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Alexey VysotskyParticipant of the Great Patriotic War, Soviet journalist, writer, documentary filmmaker
Date of Birth: 18.07.1919
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Early Life and Family
Alexei Vysotsky was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 1919, to an educated Jewish family. His father, Wolf Shliomovich Vysotsky, was a glassblower's son who moved to Kyiv in 1911. He enrolled in the Kyiv Commercial Institute alongside Isaac Babel and Solomon Mikhoels, later pursuing law at Kyiv University. Alexei's mother, Dora Ovseevna Vysotskaya (née Bronstein), was a pharmacist and cosmetician.
World War II
Vysotsky began his military career in the Podolsk Artillery School in 1939. He was drafted into the army and served as a fire platoon commander in the 165th Howitzer Artillery Regiment during the Soviet-Finnish War. After finishing his studies, he participated in the Great Patriotic War from 1941 onwards.
As a member of the 18th Guards Artillery Regiment, Vysotsky defended Odessa, Kerch, and Sevastopol, and fought on the Don and North Caucasus fronts. He commanded an artillery battery, division, and was the chief of staff of a brigade. By 1944, he was a major, commanding a division of the 124th Howitzer Artillery Brigade.
During the war, Vysotsky wrote reports for the "Red Star" newspaper, some of which were published in "Izvestiya."
Post-War Career
After the war, Vysotsky remained in Germany, serving as head of operations for the 34th Guards Mortar Brigade. In 1956, he returned to Moscow and graduated in journalism from Moscow State University. He retired from the army in 1959 with the rank of colonel.
Literary and Artistic Work
Vysotsky was the author of four documentary novels about his wartime experiences, including "And Let the Morning Come" (about his commander Nikolai Bogdanov), "Roads of Fiery Land" (about the Kerch landing), "A Handful of Earth" (about the defense of Odessa), and "Mountain Flower" (about Soviet border guards' fight against Ukrainian partisans). His documentary trilogy, "Spring in Berlin," was published in 2010.
In 1962, Vysotsky recorded the first professional tapes of his nephew, Vladimir Vysotsky, at his home. He also made several short documentary films about World War II veterans.
Family and Legacy
Alexei Vysotsky passed away in 1977 and was buried in the Vagankovo Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Alexandra Ivanovna Vysotskaya, and children Alexander and Irena. His brother, Semyon, was a military veteran and honorary citizen of Kladno and Prague. His nephew, Vladimir Vysotsky, became a renowned singer-songwriter and actor.
A memorial plaque commemorating Vladimir Vysotsky's visit to Gaisin in 1950 was placed on the wall of the house where Alexei and Alexandra Vysotsky lived. Several of Alexei's relatives also made significant contributions to various fields, including engineering, sports, and music.
