Pyotr Vershigora

In 1936 Vershigora completed his studies at cinema school and worked on several documentary films with the Kiev cinematographic company. Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, he joined the Red Army. On 23 June 1942 he was air dropped on a reconnaissance mission in the German-occupied Oryol region with orders to join the underground resistance movement there. Within a few months Vershigora joined the partisan units led by Sydir Kovpak in northeastern Ukraine. After the death of Semyon Rudnev in the summer of 1943, he became Kovpak's right-hand man and the head of his scouting and reconnaissance elements. Under his leadership, the 1st Ukrainian Partisan Division raided German-occupied western Belarus and eastern Poland, harassing the German rear. On 3 July 1944 they joined the regular Soviet army that was fighting to expel German forces from Belarus. In August 1944, after three years of fighting, Vershigora was promoted to the rank of major general. After the war Vershigora taught at the military academy in Moscow and wrote a number of books, including Lyudi s chistoi sovestyu (People with a Clear Conscience, 1947), his memoirs about the war.

Pyotr Vershigora studied at Odesa National Music Academy. The recorded working language is Russian. Distinctions recorded are Stalin Prize, Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945", Order of the Red Banner and Order of Lenin.

• Name — Pyotr Vershigora • Native Name — Петро Петрович Вершигора • Born — 16 May 1905 • Died — 23 March 1963 • Birthplace — Severinovka, Podolia Governorate, Russian Empire (now Transnistria, Moldova) • Place of death — Holercani, Moldavian SSR, Soviet Union (now Moldova) • Allegiance — Soviet Union • Branch — Partisans • Service Years — 1941–1945 • Rank — Major general • Commands — 1st Ukrainian Partisan Division • Battles — * World War II • Eastern Front

Pyotr Vershigora is recorded as having received Stalin Prize, Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" and Order of the Red Banner.