Vershinin, Constantine Andreevich
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[edit] Biography
Vershinin joined the Red Army in June, 1919 and was assigned to a reserve infantry regiment in the city of Simbirsk. In the fall of 1919 he attended the Simbirsk Infantry Course, a nine month course that trained junior officers for the Red Army. After completing the course he became a company commander, in charge of approximately 300 Red Army soldiers. At the beginning of October, 1920 Vershinin's company was transferred to the Western Front and fought against the White Poles. In Janruary, 1921 Vershinin was promoted to battalion commander, and in July of that year he was sent to attend the Advanced School for Infantry Commanders, also known as the "Gunshot" course. He completed the two-year course in August, 1923 and then spent the next five years as the commander of a training company in the 12th Red Banner Infantry School, part of the Privolga Military District[1].
In the fall of 1930, Vershinin was sent to attend the Zhukovskii Military Air Academy rather than continuing at the Frunze Military Academy--one of many Red Army commanders who were switched from the ground forces to the air forces at that time. After completing his studies, in June, 1932 he was named Assistant Commander of the Tactics Department at the Air Force's Scientific Testing Institute (NII). In January, 1933, he became chief of the operations section in the headquarters of an aviation brigade in the Kiev Military District. In his spare time he trained to get his pilots certification[1].
In February, 1934, Vershinin returned to training duties as commander of a training squadron in the Advanced Flight Tactics School, operating thirty R-5 bombers. During his time as commander of the squadron, Vershinin attended the Kachinsk Military Aviation School to finally earn his pilots certification[1]. He continued to command the squadron until August, 1938, when he was made deputy commander for flight training at the Advanced Course for Flight Personnel Development[1].
Vershinin continued his training duties through the start of World War II, until he was appointed commander of air forces for the Southern Front in September, 1941[1]. In May, 1942, he became commander of the 4th Air Army. From September, 1942 to April, 1943, he commanded air forces of the Trans-Caucasus Front. He returned to command of the 4th Air Army in May, 1943 and remained in the position for the remainder of the war[2].
[edit] Publications
- The 4th Air Army, 1975 (in Russian)
[edit] Sources
- Vershinin, Constantine Andreevich at National Heroes (Герои Страны)
- Vershinin, K. A. at Russian Ministry of Defense
