Marshal L. A. Govorov. Liberator of Leningrad
"I should have done more, but did only what I had."
L. A. Govorov
L. A. Govorov
120 years ago, 22 February 1897, the future Soviet military commander, Marshal and Hero of the Soviet Union Leonid Govorov was born. Leonid Alexandrovich Govorov was born into a peasant family, and his fate fits perfectly into that crucial era that Russia was then experiencing. Govorov began serving in the tsarist army, became an artilleryman, then, with the rank of second lieutenant, joined the White Army under the command of Admiral Kolchak, and fought with the Reds. Moved to the side of the Red Army, went from the division commander to the division artillery commander. After the Civil War, he actively studied and entered the military elite of the Soviet Union, one of the outstanding commanders of the Great Patriotic War, and became a Marshal and Hero of the Soviet Union.
Youth. Civil War
Leonid Alexandrovich Govorov was born 10 (22) in February 1897 of the year in the village of Butyrki, Yaran district of the Vyatka province into a peasant family. His father, Alexander G. Govorov, worked as a barge hauler, a sailor in a shipping company, independently studied the letter and became a clerk of a real school in the city of Elabuga. Mother, Govorova (nee Panfilova) Maria Alexandrovna, is a housewife. Leonid was the eldest of four sons.
With the end of the village school, Leonid Govorov entered the Elabuga real school. He studied and worked at the same time, he tutoring, in order not to be a parent. In 1916, he graduated from the college brilliantly and entered the shipbuilding department of the Petrograd Polytechnic Institute. However, the First World War destroyed all plans for a peaceful life. In December, 1916, Leonid Govorov was drafted into the army and sent to study at the Konstantinovsky Artillery School. So he became Junker. He met the February revolution in Petrograd, and October 1917 of the year - in Siberia, in the city of Tomsk, where he served in the mortar battery with the rank of second lieutenant.
After the abolition of the old army, Govorov was demobilized and returned to Elabuga, to his parents. After the capture of the city by the troops of Admiral Kolchak, he was again drafted into the army - now in white. He was enlisted in the battery of the 8 th Kama rifle division. As part of the Kolchak troops, Leonid Aleksandrovich stayed until October 1919 of the year (because of service in the White Army, Govorov remained non-partisan for a long time until 1942). Then Govorov with a part of the soldiers of his battery left the ranks of the White Army. Hiding from the White Guards, he managed to get to Tomsk. Soon the city was liberated by the troops of the Red Army, and Govorov voluntarily joins its ranks. He became a fighter of the 51 Infantry Division under the command of V. C. Blucher. Govorov formed the artillery division, which led.
For nearly ten years, the fate of Leonid Aleksandrovich was closely associated with this part. He fought against the white army of Wrangel, stormed Kakhovka and Perekop, was twice wounded. Govorov has gone from a division commander to a division artillery commander. For great courage and bravery shown in the battles against the Russian army of Wrangel during the Perekop-Chongarsky operation, in 1921, Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. During the civil war years, Govorov established himself as an excellent military officer, an excellent artillery specialist, and an honest and modest person.
L. A. Govorov with his wife. Xnumx
Before the Great War
After the end of the Civil War, having practical skills in the use of artillery, as well as in-depth knowledge of general tactics, being a demanding and attentive commander, Govorov holds the posts of artillery of the 51 Perekop rifle division, commander of the artillery of the fortified area, and then the commander artillery 14 th and 15 th rifle corps.
Leonid Alexandrovich made high demands on professional training not only for his subordinates, but first of all for himself. Despite the large workload, he is actively engaged in his education. In 1926, he graduated from the Artillery advanced training courses for commanders. In 1933, he graduated from the Military Academy in absentia. M. V. Frunze. In addition, he independently learns German and passes examinations for a military translator. In the 1936 year, Govorov became a student of the General Staff Academy, and in the same year he was given the rank of brigade commander. In the 1938 year, before he graduated from the academy, he was appointed a tactics instructor at the E. Dzerzhinsky Artillery Academy. Govorov and in a new capacity managed to prove himself, and in the next year, 1939, he received the academic title of assistant professor. His scientific work was devoted to a very topical subject and was called “Attack and Breakthrough of the Fortified Area”. It is worth noting that Govorov seemed dry and restrained, did not like everyday conversations, but he was transformed, as soon as the conversation concerned military topics. On the podium, in front of an audience, he became a different person, a real orator. No wonder many lecturers from the Academy came to listen to lectures by Associate Professor Govorov!
In 1940, he was appointed chief of artillery headquarters of the 7 Army of the North-Western Front and took part in the war with Finland. Here he managed to apply his theoretical developments on the organization and breakthrough of the fortified area into practice - on the “Mannerheim Line”. For successful actions of the army and personal military merits, Govorov received an extraordinary commander division title and was awarded the Order of the Red Star. In the same year, during re-certification, he was given the rank of Major General of Artillery, and he was appointed to the post of Inspector General of Artillery of the Main Artillery Directorate of the Red Army (GAU RKKA). In May, 1941 of the year, a month before the outbreak of the war, headed the Artillery Academy. Dzerzhinsky.
Great Patriotic War
Since the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov was appointed chief of artillery of the western strategic direction, and later - the Reserve Front. In this position, he is actively engaged in the creation of an anti-tank defense system and the preparation of the Yelninskoy offensive operation. In the battles of Yelnya, he proved himself not only as a talented artilleryman, but also as a commander, brilliantly versed in the preparation of combined-arms operations.
Since October 1941, Govorov has been deputy commander of the troops of the Mozhaisk defense line. In the same month, on the recommendation of the Military Council of the Western Front, Govorov was appointed commander of the 5th Army, replacing the seriously wounded General D. D. Lelyushenko. The situation was critical, German mobile units were eager for Moscow. The German command hoped that the fall of the Soviet capital would lead to the defeat of the USSR in the war. The main burden of the struggle with the German tanks lay on the artillery. In this regard, the knowledge and experience of Leonid Alexandrovich acquired special value in the eyes of the High Command. From the first days of the new appointment, Govorov deeply and knowledgeably delves into all the details of the operational structure, gives concrete advice on the use of anti-tank artillery and coordination of its actions with tanks and infantry, confirming that he can manage not only artillery, but also be a good combined arms commander .
October 16 1941, the year Leonid Govorov signed his first order to the troops as commander of the 5 army. Govorov's army closed the way to the enemy in the Mozhaisk direction. Govorov's troops engaged the Germans on the famous Borodino field. For five days, German troops were detained by the 5 Army in the Russian glory 1812 field. All the enemy’s persistent attempts to reach the area of Mozhaisk were repulsed with considerable damage to the Germans. Only five days later the city was abandoned. Skillfully organized anti-tank fortifications and strong points, located on the most likely lines of action of enemy armored groups, played a major role in this battle. Along with the regimental and divisional artillery, they also had tanks that operated from ambushes. The units were formed teams of tank destroyers on the 12-15 man, armed with anti-tank grenades and bottles of combustible mixture. Artillery, which fired from closed firing positions, was also widely involved in the fight against tanks. Along with this, much attention was paid to the construction of various obstacles - minefields, anti-tank ditches, escarpes and counter eskarps, mined forest obstructions, etc.
In the most complicated situation, Govorov proved himself to be a resolute and enterprising commander who firmly and clearly controlled the troops both on the defensive and on the offensive. After the capture of Mozhaisk by the Germans, another division was transferred to the army commander. Before him was the task - to counterattack the enemy and return captured Mozhaisk. However, soberly assessing the situation, Govorov understood that these forces were clearly not enough to fight for the return of the city. The army will be exhausted by fruitless attacks and in the future will not be able to restrain the onslaught of the enemy. He managed to convince the high command of this and was able to take his units in an organized manner to new fortified lines, not allowing the enemy to surround them and destroy them separately. In the first half of November, the troops of the 5 Army organize a deeply echeloned defense on the approaches to Moscow, supported by a powerful artillery barrage and maneuverable anti-tank units, and they are preparing forces and means for the subsequent counter-offensive. November 9 L. A. Govorov was given the rank of lieutenant general of artillery, and on November 10 he was awarded the Order of Lenin.
At the beginning of December 1941, German troops struck at the junction between 5 and the neighboring 33 armies, trying to get onto the highway Minsk-Moscow. General Govorov immediately went to the village of Akulovo, where the situation was the most critical. Then he quickly transferred infantry units, sappers, and anti-tank artillery there. The Germans were desperately rushing forward - it seemed to them that victory was near. The bitterness has reached such a heat that in battles with weapons even the staff officers accompanying General Govorov took part in the hands. It was then that G. K. Zhukov appreciated the resilience of the commander of the 5 army. "Upris like Govorov," he said to the commanders, demanding that they stubbornly defend their lines. For two days a fierce battle was raging near Akulovo. Having achieved nothing, the Germans decided on December 4 to try their luck at the village of Golitsyno. The result was the same, and the next day the counterattack of the Soviet troops began near Moscow.
At the beginning of the Soviet counteroffensive near Moscow, the 5 Army Govorov was assigned the task of constraining the enemy forces in his sector and preventing the transfer of additional divisions to the direction of the strike forces of the Soviet forces north and south of Moscow. In accordance with this, the troops of the 5 Army with their center and left flank were to advance around Mozhaysk from the south, closely interacting with the neighboring 33 Army. When the Germans managed to halt its offensive, Govorov, having taken the initiative, skillfully regrouped his forces and means on his right flank. Later, having entered into interaction with K.K. Rokossovsky's 16 Army, he managed to achieve considerable success and, once again regrouping the strike forces, developed an offensive on the left flank, which led to the liberation of the city of Ruza.
January 2 L. A. Govorov for his contribution to the December counteroffensive near Moscow was awarded the second Order of Lenin. In the combat characteristic of the commander of the 5 Army L. A. Govorov, signed by the commander of the Western Front, Army General G. K. Zhukov and a member of the Military Council of the Front I. S. Khokhlov, from January 28 1942, it was noted: “Lieutenant General Comrade . Govorov commanded the troops of the Fifth Army from October 18 on 1941. Mozhaisk and Zvenigorod defensive operations conducted successfully. Well conducts offensive operations to defeat the Mozhaisk-Gzhatsky grouping of the enemy. In operational and tactical terms well prepared. The main disadvantage of Comrade. Govorov is a little scattered across the front and lack of skill in picking up a fist for a percussion action ... Comrade. Saying a strong will, demanding, energetic, brave and organized by the commander of the troops. "
Govorov had one very interesting feature - he loved working with maps of the situation and had the gift of foresight. As a former member of the Military Council of the 5 Army, P. F. Ivanov, recalled in the book “Operation Iskra”: “Govorov’s ability to read the situation map was unique. Using it, he divined the plans of the enemy, as if in front of his eyes she seemed to be reviving with his rivers and the forces and means of the enemy. Pokoldyut over the map and say: "Tomorrow, the Nazis climb from here." He rarely made a mistake in his predictions. Ponder, pokoldovat over the card has become an indispensable need Govorov. He loved in the late hours, dropping day cares, bending over the map of hostilities. " Govorov called these qualities "pharmacist", bearing in mind his mathematical rigor even in trifles and corrosivity in studying the situation when he needed to understand the enemy's plan.
Lieutenant-General of Artillery Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov at his desk. Leningrad front
Leningrad
In the spring of 1942, Leonid Alexandrovich is appointed the commander of the Leningrad Front military group, and in June - the commander of this front. During the heroic defense of the city, which lasted 900 days, 670 days was defended by the city under the direct supervision of Govorov.
The task of strengthening the external defensive lines of the com-front was decided by the creation of five field fortified areas on the near approaches to Leningrad and the placement of separate artillery and machine-gun battalions in them. At the same time, Leonid Aleksandrovich achieved an improvement in the defensive lines built earlier, the construction of new cut-off positions and lines of communication. In Leningrad, the LF commander, for the first time on a front-line scale, applied a system of continuous trenches, linking the defensive fortifications into a single whole. He also rebuilt the mortar application system. This gave the defense stability, provided a covert maneuver with forces and means along the front and from the depths and allowed the troops to quickly concentrate in various directions when there was a threat of attack. All this dramatically reduced the loss of troops from enemy artillery and mortar fire. In addition, such a defense allowed a part of the enemy’s fire to be switched from the city to the outer fortification line, which, in turn, saved many Leningraders lives and saved a large number of architectural monuments of the second capital of the USSR.
Leningrad itself was divided into seven parts - seven combat sectors of defense. In each sector, a commander was appointed who was responsible for preparing the city blocks for defense against enemy troops. In this case, the front commander did everything so that the internal defense forces, if necessary, were able to independently repel the offensive of the German troops. In this regard, all sectors were equipped with weapons and military equipment. Thousands of defensive structures were built in the city, united in dozens of defense units. Thus, Leningrad became a giant fortified area. The commander supervised the work progress personally. Good girl, - spoke about Govorov in troops. - The hand is heavy, and the head is light.
Leonid Aleksandrovich, being a professional artilleryman, was a master of fire destruction of the enemy, the organization of the combat use of large masses of artillery to solve a wide variety of tasks. It was the Soviet artillery, frustrating the assault on the city, forcing the enemy to switch to positional defense. Then, she successfully resisted the long-range enemy batteries that kept the city on target. The actions of artillery were of paramount importance also when the Soviet troops that went on the offensive had to break into reinforced concrete fortifications, deeply echeloned defensive lines that the Germans equipped around Leningrad. The Front took all possible measures to neutralize the enemy’s long-range artillery. For counter-battery combat, the front commander allocated two artillery headquarters aviation Correction squadrons, which significantly increased the accuracy of shooting at German batteries. Combined strikes of bomber and attack aircraft were also effective. At the same time, Govorov managed to implement a plan to advance the positions of heavy artillery far ahead. Part of the guns was thrown across the Gulf of Finland to the Oranienbaum bridgehead. The firing range increased, which made it possible to fire on the flank and rear of the German group.
Govorov also creatively decided the question of centralizing control of air defense systems, which significantly increased the effectiveness of the fight against enemy aircraft. The efforts of front-line, army and naval aviation were combined by creating operational air groups, which contributed to the massive use of aviation in crucial areas. The front commander also paid much attention to organizing the interaction of troops with the Baltic fleet and the Ladoga military flotilla.
Later, having solved the task of defending the city and turning it into a huge fortified area, the work of the commander was aimed at breaking the blockade. At the end of October, Govorov is starting to develop a new operation. From November 25 begins the preparation of parts of the front for the upcoming hostilities. On December 2, the plan for the operation, called Iskra, was approved by the Stavka. The purpose of the operation was to cut the enemy grouping in the area of the Sinyavino ledge with counter-blows of the Leningrad and Volkhov fronts, unite south of Lake Ladoga and break through the blockade of Leningrad.
12 January 1943 of the year with a massive artillery preparation began the storming of the Neva coast occupied by the enemy. Direct fire were destroyed coastal firing points of the enemy. Then four divisions simultaneously entered the ice of the Neva. In the center was the 136 Division of General N. P. Simonyak, carefully prepared for the exercises. The most crucial task was assigned to her, and the result of the whole battle depended on the success of her actions. Not everything went smoothly, the Germans threw all the new reserves into battle. Govorov contrasted with this continuous build-up of the force of air strikes and artillery. In order not to violate the ice cover on the Neva when it was forced, the suppression of the German defense, the destruction of enemy strongholds and structures on the front line were carried out exclusively by fire of guns set aside for direct fire. Such an original method of artillery preparation attacks allowed not only to preserve the ice, but also gave excellent results in the destruction of fire weapons, enemy manpower and the destruction of its fortifications at the front edge and in close proximity to it.
The offensive of the Soviet divisions lasted seven days, the battles were fought day and night. The troops were able to move forward only a kilometer away 1-2 during the day. German defense literally gnawed. Very slowly, the troops of the Leningrad and Volkhov fronts were moving towards each other. 18 January 1943 of the year occurred their connection in the area of workers' settlements number 1 and 5. The Siege of Leningrad was broken. Thus, for the first time during the Great Patriotic War, our troops managed to break through the highly fortified defenses of the enemy. More January 15 L. A. Govorov was promoted to the rank of colonel general. January 28 Govorov was awarded the Order of Suvorov I degree.
However, the German troops still stood under the walls of Leningrad, the battle continued. Immediately after the successful completion of the operation, preparations began for the decisive battles for the complete defeat of the German troops near Leningrad. Govorov prepared as thoroughly for the offensive operation of the troops of the Leningrad front in January 1944, as for breaking the blockade. In September, a plan was submitted to the Headquarters with the active participation of L. A. Govorov of the Leningrad-Novgorod strategic operation. According to the plan of this operation, the LF troops intended to carry out a complete lifting of the blockade and free the territory of the Leningrad Region from enemy units. The Commander decided to abandon the traditional principle of breaking through the enemy defenses in the weakest point and chose the most powerful sector of the German defense for the main strike. He explained this decision by the conditions of the terrain and the further prospects for the development of the offensive. Defending the future plan of the operation, Leonid Alexandrovich noted that it would be easier to break through the defenses on the weakest sector, but then the troops would find it difficult to move in the conditions of the marshland and the rapid offensive could not be developed. Meanwhile, the Germans will be able to organize a new powerful line of defense, which will have to be broken through again. Breaking through a stronger line of defense (Krasnoye Selo) will be more difficult, but the seizure of this area will provide an opportunity to develop an offensive against Gatchina and allow the two German armies to strike at the rear. In November, 1943 was at the height of the preparation for the operation. Govorov was given the rank of Army General.
14 January troops of the Leningrad Front launched the Leningrad-Novgorod operation. During the offensive, LF broke through the enemy's deeply echeloned defense, defeating the Peterhof-Strelninsky grouping. By January 27, enemy troops were driven back to 65-100 km from the city. On January 27, a salute took place in Leningrad to mark the final lifting of the blockade, and Leonid Govorov gave the order to conduct the salute on behalf of Stalin. Developing the offensive, the troops of the Leningrad Front under the command of General of the Army Govorov passed about 100 — 120 km, reaching the River Narva and seizing a bridgehead on the west bank of the river. In the course of this operation, the German 18 Army of Army Group North was almost completely defeated. For his success in carrying out the operation to lift the blockade of Leningrad, Govorov 21 February was awarded the second Order of Suvorov 1 degree. By March 1, the troops of the Leningrad Front, during the offensive, marched westward around 220 — 280 km. In the course, the Leningrad region and part of the Kalinin region were almost completely liberated.
Ending war
10 June, the Leningrad Front, along with the Karelian Front, the Baltic Fleet, the Ladoga and Onega Flotillaes, launched the Vyborg-Petrozavodsk operation with the goal of withdrawing the fascist Finland from the war. The enemy’s defense system on the Karelian Isthmus had a depth of 100 kilometers here and was equipped with all modern types of fortifications, had a number of resistance centers, a large number of pillboxes and other fortifications. However, in the first day the Soviet troops broke through the enemy defenses on the 20-kilometer front. When planning the operation, Govorov abandoned the traditional two-echelon formation of troops, since the terrain conditions did not allow for complex maneuvers and deep strikes by large mobile units. Instead of a second echelon, a strong front-line reserve of ten rifle divisions, several tank and artillery units was created. All this made it possible to concentrate the main forces on the first powerful strike and, while approaching the enemy’s new defensive line, retain an advantage in men and equipment.
June 14 and the second line of defense of the Finnish army - the new “Mannerheim Line” - was also broken as a result of the second attack with the support of all the artillery and bomber aircraft. Soviet troops entered the state border with Finland and took Vyborg. For the successes achieved on 18 June L. A. Govorov was awarded the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union. During the ensuing hostilities, the Finnish army was finally defeated, and the Finnish government began to seek peace with the USSR.
From 24 July to 24 in November, units of the Leningrad Front, carrying out the Narva, Tallinn offensive and Moonsund landing operations developed under the guidance of Govorov, defeated the German Narva Task Force and ousted the enemy from the territory of Estonia. Until the end of World War II, Govorov remained the commander of the Leningrad Front. From October 1944, he simultaneously coordinated the actions of his own, as well as the 2 and 3 of the Baltic fronts, being the representative of the General Headquarters. The 2 and 3 Baltic Fronts carried out a blockade of German forces in Kurland. In January, 1945 was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for the military merit shown during the war years.
On May 8, the command of the German Army Group Kurland accepted the terms of the Soviet ultimatum and capitulated. Govorov accepted the surrender of the enemy. By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR from 31 of May 1945, Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov was awarded the Order “Victory” for the defeat of the German troops near Leningrad and in the Baltic States. 24 June 1945, Marshal of the Soviet Union L. A. Govorov solemnly led the consolidated regiment of the Leningrad Front along the pavement of Red Square.
Marshals L. A. Govorov and N. N. Voronov with a group of generals in Leningrad
After the war
In the postwar period, Leonid Aleksandrovich was still working hard for the good of the Motherland, strengthening its defense. 9 July appointed commander of the Leningrad IN, formed on the basis of the Leningrad Front. Since April, 1946 - Chief Inspector of the Ground Forces. Since January, 1947 has occupied the post of chief inspector of the Armed Forces of the USSR, and since July 7, 1948 has combined this post with the post of commander of the country's air defense.
The Air Defense Forces organizationally took shape as an independent type of the country's armed forces in the postwar period, namely from the 1948 year. And Govorov became the first commander of the air defense forces. In addition to this new appointment, since May 1950, he has simultaneously been Deputy Minister of War of the USSR. In May 1954, Govorov became commander-in-chief of the country's air defense forces - deputy defense minister. In this position, Leonid Aleksandrovich worked until the end of his life, and in the air defense forces he was called Commander-in-Chief No. 1. Under his command, the Soviet Union carried out a structural reorganization of the control of the air defense forces, in the air defense units anti-aircraft missile systems, jet fighters, the latest radar stations are being used.
During this period, Leonid Govorov was already seriously ill with hypertensive disease, and the harsh everyday life of his life affected him. The first blow happened in the summer of 1954. Already being mortally ill, the marshal worked, performed his official duties. 19 March 1955, after a severe long illness, Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov died. The urn with its ashes was buried in the Kremlin wall.
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