Today in Azerbaijan the memory of the Great Patriotic War, its place and role in it Azerbaijani people demonstrates stable unity. It is no coincidence that of all the holidays Soviet period Victory Day - May 9 - remains the only one in Azerbaijan that has not changed its content and significance. And it's not high words, which should exalt the defenders of that once great Motherland in the bloodiest war in the history of mankind, and that very truth that we rarely think about. And its essence is that at the cost of their lives they changed the scenario for the reconstruction of the world, imposed by fascism, and destroyed it itself. And it’s not their fault that in the course of what came out half a century later world stage aggressive separatism and local conflicts and wars, crimes against humanity continue to be committed. This is our task to confront new threats. They fulfilled their duty to the end, giving the most important thing for victory - their own lives.
Therefore, as if the events of the Great Patriotic War were not temporally distant from our days, for the absolute majority of the population of that time Soviet Azerbaijan, regardless of people’s nationality, participation in the war was perceived as a conscious need to contribute to victory Soviet Union, whether as fighters at the front or in the rear.
The small republic sacrificed a significant part of its population to the war and natural resources. Every fifth resident of Azerbaijan fought in this war. With a population of 3.3 million people (as of 1940), about 700 thousand went to the front. Losses amounted to more than 300 thousand people, i.e. almost every 10th resident of the republic. Considering that no military operations were carried out on the territory of Azerbaijan, then in relation to total number population, its irretrievable human losses exceeded the losses of such major powers as, for example, Great Britain, Italy, France, as well as a number of Eastern European countries (Hungary, Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia), which were directly involved in the war.
Without Baku oil, without getting into motion, the formidable Soviet equipment would have turned into a useless pile of metal in an instant. For heroism shown on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, more than 120 people, natives of the republic, were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Of these, more than 40 people were Azerbaijanis. During the war, 30 people were awarded Orders of Glory of all three degrees, 176 thousand were awarded military orders and medals...
From the first days of the war, national rifle divisions were formed on the territory of the republic. By order of the commander of the Transcaucasian Military District dated February 22, 1942, the formation of the 416th began rifle division with headquarters in the city of Ujar in Azerbaijan SSR. The 1054th and 1374th regiments of the division were formed in Agdam, the 1373rd regiment in Goychay, and the 1368th regiment in Sumgayit. More than 90% national composition The divisions of the first recruitment were Azerbaijanis. It is interesting that World War I veteran Gasimov Kamil Karbelai Gasim oglu also fought in the division. In addition to Azerbaijanis, Russians, Georgians, Ukrainians, Tatars, Jews, Belarusians, and representatives of other nationalities fought in the division.
March 22, 1942 personnel division took the military oath. The division began its combat journey in the North Caucasus and ended in Berlin. During the hostilities, the ranks of the division were constantly thinning due to losses, but reinforcements were coming, including from Azerbaijan.
First baptism of fire division received in honor of liberation during offensive operation in August 1943, the 44th Army in the North Caucasus, which included the Taganrog division. In honor of this victory, a salute of twelve artillery salvoes from 124 guns was fired in Moscow. Residents of Taganrog wrote in a letter to residents of Azerbaijan: “...We will never forget the military deeds of the rifle division, which now bears the name of Taganrog and consists of representatives of your people.” For heroism shown in the war, 2,115 soldiers and officers of the division were awarded orders and medals, and machine gunner Agashirin Jafarov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
In addition to the battles for the Caucasus, the valiant troops of the Azerbaijani division took an active part in the largest operation of the Soviet army in western front, during which the Ukrainian SSR, Moldavian SSR and Poland were liberated. For participation in the liberation of Melitopol on October 23, 1943, the division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. By Decree of the Presidium Supreme Council USSR on April 10, 1944, for the liberation of Odessa, the division was awarded the Order of Suvorov, II degree, and more than 500 soldiers received medals and orders..
From now on, the division was called the Red Banner Order of Suvorov 416 Taganrog Division. For the liberation of the capital of Moldova SSR cities Chisinau 416th Division received gratitude Supreme Commander-in-Chief. By September 20, 1944, the 416th Division, along with other units of the 5th shock army became part of the 1st Belorussian Front. During the Vistula-Oder operation, the division took part in the liberation of Poland. As a result of this operation, the 1368th regiment of the division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner, and the 1054th artillery regiment was awarded the Order of Suvorov, III degree.
One of the most major operations, in which the 416th Taganrog Division took part, was Berlin operation, which ended with the capture of the capital of the Third Reich, the city of Berlin, on May 2, 1945.
In his book of memoirs “Spring of Victory,” Lieutenant General Fedor Bokov, who was military commissar and deputy chief during the war General Staff on organizational issues, then a member of the military councils of a number of fronts, and on final stage war - a member of the Military Council of the 5th Shock Army, tells about the most interesting military operations, including those in which the 416th Azerbaijani Rifle Division participated, in particular in the storming of Berlin, about the exploits of Azerbaijani soldiers during the capture of the most important strategic points capital of the Third Reich. One of them was the Brandenburg Gate - a symbol of Berlin, built in 1789-1791. It is significant that the banner of victory over the Brandenburg Gate was entrusted to hoist the Azerbaijani - Rashid Assad oglu Majidov.
Rashid Majidov was the head of the political department of the Azerbaijan Red Banner Order of Suvorov 416th Taganrog Rifle Division. For Rashid Medzhidov, his appointment as head of the political department was a natural continuation of his entire previous biography. He was born in Baku and, while still studying at the Baku Industrial and Economic College, became interested in social work, joined the Komsomol. Rashid becomes a teacher and pioneer leader in orphanage No. 8, and takes an active part in all regional events. During the years when the Azerbaijan SSR was part of the Western Federation (1922-1936), he was elected secretary of the regional committee of the Komsomol. In November 1933 he was elected first secretary Central Committee Komsomol of Azerbaijan. And then the usual continuation for a Komsomol worker - study in Moscow, in High school propagandists under the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks.
The facts of his pre-war biography, like those of many of his peers, are part of the biography of Azerbaijan in the 20-30s of the last century, in which the oil industry, plants and factories were erected, towns and cities were built. And along with the country, those who had to fulfill the most important task that the Motherland sets for its sons grew and matured - to protect it from the enemy. In their memoirs, war veterans who personally knew and fought alongside Colonel Medzhidov speak of him as a man of selfless courage who personal example inspired soldiers and officers. His main merit was that he was one of those thanks to whom the 416th division became military unit, which Azerbaijan was and is proud of today.
Units of the 416th Azerbaijani Rifle Division were among the first to enter Berlin and, between April 21 and May 1, 1945, participated in the occupation of a number of key government facilities capital Cities. The next combat mission was to occupy buildings on the main street of the capital of the Third Reich - Unter den Linden, where the Brandenburg Gate was located.
This is how General F. Bokov describes this operation in his book: “Soon after units of the division captured the Kaiser Wilhelm Palace, General V.P. Zyuvanov, who headed the 1373rd regiment of the division, ordered the battalion commanders to advance to westward on Unter den Linden in order to take possession of the area Brandenburg Gate. In combat formations assault group 1373rd Regiment, the head of the political department of the 416th Infantry Division, Colonel R.A. Medzhidov, covering himself with a raincoat, took out a plan of Berlin from a tablet and illuminated it with a flashlight. Yes, it was the building of the former Soviet embassy.
Act carefully, Majidov ordered, not a single shell should hit the building.
The artillerymen and tank crews brilliantly completed their task - they “bordered” the building with dense fire. Meanwhile, the warriors of the assault squad prepared for the attack. And as soon as the roar of the guns fell silent, the soldiers rose up to attack and burst into the building. The battle there did not last long. Up to fifty resisting fascists were exterminated, and sixty surrendered. Soon over former building The Soviet embassy raised the Red Banner. It was installed by the head of the political department of the 416th Infantry Division, Colonel Rashid Asad oglu Medzhidov. It is significant that this high honor fell to him, who came from a working-class family, a Komsomol member of the twenties, and a party member since 1929.
So, in the early morning of May 2, soldiers of the 1373rd Regiment of the 416th Infantry Division reached Marisenplatz. Quite quickly, a significant part of the soldiers and officers defending here were exterminated, and the rest began to surrender. Soon our soldiers hoisted the victorious Red Banner over the Brandenburg Gate, mangled by shrapnel."
Shortly after this, a rally was held at the Brandenburg Gate. General Bokov wrote in his memoirs: “General V.P. Zyuvanov was the first to speak. He spoke with great enthusiasm about the exploits of our soldiers during the storming of Berlin and about the great significance of the victory. The last shoot V historical battle for Berlin, - said the general, was heard here, at the Brandenburg Gate, and this shot was fired by the sons of the Azerbaijani people. Memory of the heroes of the storming of the capital fascist Germany will live for centuries. We are with you happy people, participants in the battle and living witnesses to how the war ended victoriously."
For most participants in the Great Patriotic War, the war ended in 1945. For Rashid Medzhidov, it lasted for another five years - he was left in the Soviet military administration in Germany, where he was deputy head of the department for economic affairs. At the first post-war meeting of the Supreme Council of the Republic in 1947, of which he was a deputy for three convocations, he was greeted as a hero. After returning from Germany he becomes chief of staff artillery regiment, stationed in Georgia, in the town of Voziani. After returning to Baku, Colonel Majidov works as the head of the political department of the Azerbaijani national division, and after its disbandment in the mid-50s he resigned. Party work begins, or rather, further continues, he is elected first secretary of the Oktyabrsky District Party Committee of Baku, and a few years later he is appointed head of the department of administrative bodies of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan, where he worked until his last days.
In conclusion, I would like to note that each generation has its own view of the past. Over the years they are erased from memory tragic pages stories and the price of victories are not perceived as large-scale and emotional as it really was. All that remains is a feeling of joy and pride for our heroes and people. This is not to say that this is bad, but the feeling of the pain and loss that, for example, the Great Patriotic War caused, must be revived in historical memory so that in the minds of our youth the memory of it does not begin to move from the rank of “event of special importance” to the rank of “one of the significant historical events that have ever happened." We must always remember the mass heroism of people thanks to which we live today. In addition, veterans will simply be pleased to know that to the younger generation they are not indifferent and all their hardships were not in vain.
IN THE RANKS OF THE KUNGUR REGIMENT.
PERM 112th RIFLE DIVISION.
FIGHTS IN JUNE – JULY 1941 IN THE BALTIC REGIONS
Article by V.V. Barminsky “In the ranks of the Kungur Regiment” was published in a newspaper in 1974 with memories of the battles near Kraslava (Latvia) at the end of June - beginning of July 1941 as part of the Kungur 416th rifle regiment Perm 112th Rifle Division of the 22nd Army
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Material on request:
battles near Kraslava, 416 rifle regiment, Kungur regiment, battles in June 1941, 112th Infantry Division, battles in the Baltic states 1941, battles in the Polotsk region
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PREFACE
The summer of 1941 became the most difficult test for the Red Army.
And the first to strike are the chosen ones German divisions conscripts born in 1921-1922 took over.
It was they who met the enemy, who had never known defeat until now and had conquered all of Europe. It was they who heroically marched against tanks with bottles of Molotov cocktails, and fought against machine guns and machine guns with Mosin rifles.
It was then that the Red Army, at the cost of heavy losses, began to “grind” the army, which had not yet known defeat. German army and gave the country the opportunity to mobilize.
That’s why all the memories of the veterans who were the first to go into battle in June-July 1941 are so dear.
We present to you the memories of our father, Vasily Vasilyevich Barminsky, about how steadfastly and heroically at the very beginning of the war they fought near the Latvian city of Kraslava. German fascist invaders soldiers, among whom was our father, of the Kungur 416th Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 112th Infantry Division formed in 1939 in the city of Perm.
Article “In the ranks of the Kungur Regiment” with the memoirs of V.V. Barminsky. was published in three issues of the Kungur newspaper “Iskra” dated August 20 and 22, September 5, 1974.
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Leonid BARMINSKY (Vitebsk, Belarus),
Vladimir BARMINSKY (Dubna, Moscow region)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Vasily Vasilievich BARMINSKY:
After graduating from the workers' faculty at the Arkhangelsk Forestry Engineering Institute in 1940, he was drafted into the Red Army and sent to serve in the city of Kungur, Perm Region, and was enlisted in the 416th Infantry Regiment.
Participant of the Great Patriotic War.
He met the war as a soldier of the Kungur 416th Infantry Regiment of the Perm 112th Infantry Division, included in the 22nd Army, which fought in the Polotsk fortified region and in the Baltic States. At the end of June - beginning of July 1941, he took part in the battles for the defense of Kraslava (Latvia).
In the numerous subsequent battles that followed, he was wounded in the leg and was unable to move quickly with the regiment, which was quickly changing positions, and escaped through the forests to Belarus.
Then he joined the ranks Belarusian partisans. At first he was an ordinary soldier, then a squad commander partisan detachment. In mid-1943, he was appointed deputy commissar for the Komsomol of the Shchors partisan detachment. partisan brigade named after Chapaev of Polotsk-Lepel partisan unit in the Vitebsk region of Belarus.
Immediately after the war he took part in the restoration National economy Belarus.
From 1951 to 1955 he served in Soviet army, in particular in the Group Soviet troops in Germany.
After completing his service, he studied at the Minsk State pedagogical institute, who graduated with a degree in History. Was on pedagogical work, then sent to party work.
For more than twenty years he was in Soviet work in Belarus: deputy chairman of the Rossony district executive committee, chairman of the Rossony district executive committee, chairman of the Sennen district executive committee, since mid-1970, a responsible employee in the Vitebsk regional executive committee.
Since mid-1982, personal pensioner republican significance in Belarus.
Died April 12, 1992. He was buried in Vitebsk.
Awarded: the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class, the Order of the Red Star, two Orders of the Badge of Honor, twelve medals, two Certificates of Honor of the Supreme Council of the BSSR and many other certificates.
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Article in three issues of the Kungur newspaper "Iskra" dated August 20, 22, September 5, 1974:
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IN THE RANKS OF THE KUNGUR REGIMENT
In the fall of 1940, after graduating from the workers' faculty, I, along with my other peers, yesterday's students, were drafted into the army and sent to the Urals, to the 416th Kungur Infantry Regiment of the 112th Infantry Division.
By this time, by order of the People's Commissar of Defense, the army was creating educational units, which were staffed by fighters with higher and secondary education.
After a two-year service period, all fighters of such units were assigned officer rank and transfer to the reserve.
In our regiment, a training company was created under the first battalion, where I was assigned to serve.
In a relatively short time we have undergone good military training.
After the war with Finland, demands in the army increased significantly. We were trained in conditions close to wartime.
We mastered weapons and became familiar with military tactics.
Much attention was paid to physical training and endurance.
During these years, winter camps were introduced for the first time.
We went there for several months, learning to ski in azimuth with full equipment. We took part in live-fire exercises, were under artillery and mortar fire, and got used to the mournful howl of live shells and mines.
Spent the night in winter forest. They learned to make huts from snow and pine needles and performed forced marches over long distances.
Cross-country skiing was carried out for ten or more kilometers with full equipment.
We were taught a lot about reconnaissance and observation. An observation field was specially equipped. It was necessary to put the main objects located on it on the diagram.
Through certain time some of them were removed and new ones installed. It was necessary to discover what changes had occurred on the field and mark them on the diagram. A mark was given for this.
In a word, we learned everything that was required in the war.
Due to the fact that future officers were being trained from us, the most experienced commanders and political workers were appointed to the company.
The commander of our squad was Sergeant Tyutyukin, an energetic and cheerful man. He never lost heart and taught his soldiers to bravely endure all hardships.
The regiment was commanded by Major Budanov.
The division commander, Brigade Commander Adamson, came to our unit more than once.
On November 7, 1940, on the anniversary of the Great October Revolution, we took the military oath. After taking the oath, we were allowed to leave to get acquainted with the city.
On January 1, 1941, we were on an excursion to the famous Kungur cave.
That same day I took a photo in winter uniform. I still have the photograph as a valuable family heirloom.
May 1st on central square In Kungur, a festive meeting of workers and a parade of troops of our regiment took place. At the end of the month we went to summer camps. Many fighters also arrived there to undergo training camps. The soldiers of our company were assigned to conduct drill training with them.
In mid-June they announced to us that the regiment should be redeployed to the west in connection with the upcoming big exercises, in which, as the commanders said, all types of troops would be used.
Many mourners gathered at the Kungur station, since the regiment consisted largely of Kungurians. Women and children cried, said goodbye to their husbands, fathers, and sons.
Many of them never had the opportunity to meet their family and friends again.
On June 20, 1941, the regiment arrived at railway station Dretun is northeast of the Belarusian city of Polotsk.
There we were caught by the news of the beginning of the war with Nazi Germany.
The 112th Infantry Division was to take up defensive positions on the front in the area of the Latvian city of Kraslava in order to prevent attempts German troops immediately force the Western Dvina in this direction.
On June 30, our regiment, having completed a 152-kilometer march, arrived in the city of Kraslava.
Here we were given combat mission: Detain the enemy on the outskirts of the city.
Instead of resting after a grueling march, we dug trenches all night on Castle Hill, on the western outskirts of Kraslava.
My trench, as an observer sniper, was located about a hundred meters ahead of the company’s location in the direction of the cemetery. Having a rifle with an optical sight, I had to hit individual enemy targets with well-aimed shots.
On the morning of July 1, German planes bombed our positions. When the planes flew away, the enemy artillery began to work. Then in front of our position, about 300 meters away, several tanks crawled out of the lowland. Enemy infantry appeared. Ours opened heavy fire. The attack was repulsed, and then a second one.
At night, the commanders briefly spoke about the combat situation: during the day the enemy carried out reconnaissance in force, tomorrow a general offensive of the Nazis was expected.
At dawn on July 2, gunfire began, which did not subside all day.
The explosions of bombs and shells drowned out everything, and acrid smoke spread across the field. Dark squares of tanks crawled, spitting out tornadoes of fire. Chains of enemy soldiers appeared. Wild screams were heard in a foreign language. Drunken thugs walked in full height and fired continuously from machine guns. It was impossible to look out of the trenches because jets of fire were flying overhead. Explosive bullets designed for psychological impact, burst upon impact with a blade of grass, creating the illusion that the machine gunners were firing very close by.
A critical situation has arisen. Our artillery came to the rescue and forced the enemy to lie down. This was enough for the fighters to open hurricane fire on the enemy from all types of weapons. The initiative passed into our hands. The attack floundered, the enemy rolled back, leaving many killed and wounded, damaged tanks and other equipment,
After some time, the enemy, bringing reserves into the battle, launched an even more furious offensive. He managed to reach our front line. Hand-to-hand combat began and grenades were used. Our battalion launched a counterattack and, shouting “hurray,” rushed towards the Nazis. Everything was mixed up. There were moments when it was difficult to immediately determine where the enemies were and where ours were. The counterattack was supported by other units attacking from the flanks.
The enemy could not stand it and began to retreat in panic.
But we also suffered great losses.
Late in the evening, after several more counterattacks, we received orders to abandon the city and retreat to the second line.
Concentrating in the forest east of Kraslava, we began to prepare a second line of defense. The laws of war are harsh: instead of rest after heavy two-day battles, there was intensive preparation for a counterattack against the enemy. On July 3 we had to return Kraslava.
During the fighting, half of the company's personnel were out of action. The situation was the same in other units. Sergeants, or even just ordinary soldiers, had to be appointed platoon commanders.
Our starting point was at the edge of the forest near the highway leading from Kraslava to Polotsk. At the appointed signal, the assault on the city was to begin. Traffic routes, communication and interaction procedures were clarified. We were told that tanks would participate in the counterattack. This raised the morale of the fighters, and they spent the rest of the night thinking about the upcoming attack.
The July night is short. Dawn has broken. Soon the flares raised the fighters and they launched an assault. "Give it to Kraslava!" - that was the cry. Our artillery began to work. But the tanks we were looking forward to did not appear.
From the edge of the forest to the city it was four or five hundred meters. They were occupied by a lowland with bushes and a stream winding towards the city. Having overcome this space, we burst into Kraslava. Soon strong fire forced the enemy to lie down. They sent a signal to the artillerymen to give more fire, essentially calling it upon themselves. The fascist artillery was silent, for fear of hitting their own. In short dashes from house to house we pressed back the enemy. The attics of houses came to life with flashes. We suppressed enemy firing points with volley fire from rifles. Soon a significant part of the city was in our hands.
But our group’s path was blocked by machine gun and machine gun fire from a house with a high brick wall. Our volleys had no effect. The house was turned into a kind of fortress with embrasures in the walls. Being at a convenient height, the enemy shot through the ravine along which we were moving.
It was decided to go around the house and break into the yard. I rushed to the stream. At this time the line burst and I fell into the water. The stream saved my life, because the cape that had been thrown up during the fall was pierced by bullets in several places.
Other fighters also rolled into the stream. Under the cover of the banks, we crawled forward through the water. A hand-to-hand fight broke out in the courtyard of the house, and grenades were used. We took the ill-fated house, but at a high cost: fifteen of our guys died.
The path to the city center was open. An old man, a resident of the city of Kraslava, appeared from somewhere. He showed us the best way to go forward. Street fighting continued for a long time. That day Kraslava changed hands several times. After several enemy attacks, we received an order to withdraw to the third line of defense, to the Saryanka River. Fascist planes and long-range artillery fire pursued us all the time.
In the forest near Kraslava we buried many fallen comrades. But here selected Nazi units were defeated and their advance was stopped for a long time.
Our company took up positions on low hills five hundred to six hundred meters from the Saryanka River. The remaining units of the Kungur regiment were located to the left.
Early in the morning of July 9, together with another observer from the control department, he received a combat mission from the company commander, senior lieutenant Shaev: to penetrate the village, which was located on opposite side rivers, and monitor in a westerly direction.
We crossed the river and made our way into the village. There were no inhabitants there. They chose a more convenient attic of the house and began to conduct observation. A field stretched ahead, a forest was visible a kilometer and a half away, and bushes disrupted visibility on the left. About two hours have passed, and there have been no changes in our observation sector.
Soon a strong battle broke out on the left flank. Explosions of shells and machine gun fire were clearly heard. Behind the forest something was burning and thick smoke was pouring out.
It became clear that the enemy launched an attack on the left flank of our Kungur regiment.
The situation has changed. The battle was already on the left side of the river, and we, as if in a mousetrap, were sitting on right side. What to do? We decide to return to the company.
At the height we see some figures. “This means where ours are,” we thought. But at this time a machine gun slashed at us. It became clear that the Nazis who had crossed the river were shooting. Having taken a comfortable position, I aimed optical sight. A Nazi in a green uniform found himself in the crosshairs. I press the trigger and the shot enemy falls to the ground.
After that, it began: machine guns started firing, piercing screams were heard in a foreign language.
We ran into the rye. opened before us opposite bank rivers. Endless chains of Germans walked, black squares of tanks crawled. We see our light machine gun not far away. A machine gunner lies dead - near a mine crater. Let's try a machine gun. Serviceable. Having fired several discs at the enemy's lines and grabbed a machine gun, we ran into the burning village.
A mortar hit from across the river. The Nazis combed the rye with machine guns. At this time, our left flank struck the approaching fascist lines, forcing them to lie down. The battle flared up with renewed vigor.
With difficulty we made our way to our own people and found our company. The commander expressed gratitude for resourcefulness and correct independent actions.
It was a clear day in July 1941. The combined column of our division was retreating to new lines. The remnants of the Kungur regiment were ahead, artillery units and convoys were moving behind us. The 385th Infantry Regiment brought up the rear of the column.
The head of the column stretched out from the forest. A field stretched out before us. A village was visible ahead, and then the forest became dark again. A kilometer away from us there was a second road. She crossed the one along which our column was moving. A column of troops was also walking along another road.
The heads of the columns came relatively close close quarters. One of our people shouted: “Germans!” Those who met them shouted: “Pys!” It turns out that our column collided with the German one. Well, that's when it started!
As we moved, our men rushed forward, dispersing and firing. It was clear that in such a meeting the one who would not be confused would prevail.
Our artillery was the first to hit the Nazis. A loud "hurray" rang out.
The battle lasted no more than twenty minutes. The initiative was completely in our hands. The German artillery did not even have time to open fire and remained in the forest.
In this battle, more than a hundred fascists were killed and prisoners were taken. Valuable maps and staff documents were captured. There were no dead among us. The captured Germans said that they mistook our column for their own. But at first we also mistook the enemy column for our own. This happens in war too.
We took up defensive positions in a pine forest at an unnamed height. By name we had a combined battalion, but in fact it consisted of no more than a company of personnel.
We had to delay the enemy if he appeared here, and not give him the opportunity to advance in an eastern direction.
At the top and slopes of the heights, the fighters dug trenches and installed machine guns, set up posts and patrols, and established observation and communications. Just in case, they dismantled the bridge over the stream.
Soon a German limousine drove up to the stream and then began to quickly turn around. “He’ll go away,” we thought. A machine gun burst rang out. The car stalled. Two people jumped out of the cab German officer, but, mowed down by bullets, fell with their arms outstretched. The driver and another fascist were killed in the car. We took weapons, documents, staff maps. As it later became known, these were “important birds.”
A wild noise was heard from the enemy side and indiscriminate firing was heard. Then the enemy began to attack. When warriors in green uniforms appeared across the stream, we opened fire. The attack stalled, but in the afternoon the enemy pressure on our positions intensified.
Seeing that it was impossible to take the height from the side of the stream, the Nazis began to bypass it from the side of the field, on the left flank. At the same time, machine gunners penetrated our rear. The units on the right flank could not stand it and began to retreat.
A critical situation has created. We were forced to leave the heights.
There was an order from the command to return the position. All night we prepared for the assault. Before dawn, we secretly approached the height, and with a single impulse we again took possession of it. The outcome of the battle was decided by the grenades that we literally threw at the enemy. The Nazis did not expect such a daring night attack, and ran.
That same night, our scouts made a foray into enemy lines and brought back the “tongue.”
The enemy launched new furious attacks on a handful of brave men, but they were all repulsed by our fighters until the command received an order to move to a new line.
Day after day, the ranks of the glorious 416th Kungur Infantry Regiment melted away. But the survivors continued to fulfill their soldier's duty until their last breath.
BARMINSKY V.V.,
Vitebsk
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OTHER MATERIALS:
- “Operation “Star” Audio recording of an article in a newspaper “ Soviet Russia” for July 26, 2018 from the author Vladimir Barminsky with complete information by operation
(https://youtube.com/watch?v=Zwbry9-WZZw);
Broadcasting Organization Union State Russia and the Republic of Belarus (news broadcast from December 19, 2018), dedicated to V.V. Barminsky. and Operation Asterisk
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbQuxNKPrWQ);
Barminsky Vladimir. Article “Operation Zvezdochka” in the newspaper “Soviet Russia” dated July 26, 2018
(www.sovross.ru/articles/1723/40500);
Barminsky V. Article " Guerrilla operation“Star” – truth and fiction”
(www.site/2017/07/29/1638),
Barminsky Vladimir. Book “Circles of War”, Publishing Center Belarusian state university, Minsk-2018 (ISBN 978-985-553-532-5);
Barminsky Leonid. “Operation “Star” in the newspaper “Vitbichi” (Vitebsk city newspaper) dated November 18, 2017
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Barminsky V.V. Article “Operation “Star” in the newspaper “ Soviet Belarus” dated June 20, 21, 1967
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(http://museum.by/node/43584),
(www.site/2017/07/27/1771);
Barminsky V.V. Article “For the sake of children’s lives” in the Krasnoborsk newspaper “Znamya” from
August 1, 1981
By order of the commander of the Transcaucasian Military District on February 22, 1942, the formation of the 416th Infantry Division with headquarters in the cities of Ujary and Agdam in the Azerbaijan SSR began. The 1054th and 1374th regiments were formed in Geogchay, Sumgait
The division included 11,050 Azerbaijanis, 291 Russians, 225 Armenians, 110 Georgians, 99 Ukrainians, 72 Tatars, 28 Jews, 23 Belarusians and other nationalities
Where did the 416th Rifle Division fight?
In the Caucasus
On January 1, 1943, troops of the 44th Army went on the offensive in the Mozdok direction. The 416th Division immediately breaks through the enemy's defenses at intermediate lines and pursues its retreating units. Already on January 3, units of the 416th division liberated Mozdok. Together with other units of the 44th Army, the 416th Rifle Division has been participating in the battles for Stavropol since January 20, which was liberated on January 21.
Liberation of Taganrog
On August 18, 1943, the 416th Division, as part of the 44th Army of the Southern Front, went on the offensive against enemy fortifications in the area of the villages of Russkoye and Berestovo. On August 27, the 416th Division broke through the enemy’s defenses, advancing into enemy territory up to 20 km, and created conditions for the advance of the main forces.
In a southwest direction
For heroism in the battles for the liberation of Konstantinovka and Yekaterinivka, the division received the gratitude of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief
Liberation of Nikolaev and Odessa
In the battles for Odessa, the 416th Division captured more than 2 thousand enemy soldiers and officers. The division's losses amounted to 27 people. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR for the liberation of Odessa, the division was awarded the Order of Suvorov, II degree, and more than 500 soldiers were awarded medals and orders
Liberation of Chisinau
By 18 o'clock units of the division approached southern outskirts Chisinau and started a battle for the city. August 24, 1944 - The 416th Division, together with other units, liberates the city of Chisinau. Major General V.P. Zyuvanov (Eybatov, Eybat Atamoglan ogly) was appointed Commandant of Chisinau.
Vistula-Oder operation
On January 15, units of the 416th Infantry Division, having broken through the main line of enemy defense, captured a large settlement and an important junction - Stromets
Battle of Berlin
On the morning of April 21, 1945, the 416th Division was one of the first to break into the outskirts of Berlin. On the same day, the 416th Division stormed the city of Strausberg. On April 27, the 416th Division reached the western outskirts of the German capital, crossed the Spree River and, in a stubborn battle, captured the bridge on west bank rivers
The assault group under the command of Senior Lieutenant Vahab Osmanov fights its way to the upper floors and to the roof of the building.
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon on May 1, senior lieutenant Vahab Osmanov and Lance Sergeant V. Alekseenko hoisted a red flag over the palace of Kaiser Wilhelm. In this case, senior lieutenant Vahab Osmanov died
On the night of May 1-2, soldiers of the 416th Division captured the building of the comic opera and, continuing the offensive towards the Brandenburg Gate, stormed the Reichsbank from the rear and, after several hours of battle, completely captured the imperial bank
Fighters Mamedov, Akhmedzade, Tedeev, Berezhnoy and Andreev, under the leadership of Lieutenant A. Medzhidov, hoisted the banner of victory over the Brandenburg Gate
Shortly after this, a rally was held at the Brandenburg Gate. General Bokov wrote in his memoirs: “General V.P. Zyuvanov was the first to speak. He spoke with great enthusiasm about the exploits of our soldiers during the storming of Berlin and the great significance of the victory. The last shot in the historical battle for Berlin,” said the general, was fired here, at the Brandenburg Gate, and this shot was fired by the sons of the Azerbaijani people. Memory of the heroes of the fascist storming of the capitalThis Germany will live for centuries.”
P.S. Unfortunately, Aghdam is now captured by the Armenians.
On August 27, 1943, the 416th Division, operating in Southern Front broke through the enemy's defenses on a 20 km front, creating conditions for the advance of the main forces. Within 24 hours, the division’s fighters liberated settlements Bogachevka, Mokry, Vasilievka, Petropavlovka, Chernigovskoe, etc. 3,000 enemy soldiers and officers and many military equipment. August 30, 1943 The division reached the Miussky Bay, completing the encirclement of the enemy Taganrog group. At 5 o'clock in the morning on August 30, the division's fighters, together with the 6th Guards Tank Brigade, broke into the city of Taganrog from the north. After fierce street fighting, the city was cleared of the enemy. By order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the 416th division was given an honorary nameTaganrog and gratitude was expressed to all personnel. In the capital of the USSR, Moscow, a fireworks display was fired in honor of this victory.
September 7, 1943 the division began an assault on the fortified defense line of the 3rd mountain rifle division Wehrmacht covering the roads to the cities of Mariupol and Osipenko. On September 8-9, the German defense was broken through 8-10 km along the front and 12-14 km in depth. Having repelled ten counterattacks of the Nazis, the division's fighters held their captured positions. More than 4,000 Wehrmacht soldiers and officers were killed in the battles, and a lot of military equipment was captured.
Having received reinforcements from Azerbaijan numbering 1,500 soldiers, on October 13, 1943. The division drove the Germans out of the Konstantinovka area and reached the Molochnaya River. On October 23, with the support of tank units, soldiers of the 416th division liberated Melitopol. In the battles, the enemy's 111th and 336th infantry divisions were defeated, more than 2,500 Nazis were killed, and a lot of military equipment was captured. Behind military merits in the liberation of Melitopol the division was awardedOrder of the Red Banner of Battle.
For six months of 1943. over 1000 fighters and division commanders joined the party.
In January 1944, the division as part of the 5th Shock Army acted against the Nikopol enemy group. At the beginning of February, the 416th Division defeated the 9th Wehrmacht Infantry Division and liberated the heavily fortified German settlements of Ekaterinovka and Konstantinovka. For this combat episode, the division's personnel received gratitude from the army command.
On March 28, 1944, the 416th Division, together with other formations, liberated the city of Nikolaev from the enemy. In a one-day battle for the city, the division's fighters destroyed 1,500 and captured 150 Nazis. For the liberation of Nikolaev, the division received gratitude from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief for the fifth time.
The soldiers and commanders of the 416th division were in the first ranks of the troops that liberated Odessa. On April 8, the division knocked out the enemy from six fortified strong points on the approaches to the city. On April 10, together with other units and formations, the division liberated the city of Odessa. Having lost only 27 soldiers, the division's personnel captured more than 2,000 enemy soldiers and officers and captured 150 wagons, 18 locomotives, and 8 warehouses with military equipment as trophies. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the division was awardedOrder of Suvorov II degree . More than 500 soldiers and division commanders were awarded orders and medals.
In the summer of 1944, the division took part in the battles for Chisinau. August 24, 1944 The 416th Division, together with other units and formations of the Red Army, liberated the city of Chisinau from the enemy. For their participation in this operation, the division's personnel were awarded the gratitude of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
In January 1945 The division took up positions on the southern outskirts of Warsaw. On January 12, having received the order to attack, units of the division went on the offensive in the Keleuvna area. For the valor shown in the battle to break through enemy defenses south of Warsaw and the battles in the Vistula-Oder interfluve, the following units of the division were awarded state awards:
1 368th Regiment – Order of the Red Banner of Battle;
1,054th artillery regiment – Order of Suvorov III degree;
444th separate consolidated artillery division – Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky;
348th Medical Battalion – Order of the Red Star.
At the beginning of February 1945, the 416th Division approached one of the largest transport hubs Germany, considered the gateway to Berlin - the city and fortress of Küstrin. Seven railways and four highways intersected here, and ten important defense factories were located. On February 17, after a powerful artillery barrage in cooperation with the 295th Division, soldiers and officers of the 416th Division broke through the Wehrmacht defenses and broke into the city. Fierce street fighting began. On February 19 alone, the 1,373rd Infantry Regiment of the division repelled six enemy counterattacks in the northern part of the city, which involved 25 tanks and 7 self-propelled guns And y. In the battle, 13 tanks and 650 enemy soldiers and officers were destroyed. The Küstrin garrison was completely defeated on March 12, 1945.
During the fighting from January to March 1945, 1,388 soldiers and division commanders were awarded orders and medals of the USSR.
In April 1945, the 416th Division as part of the 5th Guards Shock Army took part in the assault on Berlin. On April 17, two infantry battalions of the 416th Division, together with the 295th Division, liberated Neu-Hardenberg from the Nazis. On April 20, the division reached the western outskirts of Berlin, occupying Klossordorf. On April 21, having occupied Strausberg, the division approached the city walls. On April 26, the 416th Division in the southeast of Berlin launched an offensive in the direction of the Silesian Station and the Reichstag. On May 1, 1945, at three o'clock in the afternoon, after fierce fighting, the 373rd Infantry Regiment of the division captured the Kaiser Palace, hoisting the Red Banner on it.
On the morning of May 2, 1945 a group of division fighters under the leadership of Lieutenant A. Medzhidov hoisted the Red Banner over the Brandenburg Gate.
The 416th Azerbaijani division traveled the battle route from the Caucasus to Berlin, destroying 23 thousand and capturing 5,474 enemy soldiers and officers. In total, during the war, 14,369 soldiers and division commanders were awarded orders and medals of the USSR.
On May 8, in the village of Ukrainka, Berezansky district, Nikolaev region, the opening of a monument to the Azerbaijani Red Banner Order of Suvorov of the Taganrog 416th Infantry Division took place. The event was organized by the Nikolaev City Council of National Societies and its members.
The opening ceremony of the monument was attended by the first secretary of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ukraine Huseynli Subhan, the third secretary of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ukraine Ruslan Gurbanov, consul of the Consulate General Russian Federation in Odessa Andrey Aksenov, head of the department for nationalities of the Nikolaev regional state administration Viktor Chebotarev, deputy of the regional council Fazil Gadzhiev and local leadership.
To take part in the opening of the monument and see it with my own eyes, two veterans who fought as part of the 416th Infantry Division came to the Nikolayev region from Azerbaijan. Girls and a guy in Ukrainian national costumes greeted them with bread and salt, and schoolchildren presented flowers.
This division can rightfully be called multinational. According to the chairman of the council of veterans of the Berezansky district, Nikolai Gorbatenko, 11,050 Azerbaijanis, 273 Russians, 225 Armenians, 110 Georgians, 99 Ukrainians, 77 Tatars, 28 Jews, 23 Belarusians fought in it. In addition, the division included soldiers from Dagestan, South Ossetia, North Ossetia, as well as some other autonomies and republics.
The mountaineers bravely entered their first battle near Mozdok, he said. - Bloody battles continued until Taganrog. For the battles during the liberation of Taganrog, the division was awarded the title of Taganrog. Moscow salutes the division! For Melitopol, the division received the Order of the Red Banner of Battle.
Nikolai Gorbatenko spoke about military operations in which the 416th Infantry Division was involved, including on the territory of the Nikolaev region, named dozens of villages that were liberated thanks to active actions fighters who fought as part of this formation.
Having taken part in the liberation of Nikolaev, the division less than 24 hours later began to liberate the village of Suvorovo - today it is Berezanka. Eight hours later, the division’s soldiers liberated Anatolyevka and returned the villages of Chervonoukrainka and Kapustino. The division headquarters was located in this village - these are just a few of the facts that the chairman of the Council of Veterans of the Berezansky District voiced in his speech.
First Secretary of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ukraine Huseynli Subkhan noted that during the hard years of war, soldiers and officers different nationalities and the peoples of the Soviet Union fought shoulder to shoulder with the Nazi invaders. And he expressed pride that his brave ancestors also participated in the liberation of the republics former USSR, including Ukraine.
And the Consul of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Odessa, Andrey Aksenov, thanked everyone who took part in the opening of this complex, which is important for both current and future generations.
“Thank you that there are people who remind the younger generation of how hard this victory was achieved, what military feat our grandfathers and fathers accomplished,” he said. - I think that the children present here will definitely remember this day, it will definitely be etched in their memory. And we, as a generation that fortunately did not see the horrors of war, for our part are simply obliged not to give certain political forces, certain pseudo-historians will rewrite the history of our great Victory.
And the chairman of the Nikolaev City Council of National Societies, Anar Akhundov, spoke about those who need to be thanked for the appearance of such a memorial complex.
Back in 2012, the chairman of the council of veterans of the Berezansky district approached the city council of national societies with a request for help in organizing and opening such a wonderful monument. We turned to the members of our council - the Nikolaev Regional Cultural and Educational Society named after. Heydar Aliyev, headed by Yunus Aliyev. This man happily responded to our request, to the request of the veterans. And what we see now is the result of his great fruitful work.
The monument is a monumental structure made of granite and marble. Installed on a large area surrounded by a fence. On one side there is a long stand - a good ten meters long - on which the military path of the Azerbaijani Red Banner Order of Suvorov Taganrog 416th Infantry Division is drawn and the names of its commanders are immortalized. Behind the monument are two obelisks in the shape of airplane wings.
It is obvious that now this monument will become an additional attraction of the resort Berezansky district (and not only for tourists, but also for local historians) and the main decoration of the village.