Konstantin Provalov
Konstantin Ivanovich Provalov | |
|---|---|
383rd Rifle Division 16th Rifle Corps | |
| Battles/wars | Sino-Soviet conflict (1929) Battle of Lake Khasan
|
| Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union
Order of Lenin (4) Order for Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR 3rd classOrder of the Flag of the Republic of Hungary Prague Offensive. Postwar, Probalov led the 3rd Guards Rifle Corps, 9th Guards Rifle Corps, 13th Rifle Corps and 31st Special Rifle Corps. In 1958, he became commander of the 4th Army. From 1962 to 1968 he led the Southern Group of Forces .
Early lifeProvalov was born on 11 June 1906 in Babushkino village in Irkutsk Governorate in the family of a miner. He was a cousin of Double Hero of the Soviet Union Afanasy Beloborodov. He graduated from seven grades and worked as a land surveyor.[1] He later became chairman of the village Selsoviet.[2][3][4] InterwarProvalov was drafted into the Red Army in September 1928. In 1929, he graduated from the regimental school of the Provalov led the regiment in the Battle of Lake Khasan between July and August 1938. The regiment defeated Japanese troops on Zaozyornaya Hill. Provalov was reportedly wounded twice but continued to lead the regiment. On 25 October 1938, Provalov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin for his leadership. He was also promoted to the rank of Colonel. In April 1939, he was sent to the Frunze Military Academy and graduated from there in 1941.[2][1] World War IIIn August 1941, Provalov was sent to 383rd Rifle Division. Provalov led the division in the defence of Donetsk but was forced to retreat in October. The division then fought in the Battle of Rostov during November. Provalov was wounded in the fighting. Provalov was promoted to Major general on 27 March 1942. In the summer of 1942, the division defended the approaches to Tuapse during the Battle of the Caucasus.[2] In January 1943, the division fought in the Krasnodar Offensive.[1]
In June 1943, Provalov became commander of the Belostock Offensive during the summer. On 3 July, he was awarded the Order of Kutuzov 2nd class.[10] On 8 July, Provalov was recommended for a second award of the title Hero of the Soviet Union by 31st Army commander Vasily Glagolev, but 3rd Belorussian Front Commander Ivan Chernyakhovsky downgraded the award to the Order of Suvorov 2nd class.[11] In October, the corps fought in the Gumbinnen Operation.[2][1]
During January and February 1945, the corps fought in the Prague Offensive.[2][1] On 19 April 1945, Provalov was awarded a second Order of Suvorov 2nd class for his leadership.[12]
PostwarIn July 1945, Provalov became commander of the Operation Danube, the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.[14] In October 1969, he became a deputy chief inspector of the Ministry of Defence. Provalov became an adviser with the Group of Inspectors General in August 1973. On 6 May 1974, Provalov became an honorary citizen of Sevastopol.[15] He died on 10 December 1981 and was buried in Novodevichy Cemetery.[2][1]
References
|
