(1916 - 16. 4. 1945)
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A LEXANDER V. Tikhomirov, . Guard Sergeant, . mechanic-driver of the tank 1 st Guards Tank Chernigov Orders of Lenin, . Red Banner, . Suvorov and Bogdan Khmelnitsky Brigade, . Born in 1916 on the farm equestrian Balashov District, Saratov Region,
. Russian.
In the Red Army called in the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. He fought from March 1944 to 1-m 1-Ukrainian and Byelorussian fronts. Participated in the liberation of Western Ukraine and Poland, the defeat of the Nazis in Germany. Crossed the Dniester River, the San, Vistula, Pilica, Warta and Oder Nettse. Badly wounded July 15, 1944 at Lvov. For military distinction was awarded the Order of the Red Banner and the World War, 2 nd degree (1944).
. W tion of the Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and medal "Gold Star" Alexander Vasilyevich Tikhomirov awarded on Feb. 27, 1945 for bravery and courage, . shown in crossing the river Pilica, . release cities Aleksandrö¨w, . Lodz and other settlements of fraternal Poland.,
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In mid-January 1945 troops of the 1 st Belorussian Front began an offensive to Magnushevskogo bridgehead on the Vistula
. The next day, for the development of successful combined arms were introduced in battle armor, including the celebrated even in the battles near Moscow Guards Tank Brigade, which served as a staff sergeant Tikhomirov. By defeating the enemy on the intermediate line, the forward elements of 16 January 1945 came to the river Pilica. The first of its east coast in the vicinity of r. Nowe Miasto out tank Tikhomirova. After finding a ford, Tikhomirov under enemy fire, crossed the river. His example was followed by the rest of the crews who have served in the vanguard. Tankers seized a small bridgehead and for several hours kept it until the main forces teams, beating the continuous counter-Nazis, who sought at all costs regain lost ground. In the afternoon, Tikhomirov led his tanks to storm the enemy entrenched in g. Nowe Miasto. Joint attack by infantry and tanks, the city was liberated.
During the two-week offensive from the Vistula to the Oder tank Tikhomirov worked in intelligence, often in isolation from the main forces of the vanguard. January 18, 1945 brave tanker in his car suddenly burst into the station enemy Aleksandrö¨w (Lodz region), . treads of the tank and the fire began to choke and point-blank shot startled Nazis, . unloading has just come train with military hardware,
. Take advantage of the panic among the fascists, Tikhomirov destroyed up to 150 soldiers and officers captured 6 guns and more than 100 vehicles of the enemy. Came to the rescue comrades completed the rout of the enemy and freed Mr.. Aleksandrö¨w, cutting major highways leading from Lodz in Kutno. Fearing encirclement, the Germans on January 19 hurriedly left Lodz - a large industrial center in Poland. The enemy did not have time to make the city any damage and did not even evacuated the valuable machinery and equipment, prepared for shipment to Germany.
. April 16, 1945 The final battle has started in the Great Patriotic War - the Berlin operation
. By the end of the day followed the infantry in the battle to take the tankers. The enemy is putting up stiff resistance. Near Seelow heights he had a strong capacity. The approaches to the summits were covered by multi artillery, mortars and machine guns. For every kilometer of the front the Germans put up more than 200 guns, more than half of whom were 88-millimeter anti-aircraft guns designed for shooting at tanks. Combat Vehicle Tikhomirov, as always, was ahead. Crew boldly entered into combat with the Nazi gunners, accurate fire destroyed one gun, caterpillars crushed and prepared for another battle with the out-of-shelter for Ferdinand. At this point the car daring was damaged by a direct hit enemy shell. Sergeant Tikhomirov was killed. The next day the brave comrades buried tank officer in Tsimintsiche - German town near Berlin, in the battle for which he was killed.
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Sources:
1) Heroes of the Soviet Union: A Brief Biographical Dictionary. V.2. M.: Voeniz.1988.
2) Rumyantsev.N.M. People legendary heroism ". Saratov. 1968
