Alexander Chapaev - Soviet military leader, artillery major general, participant in the Great Patriotic War. Alexander Vasilievich - the eldest son of the legendary hero of the Civil War Vasily Ivanovich Chapaev.
The biography of Alexander Vasilievich began in 1910. The boy was born on August 10 in Balakovo, then still a village. Mom, Pelageya Nikanorovna, had a baby alone, since Vasily Ivanovich Chapaev could be very rare at home. In addition to the eldest, Sasha, a brother and sister, Arkady and Claudius, also grew up in the family. Subsequently, the brother chose a career as a pilot.
Vocation Search
After graduating from school, Alexander went to get an education in an agricultural college. After him, the young agronomist worked in the Orenburg region. During the army service, the young man realized he was dreaming of a military career. Chapaev entered the artillery school. After completing his studies, Alexander Vasilievich began his service.
He trained at the Academy of Mechanization and Motorization. Since 1939 he was sent as a commander to the newly opened Podolsk College. Since the beginning of the war, a regiment was formed on the basis of the establishment. In it, Captain Chapaev was appointed to command a division of anti-tank guns. The connection was sent to the front. In late 1941, it took part in battles on the outskirts of the capital.
Wounded Alexander Vasilievich got to the hospital. After treatment, he again returned to the current unit. Since the beginning of February, the commander of 1942 participated in repulsing a counterattack near Rzhev. Using shrapnel with buckshot, the Chapaev artillerymen, without the help of other units, dealt with superior enemy forces.
After successful battles and the subsequent offensive, the troops found themselves in a difficult situation near Rzhev. Thanks to the competent actions of Commander Chapaev, the enemy was forced to retreat. Two months later, Alexander Vasilievich in the rank of major began to command the artillery regiment transferred to Voronezh.
The order for the military was the advance into the enemy rear and the liberation of the regional center of Nizhnedevitsk. At that time, German troops were actively trying to break out. Military forces capable of withstanding the enemy were absent at that time.
Again Chapaev was helped by shrapnel with buckshot, already tested in battles. Many guns, weapons and horses were captured. The soldiers were able to free the village of Pyatikhatki, break into Kharkov. The city on the move to take failed. However, with the help of rocket launchers, which arrived in time to help, Nizhnedevitsk was released.
Combat activity
July 12, 1943 Alexander Vasilievich took part in the legendary tank battle near Prokhorovka. The enemy’s attacks were repulsed, but Chapaev was wounded a second time and ended up in the hospital for several months. The return took place during the battles for Kharkov. The lieutenant colonel was already the commander of the anti-tank artillery brigade.
In October 1943 he received the Order of Alexander Nevsky, in November he became commander of a cannon artillery brigade. In early July 1944, troops captured Polotsk, an important railway junction. Among those who distinguished themselves in battles, the name Chapaev was mentioned.
The personal life of Alexander Vasilievich was adjusted. The service continued. In mid-September, a team led by a descendant of the legendary hero took part in exercises at the Totsky training ground at new rocket launchers.
In the spring of 1956, the brigade was disbanded, and its commander was sent to the Dzerzhinsky Military Academy for higher education. After their passage, Major General Chapaev was appointed to command artillery in the Volga region. Alexander Vasilievich completed his service as deputy commander of the artillery of the capital's military district.
Even after retiring, the famous military leader remained active, engaging in military-patriotic activities. Often he visited the Chapaev Guards Division, conducted classes with fighters in it.
