On the territory of the entire post-Soviet space there are not so many military men with such a number of awards and merits. Marshal Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov is one of the main figures in the Great Patriotic War. He participated in the battles in the defense of Moscow and Leningrad, for which he received many medals of the highest degree. His skill as a commander-in-chief is recognized not only in Russia, but also far beyond its borders.
Childhood and youth of Marshal Govorov
Leonid Alexandrovich was born on February 10, 1897. His homeland is the famous village of Butyrka, which was located in the Yaransky district of the Vyatka province. His parents were simple peasants - his father worked as a barge hauler, and his mother was a housewife. The family of Marshal Govorov had four children, the eldest of whom was Leonid Aleksandrovich himself.
After graduating from a rural school, he was sent to study at a college, which Govorov graduated with honors. For incredible success in obtaining an education, he was recommended to the Petrograd Polytechnic Institute. ATAt the age of 20, he was drafted into the army, where he received the rank of junior officer.
Civil War
Six months after the demobilization, Leonid Alexandrovich Govorov was again drafted into the army. Becoming a lieutenant, he took part in the battles against the Red Army. By November 1919, he decides to defect from the imperial military forces and join the Soviet leadership. By the end of December, Leonid Alexandrovich becomes a member of the 51st division, led by Vasily Konstantinovich Blucher.
The period of the Great Patriotic War
From the first days, the future Marshal Govorov participated in clashes with the German army on the Western Front. There he served as head of artillery. He was one of the strategists during the defense, participated in the Yelnin offensive operation.
Throughout the war, he conducted many successful defensive and counterattack operations. In 1945 he received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
After the end of the war, he became a member of the CPSU, where he worked until his death. In 1955, he learned about heart disease. The marshal was unable to cope with him and died of heart failure on March 19.
