Issa Pliyev facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Issa Alexandrovich Pliyev
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| Born | 25 November 1903 Stariy Batakoyurt, Russian Empire (now North Ossetia, Russia) |
| Died | 6 February 1979 (aged 75) Moscow, Soviet Union |
| Allegiance |  Soviet Union |
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Soviet Army |
| Years of service | 1926–1968 |
| Rank | General of the Army |
| Commands held | 5th Cavalry Division 4th Guards Cavalry Corps 2nd Guards Cavalry Corps 1st Guards Cavalry Mechanized Group Mobile Group Pliyev Soviet Mongolian Cavalry Mechanized Group 57th Army 13th Army North Caucasus Military District Soviet Ground Forces in Cuba |
| Battles/wars | World War II
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| Awards | Twice Hero of the Soviet Union |
Issa Alexandrovich Pliyev (born November 25, 1903 – died February 6, 1979) was an important Soviet military leader. He became one of the top cavalry generals in the Soviet Army. Pliyev earned the high rank of Army General in 1962. He was also honored twice as a Hero of the Soviet Union, which is a very special award. He received this honor in 1944 and again in 1945. He was also named a Hero of the Mongolian People's Republic in 1971.
During World War II, Pliyev led many different cavalry units. These units sometimes included tanks and other vehicles. Military experts described him as a great leader of cavalry, even in tough areas. Pliyev is also well-known for his role in the Cuban Missile Crisis. This was a very tense time when the Soviet Union and the United States faced off.
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Becoming a Military Leader
Issa Pliyev began his military journey in the Red Army in 1922. He studied at several important military schools. He graduated from the Leningrad Cavalry school in 1926. Later, he finished his studies at the Frunze Military Academy in 1933. He also attended the Soviet General Staff Academy. Pliyev joined the Communist Party in 1926.
After finishing the Frunze Military Academy, he worked at the headquarters of the 5th Stavropol Cavalry Division. From 1936, he taught at a military school in Mongolia. In 1939, he took command of the 48th Cavalry Regiment. With this regiment, he took part in the Red Army's campaign in Western Belarus in September 1939.
Leading in World War II
When Germany invaded the Soviet Union, Pliyev was leading the 50th Cavalry Division. This unit was later renamed the 3rd Guards Cavalry Division. His division fought in the early parts of the war. They took part in raids behind enemy lines during the Battle of Smolensk.
Pliyev's unit also played a big part in the Battle of Moscow and the Battle of Stalingrad. He served as second-in-command to Lev Dovator. Dovator's cavalrymen were crucial in defending Moscow. Pliyev learned a lot from Dovator. This experience helped him become a master of "deep battle" operations. This is a tactic where forces break through enemy lines to attack deep behind them.
When more tanks were added to cavalry units, Pliyev became a pioneer. He helped create new "cavalry mechanized groups." These groups combined the speed of cavalry with the power of tanks. They proved very effective in battle. Pliyev's forces were among the most successful cavalry units during the Battle of Moscow.
Key Victories and Awards
During the Battle of Stalingrad, Pliyev's horsemen showed their bravery again. His forces were the first to completely surround the German 6th Army. This trapped about 330,000 enemy soldiers. Later, Issa Pliyev led a cavalry-mechanized group along the Black Sea coast. This was during the Bereznegovatoye–Snigirevka Offensive.
Pliyev showed great skill in the Bereznegovato-Snigireva and Odessa operations in 1944. His cavalry-mechanized group broke through enemy lines. This helped surround and defeat parts of the German 6th Army. In April, his group crossed the Southern Bug River. They cut off enemy supply lines and helped capture the city of Odessa.
For his excellent leadership and bravery, Issa Alexandrovich Pliyev received his first Hero of the Soviet Union award. This happened on April 16, 1944.
During Operation Bagration in the summer of 1944, Pliyev's group attacked towards Slutsk. They were very good at breaking through enemy defenses. In the fall of 1944, he commanded a large cavalry-mechanized group in the Battle of Debrecen. His group broke deep into Hungary. They faced tough enemy tank attacks. But Pliyev's forces fought bravely for over 10 days behind enemy lines. In the end, the Soviets took Debrecen.
Pliyev's 1st Guards Cavalry Mechanized Group proved very useful. It fought its way through Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and into Germany. He finished the war leading the Soviet-Mongolian Cavalry-Mechanized Group. This group fought against the Japanese Kwantung Army in Manchuria. For his success in defeating the Kwantung Army, he received his second Gold Star Medal. This made him a two-time Hero of the Soviet Union.
After the War: A Long Career
After World War II, Pliyev continued his military career. In 1946, he took command of the Stavropol Military District. He later commanded the 9th Mechanized Army in Romania. From 1947 to 1949, he led the 13th Army in Ukraine.
Pliyev continued his studies at the Military Academy of the General Staff. In 1949, he took command of the 4th Army. In 1955, he became the First Deputy Commander of the North Caucasus Military District. He then became the commander of that district in 1958.
On April 27, 1962, Pliyev was promoted to Army General. In June, his troops helped put down civil unrest in Novocherkassk. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, he was the commander of Soviet forces in Cuba. This was a very important and sensitive role. He stayed in Cuba until May 1963. After returning, he again commanded the North Caucasus Military District.
In 1968, Pliyev became an advisor for the Ministry of Defense. This was a role for experienced senior officers. He lived in Rostov-on-Don and passed away on February 6, 1979, in Moscow. Issa Pliyev was buried in the Walk of Fame in Vladikavkaz.
Awards and Recognition
Issa Pliyev received many awards for his service. He was given five Orders of Lenin. He also received three Orders of the Red Banner. He earned two Orders of Suvorov (1st Class) and the Order of Kutuzov (1st Class). He also received many other medals and nine foreign orders. As mentioned, he was decorated twice as a Hero of the Soviet Union.
Books by Issa Pliyev
- Плиев И.А.. Через Гоби и Хинган (Through the Gobi Desert and the Khingan Mountains). 1965.
- Плиев И.А.. Конец Квантунской армии (The End of the Kwantung Army). 1969
See Also
In Spanish: Issá Plíyev para niños
- Soviet invasion of Manchuria
- Pavel Belov
- Lev Dovator
