Ivan Burmakov

Early life, Russian Civil War and Polish-Soviet War Burmakov was born on 11 November 1899 in the village of Pohoriltsi in Chernigov Governorate to a peasant family. After graduating from high school, he worked in basketry workshops in the villages of Pohoriltsi and Topalevka.

In October 1918, Burmakov joined the Red Army. He was a soldier in the 4th Nizhyn Regiment of the 1st Insurgent Division. He fought in battles against the Ukrainian People's Army. The division was reorganized as the 44th Rifle Division and Burmakov became a machine gunner in its 388th Rifle Regiment. He then fought in battles against the White Army. In 1920, he participated in the Polish–Soviet War. Around this time, Burmakov joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He fought in the Battle of Stalingrad. In late August, the brigade fought on Stalingrad's southern outskirts. In September, the brigade fought in the Elshanka area and became part of the 62nd Army. In the final stages of the Battle of Stalingrad, the brigade was part of the 64th Army. The brigade captured 6th Army commander Friedrich Paulus in the basement of the Univermag department store. In March 1943, the brigade became the 7th Guards Stalingrad Motor Rifle Brigade for its actions. On 1 April, he was awarded the Order of Lenin.

In May 1943, Burmakov was sent to study at the Military Academy of the General Staff. In 1944, he graduated from an accelerated course at the school. In May, he was appointed deputy commander of the 16th Guards Rifle Corps of the 11th Guards Army. In July 1944 he became commander of the 31st Guards Rifle Division of the corps. He led the division during Operation Bagration. On 24 September, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. In October, the division fought in the Gumbinnen Operation. From January 1945, the division fought in the East Prussian Offensive. In April, it fought in the Battle of Königsberg. On 6 April, the first day of the attack on the city, the division broke through German defenses in the southwest. By the end of the second day, the division reached the Pregolya River, crossed it and seized a bridgehead. During the battle, the division captured or destroyed 96 guns, 18 tanks and self-propelled guns, and a large amount of German supplies and equipment. On 19 April Burmakov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin for his leadership.

Postwar After the end of the war, Burmakov continued his military service. In December 1945, the 31st Guards Rifle Division was converted into the 29th Guards Mechanized Division. In January 1948, he became commander of the 21st Guards Mechanized Division at Ohrdruf and then Halle. In June 1950 he returned to the Military Academy of the General Staff and graduated in 1951. From July 1951, he led the Odessa Infantry School. In January 1954, Burmakov was appointed commander of the 52nd Rifle Corps at Pervomaiske, Mykolaiv Oblast. On 31 May, he was promoted to lieutenant general. In April 1955, he retired. Burmakov lived and worked in Odessa and died on 16 June 1973. He was buried in the city's Second Christian Cemetery.