Surzhikov, Mikhail Iosifovich

Mikhail Iosifovich Surzhikov was born on September 6, 1902 in the village of Darkwood, Shpakovsky district, Stavropol Territory.

Pre-war time

In May 1924 he was drafted into the ranks of the Red Army and sent to the 11th Cavalry Division ( Turkestan Front ), where he served as a Red Army soldier, separated by a commander and foreman. As part of the 43rd cavalry regiment of the same division, he took part in hostilities against the Basmachi , for which in 1928 he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner .

After graduating from the Tatar-Bashkir United Military School in August 1931 he was appointed to the position of platoon commander, and in May 1934 - to the post of squadron commander of the 43rd Cavalry Regiment ( Volga Military District ).

In May 1933 he was sent to study at the MV Frunze Military Academy , after which in September 1937 he was appointed to the post of chief of the 1st part of the headquarters of the 7th Cavalry Division ( Belarusian Military District ), and from November 1937 until March 1938, he temporarily served as chief of staff of the same division. In September 1938 he was appointed chief of staff of the 11th cavalry division of the same district.

In October 1940 he was sent to study at the operational faculty of the Air Force Academy of the Red Army , after which in May 1941 he was sent to the post of chief of staff of the emerging 5th Airborne Corps ( Baltic Military District ).

World War II

With the outbreak of war, Surzhikov was in his former position. During the border battle from June 26 to July 3, the corps as part of the operational group of Lieutenant General S. D. Akimov conducted heavy defensive military operations against the 4th tank group of the enemy in the Dvinsk region, and then retreated to the Pskov and further Kholm directions. As the head of the Dvinsk garrison, Surzhikov stopped the retreat of the rifle units, after which he formed units from them and organized the defense of the city. During the battle he was wounded three times.

In August, he was relieved of his post, after which he was at the disposal of the Main Directorate of Personnel of the NPO of the USSR and in September he was appointed commander of the 11th Cavalry Division , which was in the formation in the Moscow Military District and was part of the Moscow Defense Zone until March 1942 . In April, the division was included in the 7th cavalry corps , after which it took up defense on the eastern bank of the Oka River in the vicinity of the city of Belev .

From December 12 to 29, Colonel Mikhail Iosifovich Surzhikov temporarily commanded the 7th Cavalry Corps , which was engaged in the equipment of the defensive line in the vicinity of the settlements of Artishchevo , Yazykovo and Prudka .

In January 1943 he was appointed commander of the 7th Cavalry Division , which took part in the hostilities during the Ostrogozh-Rossoshansk offensive operation , as well as in the liberation of the city of Valuyki . For the skillful command of the division in these battles, Surzhikov was awarded the Order of Suvorov , 2nd degree.

In February, he was appointed commander of the 8th Guards Cavalry Division , after which he took part in hostilities during the Spas-Demen offensive operation .

Major General Mikhail Iosifovich Surzhikov August 19, 1943 died in battle on the Voronezh Front .

• Order of the Red Banner ;
• Order of Suvorov 2 degrees;
• Anniversary medal "XX years of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army" .

One of the busiest highways of the city of Valuyki ( Belgorod Region ) is named after M. I. Surzhikov

Team of authors . World War II: Comcor. Military Biographical Dictionary / Edited by M. G. Vozhakin . - M .; Zhukovsky: Kuchkovo Field, 2006. - T. 2. - P. 86-87. - ISBN 5-901679-08-3 .