Love on the front line: How a simple telegraph operator brought Marshal of artillery Vasily Kazakov back to life

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

He went through three wars, and celebrated Victory Day with the rank of Colonel-General of Artillery. On the account of General Kazakov were the development of original methods of artillery combat, which later began to be studied in military academies. He was a successful military leader, but Vasily Ivanovich's personal life was dramatic. The wife was mortally wounded right in the arms of her husband, and the wound on the general's heart did not heal for a very long time after that. But there, on the front line, there was a girl who revived the future marshal to life.

Love in the line of fire

Vasily Ivanovich devoted himself to military affairs without a trace. He tirelessly developed methods of conducting artillery combat, which no one had heard of at that time. Thanks to Vasily Kazakov, artillery now provided not only fire support for military operations, but played a decisive role in them. And in the infrequent moments of rest, his soul ached for his son Victor, who was surrounded in 1943 in his first battle. When the son finally made itself felt, Vasily Ivanovich transferred Victor to his Central Front, where he went through the whole war.

And in the summer of 1943, his wife came to Vasily Kazakov, who served nearby as the head of a field hospital. Galina Pavlovna Shishmaneva had just crossed the threshold of the room where her husband lived when the air raid began. General Kazakov managed to cover his wife with his body, but immediately felt Galina go limp and blood flowed down his arm … They could not save his beloved woman Vasily Kazakov, although the best surgeon arrived from the capital. As a military doctor, Galina Pavlovna understood that she had no chance of surviving. They buried her in Kursk the day before the start of the counteroffensive.

Vasily Ivanovich was very upset by the loss, but he could not afford to relax, because the outcome of an important battle largely depended on him. Then, near Kursk, it became clear: the enemy can and should be beaten. After a hard battle, Vasily Kazakov remembered his Galina again and again and could not forgive himself for not saving her. And on New Year's Eve 1944, he met a girl who returned all the colors of life to him.

Feelings in War

Svetlana Smirnova served as a signalman at the headquarters. Knowing that she knows how to play the piano, shortly before midnight, the commander summoned the girl to his place and ordered her to go to the headquarters, because the concert brigade could not get to the front command staff in time. Svetlana's protests and her timid attempts to refuse a visit to the headquarters were not taken into account. And she, along with another signalman, went to the meeting of the new year.

The girls were a little shy, because at the holiday there were general's wives who came to their husbands in beautiful outfits. True, there was the wife of one of the commanders in a military gymnast, like them. Svetlana was at the table next to Vasily Kazakov. The main artilleryman of the country was gloomy and taciturn, later the girl was told about the death of his wife.

And after that Vasily Ivanovich spoke to his neighbor. She played the piano, the commanders danced with their wives, and when she returned, her conversation with Vasily Kazakov continued. He himself did not understand why this fragile girl with sad eyes touched his heart so. Svetlana told him how in Sevastopol an aerial bomb hit the house where her whole family lived. In an instant, she lost her parents, relatives and a little two-year-old niece. In memory of her, Svetlana gave herself her word after the war to be sure to adopt a child.

In the morning General Kazakov went to the front line, promising to call a new acquaintance. He returned a few days later and immediately asked Svetlana to come to him. And he showed her the most precious thing he had: photographs of his deceased wife. Svetlana understood: he wants her to believe him.

Since then, barely returning from the front line, he immediately wrote a short note to Svetlana asking her to come to him. Since then, they met as soon as Vasily Kazakov returned to the headquarters. And soon both realized that this was not just an affair. They truly fell in love and became dear to each other. Explosions thundered around, and no one could give a guarantee that they would see again or not, but they were warmed by love and hope. Svetlana categorically refused to leave the service and become just a general's wife. She wanted to be useful and work for Victory.

Warming with love

They celebrated Victory Day in Strausberg, where the headquarters of the Belorussian Front was located. On May 9, 1945, Vasily Kazakov, who returned from the signing of the surrender, told Svetlana that he would never let her go anywhere again. Since then, the couple have not parted.

Even before Svetlana, the eldest daughter of the Kazakovs, was born, Svetlana Pavlovna received a letter from Leningrad, from her elderly aunt. Her daughter died during the war, and her eight-year-old granddaughter Natasha remained in the woman's arms. Svetlana Kazakova flew from Potsdam to Leningrad, and since then Natasha lived and was raised in the Kazakov family. And in 1949 Svetlana Kazakova was born. The general was happy.

Later, Svetlana Pavlovna brought from Moscow Sasha, a boy whom she adopted in memory of her niece who died in 1941. Unfortunately, Alexander turned out to be seriously ill, but the Kazakovs made every effort to prolong his life. The adopted son of Vasily Ivanovich died at the age of 36.

Then two more children appeared in the house - the children of Vasily Kazakov's cousin, who raised five children alone. Vanya was sent to an artillery school, and Masha was brought up together with Natasha, Sveta and Sasha. All the children of the Kazakovs were given an excellent education. And in 1959, when Marshal Kazakov was already 61 years old, the youngest daughter Tamara was born in the family.

At the same time, Vasily Ivanovich became a grandfather - his eldest son Victor had a son Sergei. Vasily Ivanovich and Svetlana Pavlovna were an amazing couple. They loved each other and tried to warm everyone around with their love.

When Marshal Kazakov passed away in 1968, Svetlana Pavlovna could not get used to the loss for a long time. And then she decided that he just went on another business trip and would definitely return soon. Or give her a short note asking her to come. The Marshal's wife died in 2019, and now the children and grandchildren of the Kazakovs cherish the memory of their grandfather and his beautiful wife, who became for them a symbol of unparalleled loyalty.

The outstanding military leader Marshal Baghramyan had a completely different love story. He kidnapped his Tamara contrary to tradition and conventions, and she became his guardian angel. He never had front-line girlfriends, and he went into battle with the name of his wife on his lips.