Bagshy Atayev: Life and Combat Path of Turkmenistan's First General

May is a sacred month in the history of our people, a time when the Great Victory is celebrated and heroes are remembered. This May marks the 29th anniversary of the passing of Bagshy Atayevich Atayev, the first general of Turkmenistan and a hero of the Great Patriotic War.

From Teacher to General: A Model of Will and Patriotism Bagshy Atayev was born in 1909 into a poor peasant family. His life journey began as a simple teacher. After gaining pedagogical experience in the villages of Kerki (Lebap region) and Gyzylgaya (Balkan region), the young man permanently tied his fate to military service in 1931. His discipline and sense of responsibility led him to the highest ranks of the military profession.

Bravery on the Battlefields At the outbreak of the war, B. Atayev was serving in Iran but was soon dispatched to the hottest points of the front.

• The 76th Rifle Division: He played a major role in the formation of the famous 87th Turkmen Rifle Brigade (later the 76th Division) and headed the staff during fierce battles in Yelnya, Orsha, and Mogilev.
• Heroism: According to the memoirs of his comrades-in-arms, during the difficult crossings of the Vistula and Oder rivers, he carried wounded soldiers on his shoulders to rescue them from the battlefield.
• Commandant of Berlin: After the war, due to his proficiency in the German language, he served as the military commandant of the Weissensee district of Berlin for two years.

Peace-time Service After the war, the hero-general served as the Military Commissioner of Turkmenistan and the head of the military department at the Turkmen State University. He was not only a military leader but also a historian and writer who conducted extensive work in searching for those missing in action.

• State Awards: The hero-general's chest was adorned with the orders of the "Red Banner," "Red Star," "Lenin," "Patriotic War" (1st class), and dozens of medals.

Bagshy Atayev raised four children. His daughters Tamara and Maya Bagshyevna continued their father's educational legacy as professors at TSU. His daughter Maral served the nation through the art of sculpture.