Vladimir Gatovsky Chief of Staff of the Savage Division, military pilot Date of Birth: 01.10.1879

1. Military Career and Early Life
2. General Staff and Russo-Japanese War
3. Pre-World War I Service
4. Pilot and Initial Command
5. World War I and Heroism
6. Russian Civil War and Red Army
7. Later Career and Arrest
8. Death and Legacy

Military Career and Early Life

Born in Tsarskoye Selo on October 1, 1879, Pavel Gatovsky received his primary education at the 2nd Cadet Corps and graduated in 1895. He continued his studies at the Nikolaev Cavalry School and upon graduating in 1897, was commissioned as a cornet in the Leib Guards Grodno Hussar Regiment.

General Staff and Russo-Japanese War

In 1903, Gatovsky graduated from the Nikolaev Academy of General Staff with honors and was promoted to captain. From 1903 to 1904, he was assigned to the Officer Cavalry School to gain a comprehensive understanding of cavalry operations. He served as an Ober-Officer for Assignments in the General Quartermaster's Office of the 3rd Manchurian Army during the Russo-Japanese War and was decorated for his actions.

Pre-World War I Service

After the war, Gatovsky served as a senior adjutant on the staff of the 2nd Guards Infantry Division. He held various staff positions, including squadron commander in the 8th Dragoon Astrakhan Regiment and staff officer for assignments in the St. Petersburg Military District.

Pilot and Initial Command

Gatovsky enrolled in the Officer Balloon School in 1911 and became a pilot-observer. Upon graduation, he was appointed chief of staff of the Officer Cavalry School and awarded the Order of St. Anna, 3rd Class, and the Order of St. Stanislaus, 2nd Class.

World War I and Heroism

With the outbreak of World War I, Gatovsky became the acting chief of staff of the 2nd Cavalry Division. In recognition of his bravery, he was awarded the Golden Sword of St. George in 1915. However, after an altercation with the division's incompetent commander, he was demoted to the ranks. Despite this setback, Gatovsky distinguished himself in aerial combat and earned the Soldier's Cross of St. George from 4th to 2nd degree, leading to his reinstatement as a colonel.

Russian Civil War and Red Army

In 1917, Gatovsky was appointed chief of staff of the Caucasian Native Cavalry Division. He played a role in General Kornilov's unsuccessful march on Petrograd and was arrested but later released. In 1918, he joined the Red Army and participated in negotiations for the purchase of aircraft from Sweden.

Later Career and Arrest

Upon his return to Russia in 1919, Gatovsky taught at the Red Army Military Academy. In 1928, he became the senior lecturer of the Department of Tactics. In 1931, he was arrested and sentenced to three years in a labor camp. After his release, he returned to teaching at the academy.

Death and Legacy

Gatovsky passed away in Moscow in 1935 and was buried in the Vvedenskoye Cemetery. Despite his military achievements, his career was marred by the wrongful demotion during World War I and later arrest during the Stalinist era.