Baklanov, G. V. 1910-1976

Gleb Vladimirovich Baklanov (Russian: Глеб Владимирович Бакланов; 14 August [O.S. 1 August] 1910 – 16 January 1976) was a Soviet Army colonel general and a Hero of the Soviet Union. Born to a wealthy family, Baklanov was drafted into the Red Army and was selected for command positions during the interwar period. He served in staff positions and was wounded during the Winter War while a regimental chief of staff. After the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, he became a regimental commander but was wounded in fighting in Belarus and did not return to the front until early 1942 as a brigade commander. Baklanov commanded the 299th Rifle Division during the Battle of Stalingrad, being decorated for his actions, and went on to lead the 13th Guards Rifle Division at the Battle of Kursk among other actions. In mid-1944 he was promoted to command a rifle corps, a position in which he ended the war. For his leadership in the capture of Dresden in the final weeks of the war Baklanov was made a Hero of the Soviet Union. He held senior command positions after the end of the war, commanding the 13th Army, the Siberian Military District, and the Northern Group of Forces before his retirement during the Cold War.