Mikhail Petrovich Kirponos | |
---|---|
Born | 12 January 1892 , Chernigov Governorate, Russian Empire |
Died | 20 September 1941 Lokhvytsia, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
(aged 49)
Allegiance |
Russian Empire Soviet Union |
Service/branch | Red Army |
Years of service | 1915–1941 |
Rank | Colonel General |
Commands held |
Leningrad Military District Kiev Military District Southwestern Front |
Battles/wars |
World War I Russian Civil War Winter War World War II |
Awards | |
Signature |
Mikhail Petrovich Kirponos (Russian: Михаи́л Петро́вич Кирпоно́с, Ukrainian: Михайло Петрович Кирпонос, Mykhailo Petrovych Kyrponos; 12 January 1892 – 20 September 1941) was a Soviet Ukrainian general of the Red Army during World War II. Being accorded the highest military decoration, the Hero of the Soviet Union title, for the skill and courage in commanding a division in the 1939-1940 Finnish campaign, Kirponos is remembered for his leading role in the failed defense of the Ukraine during the Battle of Brody, the Battle of Uman, and Kiev in the 1941 German invasion of the Soviet Union. He was killed in action by German fire in the defense of Kiev on 20 September 1941.
Kirponos was born in a poor peasant family and worked as a forester. He was conscripted in 1915 and took part in World War I. In 1917 he joined the Red Army, fought in the Russian Civil War, and joined the Bolshevik party in 1918.