Issa Pliyev

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Lore & Background

Issa Pliyev started his military career in the Red Army in 1922, graduating from the Leningrad Cavalry School in 1926, from the Frunze Military Academy in 1933, and from the Soviet General Staff Academy. He joined the Communist party in 1926. After graduation he was appointed head of the operational department for the headquarters of the 5th Stavropol Cavalry Division in the Ukrainian Military District. From June 1936, he was an instructor at the staff of the Joint Military School of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Army in Ulaanbaatar. From February 1939, he commanded the 48th Cavalry Regiment of the 6th Cavalry Division, taking part in the campaign in Western Belarus in September 1939. At the start of the invasion of the Soviet Union, Pliyev commanded the 50th Cavalry Division (renamed 3rd Guards Cavalry Division). During the early stages of Operation Barbarossa the unit was sent under the command of the 30th army, then moved to the 22nd Army. He later participated in two raids on the rear of Army Group Center during the Battle of Smolensk, under the command of Dovator. His unit participated in the Battle of Moscow and the Battle of Stalingrad. During the Battle of Stalingrad, Pliyev's forces were the first to complete the encirclement of the German 6th Army, trapping 330,000 men inside the pocket. He later commanded a cavalry-mechanized group during the Bereznegovatoye–Snigirevka Offensive along the Black Sea coast. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on 16 April 1944, Lieutenant General Pliyev was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for skillful command, personal courage, and heroism. During Operation Bagration, his cavalry-mechanized group attacked towards Slutsk and was highly successful in exploiting the operational breakthrough. In the fall of 1944, he commanded a mechanized cavalry group during the Battle of Debrecen, where his group spent over 10 days fighting in the enemy's rear after communications were cut. He ended the war commanding the Soviet-Mongolian Cavalry-Mechanized Group of the Transbaikal Front in Manchuria, fighting against the Japanese Kwantung Army, earning his second Hero of the Soviet Union award on 8 September 1945. After the war, Pliyev commanded the Stavropol Military District from February 1946, then the 9th Mechanized Army in Romania, and the 13th Army in western Ukraine from February 1947 to 1949. He graduated from higher academic courses at the Military Academy of the General Staff in 1949, then commanded the 4th Army in the Transcaucasian Military District. In June 1955, he became First Deputy commander of the North Caucasus Military District, succeeding to command in April 1958. On 27 April 1962, he was promoted to Army General. In June his troops took part in suppressing the Novocherkassk Riots. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he commanded a Group of Soviet forces as part of Operation Anadyr in Cuba from July 1962 to May 1963. After returning, he again commanded the North Caucasus Military District. In June 1968, he became an advisor for the Ministry of Defense's Group of Inspectors General. He lived in Rostov-on-Don and died on 6 February 1979 in Moscow. He was buried in the Walk of Fame in Vladikavkaz.

Reader's Guide

Issa Pliyev's significance lies in his role as the premier cavalry general of the Soviet Army, pioneering the use of cavalry-mechanized groups during World War II. His deep battle operations, learned under Lev Dovator, made him the only Soviet cavalry personnel awarded two Hero of the Soviet Union medals. His forces were instrumental in key battles, including the first encirclement of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad, trapping 330,000 men. During the Debrecen operation, his group fought for over 10 days in the enemy's rear after communications were cut. Post-war, his command during the Cuban Missile Crisis brought him Western attention. His legacy is that of a highly effective commander in adverse terrain, whose methods influenced Soviet operational doctrine. He authored two books: 'Through the Gobi Desert and the Khingan Mountains' (1965) and 'The End of the Kwantung Army' (1969).

Did You Know?

• Pliyev's forces were the first to complete the encirclement of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad, trapping 330,000 men.
• He was the only Soviet cavalry personnel to be awarded two Hero of the Soviet Union medals.
• During the Debrecen operation, his group spent over 10 days fighting in the enemy's rear after their communications were cut.
• He commanded a Group of Soviet forces in Cuba from July 1962 to May 1963 during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
• Pliyev authored two books: 'Through the Gobi Desert and the Khingan Mountains' (1965) and 'The End of the Kwantung Army' (1969).