The biography of General Glagolev is almost entirely devoted to the army. His life was cut short very early, in the fiftieth year. But during this time he managed to go through three wars, become a Hero of the Soviet Union and rise to the rank of Colonel General.
The beginning of the glorious military path of the future general
21 February 1898 Vasily Vasilyevich Glagolev was born in Kaluga. His father, a doctor by profession, died when he was still a child. After graduating from elementary school, the future general enters the Kaluga real school. From here (in March 1916), he, as a volunteer, that is, having voluntarily chosen compulsory service, but on favorable terms, goes to pay his debt to the Fatherland in the Russian Imperial Army. The envisaged benefits opened up the possibility, having served the full prescribed term and successfully passed the exams, to receive an officer's rank.
His “baptism of fire”, so far a simple soldier, and in the future General Glagolev (photo below) received at the front during the First World War: serving in the rank of senior fireworker, he fought in the Siberian art. brigadewhich was part of the tenth army of the Western Front.
In 1917, the October Revolution took place in the country. The monarchical system was replaced by the Bolshevik government. The old army was disbanded. After that, in February 1918, Glagolev, together with his brigade, leaves the front and goes to the Tula province, where in the city of Aleksin he gets a job as a guard shooter. But he spent only six months in civilian life.
Civil War
In August 1918, Vasily Glagolev volunteered for the Red Army. Serving as a simple soldier, first in the first and then in the third Moscow cavalry regiments, which are part of the Kaluga Infantry Division, takes part in battles on the fronts of the Civil War.
In May 1919, Vasily Vasilyevich ends up in the Urals, where he fights against the Orenburg White Cossacks. But there he is overtaken by a serious illness, and he is sent on vacation home for treatment.
Upon his return to the Red Army, he was appointed head of intelligence of the 140th internal security battalion of the Soviet Republic. However, he soon falls ill again and ends up in the hospital. After Glagolev underwent a course of treatment and returned to duty, he was appointed squadron sergeant major in the 68th cavalry regiment of the twelfth division, which took part in the battles in the North Caucasus.
The beginning of a team career
In 1921, the future General Glagolev entered the command courses (in Baku), and upon completion he returned to his unit.
From 1921 to 1924, Vasily Vasilyevich served in the 68th cavalry regiment, first inpositions of platoon commander, then assistant squadron commander, then leads reconnaissance, after which he is appointed squadron commander.
In 1925, Glagolev became a member of the Bolshevik Communist Party.
First in 1926, and then in 1931, Vasily Vasilyevich graduated from training courses for com. composition of the cavalry in Novocherkassk. After that, he took the post of squadron commander in the second cavalry brigade of the twelfth division from the Caucasian army. From January 1934, Glagolev was appointed commander of the 76th regiment, and in 1937 - chief of staff of the division.
In August 1939, V. V. Glagolev takes command of the 42nd separate cavalry and 176th rifle division of the North Caucasus Military District.
In 1941, Glagolev completed courses for senior officers at the Academy of the Red Army. Frunze.
The Great Patriotic War and the first general rank
The beginning of the war V. V. Glagolev met in his former position, commanding the 42nd division, but for the first time his unit entered the battle only in 1942. It happened on the Crimean front.
In February 1942, Vasily Vasilyevich took command of the 73rd division from the 24th army, belonging to the Southern Front. Together with his unit, Colonel Glagolev was still encircled near the town of Millerovo, from which they managed to get out only at the cost of serious losses in personnel. In September, the remnants of the division were disbanded.
In October 1942, Vasily Vasilyevich was appointed commander of the 176th division, fighting on the North Caucasian front, which proved to be excellent in the defense of the city ofMozdok and the city of Ordzhonikidze (now Vladikavkaz), and later in a crushing counterattack as part of the Soviet troops.
From November 1942 until February 1943, V. Glagolev held the post of commander of the tenth rifle corps. During this period, namely January 27, 1943, Vasily Vasilyevich receives the shoulder straps of a major general.
Hero of the Soviet Union General Glagolev
In February 1943, Vasily Vasilyevich was appointed commander of the ninth, and a month later the 46th army, which took part in the liberation of Ukraine, and especially distinguished itself in the battle for the Dnieper.
In September 1943, the 46th Army, having crossed the Dnieper, not only captured and successfully held, but also expanded the conquered bridgehead. And after breaking through the German defenses, with active cooperation with other units, she liberated the cities of Dnepropetrovsk and Dneprodzerzhinsk (Ukraine).
For the skillful leadership of troops in the conduct of hostilities, the personal courage shown by General Glagolev was awarded the star of the Hero of the Soviet Union. Then, in October 1943, Vasily Vasilyevich became a lieutenant general.
A year before the end of the war, in May 1944, General Glagolev took command of the 31st Army of the Third Belorussian Front and took part in the liberation of Minsk, Orsha, Grodno, Borisov, and East Prussia. And two months later, in July, he was awarded another rank - Colonel General.
General Glagolev and the Airborne Forces
In January 1945 onthe ninth army was formed on the basis of the seventh army and the guards units of the airborne assault, the command of which was entrusted to V. V. Glagolev. For the general's army, the war ended with battles for Austria and Czechoslovakia.
In April 1946, General Glagolev Vasily Vasilyevich becomes the fourth commander of the legendary airborne troops.
In the same year, Vasily Vasilyevich became a deputy of the second convocation of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union.
September 21, 1947 The Soviet Army suffered an irreparable loss: General Glagolev died during regular exercises. Cause of death - heart attack.
A man who devoted almost his entire life to military service, who went through three wars, died as a soldier on the field, albeit a training one, but still a battle. Vasily Vasilyevich was buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.
Received awards and tribute to the hero
In addition to numerous medals, General Glagolev was awarded twice: the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner and the Order of Suvorov, I degree. Once with the Order of Kutuzov, I degree. Poland and France also expressed their gratitude to Vasily Vasilyevich, awarding him the Order of Virtuti Military and the Legion of Honor, respectively.
Streets in Kamenskoe, formerly known as Dneprodzerzhinsk, Dnepr (Dnepropetrovsk), Minsk, Kaluga and, of course, in Moscow, were named in honor of the military general, where a personal memorial sign was installed.
