Colonel P.S. Kozlov: personality in the battle for Moscow context

Abstract

The article describes a little-studied episode of the battle for Moscow associated with the defence of the 17th rifle division (2nd formation) at the turn of the Protva river in October, 18-21, 1941. Based on a wide range of sources the chronology of events preceding the capture of the first division commander is reconstructed. It is shown how the inconsistency in the decisions of the front and army commanders affected the current combat situation. The report on the interrogation of the Colonel P.S. Kozlov captured by the Germans is analysed. The features of the interrogation report as a historical source are revealed. Based on the analysis of the documents the author comes to the conclusion that the content of the war prisoner report on the interrogation doesn’t give grounds to suspect him of divulging military secrets and violating the military oath.

Keywords

• the great patriotic war
• the western front
• the battle for moscow
• division commanders
• the 17th division of the people’s militia
• the 17th division (2nd formation)
• colonel p.s. kozlov
• october 1941
• 34th infantry division
• war prisoners
• interrogation protocol