Hero of the Soviet Union Nikolai Nikolayevich Voronov: biography, achievements and interesting facts

There are people who left an indelible mark in the history of Russia. Among them, Voronov Nikolai Nikolayevich - marshal and Hero of the Soviet Union. A man who has gone through several wars and devoted his life to the defense of the Motherland almost all his life. About him this article.

Childhood

Nikolai Nikolayevich Voronov was born in the last year 19th century April 23 in St. Petersburg. His father had good career prospects. But, as a supporter of revolutionary changes, after the events of 1905 came to the attention of the gendarmes and for a long time ended up in the army of the unemployed.

The family, in which three children were raised, experienced terrible deprivations. Unable to endure the eternal poverty, the mother of Voronov in 1908 committed suicide. At first, her friend took care of the children, and then they returned to their father, who finally found work.

Little Kolya did not study until the second attempt, and even then - in a private institution. In the state child from the unreliable family did not want to take. But five years later (in 1914), Nicholas had to quit his studies because of financial problems.

Youth

To feed, the future marshal got a job as a secretary from an honest solicitor. My daughters took my daughters to a village where it was easier to survive. But in 16 year he was taken to the front, and care for the sisters lay on the fledgling shoulders of his brother.

Work had even more. And yet, Nikolai Nikolayevich Voronov, who had been stubborn and will-power since childhood, continued to gnaw the granite of science himself. In 1917 he successfully passed the exams and obtained a certificate of maturity.

Civil and Soviet-Polish wars

In the spring of 1918, the biography of Nikolai Nikolaevich Voronov, who had not previously thought about the career of an officer, flowed in a new channel. In Russia it was in full swing A bloody civil war, and the young man could not be bothered. Once, after reading an ad in the newspaper about recruiting artillery courses, he decided to sign up for them. This forever determined his fate.

After completing his studies, Nikolai Nikolayevich Voronov received the title of red commander and led the platoon of the 2nd battery, which at that time fought against Yudenich's White Guards near Pskov. The young red commander, according to his colleagues, was a cheerful, light temper. He was able to distract soldiers from heavy thoughts and motivate them to do heroic deeds. Including, by own example.

From the middle of the spring of the twentieth century, Voronov took part in the Soviet-Polish military campaign. During the offensive against Warsaw, the battery he commanded entered into an unequal battle with the enemy, who had a significant quantitative advantage. The Red Army men had to retreat, and Nikolai Nikolaevich took upon himself the mission of destroying the guns.

During the execution of this task, he seriously concussed. A little later he was taken prisoner, where he stayed for more than six months. I had pneumonia, typhoid fever, I almost lost my legs, but I survived. And in April of the twenty-first year he was deported to the USSR as part of the procedure for the exchange of prisoners.

Service 1922 to 1937

After returning to his homeland, Nikolai Nikolayevich Voronov was treated for a long time in the hospital, and then returned to the system again. The survivors of the horrors of the war did not bring him down from the chosen path. He served in the 27th Omsk Rifle Division. He was on a good account with the management, which, as a sign of encouragement, sent him to study at the Frunze Academy. Her Voronov successfully graduated in 1930.

After becoming a graduate, Nikolai Nikolayevich commanded a regiment of artillerymen of the First Moscow Proletarian Division. Twice I visited Italy, where I took part in military maneuvers. In 1934 he headed the 1st artillery school in Leningrad, for whose successful leadership, 2 years later, received the Order of the Red Star.

It was very useful for Nikolai Nikolayevich Voronov to visit Spain, flaming in the fire of the civil war. Staying there as a volunteer, he learned a lot of new and necessary for his profession. This experience was useful to him later - during the Second World War.

Chief of the artillery of the Red Army

From 1937 to 1940, Voronov headed the artillery of the Red Army, which he managed to modernize significantly during this time. Being a competent and experienced specialist, he introduced many new programs, and even entered the commission, which at the highest level developed an armament system. It was a big war, and everyone understood that.

This period of Nikolai Nikolaevich's life was marked by participation in the Soviet-Finnish campaign, as well as in the operation to join the Soviet Union of Northern Bukovina and Bessarabia. In 1939, he was in a serious accident and survived by a miracle. But the injuries suffered greatly affected his health. In 1940, Voronov was awarded the rank of colonel-general of artillery.

The Great Patriotic War

During the Great Patriotic War, Nikolai Nikolayevich did not take direct part in the fighting. His mission was different. In the very first days after the treacherous invasion of the fascists, he was engaged in strengthening the air defense of the capital. Later he built the anti-tank defense of Leningrad.

Among his most important achievements was the withdrawal of artillery pieces from the zones of retreat to the rear. It was not easy to turn this operation. But it was these guns that played a huge role when our troops launched an offensive.

Another achievement is the reform, during which the air defense forces became subordinate to the Red Army. This allowed artillerymen and air defense forces to act more cohesively. A little later Voronov developed a project according to which the infantry was accompanied by mobile artillery. This resolved the painful question. The infantrymen received at least some protection from enemy aircraft, which behaved extremely impudently from impunity and tore up more than one important operation.

In the role of the representative of Stavka, Voronov visited the area of the Stalingrad and the Kursk battles. The Supreme leadership often sent him to the most important sectors of the military events for an adequate assessment of the situation. Stalin believed him. And in most cases, Nikolai Nikolayevich justified his trust.

Voronov represented the Soviet side at a meeting with Churchill in 1942. In 1943 he was awarded the rank of marshal. And in February 1944, Nikolai Nikolayevich Voronov was the chief Marshal of the artillery of the USSR.

Postwar years

In 1946, on the initiative of Voronov in Moscow, the Academy of Artillery Sciences was established, which he headed after four years. Here a huge research work was conducted with the participation of the largest Soviet scientists. From 1953 to 1958 Nikolai Nikolaevich supervised the Leningrad Artillery Command Academy. And in the very end of the 50's he moved to the General Inspectorate of the Defense Ministry.

Since 1965, Voronov Nikolai Nikolayevich - Hero of the Soviet Union. Assignment to him of this title was timed to the 20th anniversary of the Victory. Marshal until the end of his life was active in the patriotic education of youth. He died on February 28, 1968 from an oncological disease. The ashes of the hero are buried near the walls of the Kremlin.

Personal life

Little is known about Voronov's personal life. He did not show her off. Marshal was married, had a son who followed in the footsteps of his father and became a candidate of military sciences.

Nikolay Nikolaevich was remembered by his close friends, acquaintances and colleagues very sociable, having to himself a man with a good sense of humor. Among his hobbies are sports (especially football and tennis). He also liked to take pictures and go hunting.

The biography of Nikolai Voronov and the awards he received are an example for descendants. Contemporaries also learned from him a lot. The contribution of this man in the development of military affairs and in the victory over fascism can not be overestimated.