Red Army division commander who raised the "Red Army of Truth" against grain requisitioning in 1920
From a peasant family of Novouzensk district, Samara province, he fought in the First World War and returned to Novouzensk in 1917 as a second lieutenant, becoming the first chairman of the district soviet. A Left Socialist Revolutionary, after the revolt of the Czechoslovak Legion he called himself a communist without joining the party. As commander of the Red Army's 22nd Division he held Uralsk through an 80-day siege in 1919, but was removed from the front "for inept command and a corrupting policy". In 1920, while forming the 9th Cavalry Division, he learned of his dismissal and on 14 July renamed the division the "1st Red Army of Truth" and rose in revolt. He was killed by a pursuing detachment near the aul of Koim on 6 September 1920.
Also known as: Aleksandr Sapozhkov
Activities and affiliations
Career Timeline
- 1917First chairman of the Novouzensk district soviet
- 1918Member of the Samara provincial revolutionary committee; organised Red Guard units
- 1919Commander of the Red Army 22nd Division; 80-day defence of Uralsk
- 1920Formed the 9th Cavalry Division; in July led the "1st Red Army of Truth" revolt