(8. 5. 1910 - 14. 9. 1943)
On lay Ioilevich Kokushkin, Guard lieutenant colonel, commander of the 8 th Guards Airborne Infantry Regiment. Born May 8, 1910 in g. Pleso Ivanovo Oblast. Russian. In the Red Army was called in 1931. He graduated from the Military Aviation School.
Since the beginning of World War II until the day of death - September 14, 1943 - fought in the West, South-West, Don and the Central Front. Participated in the defense of Moscow, Stalingrad and Kursk battles to liberate Ukraine. For military distinction was awarded two Orders of Red Banner (1942, 1943), Order of the Patriotic War, 2 nd degree (1943), medal "For Courage" and "3a defense of Stalingrad".
. W tion of the Hero of the Soviet Union Oleg Ioilevich Kokushkin conferred posthumously on Oct. 17, 1943 for personal courage and leadership shown by the regiment during the Battle of Kursk and the subsequent attack on the Left Bank Ukraine.
.
P OLK Kokushkin considered the best in the division and corps for combat training, discipline and organization of personnel
. Command instructed the regiment most difficult and responsible job, using it on critical areas.
. During the offensive of the Central Front under the command of the regiment Kokushkin was fought to Nezhin, . freed dozens of settlements Kursk, . Sumy and Chernihiv regions, . destroyed more than 6 thousand soldiers and officers and a large quantity of arms and military equipment of the enemy.,
. Kokushkin as commander distinguished personal bravery, high culture in the work, initiative and creative approach to solving military problems
. He was an enemy of the template. Everyone held their battle to contain the something new and instructive.
By the evening of September 7, 1943 Kokushkin regiment went to the area Mr. Bakhmach - a major hub of railways. This site served as a convenient point nazi concentration and distribution of military equipment and reinforcements arriving from Germany to Front. By Bahmach were direct rail line from Minsk, Kiev, Kishinev, hence to the front walked the road to Orel, Bryansk, Kursk and Kharkov. To defend the city fascists threw everything they could: the broken parts of our division, retreating from the front protection unit, a group of vacationers returning to their regiments, marching company.
. In the offensive zone Regiment Germans launched several counterattacks and to halt the advance of infantry battalions.
. Kokushkin gathered the leaders of the regiment for a short meeting
. He reported that, according to intelligence in the region Bakhmach observed concentration of fresh enemy reserves, and the testimony of prisoners confirmed the assumption that this region is preparing a counterattack on our advancing troops. Colonel asked the officers to express their views on further action.
- We must move on to the defense - said the Chief of Staff. - We have weakened the enemy with fire place, and then go on the offensive. Incidentally, by that time will catch up and far behind neighbors ...
However Kokushkin proposed a novel solution: avoid enemy group from the north and cut off her escape route to the west. This bold plan was approved and supported the division commander.
Forests and swamps regiment moved the whole night and the morning went to the rear of the enemy, cutting the railroad Bahmach - Nizhin. Here they, along with the remains of the four divisions were surrounded by our troops and completely destroyed. This bold initiative Kokushkin led to major combat success.
September 14, 1943 O.I. Kokushkin killed in battle on the approaches to Mr.. Nizhin Chernihiv region. He was buried in a. Gayvoron Bahmachskogo area.
---
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
