilled and courageous katerist, which could, ignoring the danger, put in a ferry line bridge. The choice fell on the command of Corporal Kolcheva.
Kolchev started work. The Nazis stepped up shelling. Shrapnel shell burst Kolcheva boat was punctured in several places. To restore it, required welding and 6 hours of. Meanwhile, infantry units that took a small bridgehead, bled, beating off fierce attacks from superior enemy forces. They were waiting for reinforcements. It is perfectly understood Kolchev. He offered to close up the holes are not welded, and an overlay of resin stickers. This proposal was accepted, and the boat was repaired in 50 minutes. Katerist started to work, and soon the bridge was ready. For him the springboard to help our infantry went heavy tanks and self-propelled artillery units.
After some time a direct hit, the bridge was put out of action, and he was in danger of flooding. The order was received to separate the bridge, and a survivor of property to collect two 60-ton ferry. Despite the shelling, Kolchev damaged ferries moored to the shore, and then two days without rest on his boat was towing the surviving ferries, crossing the left bank of the Oder tanks and self-propelled artillery units.
. April 23, 1945 during a routine voyage across the gap projectile Kolchev was wounded and lost consciousness
. Recovering, he refused to evacuate the hospital and continued to work. Soon the enemy fire, his boat was broken, but a brave warrior went to the spare boat and did not stop the crossing.
. During the April 23 was changed twice broken fire ferries, but Corporal Kolchev, risking his life, continued to throw at the bridgehead of the tank corps
. Only two days under constant enemy fire, he ferried to the western shore of the Oder 70 heavy tanks and self-propelled artillery. Iron self-control, perseverance and selfless courage Kolcheva admired by all the warriors of the front. About his exploits in the war told the newspapers and a special leaflet.
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Sources:
1) Heroes of the Soviet Union: A Brief Biographical Dictionary. V.1. M.: Voeniz.1987.
2) Rumyantsev.N.M. People legendary heroism ". Saratov. 1968
