Contribution to the formation and development of the Airborne Forces. Awards of foreign countries

Zolotov Semyon Mitrofanovich, Kukushkin Alexey Vasilyevich, Kraev Vladimir Stepanovich, Gudz Pavel Danilovich, Bardeev Igor Alexandrovich, Shcherbakov Leonid Ivanovich, Orlov Georgy Alexandrovich, Borisov Mikhail Ivanovich, Kostin Boris Akimovich, Dvugroshev Yuri Ivanovich, Dragun Boris Antonovich, Volgar Vladimir Ivanovich, Shevchenko Arsentievich, Alexei Semenovich Kurteev, Nikolai Pavlovich Molchanov, Vladimir Andreevich Markelov, Alexei Petrovich Lushnikov, Boris Georgievich Zhukov, Sharip Khabeevich Minigulov, Gennady Vasilievich Ryabov, Vladimir Denisovich Paramonov, Vladimir Yakovlevich Anpilogov, Gennady Aleksandrovich Melkov, Aleksey Dyachenko Palatnikov Alexander Samoilovich, Gnilenko Valery Pavlovich, Ponizovsky Vladimir Semenovich, Ismailov Agamehti Mamed oglu (Mikhail Mikhailovich), Tamindarov Khusnutdin Shaikhutdinovich, Kostenko Yuri Petrovich, Skrynnikov Mikhail Fedorovich, whose materials and the memoirs are used in the book by those who helped in their collection, as well as by those who assisted the authors in preparing this book for publication - first of all, Igrinev Yuri Ivanovich, Dronov Sergey Vasilyevich and Zakharenkov Valery Nikolaevich. Special thanks to the grandson of Army General Margelov, reserve officer Alexander Alexandrovich, an excellent computer scientist, without whose help the book would have appeared much later.

We bow our heads before the blessed memory of Pavlenko Pavel Fedoseevich, Lisov Ivan Ivanovich, Kulishev Oleg Fedorovich, Shubin Valery Fedorovich, Davydov Ivan Nikolaevich, Doronin Vladimir Dmitrievich, Mikhalev Nikolai Sergeevich.

Their memories of Vasily Filippovich Margelov - a tribute to the outstanding military leader and parting words to the current defenders of the Fatherland.

After the publication of the book "General of the Army Margelov V.F." (Publishing house "Polygraphresources", Moscow, 1998) many readers asked to write a book about the service of Vasily Filippovich Margelov in Airborne troops USSR - from its first steps airborne paratrooper to the Commander of the Airborne Forces.

The first written request of this kind was a letter from Igor Nikolaevich Sheptukhin from the city of Odintsovo, Moscow Region, which the authors took the liberty of reproducing in full:

“Dear Alexander Vasilyevich, hello!

I read your book "Army General Margelov". Thank you very much for it. People like your father, Vasily Filippovich, are the golden fund of our country, its pride, honor, glory! The memory of General Margelov live forever! In our difficult time, Vasily Filippovich serves as an example of a real Russian officer not only for the Airborne Forces, but also for our entire long-suffering Army. Our growing youth, who seem to have other guidelines, should also know about such people. It is on such books that you need to educate her!

Unfortunately, I did not have to link my fate with the Airborne Forces, but my dad served for 8 years, first in the 114th Vienna Airborne Forces, and then in the 103rd Vitebsk Airborne Forces. It was thanks to his stories about the Airborne Forces that the love for these troops came to me. Your book has been a real gift to me.

With your permission, I have a request for you. You should definitely write another book, where you will cover all the years of Vasily Filippovich's work in the Airborne Forces in more detail. The book "Army General Margelov" is wonderful, but there is too little about the paratrooper Margelov.

That's all I wanted to write. Again thank you very much you for your book. Accept as a sign of respect the poem about "Paratrooper No. 1", believe me, it was written with all my heart!

Goodbye, regards,

Sheptukhin Igor Nikolaevich.

Naturally, with deep gratitude from the entire Margelov family, as well as from many other people who are completely different in relation to military service, by age and education, the authors cite this wonderful poem.

In the history of the landing glorious There are many brave commanders, But first on the list is legendary Vasil Filippovich Margelov! Betrothed for a century with glory, Having passed the path of dashing years, He is a Patriot, Soldier, Scientist, Paratrooper number one! Great Son your country, He served as an example for the soldiers. He carried the roads of war Worthy of an officer's rank. Suvorov traditions banner He held calloused hands. Taught soldiers - Victory is with us! And where it is difficult - he won. The soldiers loved the commander, Always, everywhere noticed. For intelligence, courage, prowess, strength Lovingly called Batey. "Margelovets" - there is no higher rank! And they were proud of this title: They went with him on a mission, With him - in hand-to-hand converged, Always fought bravely, deftly, Courage is the key to success. And Neva Dubrovka remembers Bayonets of the Margelov marines! And in a difficult hour near Stalingrad They did the right thing. Guardsmen led not for awards, For the Motherland dashing Margelov! Having drunk the Dnieper water And crossed the Dnieper rapids, Even more courageous began to fight With the enemy in that terrible time. Fought in trenches and trenches Margelovtsy for the earth is holy, Bravely drove the Germans in the neck Regiments native forty-ninth! Kherson, Odessa, Nikolaev - The path is marked with victories. And among the cannon bark Guardsmen cannot be turned back! And they know Budapest and Vienna As they walked, chasing a menacing step, How to break through enemy walls Throws of Margelov attacks. And Red Square will remember Victory Parade in forty-fifth, Paving stones will long remember How Margelov's soldiers marched! After the war, the task arose fasten landing troops… And strengthened the defense Margelov's hand again. He created a nugget, an ingot, Those who are stronger and braver Soviet army elite - Her country's heroes! Those who are in battle, in the first exercises, In attacks and, of course, in sports, Who tore their veins and nerves In a winged valiant cohort. Who is where the path is always dangerous, Who from the sky - into battle by parachute. Troops landing "Uncle Vasya" Any routes on the shoulder. They keep the country from grief, They are her protection, color; Her reliable strong root And a strong backbone. In a sergeant, in a private, in a battalion commander - Margelov spirit live! And in everyone who is ready to serve, - Live eternal memory about Bata!

There were many other reviews: written, at meetings, by phone ... Veterans of the Great Patriotic and other wars, veterans of military service, purely civilian people sent and transmitted their memories, comments, suggestions for a new edition of the book. The authors are very grateful to all such readers. Even the one who, after reading the book, somehow warily asked if the political worker wrote the book. The authors were not political workers, so they asked with surprise what led him to such thoughts. It turns out that he did not like the frequent mention in the text of the glorious military deeds of soldiers - political workers, communists and Komsomol members. I had to remember that in the years great war soldiers considered it an honor to wear these high ranks, and yesterday's fighters and combat commanders, the most literate and conscious, often became political workers. Their task was one - to convey to each warrior political goals liberation war against the impudent invader, and these goals, fortunately, coincided with the goals leading party led by the great Stalin. By the way, the enemy also “appreciated” them highly - when captured, they were threatened with execution out of turn, without talking ... These were the advantages of political workers, communists and Komsomol members at the front. And their exploits, described in the book, are mainly taken from the memories of the war of soldiers, sergeants and junior commanders (combat officers!). So do not confuse these guys ready for self-sacrifice with today's shifters - Gorbachevs, Yeltsins and the like, who betrayed themselves first of all, betrayed the interests of the working people. Even the very word political worker has disappeared, now in the army there are educators, as if we live outside of politics. Absurd! The Armed Forces of the country are created to protect it from an external enemy. And war, as every more or less literate person should well know, is the continuation of politics by other means.

The new edition, revised and enlarged, is published in two parts under common name"Through the Hurricanes of the Five Wars". This is exactly what my father wanted to call his memoirs ... but he did not leave memoirs, although many asked him about it.

Even during the life of Army General V.F. Margelov was called "Man-Legend", "Paratrooper No. 1". The people who served under his command called themselves "Margelovtsy", and the abbreviation of the Airborne Forces - Airborne Forces, to this day stands for "Uncle Vasya's Troops."

A patriot, a brave man, audacious, direct, caring commander, talented military leader, capable of acting on the basis of honor, always ready for self-sacrifice ... It is to him that the honor and glory of creating the unsurpassed Airborne Forces belongs. A participant in five wars, as he himself said, Vasily Filippovich hated war with all his heart, spoke about it rarely and sparingly. But he loved films about the war - sitting down in front of the TV screen, he admitted: “I love watching war in the cinema!”

The first part of "The Song Praises the Falcon" describes in detail his combat biography until the end of the Great Patriotic War. In the second part, "Paratrooper number one" - his military work in the Airborne Forces. The book was written primarily on the basis of his own memoirs, according to the memoirs of veterans of the Great Patriotic War and military service, who went through the military path with him, as well as according to the memoirs of his friends and people close to him.

"In the image and likeness of Suvorov"

The combat chronicle of Russia is rich glorious names which Russian hearts can rightly be proud of. Let's remember inspirational words Supreme Commander I.V. Stalin, uttered by him at an unprecedented military parade on Red Square in Moscow on November 7, 1941: “Let the courageous image of our great ancestors - Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Donskoy, Kuzma Minin, Dmitry Pozharsky, Alexander Suvorov, Mikhail Kutuzov inspire you in this war ... ".

Let's dwell on one of these glorious names ... Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov! A commander who has not had and has no equal not only in domestic, but also in world history. Very few generals can be compared to him. In the 19th century, only three were awarded such an honor ...

The Georgian prince and Great Russian Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration was one of them. Suvorov himself loved and appreciated him. He was called "a general in the image and likeness of Suvorov."

Stepan Alexandrovich Khrulev, hero of Sevastopol (1854–1856), favorite of the defenders Black Sea stronghold. In the poem dedicated to him by the Russian poet Apollon Maikov, fiery lines are burned:

This is the secret of the Russian forces, accessible to a few: To the feat of valor both in peace and in war There is no need for Russians to call teams with a strict word, But everyone will rise to the click “Darlings, come to me!”

Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev ... The legendary Skobelev, who glorified his name with brilliant campaigns in Central Asia and unsurpassed victories in the Balkans in 1877-1878 in the war for the freedom and independence of the Slavic brothers. It was his troops, who crushed the Turks, who were stopped by diplomats in one transition from the Ottoman capital, it was he, the Great Russian, who brought the once proud Turkey to its knees.

Comparisons with the great Suvorov were made not by the number of battles won, not by the number of operations carried out, not by the ranks achieved. Another criterion was taken - selfless courage, characteristic only of the great Russians, contempt for danger when it came to the fate of Russia, unshakable stamina and unparalleled audacity in battle, the ability to achieve successes worthy of entire armies with a handful of forces. And most importantly - the greatness of the soul, mercy, kind-hearted and fatherly attitude towards the soldier, modesty and crystal honesty ...

If we take these criteria as a basis - all at once, then in the twentieth century, Hero can be safely attributed to the number of generals "in the image and likeness of Suvorov" Soviet Union, General of the Army Vasily Filippovich Margelov.

It was he, like Suvorov, who knew how to solve tasks with a handful of fighters that regiments and divisions could do, it was he who boldly went to his death and emerged victorious, as the reader will be convinced of this after reading the book. It was he who, to the pain of his heart, loved and took care of the soldier and shared with him the last piece of bread. It was he who was crystal honest when acquisitiveness became the norm of higher life. commanders. It was he who was idolized and adored by his subordinates, who were ready to cover him with their breasts in moments of danger. It was his name that the front-line soldiers were proud of, falling into units and formations subordinate to him, and paratroopers, when Vasily Filippovich headed this heroic branch of the army. To this day, the Airborne Forces are considered "Uncle Vasya's troops", and, speaking like this, the sons of these troops put into their words the extraordinary power of love for "Uncle Vasya", respect for him, pride in their belonging to the heroic ...

It was he, one of the very few generals, who could sacrifice everything dearest when it came to the power of the Fatherland. This he accomplished unsurpassed in our time and unprecedented feat, equal to the feat of Nikolai Raevsky. Raevsky, in 1812, near Saltanovka, at a critical moment, went out with his sons under the buckshot in front of the faltering battalions, and with this feat he decided the outcome of the battle in his favor. He saved the army of Bagration, thwarted Napoleon's plan to dismember and destroy the Russian troops. He saved Russia.

When it was necessary to carry out the necessary, but extremely dangerous tests of new methods and means of landing the BMD-1 airborne combat vehicle on parachute systems, which, if successful, made it possible to raise the combat capability of the Airborne Forces to an immeasurable height, and consequently, the defense power of the state, Margelov sent on them his son.

Airborne officer Alexander Vasilyevich Margelov, named after the great Suvorov, on the orders of his father and at the behest of his brave Russian heart, made the first experimental jump in history inside a combat vehicle on a serial parachute system ... Then there were two more similar experiments on other new and more complex systems landing ...

They say for the first experiment, Vasily Filippovich took a pistol loaded with one live cartridge ... For himself ...

All the tests were successful... Colonel Alexander Margelov and his comrade in two experiments, Lieutenant General Leonid Shcherbakov, for which they were awarded the high title of Hero of Russia, especially remember the last landing on a parachute-reactive system.

Catherine the Great liked to repeat: “God gave the Russians a special property!” This special property her great associates possessed - the best of the "flock of glorious Catherine's eagles" - Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov, who deprived Turkey of her fleet near Chesma, Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev, famous for the unprecedented Kagul victory, Potemkin, "whose genius reigned over all parts of Russian politics", and, of course same, invincible Suvorov. They were the pride of the Russians. And also the great generals of the past. Russia is now proud of the general "in the image and likeness of Suvorov" Vasily Filippovich Margelov.

In the second half of the 18th century, the Prussian envoy Solms reported to Frederick II: "All Catherine's wars are waged by the Russian mind." In this he saw the reason for the brilliant victories in all theaters of military operations, for, according to Catherine, "Russian weapons only do not gain glory there, where they do not raise their hands."

The Russian mind of the Great Russian General Margelov in the second half of the 20th century created unsurpassed Airborne Forces, troops of a truly Russian spirit, troops “in the image and likeness of Suvorov’s miraculous heroes. And the miraculous heroes of Margelov inherited the audacity and courage of the miraculous heroes of Suvorov.

In the glorious age of Catherine the Great, who became a truly Great Russian woman and the pride of Russia, "not a single gun in Europe", according to the Russian diplomat Alexander Andreyevich Bezborodko, "did not dare to fire without the knowledge of the empress."

Would anyone dare to speak with our state in high tones, when the “troops of Uncle Vasya”, the impudent and lightning-fast, powerful and courageous marvelous warriors of Margelov, stood guard over its dignity and honor!

In difficult days for Russia, we involuntarily turn to the great past of our state, draw strength from its glorious history, look especially closely at the images of our great compatriots, who are the pride of the nation.

The Russian philosopher Alexander Nikolaevich Berdyaev wrote: “A nation includes not only human generations, but also the stones of churches, palaces and estates, tombstones, old manuscripts and books, and in order to understand the will of the nation, you need to hear these stones, read the decayed pages ... In the will of the nation is spoken not only by the living, but also by the dead, speaking of the great past and the still mysterious future…”.

The will of Russia! What else can feed it today if not the memory of great ancestors, if not books about those who gave their lives for the power of Russia. The will of the nation speaks the fighting spirit of Alexander Nevsky and Dmitry Donskoy, Rumyantsev and Potemkin, Suvorov and Bagration, Khrulev and Skobelev.

Fighting spirit will live in the will of the Russians glorious general Margelov, who created troops that, in terms of their combat effectiveness, surpassed entire armies of other states at the time when he, the Great Russian, commanded them.

And let this spirit, this pride for great Russia strengthen the book about our remarkable compatriot, written by his son Alexander, Hero of Russia, a book worthy of the memory of the Great Russian - Vasily Filippovich Margelov.

Colonel Nikolay Shakhmagonov,

member of the Writers' Union of Russia.

Current page: 1 (total book has 40 pages)

Alexander Margelov
Vasily Margelov
Vasily Margelov. Paratrooper No. 1

In memory of the Man of Honor - Hero of the Soviet Union General of the Army

Margelov Vasily Filippovich,

our father, with gratitude and Best wishes veterans of all wars, current and future defenders of our Fatherland.

Margelovy A.V. and V.V.

From the authors

Zolotov Semyon Mitrofanovich, Kukushkin Alexey Vasilyevich, Kraev Vladimir Stepanovich, Gudz Pavel Danilovich, Bardeev Igor Alexandrovich, Shcherbakov Leonid Ivanovich, Orlov Georgy Alexandrovich, Borisov Mikhail Ivanovich, Kostin Boris Akimovich, Dvugroshev Yuri Ivanovich, Dragun Boris Antonovich, Volgar Vladimir Ivanovich, Shevchenko Arsentievich, Alexei Semenovich Kurteev, Nikolai Pavlovich Molchanov, Vladimir Andreevich Markelov, Alexei Petrovich Lushnikov, Boris Georgievich Zhukov, Sharip Khabeevich Minigulov, Gennady Vasilievich Ryabov, Vladimir Denisovich Paramonov, Vladimir Yakovlevich Anpilogov, Gennady Aleksandrovich Melkov, Aleksey Dyachenko Palatnikov Alexander Samoilovich, Gnilenko Valery Pavlovich, Ponizovsky Vladimir Semenovich, Ismailov Agamehti Mamed oglu (Mikhail Mikhailovich), Tamindarov Khusnutdin Shaikhutdinovich, Kostenko Yuri Petrovich, Skrynnikov Mikhail Fedorovich, whose materials and The memoirs are used in the book by those who helped in their collection, as well as by those who assisted the authors in preparing this book for publication - first of all, Igrinev Yuri Ivanovich, Dronov Sergey Vasilyevich and Zakharenkov Valery Nikolaevich. Special thanks to the grandson of Army General Margelov, reserve officer Alexander Alexandrovich, an excellent computer scientist, without whose help the book would have appeared much later.

Their memories of Vasily Filippovich Margelov are a tribute to the outstanding military leader and parting words to the current defenders of the Fatherland.

After the publication of the book "General of the Army Margelov V.F." (Polygraphresursy ed., Moscow, 1998) many readers asked to write a book about the service of Vasily Filippovich Margelov in the Airborne Forces of the USSR - from his first steps as an airborne paratrooper to the Commander of the Airborne Forces.

The first written request of this kind was a letter from Igor Nikolaevich Sheptukhin from the city of Odintsovo, Moscow Region, which the authors took the liberty of reproducing in full:

“Dear Alexander Vasilyevich, hello!

That's all I wanted to write. Once again, thank you very much for your book. Accept as a sign of respect the poem about "Paratrooper No. 1", believe me, it was written with all my heart!

Goodbye, regards,

Sheptukhin Igor Nikolaevich.

Naturally, with deep gratitude from the entire Margelov family, as well as from many other people who are completely different in relation to military service, age and education, the authors cite this wonderful poem.

V.F. Margelov

In the history of the landing glorious
There are many brave commanders,
But first on the list is legendary
Vasil Filippovich Margelov!
Betrothed for a century with glory,
Having passed the path of dashing years,
He is a Patriot, Soldier, Scientist,
Paratrooper number one!
Great Son of his country,
He served as an example for the soldiers.
He carried the roads of war
Worthy of an officer's rank.
Suvorov traditions banner
He held calloused hands.
Taught soldiers - Victory is with us!
And where it is difficult - he won.
The soldiers loved the commander,
Always, everywhere noticed.
For intelligence, courage, prowess, strength
Lovingly called Batey.
"Margelovets" - there is no higher rank!
And they were proud of this title:
They went with him on a mission,
With him - in hand-to-hand converged,
Always fought bravely, deftly,
Courage is the key to success.
And Neva Dubrovka remembers
Bayonets of the Margelov marines!
And in a difficult hour near Stalingrad
They did the right thing.
Guardsmen led not for awards,
For the Motherland dashing Margelov!
Having drunk the Dnieper water
And crossed the Dnieper rapids,
Even more courageous began to fight
With the enemy in that terrible time.
Fought in trenches and trenches
Margelovtsy for the land is holy,
Bravely drove the Germans in the neck
Regiments native forty-ninth!
Kherson, Odessa, Nikolaev -
The path is marked with victories.
And among the cannon bark
Guardsmen cannot be turned back!
And they know Budapest and Vienna
As they walked, chasing a menacing step,
How to break through enemy walls
Throws of Margelov attacks.
And Red Square will remember
Victory Parade in forty-fifth,
Paving stones will long remember
How Margelov's soldiers marched!
After the war, the task arose
Attach landing troops ...
And strengthened the defense
Margelov's hand again.
He created a nugget, an ingot,
Those who are stronger and braver
Soviet Army elite -
Her country's heroes!
Those who are in battle, in the first exercises,
In attacks and, of course, in sports,
Who tore their veins and nerves
In a winged valiant cohort.
Who is where the path is always dangerous,
Who from the sky - into battle by parachute.
Troops landing "Uncle Vasya"
Any routes on the shoulder.
They keep the country from grief,
They are her protection, color;
Her reliable strong root
And a strong backbone.
In a sergeant, in a private, in a battalion commander -
Margelov spirit live!
And in everyone who is ready to serve, -
Live in eternal memory of Bath!

There were many other reviews: written, at meetings, by phone ... Veterans of the Great Patriotic and other wars, veterans of military service, purely civilian people sent and transmitted their memories, comments, suggestions for a new edition of the book. The authors are very grateful to all such readers. Even the one who, after reading the book, somehow warily asked if the political worker wrote the book. The authors were not political workers, so they asked with surprise what led him to such thoughts. It turns out that he did not like the frequent mention in the text of the glorious military deeds of soldiers - political workers, communists and Komsomol members. I had to recall that during the years of the Great War, soldiers considered it an honor to bear these high ranks, and political workers often became yesterday's fighters and combat commanders, the most literate and conscious. Their task was one - to convey to every soldier the political goals of the liberation war against the arrogant invader, and these goals, fortunately, coincided with the goals of the leading party headed by the great Stalin. By the way, the enemy also “appreciated” them highly - when captured, they were threatened with execution out of turn, without talking ... These were the advantages of political workers, communists and Komsomol members at the front. And their exploits, described in the book, are mainly taken from the memories of the war of soldiers, sergeants and junior commanders (combat officers!). So do not confuse these guys ready for self-sacrifice with today's shifters - Gorbachevs, Yeltsins and the like, who betrayed themselves first of all, betrayed the interests of the working people. Even the very word political worker has disappeared, now in the army there are educators, as if we live outside of politics. Absurd! The Armed Forces of the country are created to protect it from an external enemy. And war, as every more or less literate person should well know, is the continuation of politics by other means.

The new edition, revised and enlarged, is published in two parts under the general title Through the Hurricanes of the Five Wars. This is exactly what my father wanted to call his memoirs ... but he did not leave memoirs, although many asked him about it.

Even during the life of Army General V.F. Margelov was called "Man-Legend", "Paratrooper No. 1". The people who served under his command called themselves "Margelovtsy", and the abbreviation of the Airborne Forces - Airborne, and to this day stands for " AT oisk D yadi AT asi".

A patriot, a brave, daring, direct, caring commander, a talented military leader, capable of acting on the basis of honor, always ready for self-sacrifice ... It is to him that the honor and glory of creating the unsurpassed Airborne Forces belongs. A participant in five wars, as he himself said, Vasily Filippovich hated war with all his heart, spoke about it rarely and sparingly. But he loved films about the war - sitting down in front of the TV screen, he confessed: “I love watching war in the cinema!”

"In the image and likeness of Suvorov"

The combat chronicle of Russia is rich in glorious names that Russian hearts can rightfully be proud of. Let us recall the inspired words of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief I.V. Stalin, uttered by him at an unprecedented military parade on Red Square in Moscow on November 7, 1941: “Let the courageous image of our great ancestors - Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Donskoy, Kuzma Minin, Dmitry Pozharsky, Alexander Suvorov, Mikhail Kutuzov inspire you in this war ... ".

The Georgian prince and Great Russian Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration was one of them. Suvorov himself loved and appreciated him. He was called "a general in the image and likeness of Suvorov."

Stepan Alexandrovich Khrulev, hero of Sevastopol (1854–1856), favorite of the defenders of the Black Sea stronghold. In the poem dedicated to him by the Russian poet Apollon Maikov, fiery lines are burned:

This is the secret of the Russian forces, accessible to a few:
To the feat of valor both in peace and in war
There is no need for Russians to call teams with a strict word,
But everyone will rise to the click “Darlings, come to me!”

Comparisons with the great Suvorov were made not by the number of battles won, not by the number of operations carried out, not by the ranks achieved. Another criterion was taken - selfless courage, characteristic only of the great Russians, contempt for danger when it came to the fate of Russia, unshakable stamina and unparalleled audacity in battle, the ability to achieve success worthy of entire armies with a handful of forces. And most importantly - the greatness of the soul, mercy, kind-hearted and fatherly attitude towards the soldier, modesty and crystal honesty ...

If we take these criteria as a basis - all at once, then in the twentieth century, the Hero of the Soviet Union, General of the Army Vasily Filippovich Margelov, can be safely attributed to the number of generals "in the image and likeness of Suvorov".

It was he, like Suvorov, who knew how to solve tasks with a handful of fighters that regiments and divisions could do, it was he who boldly went to his death and emerged victorious, as the reader will be convinced of this after reading the book. It was he who, to the pain of his heart, loved and took care of the soldier and shared with him the last piece of bread. It was he who was crystal honest when acquisitiveness became the norm for the life of senior officers. It was he who was idolized and adored by his subordinates, who were ready to cover him with their breasts in moments of danger. It was his name that the front-line soldiers were proud of, falling into units and formations subordinate to him, and paratroopers, when Vasily Filippovich headed this heroic branch of the army. To this day, the Airborne Forces are considered "Uncle Vasya's troops", and, speaking like this, the sons of these troops put into their words the extraordinary power of love for "Uncle Vasya", respect for him, pride in their belonging to the heroic ...

It was he, one of the very few generals, who could sacrifice everything dearest when it came to the power of the Fatherland. It was he who accomplished an unsurpassed and unparalleled feat in our time, equal to the feat of Nikolai Raevsky. Raevsky, in 1812, near Saltanovka, at a critical moment, went out with his sons under the buckshot in front of the faltering battalions, and with this feat he decided the outcome of the battle in his favor. He saved the army of Bagration, thwarted Napoleon's plan to dismember and destroy the Russian troops. He saved Russia.

Airborne officer Alexander Vasilievich Margelov, named after the great Suvorov, on the orders of his father and at the behest of his brave Russian heart, made the first experimental jump in history inside a combat vehicle on a serial parachute system ... Then there were two more similar experiments on other new and more complex landing systems...

They say for the first experiment, Vasily Filippovich took a pistol loaded with one live cartridge ... For himself ...

Catherine the Great liked to repeat: “God gave the Russians a special property!” This special property was possessed by her great associates - the best of the "flock of glorious Catherine's eagles" - Alexei Grigorievich Orlov, who deprived Turkey of its fleet near Chesma, Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev, famous for the unprecedented Kagul victory, Potemkin, "whose genius reigned over all parts of Russian politics", and, of course, the invincible Suvorov. They were the pride of the Russians. And also the great generals of the past. Russia is now proud of the general "in the image and likeness of Suvorov" Vasily Filippovich Margelov.

The will of the Russians will also have the fighting spirit of the glorious General Margelov, who created troops that, in terms of their combat effectiveness, surpassed entire armies of other states at the time when he, the Great Russian, commanded them.

And let this spirit, this pride in great Russia be strengthened by a book about our remarkable compatriot, written by his son Alexander, Hero of Russia, a book worthy of the memory of the Great Russian - Vasily Filippovich Margelov.

Colonel Nikolay Shakhmagonov,

member of the Writers' Union of Russia.

Part I
"Song Praises the Falcon"

Chapter 1
Origins of fame

In his native Yekaterinoslav region. Childhood. Working youth. At the Belarusian United Military School. Ski pass. Pilot pilots... Becoming a commander.

Unique and majestic is the handsome Dnieper, sung by the brilliant master of the pen Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, and the native of Little Russia Taras Grigoryevich Shevchenko.

And how much is connected with this river!

Russia was born on its banks. Here lived our ancestors - the Dnieper, here, on the tributary of the Dnieper - the river Ros, the Russian (Russian) tribe of the Slavs lived.

In the middle reaches of the Dnieper, the handsome Dnepropetrovsk, formerly Yekaterinoslav, founded by the great Potemkin, is immersed in the greenery of gardens and parks. “Lepoustroeny Ekaterinoslav” – called him in his letter the last hetman of Ukraine Kirill Razumovsky.

Here, in this city, the headquarters of the brilliant Russian commander, Field Marshal Prince Potemkin was located - here was a kind of headquarters for the liberation from the Turks and the development Northern Black Sea(Novorossiya). From here Suvorov left in 1787 for Kinburn, where he won brilliant victory. From here, Potemkin himself led his victorious Yekaterinoslav army against the impregnable Ochakov.

The land, saturated with the spirit of heroism, the spirit of great Russian courage, could not but give birth to heroes.

There are quite a few names in the military annals of Yekaterinoslav that the country is proud of ... A prominent place in this list is occupied by the name of Vasily Filippovich Margelov.

Let's remember - Potemkin, yielding to the enemy in the number of troops, took Ochakov, putting 8700 Turks and capturing 4000 against his 936 people. Suvorov destroyed 5,000 Turks out of 5,300 in the battle of Kinburn, losing just over 300 people.

Few of the commanders and commanders could fight with such a ratio of losses ... General Margelov is one of them ...

And it was here, in this glorious city, at the turn of two revolutions, that he was born into the family of a metallurgist worker on December 27, 1908 (according to the new style - January 9, 1909), looked at blue sky, his prisoner and his lord, the future creator of the "winged infantry", boldly rushing into battle from the skies, the illustrious military leader, Hero of the Soviet Union Army General Vasily Filippovich Margelov. A small clarification should be made here ... When my father received a party card, a party official wrote his last name through the letter "g", which remained for the rest of his subsequent life.

The family was large: three sons - Ivan, Vasily, Nikolai and daughter Maria, were sometimes very poor, and therefore his father, Philip Ivanovich Markelov, had to bend his back on the capitalist from dawn to dusk. Only thanks to his heroic strength and enormous endurance could he work in a hot foundry face to face with the sizzling fire of molten metal for 16 hours a day, until he was kicked out of the factory for "political unreliability." For a long time the owners wanted to get rid of the inconvenient leader of the workers. And then a reason turned up: he stood up for the neighbor's grandmother Matryona. It was like this - three tipsy hooligans clung to her, they say, pay three kopecks for the right to trade in seeds, we won’t take them away. And where does she, miserable, get such money from? And they stuck to her like bath sheet to body:

- Give it, give it!

The old woman is in tears, but they don’t care, they just laugh. At this time Philip Ivanovich passed by. Well, he punched them right. Spitting out their teeth, they fled like hares - try to answer the same hefty metallurgist. And then they complained to the policeman, they say they were beaten by a drunken thug for no reason at all. This is how grandfather Philip lost his job - they removed him away from the team of restless workers. With difficulty, he managed to get a job as a mining worker, but in a job where working conditions were even more unbearable and where he quickly gained prestige among the miners.

But not only molten steel bubbled in the fire-breathing furnaces of factory open-hearth furnaces. Hotter than fire burned the hearts of metallurgical workers and miners, day and night laboring for the capitalists and receiving miserable pennies for their slave labor.

More than once, Philip Ivanovich had to think about the eternal question for Russia - why Russian people are always like strangers in their Fatherland, why they are like stepchildren in it, and why it is so ugly and meager, and not timely paid so hard work those who mine the "black gold", so necessary for the country. He did not understand then all the subtleties of the Bolshevik plans, did not understand true intentions those who trampled on the state, deliberately turning the life of Russians into slavery and hindering progress.

More than once at the head of workers' demonstrations, with his mighty shoulders squared, the bugler Philip Markelov came out with a wide stride, although he had never been either a Bolshevik or a Communist. He believed in the bright future of his people and, as best he could, fought for it.

In 1914, grandfather Philip was called to military service and he went to German war defend the Fatherland. Two "George" testify to his courage and courage. In one of the battles in the offensive, the hero-hero personally stabbed a dozen Germans with a bayonet. But the third "George" was not given to him because he once spoke out against injustice, for the rights of soldiers. In 1917 he was elected a member of the regimental committee. Then there were the turbulent years civil war. Philip Ivanovich picked up a rifle and went to the front to defend the young Soviet republic, firmly believing that he is fighting for better life namely the working people. He served first in the Red Guard, and then in the Red Army.

When the volleys of the Civil War died down, Filipp Ivanovich Markelov returned home in 1920, where he first worked on his own land, leaving in winters for side jobs, in 1931 he joined the collective farm " Paris Commune”, and later moved to a sawmill, since 1936 he worked at the Lespromkhoz.

The family finally returned to the city of Kostyukovichi, in the Mogilev district in Belarus, where the Markelovs lived and worked in summer time. There were also many relatives here. Relatives, although they themselves lived poorly, but always helped each other. In 1921, the second son of Philip Ivanovich Vasily graduated from high school. The son grew up like his father and was a tall, strong guy beyond his years. In those days, at that age, many teenagers began their working lives. This cup did not pass by the son of the Ekaterinoslav proletarian.

Also in early age Vasily and his brothers helped his mother Agafya Stepanovna at home with housework and small earnings: either he drove the mail, or worked as a loader, or as a carpenter. In a word, he completed all the work when he was still small, - Grandmother Agafya, the mother of the Major General's Combat Guards, recalled with pride and delight after the war ...

And at the age of thirteen he was already working as an apprentice in a leather workshop. The case was argued in the strong hands of a teenager. In less than three months, the master began to give Vasily independent tasks, and he performed them diligently and soundly. Soon he became an assistant to the master, but he did not like working in a private workshop, and in 1923 he entered the local Hleboprodukt as a laborer. Here, in the work team, his talent as a leader manifested itself, he was respected for his honesty and diligence.

He became a famous person, even the elders addressed him by his first name and patronymic. The secretary of the Komsomol cell invited Vasily to join the Komsomol. Having diligently studied the Rules and being rather agitated, he came at the appointed time to the Komsomol meeting. Everything went fine until Izya, deputy secretary of the Komsomol organization, whom Vasily could not stand for his arrogance and superficiality, asked: “How do you, comrade Markelov, feel about the“ Jewish question? Well, Vasily explained what he thinks about those leaders and ideological inspirers who themselves do not know what work is, but try to teach others. He had in mind this particular Izya, without going deep into the tricky meaning of the question. He returned home upset - they refused him at the suggestion of Easy in trust.

- What, my Vasenka was not accepted into the Komsomol? the deeply pious Agafya Stepanovna was indignant. And they said that only the best are accepted there.

Cousin Ivan, secretary of the party organization of the institute, asked:

- What's the matter, Vasya?

“I don’t know,” Vasily honestly admitted, “he answered all the questions, they praised my work, but how Izka was called a lazybones and a screamer, they offered to come the next time, better prepared, and they also called him some kind of “anti-Semite”.

“Don’t worry, brother, I’ll talk to whomever I should.”

A few days later, the same Izya, smiling ingratiatingly, invited him:

- Vaska, why don't you join the Komsomol? Come. No offense.

Soon he was accepted into the Komsomol, but bad taste stayed for a long time. It was 1924 year...

And no one then could have imagined that ten years later the party clerk Izya would be repressed, but in response, the dark forces repressed the promising mathematician Ivan Filippovich Markelov. His relatives were told that he died in the mine.

The country needed fuel. Coal in the distant twenties was an acute shortage. On a Komsomol ticket, sixteen-year-old Vasily Margelov was sent to Yekaterinoslav to the mine named after M.I. Kalinin as a laborer, then he becomes a horse-racer. His independent working life began.

The first descent into the mine left an indelible impression in his memory. In those days, the main tool of the slaughterer was a pick and a shovel. Only the physically strong and hardy could handle this incredibly hard work.

Once, when the team, which included Vasily, was breaking through a new drift, there was a blockage. The slaughterers were cut off from outside world thick layer of earth. Some lost heart, some were already praying to God. But Vasily Margelov and several of his comrades stubbornly dug up the rubble. For more than three days they struggled with the elements without food and water, and she receded. On the fourth day after hitting the “wall” of the blockage with a pick, the miners saw the light and, helping each other, got out.

However, those days and nights spent in a dark slaughter without fresh air, water and food were not in vain. Vasily, for health reasons, could no longer work at the mine, and he was sent as a forester to the Lespromkhoz, in his native Belarus.

The forest lands that the young forester had to inspect every day stretched for many hundreds of kilometers. In the summer - on a horse, and in the winter - only on skis, without them you can’t drive or pass. Well, how can you not become a real skier! But sometimes an 18-year-old guy had to chase poachers on skis, and no one could get away from a tall, broad-shouldered forester. During the search for poachers, a young forester learned to read the “forest book”. He knew how to find barely noticeable traces in the forest, disguise himself, patiently wait in ambush, not knowing, of course, how these qualities would be useful to him in the future, when he would lead his fighters through the enemy rear. Siberian trackers recognized him as one of their own, and the Cossacks, seeing how skillfully he controlled a horse in battle, considered him a Cossack family. Some time passed, and no one encroached on his site. They knew - anyway, they will catch up, take the gun - and punishment cannot be avoided.

At the beginning of 1927, Vasily Filippovich became chairman of the working committee of the Lespromkhoz - SHLR, where he worked until September 1928. Soon he was elected a member of the local Council and the chairman of the tax commission, was appointed commissioner for Komsomol line for work among farm laborers and for military work. Immediately in Kostyukovichi, he became a candidate member of the party.

In 1928, Vasily Filippovich Margelov was drafted into the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army and, on a Komsomol ticket, was sent to study as a red commander. He wanted to become a tanker - he was too big for those tanks, and, given his physical data, Vasily was sent to the United Belarusian military school named after the CEC of the BSSR in the city of Minsk.

Thanks to his natural attraction to military knowledge and outstanding physical training cadet Margelov from the first months of study was among the excellent students in fire, tactical and, of course, physical training. No one could compare with him in the accuracy of shooting from the Nagant revolver, the three-line rifle, and the Maxim machine gun. For these successes, he was enrolled in a group of snipers and received a personal TK pistol (Tulsky, S.A. Korovin system, caliber 6.35 mm). This small pistol in the early 30s was very fond of the commanders of the Red Army, and the father, taking out his TK, repeatedly noted the admiring, and sometimes envious glances of his comrades.

Cadet Vasily Margelov enjoyed well-deserved authority among his schoolmates, he was distinguished by his zeal for learning, while showing great ability to win in science, and therefore from the second year he was appointed foreman of a machine-gun company. Here, for the first time, Vasily Margelov's abilities in military affairs really manifested themselves. He not only showed his comrades in the service an example of a conscientious attitude to mastering the difficult science of winning, but also commandingly demanded that they achieve high results in combat training. great attention the foreman of the company devoted to the physical training of cadets and, in particular, to cross-country skiing. It is not surprising that after a while his company became one of the foremost in both combat training and physical training. And in cross-country skiing, the machine-gun company in the whole school had no equal.

August 2 to Russian cities blue splashes, as well as water from park fountains. The most publicly connected branch of the military will celebrate the holiday. "Defend Russia" remembers the legendary "Uncle Vasya" - the one who created the Airborne Forces in their modern form.

There is no such number of myths and tales as about "Uncle Vasya's troops" about any other unit Russian army. It seems that strategic aviation flies the farthest, presidential regiment mints a step like robots, space troops they know how to look beyond the horizon, the GRU special forces are the worst of all, underwater strategic missile carriers are capable of destroying entire cities. But "there are no impossible tasks - there are landing troops." There were many commanders of the Airborne Forces, but they had one most important commander.

Vasily Margelov was born in 1908. Until Yekaterinoslav became Dnepropetrovsk, Margelov worked at a mine, a stud farm, a forestry enterprise, and a local deputy council. Only at the age of 20 did he enter the army. Measuring career steps and kilometers on the march, participated in Polish campaign Red Army and Soviet-Finnish war. In July 1941, the future "Uncle Vasya" became a regiment commander in the division militia, and 4 months later, very far away - from skiing - began the creation of the Airborne Forces.

As commander of a special ski regiment of marines Baltic Fleet, Margelov achieved that from marines vests went to the "winged" one. Already commander Margelov in 1944 became a hero of the Soviet Union for the liberation of Kherson. At the Victory Parade on June 24, 1945, Major General printed a step in the columns of the 2nd Ukrainian Front.

VDV Margelov took over in the year following Stalin's death. Resigned three years before Brezhnev's death - amazing example command longevity. It was with his command that not only the main milestones in the formation of the airborne troops were connected, but also the creation of their image as the most combat-ready troops in the entire huge Soviet army.

Margelov was the number one paratrooper formally not all the time of his service. His history of relations with the post of commander, and with the country and its regime, is similar to career path Commander-in-Chief of the Soviet Navy Nikolai Kuznetsov. He also commanded with a short break: Kuznetsov had four years, Margelov had two (1959–1961). True, unlike the admiral, who survived two disgraces, lost and received ranks again, Margelov did not lose the stars on his shoulder straps, but only grew them, becoming an army general in 1967.

To the Great Patriotic war The Airborne Forces were more tied to the ground. The infantry became winged precisely under the command of Margelov. Firstly, "uncle Vasya" jumped himself. During his service, he made more than 60 jumps - last time at 65 years old.

Margelov significantly increased the mobility of the Airborne Forces (in Ukraine, for example, they are called airmobile troops). Actively working with the military-industrial complex, the commander achieved the commissioning of the An-22 and An-76 aircraft, which even today release parachute dandelions into the sky. For the paratroopers, new parachute and rifle systems were developed - the massive AK-74 was "cut off" to the AKS-74U with a shortened barrel and a folding butt. They began to land not only people, but also military equipment- due to the huge weight, parachute systems were developed from several domes with the placement of jet thrust engines, which worked out a short period of time when approaching the ground, thus extinguishing the landing speed.

In 1969, the first of the domestic airborne combat vehicles was adopted for service. The floating tracked BMD-1 was intended for landing - including using parachutes - from the An-12 and Il-76. In 1973, the world's first landing on the BMD-1 parachute system took place near Tula. The crew commander was Margelov's son Alexander, in the 90s for a similar landing in 1976 he received the title of Hero of Russia.

By influence on the perception of the subordinate structure mass consciousness Vasily Margelov can be compared with Yuri Andropov. If the term "public relations" existed in the Soviet Union, Commander of the Airborne Forces and the chairman of the KGB would certainly be considered cool "signalmen".

Andropov clearly understood the need to improve the image of the department, which inherited the people's memory of the Stalinist repressive machine. Margelov was not up to the image, but it was under him that the most famous films about the paratroopers who created them positive image. It was the commander who insisted that "In the zone special attention» the fighters of the group of captain Tarasov, as part of the exercises conducting reconnaissance in the rear of a mock enemy, wore blue berets- a symbol of paratroopers, obviously unmasking scouts, but creating an image.

Alexander Margelov

Vasily Margelov

Vasily Margelov. Paratrooper No. 1

In memory of the Man of Honor - Hero of the Soviet Union General of the Army

Margelov Vasily Filippovich,

to our father, with gratitude and best wishes to the veterans of all wars, today's and future defenders of our Fatherland.

Their memories of Vasily Filippovich Margelov are a tribute to the outstanding military leader and parting words to the current defenders of the Fatherland.

The first written request of this kind was a letter from Igor Nikolaevich Sheptukhin from the city of Odintsovo, Moscow Region, which the authors took the liberty of reproducing in full:

“Dear Alexander Vasilyevich, hello!

That's all I wanted to write. Once again, thank you very much for your book. Accept as a sign of respect the poem about "Paratrooper No. 1", believe me, it was written with all my heart!

Goodbye, regards,

Sheptukhin Igor Nikolaevich.

V.F. Margelov In the history of the glorious landing There are many brave commanders, But the first on the list is the legendary Vasil Filippovich Margelov! Betrothed for a century with glory, Having gone through hard times, He is a Patriot, Soldier, Scientist, Paratrooper with the number "one"! Great Son of his country, He served as an example for the soldiers. He carried the roads of war Worthy of the rank of officer. Suvorov traditions banner In the hands of calloused held. Taught soldiers - Victory is with us! And where it is difficult - he won. The soldiers loved the commander, Always noticed everywhere. For intelligence, courage, prowess, strength, Batey was lovingly called. "Margelovets" - there is no higher rank! And they were proud of this title: They went on a mission with him, With him they converged in hand-to-hand combat, Always fought bravely, dexterously, Courage is the key to success. And the Neva Dubrovka remembers the bayonets of the Margelov Marines! And in a difficult hour near Stalingrad They were doing a righteous deed. The guardsmen were not led for awards, For the homeland dashing Margelov! Having drunk the Dnieper water And having crossed the Dnieper rapids, They began to fight even more courageously With the enemy in that terrible time. The Margelovites fought in the trenches and trenches for the land sacredly, Bravely drove the Germans into the neck Regiment native forty-ninth! Kherson, Odessa, Nikolaev - The path is marked with victories. And among the cannon bark of the Guards, you can’t turn back! And Budapest and Vienna know How they walked, chasing a menacing step, How they broke through enemy walls Throws of Margelov's attacks. And Red Square will remember the Victory Parade in the forty-fifth, Paving stones will remember for a long time How Margelov's soldiers marched! After the war, the task arose To strengthen the landing troops ... And the defense was strengthened Again by Margelov's hand. He created a nugget, an ingot, Those who are stronger and braver, the elite of the Soviet Army - Her country's heroes! Those who are first in battle, in training, In attacks and, of course, in sports, Who tore their veins and nerves In the winged valiant cohort. Who is where the path is always dangerous, Who from the sky - into battle by parachute. Troops landing "Uncle Vasya" Any routes on the shoulder. They keep the country from grief, They are its protection, color; Its reliable strong root And strong backbone. In a sergeant, in a private, in a battalion commander - Margelov's spirit live! And in everyone who is ready to serve - Live in the eternal memory of Bath! 15.02.99

There were many other reviews: written, at meetings, by phone ... Veterans of the Great Patriotic and other wars, veterans of military service, purely civilian people sent and transmitted their memories, comments, suggestions for a new edition of the book. The authors are very grateful to all such readers. Even the one who, after reading the book, somehow warily asked if the political worker wrote the book. The authors were not political workers, so they asked with surprise what led him to such thoughts. It turns out that he did not like the frequent mention in the text of the glorious military deeds of soldiers - political workers, communists and Komsomol members. I had to recall that during the years of the Great War, soldiers considered it an honor to bear these high ranks, and political workers often became yesterday's fighters and combat commanders, the most literate and conscious. Their task was one - to convey to every soldier the political goals of the liberation war against the arrogant invader, and these goals, fortunately, coincided with the goals of the leading party headed by the great Stalin. By the way, the enemy also “appreciated” them highly - when captured, they were threatened with execution out of turn, without talking ... These were the advantages of political workers, communists and Komsomol members at the front. And their exploits, described in the book, are mainly taken from the memories of the war of soldiers, sergeants and junior commanders (combat officers!). So do not confuse these guys ready for self-sacrifice with today's shifters - Gorbachevs, Yeltsins and the like, who betrayed themselves first of all, betrayed the interests of the working people. Even the very word political worker has disappeared, now in the army there are educators, as if we live outside of politics. Absurd! The Armed Forces of the country are created to protect it from an external enemy. And war, as every more or less literate person should well know, is the continuation of politics by other means.

In memory of the Man of Honor - Hero of the Soviet Union General of the Army

Margelov Vasily Filippovich,

to our father, with gratitude and best wishes to the veterans of all wars, today's and future defenders of our Fatherland.

Margelovy A.V. and V.V.

Their memories of Vasily Filippovich Margelov are a tribute to the outstanding military leader and parting words to the current defenders of the Fatherland.

The first written request of this kind was a letter from Igor Nikolaevich Sheptukhin from the city of Odintsovo, Moscow Region, which the authors took the liberty of reproducing in full:

“Dear Alexander Vasilyevich, hello!

That's all I wanted to write. Once again, thank you very much for your book. Accept as a sign of respect the poem about "Paratrooper No. 1", believe me, it was written with all my heart!

Goodbye, regards,

Sheptukhin Igor Nikolaevich.

V.F. Margelov

In the history of the landing glorious

There are many brave commanders,

But first on the list is legendary

Vasil Filippovich Margelov!

Betrothed for a century with glory,

Having passed the path of dashing years,

He is a Patriot, Soldier, Scientist,

Paratrooper number one!

Great Son of his country,

He served as an example for the soldiers.

He carried the roads of war

Worthy of an officer's rank.

Suvorov traditions banner

He held calloused hands.

Taught soldiers - Victory is with us!

And where it is difficult - he won.

The soldiers loved the commander,

Always, everywhere noticed.

For intelligence, courage, prowess, strength

Lovingly called Batey.

"Margelovets" - there is no higher rank!

And they were proud of this title:

They went with him on a mission,

With him - in hand-to-hand converged,

Always fought bravely, deftly,

Courage is the key to success.

And Neva Dubrovka remembers

Bayonets of the Margelov marines!

And in a difficult hour near Stalingrad

They did the right thing.

Guardsmen led not for awards,

For the Motherland dashing Margelov!

Having drunk the Dnieper water

And crossed the Dnieper rapids,

Even more courageous began to fight

With the enemy in that terrible time.

Fought in trenches and trenches

Margelovtsy for the land is holy,

Bravely drove the Germans in the neck

Alexander Margelov Vasily Margelov Vasily Margelov. Paratrooper No. 1

From the authors

V.F. Margelov

"In the image and likeness of Suvorov"

Part I "Song Praises the Falcon"

Chapter 1 Origins of fame

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Alexander Margelov
Vasily Margelov
Vasily Margelov. Paratrooper No. 1

Part I
"Song Praises the Falcon"

Chapter 1
Origins of fame