Lev Dovator



Lev Mikhaylovich Dovator (February 20, 1903 Khotino, Russian Empire - December 19, 1941 ) was a Soviet major-general and a Hero of the Soviet Union (1941).

Biography
Dovator came from a family of peasant Jewish origin. At the start of the German invasion of the Soviet Union, he was posted as Chief of Staff of the Red Army's 36th Cavalry Division. He soon became the commander of a cavalry group, and in August - September 1941 this cavalry group executed the most daring raid through the rear areas of the German army in the area of Smolensk.

During the battle of Moscow, Dovator was the commander of 2nd Guards Cavalry Corps, which fended off the enemy advancement at Volokolamsk. He was killed in action near the outskirts of Ruza. He was reportedly cut down by machine-gun fire while crawling towards a forward position to get a better look. Dovator was posthumously given the tile Hero of the Soviet Union two days after this. (Upon hearing of his death, Marshal Georgi Zhukov is said to have lamented that it was a grievous loss.)