Shumilov Mikhail Stepanovich: photo, brief biography, awards

Shumilov Mikhail Stepanovich is one of the most famous heroes of the Great Patriotic War. His strategic and tactical decisions played an important role in the victory over Nazi Germany.

All his life, Mikhail Stepanovich devoted to military affairs, he went through five wars, each of which distinguished himself with personal courage and ingenuity. Until now, it is set as an example to the younger generation.

Shumilov Mikhail Stepanovich: brief biography

The personality of Shumilov has been of interest to military historians of different countries for many years. Information about it can be found in any language. Shumilov Mikhail Stepanovich was born on November 5th, 1895. He grew up in the family of ordinary peasants. From a young age he worked and helped adults in their daily affairs. I also spent a lot of time studying. In rural school he was an excellent student. Thanks to this, after graduation, he received a state scholarship, which allowed him to continue his studies free of charge.

At the age of 21 Shumilov was mobilized to participate in the First World War. He is trained in Chuguyev. After his graduation, he receives the rank of ensign. And in the spring of next year there is a baptism of fire on the Western Front. The battles are unfolding in the hardest conditions. Command often takes decisions inconsistent with neighboring parts.

Due to poor industrialization, soldiers lack shells and even uniforms. And from the rear letters come in which relatives describe poverty and poverty.

Revolutionary activity

The news from the house and the situation at the front are growing in the young officer's hatred of the existing regime of inequality and social oppression. Upon his return to the homeland, Mikhail Shumilov is volunteered for the Red Guard. The Civil War begins. Michael joins the Bolsheviks and joins the Russian Communist Party. After that, he goes to the east to fight the White Guard units. He also takes part in battles against foreign interventionists. For the year of the war, he is promoted to the rank of commander of the brigade. His fighters take part in the famous storming of Perekop, when it was held by Wrangel's troops.

Activities after the war

After the victory in the war, Mikhail Shumilov decides to pursue a career and attends courses of the highest command and political composition. He reads a lot and studies tactics of warfare. Works at the headquarters. Contributed to the development and improvement of the Red Army in accordance with the standards of the time. Chief of Staff since 1929. Then he is transferred to the headquarters of the group of troops of the Central-South zone. At this time in Spain, a civil war flares up. The Communist insurgents are fighting for power against the fascist henchmen of General Franco. Mikhail Shumilov goes there to help the Spanish volunteers.

New wars

Upon his return from Spain, Shumilov was appointed commander of the corps in Belarus. In the spring of the thirty-ninth he took part in the Polish campaign of the Red Army, when the Soviet units occupied the territory of modern Western Belarus and Ukraine. There were practically no fighting during this operation, however, it was quite difficult for the commanders to maneuver, being a few hours' drive from the Wehrmacht troops.

In the same year, another conflict begins. Seeking to push their borders and secure the north of the country, Soviet troops are entering a war with Finland.

The fighting takes place in the hardest conditions of northern winter and the shortage of ammunition and food. Mikhail Shumilov passed almost the entire "Winter War".

The Beginning of the Great Patriotic War

The beginning of a new war in the territory of the Soviet Union Mikhail Shumilov met in the Baltic States. The Wehrmacht's iron fist hit the north of the USSR with all its might. Shumilov's corps led heavy defensive battles near Riga. Despite the plight of the Red Army on all fronts, he even managed to counterattack a German tank group in the area of Siauliai. But because of the superiority of the enemy had to retreat. In the middle of the summer of 1941 the Germans managed to close the ring of encirclement around the grouping of Soviet troops, including Shumilov's corps. Under heavy fire, his men broke through the ring and took defensive positions along the Narva Highway.

Retreat of the Soviet troops

After the Baltic, Mikhail Stepanovich was appointed deputy commander of the army in the Leningrad region. But then he is recalled to the capital. From there they are sent to the problem site of the South-Western Front, where the Red Army is fighting bloody battles along the Don River. At the end of summer, the forty-second army of Shumilov had to restrain one of the most powerful German onslaught under the command of General Goth in the area of Stalingrad.

The soldiers of the 64th Army made a huge contribution to the Battle of Stalingrad. The interrogation of the captive General Paulus was entrusted to their commander. It was Shumilov Mikhail Stepanovich. The awards received for the Battle of Stalingrad, he valued most. And his army received the honorary title of "Guards".

In 1943, the Red Army was on the offensive. Shumilov's fighters take part in the Battle of Kursk Bulge - the largest tank battle in the history of mankind.

After the victory in it, the Nazis are crowded, liberating the territory of the USSR. A new line of defense of the Nazis passes along the Dnieper River. In some areas the distance between the two shores reaches several kilometers. Under continuous fire, Soviet forces force the river and free the capital of the Ukrainian SSR - Kiev. For skillful actions during this operation, Shumilov is awarded the highest state award - the star of the Hero of the Soviet Union.

Offensive

After that, the Seventh Guards Army goes to Kirovograd. In early January, the Second Ukrainian Front goes on the offensive towards the South Bug River. Under the command of Marshal Konev gathered more than half a million people. As a result of the successful actions of the Red Army, five German divisions were defeated, which lost more than half of the personnel. The liberation of Kirovograd made it possible to develop the Dnieper-Carpathian strategic offensive operation.

Shumilov Mikhail Stepanovich - commander of the 64th Army, Hero of the Soviet Union - acted together with another famous general - Zhdanov. Their skill was noted by Georgy Zhukov himself.

After the war, Shumilov continued his military career and served in various positions in the Ministry of Security of the USSR. Lived in the capital. His son Igor worked as a designer, was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor.

June 28, 1975 in Moscow died Shumilov Mikhail Stepanovich. A photo of a veteran of five wars was printed in almost all Soviet newspapers.