Profession Soldier Religion Russian Orthodox | Name Pavel Belov | |
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Full Name Pavel Alexeyevich Belov Died 3 December 1963(1963-12-03) (aged 66)
Soviet Union Nationality Russian Empire
Soviet Union Political party Communist Party of the Soviet Union Allegiance Russian Empire
Soviet Union | ||
Pavel Alexeyevich Belov (18 February 1897 - 3 December 1963) was a colonel general in the Red Army during World War II. He is mostly known for his role in the Battle of Kursk in 1943 and for stopping Heinrich Himmler's Pomeranian offensive in early 1945.
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Early life
Born on 18 February 1897, Pavel Alexeyevich Belov joined the Russian Army in 1916, two years after the outbreak of World War I, as a private and eventually became an NCO. In 1919, he moved into politics, joining the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and also the Red Army. He commanded a cavalry squadron during the Russian Civil War.
World War II
From 1922 to 1929, Belov led a cavalry regiment. He became a graduate of Frunze's Military Academy in 1934 and served as a commander of a cavalry division. From 1935 to 1940, Belov was given command of his own cavalry corps. He played a key role in stopping Operation Typhoon, the German codename for the assault on Moscow, in the final months of 1941 while serving as commander of II Cavalry Corps, later redesignated in Guards Cavalry Corps. Belov took charge of the 61st Army in June 1942 and was promoted to lieutenant general. With this army, he played a key role in the Battle of Kursk, the biggest tank battle in military history, and also the fighting around Voronezh. Promoted to colonel general in July 1944, Belov participated in the liberation of Ukraine, Poland and finally in the Battle of Berlin.
Later life
After World War II, he commanded the Southern Ural Military District for ten years. He then chaired the Voluntary Association for Support of the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Belov retired from the military in 1960 and died on 3 December three years later.