Our unforgettable commander
27 June marked the 100 anniversary of the birth of the outstanding military figure of our country Pavel Fedorovich Batitsky. In the ranks of the Armed Forces of the USSR, he passed the way from the cadet of the cavalry school to Marshal of the Soviet Union.
On this long and difficult path, Pavel Fedorovich had the opportunity to command a cavalry platoon and squadron, study at the MV Frunze Military Academy, serve as an officer for especially important assignments at the General Staff, visit China as chief of staff of the main military adviser, and head the motorized brigade ... And, finally, go through the crucible of the Great Patriotic War.
Colonel Batitsky met her while serving as chief of staff of the 202 motorized division. From November 1941, he commanded the 254 Infantry Division, which on the North-Western Front in the Demyansk region successfully repelled the fierce attacks of the enemy, depriving him of the opportunity to use the only highway connecting the German group that was half-encircled in the Demyansk region.
Since July, 1943, Pavel Fedorovich commanded the infantry corps on the Voronezh, Stepnoy, 1 and 2 Ukrainian, 1 and 3 Belorussian fronts, skillfully organized the combat operations of subordinate troops during the crossing of the Dnieper, during the liberation of Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Poland and the defeat of large groups of the Wehrmacht in East Prussia, the storming of Berlin, assisting the insurgent Prague. That is why PF Batitsky was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in honor of the 20 anniversary of the Victory.
In 1948, after graduating from the Higher Military Academy (now the Military Academy of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces), General Batitsky became chief of staff of the Moscow Air Defense District. From February to July 1950, he headed the Soviet command's operational group for organizing the air defense of Shanghai - the largest industrial center and port of the PRC - based on those who arrived from the USSR aviation, radio engineering, searchlight units, as well as Chinese anti-aircraft units artillery.
I will not list all the further steps of Pavel Fedorovich’s career, because in the annals of the Armed Forces he was, is and will remain primarily the commander-in-chief of the country's air defense forces - deputy defense minister of the USSR (at the same time he was the commander of the air defense forces of the united armed forces - deputy commander-in-chief of the armed forces of states participants of the Warsaw Pact). 9 July 1966, General of the Army Batitsky, was appointed to this position, and 15 on April 1968 was assigned to him the military rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union.
During 12 years, Pavel Fedorovich worked at the post entrusted to him. During this period, the country's Air Defense Forces reached a higher level of development. However, in July of the year 1978, after Pavel Fedorovich’s persistent attempts to bring the inadmissibility of the planned reorganization of the Air Defense Forces to the military and political leadership of the USSR, he submitted a report on the dismissal of the commander in chief ...
PF Batitsky died 17 February 1984, was buried in Moscow at the Novodevichy cemetery.
What did Pavel Fedorovich remember to his colleagues and what was so special about this man?
He attached paramount importance to the issues of constant combat readiness of units and command posts (KP) of all levels. Not a single case was noted, when the commander in chief, having arrived in any part, declared “Readiness No. 1”. So the marshal sought to assess the learning, coordination of actions of the personnel of the units. At the same time, Pavel Fedorovich always paid great attention to the issues of working out the interaction between the branches of the military.
The commander was well aware that the real state of affairs in the form of the Armed Forces he led can be assessed only while being in the army. Frequent trips, including to the distant garrisons of the Far North and the Far East, were an integral part of the style of all his activities.
Pavel Fedorovich was characterized by strategic thinking and a state approach to solving the most important issues of building the country's air defense system. This can be seen in two examples.
In the late 60s and early 70s, the question was being decided as to who would be in charge of the warning system. rocket attack. The Marshal foresaw the rapid development of the potential enemy's air and space attack capabilities, and believed that the Air Defense Forces, as well as the anti-missile and anti-space defense forces, and their warning capabilities should be "in the same hands" and tearing them apart is a crime. The CPSU Central Committee agreed with Batitsky's justifications and included the missile and space defense forces (Early Warning, Anti-Ballistic Missile, and Anti-Space Defense) in the country's Air Defense Forces. But Pavel Fedorovich's opponent in this matter was none other than the Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Missile Forces, Marshal N. I. Krylov. Thus, the foundation for creating an air and space defense system was actually prepared.
One more example. Batitsky was categorically disagreeing with the transfer to 1978 of the country's air defense units stationed there in the border military districts and reasonably justified the viciousness of this decision, in which the unified air defense system collapses and the command and control system deteriorates. Life proved the correctness of Pavel Fedorovich. Within a few years, air defense units from the military districts were returned to the Air Defense Forces.
Characteristic features of the Marshal's activities were firm leadership of the troops, taking drastic measures (without looking upward) to solve acute large-scale problems.
Pavel Fedorovich played a crucial role in equipping the Air Defense Forces with the latest weapons. Marshall carefully monitored all stages of their development - from reviewing the tactical and technical characteristics to conduct state and military tests. Batitsky participated in the work of many of the most important meetings of the Military Industrial Commission of the Presidium of the USSR Council of Ministers. The commander in chief was highly respected by the leaders of defense research institutes, design bureaus and factories.
Not to mention the special approach of Pavel Fedorovich to the selection, placement and education of personnel. The study and consideration of each candidate for nomination - from the regiment and above - were conducted at a meeting of the military council of the Air Defense Forces. The marshal heard the officer or the general and, making sure that they were new, agreed to the appointment. In the future, the most prepared and capable people, he did not let go of sight, watched their growth.
It is appropriate to note the firm, independent nature of Pavel Fedorovich. He often manifested itself in communication with senior officials of the Ministry of Defense. Marshal knew his worth and always could reasonably and persistently defend his point of view.
It is no coincidence that Pavel Fedorovich Batitsky enjoyed immense popularity and indisputable authority in the Air Defense Forces - the form of the Armed Forces, which at that time was at the zenith of its power.
Anatoly KHUPENEN, Colonel General, Chairman of the Council of the Union of Veterans of the Air Defense Forces
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