Alexander Petrovich Kalashnikov is a Soviet soldier who died in bloody battles when crossing the Dnieper. The circumstances of his death have not yet been fully restored.
Biography
Alexander was born on December 22, 1914 (according to the biographical reference book of Heroes of the Soviet Union and knights of the Order of Glory of the 1st degree "Tomsk in the fate of heroes", other sources sometimes indicate 1915) in a simple peasant family. They lived in the Altai Territory in the village of Staroaleyskoye, his father was a blacksmith. Alexander began his career early - already in 1928, after graduating from a seven-year school, he worked on the construction of a railway line in the Loktevsky district. He later studied at a craft school and in the 1930s and 34s worked as a metal turner in the workshop of one of the grain farms.
Member of the Komsomol organization since 1934. From her, he received a referral to study at Tomsk University. He mastered the program at the labor faculty, while visiting the Tomsk flying club. In 1936, he completed the theoretical and practical development of the US-4 glider and received the title of glider pilot.
A little later, Alexander mastered another car - the U-2 aircraft. After that, he was enlisted as a reserve pilot in the Red Army Air Force.
In 1937, Kalashnikov again went to study - for higher education, he chose the history department of Tomsk Pedagogical University. He always studied well and was active in public student life.
Parents of Alexander Kalashnikov by this time could no longer work, so after studying he served as commandant of the educational building of his native university. Here he worked until December 1940, then got a job as a teacher in an orphanage.
In June 1941, Alexander Kalashnikov received a diploma from a pedagogical university, which gave him the right to work in high school and teach history. He was even given a referral to school with. Loaches in the Novosibirsk region. However, the war amended it.
Already on July 1, Alexander was recommended in the Tomsk military registration and enlistment office as a political worker in the Red Army. After graduating from the quartermaster's courses, he receives the rank of lieutenant, as well as a platoon supplying the rifle regiment under his command. At the same time, he served as the adjutant of the battalion commander.
In 1942, Alexander became a candidate member of the CPSU (b).
Kalashnikov fought on the Western and Steppe fronts. Since 1942, Alexander served directly at the front in the rifle troops. His division was transformed into a guard division, which was especially distinguished during military operations. They participated in all significant operations in the central direction.
In December 1942, Kalashnikov suffered a serious wound. However, he was able to return to the front and became the company commander of the 182nd Guards Regiment.
In the winter of 1942-1943, Alexander Kalashnikov participated in all the fierce battles as part of the Steppe Front.
Feat of Alexander Kalashnikov
In early September 1943, the Steppe Front launched an offensive operation, called the Poltava-Kremenchug. The soldiers defended the Dnieper in Left-Bank Ukraine. They crossed the river on the move and took control of the bridgeheads on its right bank. It was here that Alexander Kalashnikov made his feat, for which he will later be awarded a high rank.
Kalashnikov with his company was one of the first who managed to be on the opposite bank in the vicinity of the village of Kutsevolovka. As a commander, Alexander was always at the center of events and personally set an example for his fighters. It also happened this time. His fighters advanced 6 km deep into enemy positions, were the first to enter the village, which the Germans were about to turn into a center of resistance. However, the company of A. Kalashnikov was able to gain a foothold here.
According to the memoirs of the division commander I.N. Moshlyak, German tanks in this battle five times tried to develop an attack. But they suffered heavy losses from the Soviet troops and rolled back. Rota Kalashnikova was able to destroy more than two hundred Germans and crush five firing points - an invaluable contribution to the overall victory.
For this operation, as well as for completing all combat missions at an exemplary level, Alexander Petrovich Kalashnikov was presented with a high award - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Award sheet to A. P. Kalashnikov on conferring the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
The award order was signed on March 22, 1944, but Alexander was not destined to find out about it. He died on October 30, 1943 in fierce battles in the area, the exact circumstances of his death are still unknown. Official sources indicate the village of Mishurin Log as the place of his death. He was buried in a mass grave in the village of Kutsevolovka, where there is a memorial plate with his name.
A memorial plaque with the name of A.P. Kalashnikov at the mass grave in the village of Kutsevolovka.
A. Kalashnikov was also awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Star and other medals.
