Leonid Grigorevich Petrovsky | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 June 1897 Shcherbinovka,Bakhmutsky Uyezd,Yekaterinoslav Governorate,Russian Empire |
| Died | 17 August 1941(1941-08-17) (aged 44) Staraya Rudnya,Zhlobin District,Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic,Soviet Union |
| Allegiance | Soviet Union |
| Years of service | 1918–1938, 1940–1941 |
| Rank | Lieutenant general |
| Commands | 6th Rifle Division 1st Guards Motor Rifle Division Central Asian Military District 63rd Rifle Corps |
| Battles / wars | |
Leonid Grigorevich Petrovsky (11 June 1897 – 17 August 1941) was a Sovietlieutenant general. He was the oldest son ofGrigory Petrovsky. He was born in what is nowDonetsk Oblast inUkraine. He was promoted toKomkor fromKomdiv in 1937. While in command of forces inCentral Asia, he was removed from command and expelled from the army. He was not executed like many of his colleagues. In 1940, he was reinstated in the army. He was a recipient of theOrder of the Red Banner, theOrder of the Red Star and theOrder of the Patriotic War. Less than a month after his death, his younger brother,Peter was executed on September 11, despite a request from his father for his release.
After the German invasion of the Soviet Union,Operation Barbarossa, began on 22 June 1941, the 63rd Rifle Corps was rushed to the front as part of the21st Army of theWestern Front, and fought in the defense of eastern Belarus against the German advance. On 6 July, the 63rd's117th Rifle Division attacked across theDnieper at night in what was planned as a reconnaissance-in-force. However, the attack surprised theXXIV Motorized Corps'10th Motorized Division, and pushed the German troops back to theBobruisk-Rogachev road.[1] During theBattle of Smolensk, Petrovsky used his corps to temporarily halt the German advance in theRogachev area, one of the first successful Soviet counterattacks of the war. The 13 July counterattack across the Dnieper penetrated 8–10 kilometers into the defenses of theLIII Army Corps'52nd and255th Infantry Division, and captured Rogachev andZhlobin. However, its success was fleeting, as the 63rd's advance was soon halted, and within a week, Rogachev and Zhlobin had fallen to the German troops again.[2]
On 26 July, the army and the 63rd Corps were transferred to the newCentral Front. In mid-August, troops from the German2nd Army and2nd Panzer Group attacked south from Rogachev towards the 21st Army positions aroundGomel, encircling and destroying most of the army. Army commanderVasily Gordov requested that the 63rd Corps be allowed to withdraw to Gomel, but Stalin refused.[3] Around this time, he was given command of the 21st Army, but as a result of the combat situation Petrovsky was unable to assume command.[4] While attempting to break out of the pocket, Petrovsky was killed while defending positions in the village ofStaraya Rudnya.[5]Grigoriy Plaskov would later recall the circumstances of Petrovsky's death in his memoirs:[6]
On August 17 at 0300, the signal for attack was given. In the first ranks of the attackers was the corps commander. Inspired by the personal example of the commanders, the units moved forward. And the Nazis, unable to withstand the onslaught, retreated. Having repulsed all the German counterattacks and expanding the breakthrough, Petrovsky led the main forces of the corps to the southwest. Meanwhile, in the forest, east of the Khalch station, the 154th division fought the most intense battles with the Nazis, who sought to cut off our units of the escape route. The division not only covered the rear and flank of the retreating corps, but also managed to break through the enemy ring in this area. Petrovsky hurried here to help build on the success. Commander of the 154th division, GeneralYa. S. Fokanov and [and] other comrades dissuaded Leonid Grigorievich from doing this, advised him to follow the main forces. But he was adamant: "I have nothing to do here, the worst is over." Staying with the covering units, Petrovsky fearlessly led them into battle. He was a man of great willpower and great energy. He was always seen in the most decisive places.
In an uncommon action for the Eastern Front, he was buried with full military honors by German troops and a cross was erected over his grave with an inscription announcing his bravery.[3]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Unknown | Commander of the6th Rifle Division 1928–1930 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Commander of the1st Moscow Rifle Division 1934–1937 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Commander of theCentral Asian Military District 1937–1938 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Commander of the63rd Rifle Corps November 1940–August 1941 | Succeeded by Office disbanded |