Alexander Kapitokhin

Early life Kapitokhin was born in Kamenka-Loginovka village, Yeletsky Uyezd, Oryol Governorate. He graduated from the fourth grade of rural school. He studied at the teacher's school for three years and graduated in 1909 with the rank of primary school teacher. In 1911 he graduated from another teachers' college and became a teacher of Russian language and literature in Borisoglebovskoe village, where he worked until conscription in 1914. and was appointed the commander of a battalion of the 99th Rifle Regiment of the 11th Rifle Division. In March 1919 Kapitokhin was transferred to the same post in the 98th Rifle Regiment. As part of the 11th Rifle Division, Kapitokhin fought in the Estonian War of Independence and against forces commanded by Stanisław Bułak-Bałachowicz. In July he commanded the assault group of the Western Army. In October he was assistant commander and then commander of the 23rd Brigade of the 8th Rifle Division. Kapitokhin fought in the Polish–Soviet War and was captured in January 1920 in Bobruisk. He spent four months in prison, but escaped during the Soviet May offensive. Kapitokhin was awarded his first Order of the Red Banner during the same year. In October 1920 and February 1921 he commanded the 1st Separate Rifle Brigade on the Caucasian Front. He went to the Frunze Military Academy, from which he graduated in October 1931. He became a reservist On 24 September 1939, he became the deputy head of the Chief Directorate of the Northern Sea Route. of the 95th Rifle Division in the Separate Coastal Army. In March 1942, he became the commander of the division. Kapitokhin fought in the Siege of Sevastopol and commanded the 4th sector of the city's defences during the final assault. On 4 July he was evacuated by submarine to Novorossiysk. For actions in the defence of Sevastopol, Kapitokhin was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. On 23 March, he was awarded the Order of Suvorov, 3d class. In July 1943 the division fought in the Battle of Kursk. In August he became the commander of the Soviet airborne troops. The operation was a failure, and Kapitokhin was demoted afterwards for alleged incompetence. as part of a separate airborne army. On 5 November, he was promoted to lieutenant general. In November 1944 he was also awarded the Order of the Red Banner. In January 1945 the corps became part of the 9th Guards Army. Until February 1945 it was held in Stavka Strategic Reserve. In March the corps became part of the 3rd Ukrainian Front and fought in the Vienna Offensive. Kapitokhin was an adviser with the Bulgarian First Army and the Yugoslav 3rd Army. At the end of the war, Kapitokhin was in Dalmatia.

Postwar Kapitokhin was appointed chief of the Tambov Suvorov Military School in November 1945. In July 1950, he was discharged due to illness. Kapitokhin died in Moscow on 13 August 1958 and is buried in the Vagankovo Cemetery.