The biography of General Glagolev is almost entirely devoted to the army. His life ended very early in his 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 battle path of the future general
February 21, 1898 in the city of Kaluga was born Vasily Vasilyevich Glagolev. 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, voluntarily choosing compulsory service, but on favorable terms, goes to give his debt to the Fatherland in the Russian Imperial Army. The stipulated privileges provided an opportunity, having served the full stipulated term and having passed exams successfully, to receive an officer 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: while serving in the rank of senior fireworks, he fought in Siberian art. brigade, which was part of the tenth army of the Western Front.
In 1917, the October Revolution took place in the country. The monarchist system was replaced by Bolshevik power. The old army was disbanded. After that, in February 1918, Glagolev, together with his brigade, departed from the front and went to the Tula province, where in the city of Aleksin he was arranged as an archer in the guards. But on the "citizen" he spent only six months.
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, part of the Kaluga Infantry Division, takes part in battles on the fronts of the Civil War.
In May 1919, Vasily Vasilyevich fell to 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 chief of intelligence of the 140th battalion of internal security of the Soviet Republic. However, he soon becomes ill again and ends up in the hospital. After Glagolev underwent a course of treatment and returned to duty, he was appointed sergeant of the squadron to the 68th cavalry regiment of the twelfth division, which took part in the battles in the territory of the North Caucasus.
Beginning of a team career
In 1921, the future General Glagolev enters command courses (in Baku), and upon their completion he returns to his unit.
From 1921 to 1924, Vasily Vasilyevich served in the 68th cavalry regiment, first as a platoon commander, then as an assistant squadron commander, then led intelligence, after which he was appointed squadron commander.
In 1925, Glagolev became a member of the Bolshevik Communist Party.
First in 1926, and then in 1931, Vasily Vasilyevich finished training courses for whom. the composition of the cavalry in Novocherkassk. After which he occupies the post of squadron commander in the second cavalry brigade of the twelfth division from the Caucasian army. Since January 1934, Glagolev was appointed the commander of the 76th regiment, and in 1937 - the chief of staff of the division.
In August 1939, V.V. Glagolev took command of the 42nd separate cavalry and 176th rifle divisions of the North Caucasian Military District.
In 1941, Glagolev completed courses for senior officers at the Academy of the Red Army. Frunze.
The Great Patriotic 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 Vasilievich took command of the 73rd Division of the 24th Army, belonging to the Southern Front. Together with his unit, Colonel Glagolev was still surrounded by the town of Millerovo, which he managed to get out of only at the cost of serious personnel losses. 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 Caucasus Front, which showed itself perfectly in the defense of Mozdok and Ordzhonikidze (now Vladikavkaz), and subsequently in a crushing counterattack as part of the Soviet troops .
From November 1942 until February 1943 V. Glagolev held the position of commander of the tenth rifle corps. During this period, namely January 27, 1943, Vasily Vasilievich received the shoulder straps of 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 particularly 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 defense with the active interaction with other units, it liberated the cities of Dnepropetrovsk and Dneprodzerzhinsk (Ukraine).
For the skillful leadership of the troops in the conduct of hostilities, shown personal courage, General Glagolev was awarded the star of the Hero of the Soviet Union. Then, in October 1943, Vasily Vasilievich 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, as well as East Prussia. And two months later, in July, he was awarded the next rank - Colonel General.
General Glagolev and Airborne
In January 1945, the ninth army was formed on the basis of the seventh army and the guards units of the airborne assault, whose command was entrusted to V.V. Glagolev. For the general’s army, the war ended in battles for Austria and Czechoslovakia.
In April 1946, General Glagolev Vasily Vasilyevich became the fourth commander of the legendary airborne troops.
In the same year, Vasily Vasilyevich became a deputy of the second convocation of the Supreme Council of the Soviet Union.
On September 21, 1947, the Soviet Army suffered an irreplaceable loss: during the regular exercises, General Glagolev died. The cause of death is a heart attack.
A man who devoted almost all his life to military service, having gone through three wars, died as a soldier on the field, albeit a training, but still battle. Vasily Vasilyevich was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow.
Received rewards 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 the Order of Kutuzov I degree. Poland and France expressed their gratitude to Vasily Vasilyevich, having awarded him the Order of Virtuti Military and Legion of Honor, respectively.
In honor of the military general, streets were named in Kamensky, formerly known as Dneprodzerzhinsk, Dnipro (Dnepropetrovsk), Minsk, Kaluga and, of course, in Moscow, where a memorial insignia is installed.