Galaktion Alpaidze
| Galaktion Yeliseyevich Alpaidze | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Georgian: გალაქტიონ ალფაიძე Russian: Галактио́н Елисе́евич Алпаи́дзе |
| Born |
7 November 1916 Kursebi, Russian Empire (now in Tqibuli District, Georgia) |
| Died | 2 May 2006 (aged 89) Moscow, Russian Federation |
| Buried | Troyekurovskoye Cemetery, Moscow |
| Allegiance |
 Soviet Union
|
| Service/branch | Strategic Missile Troops |
| Years of service | 1938–1975 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-General |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | World War II, Battle of Moscow, Battle of the Dnieper, Battle of Romania, Battle of Debrecen, Vienna Offensive |
| Awards |
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| Other work |
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Galaktion Yeliseyevich Alpaidze (Georgian: გალაქტიონ ალფაიძე; 7 November 1916 [O.S. 25 October] – 2 May 2006) (Russian: Галактио́н Елисе́евич Алпаи́дзе) was a Soviet Lieutenant General, Hero of the Soviet Union, chief of the Plesetsk rocket proving ground in 1963–1975, and 1977 laureate of the USSR State Prize.
Alpaidze was born on 7 November 1916 to ethnic Georgian village peasants and raised in the settlement of Kursebi in Georgia (then part of the Russian Empire). He finished a seven-year educational curriculum and graduated from the Kutaisi Industrial College in 1937, primarily studying heat and energy development technology. For two years he worked as an electrician in a hydroelectric power plant before entering Red Army service in 1938. In 1940 Nadiradze graduated from the Tbilisi School of Artillery.
At the outbreak of war in June 1941, as a major Alpaidze was already the deputy commander of an artillery battalion of the 36th artillery regiment, Soviet 43rd army. He participated in the defensive operations around the river of Gum from August to October 1943 and during the Battle of Moscow. In that period he also became a member of the CPSU. In September 1943, Alpaidze took command over the 36th Artillery Regiment which by then was already merged to the 7th Guard Army. He and his regiment took part in the crossing of the Dnieper and from 1 to 8 October, repulsed dozens of attacks at the bridgehead of the river, destroying numerous German tanks, guns, armoured vehicles, troop carriers and one infantry battalion. Afterwards the regiment moved to the Battle of Romania and the Vienna Offensive In March 1945 Major Alpaidze distinguished himself again during the Balaton Offensive when his newly assigned 972nd Artillery Regiment destroyed a number of German tanks and around 30 firing points, while at the same time suppressing six enemy artillery batteries. On 11 March, on a single day, he got wounded a total of three times but still managed to coordinate and control the fire of his units. For courage and heroism in battle, Alpaidze was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union as well as the Order of Lenin on 28 April 1945.
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