(8. 3. 1905 - 13. 4. 1977)
P odimtsev Alexander Ilyich. Born March 8, 1905 in the village Sharlyk Sharlykskogo district of the Orenburg region in a poor peasant family. Russian by nationality. Member of the CPSU since 1929. In the Soviet Army from 1927. In 1932 he graduated from the Military School named the All. Participated in the Spanish Civil War, the fighting in western Belorussia. In 1939 he graduated from the Military Academy named after M. V. Frunze. In 1940 participated in the Russo-Finnish War. During the Great Patriotic War AI. Rodimtsev commander of an airborne brigade, and znamenitoy13 Guards Rifle Division of the Order of Lenin who heroically defended Stalingrad. Then in 1943 he commanded the Guards Rifle Corps, reached the capital of Czechoslovakia - Prague. He was awarded three Orders of Lenin, . Order of the October Revolution, . four Orders of the Red Banner, . two Orders of Suvorov II degree, . Order of Kutuzov of II degree, . Bogdan Khmelnitsky I degree, . two Orders of Red Star, . medals, . as well as orders and medals from foreign countries.,
. W tion of the Hero of the Soviet Union, Major Rodimtsev Alexander Ilyich awarded Oct. 22, 1937 for the exemplary performance of special tasks in Spain.
. In the Torah the Gold Star Medal, the commander of 32-th Guards Rifle Corps Lieutenant-General Rodimtsev awarded June 2, 1945, for his able leadership of the troops as they crossed r.Oder January 25, 1945 near the village of Linden (Poland), . personal heroism and courage.,
. Fter the war he graduated from the Higher Academic Courses of the Academy of General Staff, was the commander of the connection, assistant commander of the military districts, the principal military adviser and a military attache in Albania
. With 1956goda served in the army. Since 1966 a group of gene. insp. MO SSSR. He was elected a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the second convocation and a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the third convocation. He is the author of several books "Under the sky of Spain," "On the last turn and dP. Died April 13, 1977. Rodimtsev bronze bust installed in his homeland, plaques - in Moscow and Volgograd; name Rodimtsev named street in Volgograd, and Chernihiv.
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ALEXANDER Rodimtsev
. In as much as World War II found Colonel Rodimtsev in a small town in Ukraine
. He commanded the airborne brigade, mastering a new military specialty. After all, he started in the cavalry, and in Spain, has been volunteering as a machine gunner. Paratrooper very proud of their commander - Hero of the Soviet Union. Rodimtsev had not told anyone about himself, but among his subordinate soldiers were legends about Captain Republican Army Spain, blocking the path of the Nazis in the campus in Madrid. Captain replaced as a machine gunner and forced the Nazis setback.
. We talked about that Rodimtsev - one of those who made the famous little Spanish Jarama River, which became impassable for the enemy abroad.
. Yes, Rodimtsev was in Guadalajara, was at Brunete and Teruel under
. The Red Army conscripts, infantrymen, with dignity, wore blue buttonholes troopers, saw their commander model and example. And the time has come to them, twenty years, to prove that they are worthy of their commander.
Marines under the command of Rodimtsev were thrown at the defense of Kiev and focused on the main street of Kiev - Kreshchatik. And when Hitler's generals have already prepared a telegram that they captured Kiev, the Nazis inflicted rodimtsevtsy counter strike. 20 days of August nineteen forty-one Airborne Corps, which includes a team Rodimtsev, led fierce battles, now and then developed into melee. Supported gunners, paratroopers moved per day to 800 meters. But they went to the west. They walked to the west in August 1941! Who participated in the war, will never forget this tragic month, understand what it meant for the time - go west. Marines have been in continual battle with 15 kilometers to the west, to keep the defense in Goloseyevsky forest, this University City of Kiev.
This is the baptism of soldiers, commanded by Rodimtsev. Heroism their commander passed over these young, never had never fought guys.
At the end of August the brigade was withdrawn to the north of Kiev, in order to continue teaching Airborne specialty. But while the rapidly changing circumstances on September 1 Rodimtsev paratroopers were again in action. They were on the river Seim and did not give the Nazis take a single step, until they were completely surrounded. Concerted action corps broke through the strong ring and three-day battle left the environment. By the experience of fighting on the river Jarama was added the experience of fighting on the River Seim. It was still a colonel, commander of the brigade, did not know that he'll have to keep fighting on the Volga, but was firmly convinced that it will force the Vistula and Oder, Elbe, see. The appearance of General Ogneva a certain play, "Front", which appeared in those days, reproduces many features inherent Rodimtsev, part of which happened more than once Alexander Korneichuk.
. And Rodimtsev name widely known in our people, and his fame is associated with the battles of the Volga stronghold
. But I was so elaborated on the initial period of war, . that for the 13th Guards Division courage was prepared by severe fighting, . a continuation of fighting on and under Khreshatik Tim, . and for its commander - and the continuation of fighting in the town of Madrid and the University of Guadalajara.,
. And the 13th Guards Division under the command of Major-General Alexander Rodimtsev after battles near Kharkov was in reserve on the left bank of the Volga
. Guardsmen worry: they were bitterly located in the rear when on the outskirts of Stalingrad were such heavy fighting. But he Rodimtsev was calm, or rather, nothing betrayed his emotion. In the Red Army tunic with a general's insignia, a simple cap, from dawn until late at night, he continued working out with the soldiers of the tactics of street fighting.
. The situation in the region of Stalingrad was a very hard numbers from the twenties August 1942
. But the most difficult days came in mid-September. That's when the 13th Guards Division was ordered to concentrate in the area of Krasnaya Sloboda and cross in the center of the city.
This crossing guards division has already entered into history, a lot has been written about her. But again and again makes the heart beat is often the memory of this crossing over the Volga. Division transported to the place which the Germans have chosen for themselves, here they intended to enter the besieged city. Right at the edge of the main attack of the enemy pierced the edge of our 13th Guards. The division went to where the focus has hundreds of enemy tanks, elite infantry divisions. At the river, as evidenced by the memories of the marshals Eremenko and Chuykova, we have already been put into the last battle force.
. This is the only of its kind crossing under heavy enemy fire could not be supported by our artillery fire - would fall in their
. Out-riddled oil storage tanks in the Volga River spilled fuel. The river was ablaze, the fire extinguished, only fascist shells explode everywhere. Through this continuous fire moved armored Volga Flotilla, barges, boats, boats with guards.
If you have been to Volgograd, you know the lovely waterfront, granite terraces down to the river. Here in this place ferried the 13th Guards Division. In the tug boat, called for some reason the Japanese name "Kawasaki", crossed the Volga and the division headquarters, headed by General. Headquarters closed the crossing and crossed the day, ie tenfold increase in risk.
Having lost many troops as they crossed the Volga, the 13th Guards was one of equal units, defending the city. Alongside it were other divisions and brigades, each of which is not less than the 13th Guards, deserves to be celebrated in songs and legends.
I will not repeat history, "House sergeant Pavlov". This feat of fighters 13th Guards is widely known. Two months was defended by a small garrison of the ruins of the house, which became an impregnable fortress. I just want to remember that the sergeant Pavlov discovered that he is a hero, only in the summer of 1945 in Germany, in the days of demobilization. After he was badly wounded in his house and evacuated to hospital, he returned several times to the front (in other parts) to bravely fight back is injured, recover and once again engage in battle. Once he saw a lull in the period Issue newsreel "Pavlov's House", but nobody said it was - a house named after him.
Among the incredible that hit the world exploits 13th Guards can not include the battle for the city train station. Here all those who fought and died while they were alive, the station did not pass.
. I remember the inscription on the wall: "There were Guard Rodimtsev death."
. This was written not after fighting - is charted fighters, bleeding continues to beat.
. Dominant height of the city on the Volga - Mamaev Kurgan, on top of which now stands the statue of the Motherland and grows Park of Eternal Glory, was taken by storm Guards Division
. To clarify the role of division in the defense of the city-hero, I'll let myself just to remind the reader that at the time of the division through the crossing on the banks of the Volga River, near the central waterfront, is ruled by the Nazi machine gunners. Then the guards managed to repulse several streets, take a train station and a number of central neighborhoods. City Center has not got the enemy - it rescued and kept in the hands of Guard 13th Division.
"Rodimtsev will wallow in the Volga River" - shouted mouthpieces German radiomashin. A general in the blackened from the smoke jacket and a soldier's cap was held at the regimental command post and battalion. Put bluntly, it was not long paths, but each meter threatened loss. How many fascists attacks reflected the division? This is, perhaps, impossible to count.
I remember in the 25 th anniversary of the October Revolution Division summed up. Some figures have been preserved in memory: 77 tanks burned, destroyed more than 6 thousand enemy soldiers and officers. Later, troops captured Paulus showed a much more impressive figures. But the division is always "underestimated" the numbers successes.
The general was in the city since the ferry to victory. January 26, he and a group of fighters came to the sounds of artillery fire, coming from the west. In Division battalions were then only dozens of guards, and they rushed after the general. I saw Rodimtsev handed the banner of the soldiers Division N.T. Tavartkiladze, break into the city from the banks of the Don. It was a homemade banner, on a piece of red calico purple pencil was written: "From the Order of Lenin Guard 13th Infantry Division as a sign of the meeting on January 26". I do not know where this banner, but I think that it is a historical relic of the Great Patriotic War. His transfer to the hands of fighters who came from the West, symbolized dissection encircled at Stalingrad the enemy into two parts.
. W and battles at Stalingrad Hero of the Soviet Union General Rodimtsev was awarded the Order of the Red Star
. It started the way of general and led them to connect to the west. The general was appointed commander of the corps, which consisted of the 13th Guards. Fighting the way the case was held on the places where fighting Airborne Brigade, and later - 87 th Infantry Division, became the 13th Guards. Corpus fought near Kharkov, Poltava and Kremenchug released, crossed the Dnieper.
The starting point for the beginning of this road was the famous Prokhorovka, fighting on the Kursk Bulge. Battle of Prokhorovka down in history as one of the greatest tank battle. Sometimes the stories of Prokhorivka relegated to the background role of the infantry. And this role has been great and serious, because some tanks could not cope with the hordes of enemies who were trying to use the Kursk bridgehead for a decisive attack, scheduled opponent in the summer of 1943.
. Tank formations of the Soviet Army left in this battle alongside infantrymen Rodimtsev
. But then again fighting took place on Ukrainian soil. Great importance in this sector has been the liberation of the city and railway junction Znamenka. Divisions of the Corps received the name of Poltava and Kremenchug, the commander was given the rank of lieutenant general.
Together with his troops entered the general, and in that little town, where before the war was stationed Airborne Brigade. Many Rivers was on his way across country: Vorskla Psyol, Dnieper, Bug, Bug again - it is tortuous, - finally, the Dniester. And each time, going to the shore, the general recalled the most difficult crossing in his life - the crossing of the Volga River and the distant river Ebro and the Haram. But war memories are only needed for the action. And in the field book the corps commander, all recorded dry and businesslike - forcing the river ... Without the support of artillery ... With the support of artillery ... Under the influence of enemy aircraft ... With immediate unfolding of military orders and establish a bridgehead on the right side ... There is this entry: forcing water hazard under the influence of storming and bombarding air up to 600 sorties a day ...
. A ц?ц?цў forty-four soldiers of the Guards Corps remembers forcing the Vistula in the vicinity of Sandomierz
. At the famous Sandomierz bridgehead, the Germans hurled against the hull Rodimtsev four armored divisions, one mechanized and two infantry. But how could push the Vistula those who failed to push into the Volga?
. Housing has appreciated in Sandomierz bridgehead, hence he made a daring leap and had penetrated the heavily fortified trench defenses, pursued the enemy to the Oder, on the run crossed the Oder,
. Many hard days were on the way. I have not seen Rodimtsev in dejection. In a harsh moment he has only knocked out from somewhere in the Orenburg steppe from the word "Shaitan".
M okruyu European winter 1945 Rodimtsev met already in Germany. He was preparing troops for a decisive breakthrough, to attack, completed as April 24, 1945 release of the Elbe near the town of Torgau.
Under the moldy walls of the fortress guards met with the Allied forces. The meeting went down in history. American soldiers, the military way in which the second World War was significantly lighter and shorter than our way, marveled bearing, health and swagger mind Guardsmen who had just emerged from a fierce battle. It was a big celebration, a joyful meeting, and, apparently, for Rodimtsev and his body, past the roads of war for more than seven and a half thousand kilometers, the war is over. But no! Corps was ordered to turn south in a difficult battle, he took the wanton destruction of the Allied bombing of Dresden. But here on May 7 warrior for Rodimtsev not over yet.
Corps received a new order - the rapid roll to the south to release a number of cities and help Prague, Czechoslovakia, where the flames had flared uprising. The speed and power of this operation seem incredible now: the troops Corps participated in April - - May 1945, in heavy fighting, each of which seemed to be the last and final. But no time to finish one battle, as it was necessary to rush into a new, more - more complex battle.
. Moscow has already rattled ceremonial volleys victory salute, . already in the building of the Engineering School in Karlshorst German Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel trembling hand, signed an act of total surrender, . a corps under the command of Rodimtsev still fighting in the mountains of Czechoslovakia.,
. The guards burst into Terezin, where thousands of prisoners have been herded for execution - Czech, Russian, Magyars, the inhabitants of many European countries
. Guardsmen are too late for half an hour, for fifteen minutes, everything would be over.
At this point, General reported: in the crowd gathered at the shooting of a woman giving birth. Rodimtsev ordered to immediately transport her to the Medical Battalion 13th Guards Division, already approaching the Terezin. After the battle Rodimtsev arrived at the field hospital and learned that the prisoner from Hungary, emaciated, weighing about 40 kilograms, gave birth to a girl. It was an event that stirred all the inhabitants of Terezin. As the body passed the news: the girl and her mother were alive, the baby was named Russian named Valya.
. Looking for many years, . say, . Valya Badash, . citizen of the Hungarian People's Republic of, . Lecturer, University of Budapest, . Colonel-General Alexander Rodimtsev are honorary citizens of the city of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, and met there for the celebration of Victory Day the next.,
. But then they met in the Medical Battalion 13th Guards Division was a one-minute
. Troops rushed to Prague and a few hours have already fought for her release.
But here the Great Patriotic War is not over for Alexander Rodimtsev and body, under his command. We had to rush to the aid of a flame Kladno.
A Look at May 13 order was given zachehlit tools. Fighting Path Airborne Brigade, then the 87 th Infantry Division, which became the 13th Guards, and, finally, the Corps, which included 13, 95 and 97-th Guards Division, amounted to seven thousand five hundred kilometers. These seven and a half in Czechoslovakia was added another five hundred.
There are feats that make a soldier a hero in a remarkably short time: one day - forcing the river, one night - a burning tank, instant, an unprecedentedly bold attack. But there are deeds that are not defined by day, moment. The second "Gold Star" caught fire on his chest, General Alexander Rodimtsev a reflection of thousands of deeds committed by soldiers of its compounds, nurtured and directed by him.
All these years, the general was engaged in raising troops, raising troops. Fostered the army, who in its ranks of the Komsomol and Communist, he is considered among the military man of legendary personal courage. As a witness to confirm: yes, for the general Rodimtsev concept of "fear" does not exist. But it is not folly, but quiet, precise calculation always led them in a combat situation. By happy coincidence, no bullet, no splinter never touched him. He emerged from the war a young man, with barely silver head and cheerful young eyes in the heavy, as if swollen from sleep four centuries ...
Eug. Dolmatovsky
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Sources:
1) Heroes of the Soviet Union: A Brief Biographical Dictionary. V.2. M.: Voeniz.1988.
2) People of the immortal exploits. Moscow submarine v.2 1975
