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 holders of the Order of Glory 1 degree "Tomsk in the fate of heroes", other sources sometimes indicate 1915) in a simple family of peasants. They lived in the Altai Territory in the village of Staroaleiskoye, his father was a blacksmith. Alexander began his working 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. Later he studied at a craft school and in the 1930s-34s worked as a metal turner in the workshop of one of the grain sovkhozes.
He was a member of the Komsomol organization since 1934. From her he received a referral to study at Tomsk University. He mastered the program at the workers' faculty, while attending 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 machine - the U-2 plane. After that, he was enlisted as a reserve pilot in the Red Army Air Force.
In 1937, Kalashnikov went to study again - he chose the history department of the Tomsk Pedagogical University for higher education. He always studied well and was active in public student life.
By this time, the parents of Alexander Kalashnikov could no longer work, so after graduation 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 a secondary school and teach history. He was even given a referral to a school with. Loaches in the Novosibirsk region. However, the war made its own amendments.
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 courses, he receives the rank of lieutenant, as well as a supply platoon of a rifle regiment under his command. At the same time, he served as an adjutant to 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 reorganized into a guards division as one that distinguished itself in combat operations. They participated in all significant operations in the central direction.
In December 1942, Kalashnikov suffered a serious injury. 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, as part of the Steppe Front, took part in all fierce battles.
Feat of Alexander Kalashnikov
In early September 1943, the Steppe Front launched an offensive operation called Poltava-Kremenchug. The soldiers defended the Dnieper in the 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 performed his feat, for which he would later be awarded a high rank.
Kalashnikov with his company turned out to be one of the first who managed to be on the opposite bank near the village of Kutsevolovka. As a commander, Alexander was always at the center of events and personally set an example for his soldiers. It also happened this time. His fighters advanced 6 kilometers deep into the enemy positions, were the first to enter the village, which the Germans were going to turn into a center of resistance. However, the company of A. Kalashnikov was able to gain a foothold here.
According to the recollections of the division commander I. N. Moshlyak, German tanks in this battle tried to develop the attack five times. But they suffered heavy losses from the Soviet troops and rolled back. - an invaluable contribution to the common victory.
For this operation, as well as for the performance of all combat missions at an exemplary level, Alexander Petrovich Kalashnikov was presented to a high award - the rank.
The award order was signed on 1944-22-03, but Alexander was not destined to find out about it. He died on October 30, 1943 in the fiercest 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. Kalashnikov was also awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Star and other medals.
Memory of the hero
- Streets in the villages of Staroaleiskoye and Kutsevolovka are named after A. P. Kalashnikov.
- In Barnaul, at the Glory Memorial, you can find his name.
- A. P. Kalashnikov is included in the encyclopedia of the Altai Territory.
- There is a memorial plaque with his name on the walls of the Tomsk Pedagogical University.
- In the village of Staroaleiskoye there is a Victory Memorial, where a bust of A. Kalashnikov is installed.
- In the southwestern part of Tomsk, the Camp Garden is laid out - a park in which the Memorial of the Military Glory of Tomsk citizens is located. There you can also find the name of A. Kalashnikov among the Heroes of the Soviet Union.
Alexander Kalashnikov was married to Agafya Semyonovna. After the end of the war, she lived in Tomsk.
