26 Facts About Pavel Batov

Pavel Batov fought in the Russian Civil War and became an advisor with the XII International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War.

Pavel Batov served for four years in the Red Army during the civil war, initially as a machine gunner, and as assistant military chief of the Rybinsk Military Committee, his first staff work.

Pavel Batov was given command of a company in 1926, and was chosen to attend the Vystrel Officer's School the same year, where he met many future senior officers of the wartime Red Army.

In 1927, Pavel Batov was promoted to command a battalion of the prestigious 1st Moscow Proletarian Rifle Division.

Pavel Batov would serve in this unit for the next nine years, rising to command of the 3rd Regiment.

Comrade Pavel Batov has commanded a regiment for more than three years.

Pavel Batov soon received the "Sign of Honour" medal, and completed the Frunze Academy by correspondence course.

Pavel Batov was selected to "volunteer" for service in the Spanish Civil War, under the nom de guerre Fritz Pablo.

Pavel Batov first served as military adviser to the Hungarian communist Mate Zalka, who commanded the XII International Brigade defending the approaches to Madrid.

Pavel Batov fought on the Teruel Front and was wounded twice and won his first Orders of Lenin and of the Red Banner as a result.

Pavel Batov was then appointed deputy commander of the Transcaucasus Military District.

In June 1941, Pavel Batov was in command of the 9th Separate Rifle Corps, which comprised the 106th and 156th Rifle Divisions and the 32nd Cavalry Division, with a total strength of about 35,000 men.

Rokossovski noted that Pavel Batov preferred active command to "sit[ing] in the headquarters", and that his current role was "a burden" to him.

On October 22,1942, Pavel Batov was moved to command of the 4th Tank Army on the approaches to Stalingrad, replacing Mjr.

Pavel Batov remained in command of 65th Army for the duration.

Pavel Batov helped to plan the Soviet counteroffensive, Operation Uranus, providing key intelligence to Gen.

Pavel Batov's army formed a key strike force in this offensive, and the subsequent Operation Ring, which reduced and defeated the encircled Axis forces.

In July 1943, Pavel Batov's army formed part of Rokossovski's Front during the giant Battle of Kursk, on a secondary sector, and in the exploitation operations that followed the German defeat.

In June 1944, Pavel Batov's army took part in major strategic operations in Belorussia.

Pavel Batov was counting on Batov's ability to lead his army across swampy regions south of Bobruisk, using corduroy roads, swamp shoes, and other means.

Pavel Batov became the commander of the Carpathian Military District from 1955 to 1958.

Pavel Batov resigned as an active Soviet Army officer in 1965, but continued to work in the Defense Ministry Inspectorate, and from 1970 to 1981 as Chief of the Soviet Veterans Committee.

Pavel Batov remained a close personal friend of Rokossovski until the latter's death in 1968, and was entrusted with the task of editing and publishing his former commander's memoirs.

Pavel Batov was much admired by the soldiers for this very fact.

Pavel Batov proved himself a capable and talented military leader and teacher of troops during the war.

Pavel Batov died on April 19,1985, in Moscow and was buried in Novodevichy Cemetery.