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Nikolay KirichenkoSoviet military leader, lieutenant general
Date of Birth: 14.01.1895
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Content:
- Early Life and Military Career
- Russian Civil War
- Interwar Period
- World War II
- Commander of Horse-Mechanized Group and Success in Donbass Operation
- Post-War Career
- Death and Legacy
Early Life and Military Career
Nikolai Yakovlevich Kirichenkowas born on August 21, 1897, in the village of Urazowo in what is now the Valuysky District of the Belgorod Region. He joined the Imperial Russian Army in 1912 and graduated from the Chuguev Military School.
During World War I, he fought on the Western Front as a cavalry squadron commander, training team leader, and ротмистр (captain).
Russian Civil War
In 1918, Kirichenko joined the Red Army and fought on the Southern Front during the Russian Civil War. He held various leadership positions, including commander of a regiment, brigade of VChK troops, combined cavalry regiment, and partisan brigade.
Interwar Period
After the Civil War, Kirichenko served as assistant commander of a rifle division and commander of a cavalry brigade. He attended the Higher Courses for Command Staff of the Red Army in 1921 and 1923.
From 1932 to 1933, he was at the disposal of the Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff. He completed the Advanced Courses for Command Staff at the Military Academy of Mechanization and Motorization in 1934 and graduated from the same academy the following year.
World War II
Commander of 14th Cavalry Corps and 51st ArmyAt the beginning of World War II, Kirichenko commanded the 26th Mechanized Corps in heavy defensive battles on the Vitebsk direction as part of the Western Front. He also participated in the Battle of Smolensk.
After the corps was disbanded in July 1941, Kirichenko formed and led the 38th Cavalry Division in the North Caucasus Military District. It participated in the Donbass and Rostov operations as part of the Southern Front's 18th Army.
From February 4 to April 5, 1942, he commanded the 14th Cavalry Corps in the Arkhangelsk Military District. From May 17 to June 9, 1942, he commanded the 51st Army of the North Caucasus Front, responsible for covering the Azov Sea coast.
Commander of 17th Kuban Cossack Cavalry Corps and 4th Guards Kuban Cossack Cavalry Corps
From June 10, 1942, Kirichenko commanded the 17th Kuban Cossack Cavalry Corps of the North Caucasus Front. On August 27, 1942, the corps was transformed into the 4th Guards Kuban Cossack Cavalry Corps for its gallantry and discipline. Kirichenko was awarded the Order of Lenin and promoted to general-lieutenant.
He also commanded the 12th Army of the North Caucasus Front's Primorsky Operational Group, defending the Tuapse direction. From September 21, 1942, he resumed command of the 4th Guards Cavalry Corps, which fought in the North Caucasus and Transcaucasian Fronts.
Commander of Horse-Mechanized Group and Success in Donbass Operation
From January 7 to February 21, 1943, Kirichenko simultaneously commanded the Horse-Mechanized Group of the Transcaucasian (later North Caucasus) Front. The 4th Guards Cavalry Corps successfully operated on the Stavropol direction during the North Caucasus Offensive Operation, forcing the Don River and reaching the Mius River.
For his skillful command and raids behind enemy lines during the Donbass Offensive Operation, Kirichenko was awarded the Order of Suvorov 2nd class and the Order of Kutuzov 2nd class. However, he was relieved of command on November 3, 1943, for slow progress during the assault on Perekop.
Post-War Career
After the war, Kirichenko served as the head of the Higher Officer Cavalry School of the Red Army. From 1946, he was deputy commander of a rifle corps. From 1947, he was at the disposal of the Cadre Directorate of the Ground Forces. He retired in August 1949.
Death and Legacy
Kirichenko died on January 2, 1973, in Moscow. He was a skilled military commander who played a significant role in the defense and liberation of the North Caucasus during World War II.
