 |
Alexander AsonchikParticipant of the Great Patriotic War, partisan commander, Hero of the Soviet Union
Date of Birth: 10.08.1908
|
Content:
- Childhood and Early Life
- Military and Pre-War Activities
- World War II and Partisan Resistance
- Leadership and Combat Operations
- Post-War Life and Legacy
- Awards and Honors
- - Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class (1985)
Childhood and Early Life
Aleksandr Azonchik was born in 1907 into a Belarusian peasant family in the village of Kovnevo, Vilno Voivodeship. After completing elementary school in 1918, he worked as a shepherd for several years. In 1924, he graduated from seventh grade and pursued an apprenticeship as a tailor.
Military and Pre-War Activities
From 1924 to 1926, Azonchik worked as a scout and clerk (pseudonym: "Lyalin") for a reconnaissance organization supporting the Soviet government. He later served in the Polish Army's 2nd Dwernicki Uhlan Regiment from 1929 to 1931, completing a junior command school and attaining the rank of corporal. After demobilization, he worked as a tailor and farmer in Estonia.
World War II and Partisan Resistance
With the outbreak of World War II, Azonchik was drafted into the Polish Army and fought near Graevo. Captured by the Red Army in September 1939, he was interned in Kozelsk. After returning to his homeland, he organized the Red Guard and became a part-time employee of the NKVD.
On June 25, 1941, Azonchik established a partisan unit with just eight members. By July 1, the group had expanded to 64 fighters and became known as the "Patriot" detachment. On July 1, they engaged in their first operation, killing 23 and wounding 29 German soldiers on the Vileika-Dolginovo road.
Leadership and Combat Operations
As commander of the "Patriot" detachment, Azonchik led numerous sabotage and diversionary operations, including derailing trains, damaging communication lines, and destroying enemy vehicles. In June 1942, the detachment joined the "Budyonny" partisan brigade, where Azonchik became chief of its special operations department.
Throughout the war, the "Patriot" detachment carried out 439 combat operations. Azonchik personally derailed 47 enemy echelons, killing 1,185 and wounding 1,510 German soldiers.
Post-War Life and Legacy
After the war, Azonchik joined the Soviet government in Vileika, serving as a people's judge until 1955. He then retired to the village of Kurenest, where he continued to receive recognition for his heroic contributions to the Belarusian partisan movement.
Awards and Honors
- Hero of the Soviet Union (1944) with the Gold Star Medal and Order of Lenin
