Tank troops

Rodin Vasily Petrovich_x000D_ Rank: Colonel. Type of troops: Armored and mechanized troops. When the Great Patriotic war began, my father, Vasily Petrovich, was 18 years old. He had already graduated from the Orenburg tank school and was at the front with the first shot. What my child's head remembers – he fought on the Leningrad front, then – on the 1st Belorussian. Awarded two orders of the red banner, two orders of Lenin, had a lot of medals and certificates. Three times I burned in a tank, all my life I carried a piece of shrapnel in my lungs, my legs and hands also had shrapnel. He was shell-shocked, but devoted his whole life to the army. He graduated from the war with the rank of Colonel, and later studied at the military Academy. I remember from the stories of this episode: "They sent a replenishment, not tankers, but loaders, and they are 14-15 years old, and weigh forty kilograms, only three can lift a shell. I cry, swear, and pray to God that they are alive, and I fatten them. They are 14-15, and I am 20, who went through this terrible war. And I looked at these starving people as if they were children, but what difference does it make… But I have experience behind me, and therefore I am alive." I went through the whole war, didn't smoke a cigarette, didn't drink 100 grams, and didn't do it all. But the doctors darned him better for his rations…I never spoke about fear in battle, but I think this Communist was not iron-clad, because tanks, like infantry, are always ahead, there is something to be afraid of. I remember that I mentioned the Oder river, so I must have reached Germany. My father was a strong man. And I know how my parents met and how they broke up. Apparently, he loved my mother very much. I was already an adult when he said to her: "at least Take me to die next to you." And to me: "Well, why don't you say something, tell her to come back!" Yes, life is strange for someone else. But I saw my father's love for my mother, and I don't think I saw my mother's love for my father. And who will sort them two out. This strong man, a warrior, probably could not cope with this little obstinate woman. He lost this fight. Recorded from the words of her daughter, Lyudmila Vasilyevna Ryzhikova, born in 1976

Rakov Stepan Nikolaevich_x000D_ _x000D_ Rank: Lieutenant-colonel. Type of troops: Armored and mechanized troops. Stepan Rakov was born on August 18, 1926 in the village of Dubrava in the Kotovskaya rural administration of the Ardatovsky district, located 14 km Northwest of the Ardatov river. The locality was classified as unpromising and has now been removed from the administrative register. Dubrava is connected by dirt country roads in the North-West with the village of Yuzhilin (3 km), in the East with the village of Izmailovka (6 km), in the South-East with the village of Novola (5 km). In the area of the village originates R. Melava. The village is surrounded by deciduous forests. The settlement was founded presumably after 1917, during a campaign to organize agricultural communes. In 1925, the Dubrava commune consisted of 92 inhabitants. She was part of Cavallasca rural parish Council Ardatov, Arzamas district. Stepan Nikolaevich was born in a large family of a paramedic Nikolay Sepanovich Rakov and a peasant woman Evdokia Pavlovna Shmeleva. He had three brothers: the elder Alexey, the middle Ivan, the younger Mikhail and 2 sisters Nyura (Anna) and Varvara (16.12.1933). On January 2, 1944, as a 17-year-old boy, Stepan joined the red army as a tank driver. In April 1944 the 1514th light self-propelled artillery regiment was created on the basis of the 1514th fighter-anti-tank artillery regiment. Stepan Rakov also got into it. And at home, his girlfriend Lida (my grandmother Lydia Vasilyevna) was waiting for him. From the award lists it is known that from 16.12.1944 he participated in the battles as part of the III-th Belorussian front, and from 15.02.1945 as part of the I-th Baltic front. Stepan Nikolaevich said little about the war. Every time he was asked about it, tears came to his eyes, his speech faltered, and he refused to remember it - he had seen too many deaths. From his stories, it is known that during the war, he operated a SU-76 self-propelled artillery unit and a T-34 tank. From order 12/n of 20.04.1945 on awarding the Order of the red Star of the 1st degree, it follows that Stepan Rakov was slightly wounded on 21.01.1945. And at the beginning of February 45, he received his first Order of the red Star, " working as a gun commander (gunner) in offensive battles in the area of the village of Hussenen (East Prussia). On 12.02.1945 he destroyed 3 machine-gun points, 2 mortars, 22 carts with military cargo and up to 70 German soldiers and officers of the enemy. On March 5, 1945, Junior Sergeant S. N. Rakov, the gun commander (Adjuster) of the SU-76, was awarded the medal "for Bravery". From the order: "When repelling an enemy counterattack near the village of Kaitsenblik, direct fire from his gun destroyed 7 machine-gun points and up to 35 enemy soldiers and officers." Presumably, the battle for which Stepan Rakov was awarded the medal "for Bravery" took place on February 15-20, 1945 in the suburbs of Konigsberg. By decree of the Presidium of the USSR armed forces of 19.02.1945, the 1514th light self-propelled artillery regiment was awarded the order of Kutuzov III degree for exemplary performance of command tasks in battles with the German invaders, for the capture of the cities of Tilsit, gross, Skaisgirren, Aulovenen, Gillen, Kuakemen and for showing valor and courage. Later, on April 20, 1945, Stepan Rakov was awarded the second award of the Order of the red Star. From premium sheet Order 012/n 28th Separate Guards Tank Brigade Liozno known that "in the battles for the Soviet Motherland during the breakthrough of defense in the area Registan 6.04.1945 and subsequent battles, ARL of Leiderer, and repelling enemy counterattacks from the station Saaranen, fire his machine gun he killed up to 10 soldiers and officers. As part of the crew, he destroyed 2 guns, a machine gun, 3 bunkers and up to 15 soldiers and officers. This time Stepan Rakov's fighting vehicle was a T-34 tank. Stepan Nikolaevich told that when taking Konigsberg on one of the narrow streets of the suburb, his crew was blown up by an enemy gun and caught fire. He was able to get out of the tank, and the rest of the crew were killed. Stepan received a shrapnel wound in the neck and numerous burns, and was taken to a military hospital in a shell-shocked state. That's how my grandfather, like thousands of our other soldiers, fought heroically for Victory. Thank you to my Grandfather for Winning! Subsequently, Stepan Nikolaevich very much regretted that his injury did not allow him to reach Berlin in 1945. Stepan Nikolaevich decided to devote himself to military service and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He died in 1995 at the age of 70.

Vinogradov Ivan Grigoryevich_x000D_ _x000D_ Ivan Grigoryevich Vinogradov was born in 1914 in Vitebsk, Belorussian SSR. He began serving in the red Army in 1936. After graduating from the 1st Ulyanovsk guards twice red banner, order of the red Star tank school named after V. I. Lenin, he was sent to the front. He fought in the 20th tank brigade of the 1st Belorussian front, which was included in the 11th tank corps and participated in the famous battle of Kursk. On July 19, 1944, the 20th tank brigade was ordered to break through the enemy's defenses and capture the town of siedlec, which was well prepared for defense and was one of the main strong points on the outskirts of Warsaw. For the liberation of the city, the 20th tank red banner order of Suvorov brigade was awarded the honorary name "sedletskaya". Studying archival documents, we learned that during the breakthrough of a strongly fortified German defense point in the area of Zeleevsky heights on April 17, 1945, and in subsequent battles to the suburbs of Berlin, our grandfather, in the most difficult and decisive moments of the battle, by personal example of bravery and fearlessness, led tank crews to combat feats, which decided the success of the battle. Personally, using tank weapons and tank tracks, he destroyed: an anti-tank battery, two anti-aircraft guns, two medium tanks, and up to 120 German soldiers and officers. In these battles, he was wounded three times, but did not leave the battlefield and continued to be in the battle lines of tanks. My grandfather finished the war in Berlin with the rank of captain. For valor and bravery displayed in battles against the German invaders was awarded the Order of red Star, order of the red banner twice Order of the Patriotic war I degree.

Volkov Nikolay Vladimirovich_x000D_ _x000D_ Rank: Junior Sergeant Type of troops: Armored and mechanized troops Volkov Nikolai Vladimirovich was born in a large family. When the war started, his father and older brother left to fight. Soon the notification came that the father was missing. In the summer of 1943, when Nikolai was not yet 16 years old (he was born in December 1926), taking credit for his years, the boy went to the front. Immediately got into the thick of it – on the Kursk bulge. I was lucky to be alive in the first battle. Well, then, a short, stocky boy became a tank driver, a mechanic-driver of the famous 34-Ki, and went all the way to Berlin. And the winner was not even 18 years old! More than once during the war years, he looked death in the face. He was wounded several times and burned in a tank. Once, with great difficulty, he got out of the burning tank, pulled out the wounded commander and carried him for a long time, burned and shell-shocked, on himself. And then it turned out that the commander was already dead. After the war, my father served in the army for 3 long years, and fought with the Bandera people in the Belarusian forests near Bobruisk. He didn't tell us, his children, much about that terrible war. But she did not let him go, his wounds hurt, and he often had headaches-a consequence of the concussion. At night, I had nightmares and battle friends who did not survive the brutal battles with the Nazis. May 9-Victory Day, was a sacred holiday for him. Wearing his military awards (and among them – the order of the Patriotic war, medals for the capture of cities), he certainly went to the parade in the South in the ranks of war veterans and was very proud. The peaceful life of the Pope was spent in the city of Yuga, for more than 40 years he worked at a spinning and weaving factory as an assistant to the master of the weaving shop. He was always strict and demanding first of all to himself, but did not let down either subordinates or management. He did not tolerate liars and was always honest in everything. On the street where he lived, he was the permanent Chairman of the street Committee. Colleagues at work, neighbors came to him for help, he did not refuse anyone. He could stand up for a colleague in front of the factory management, defend the employee's labor rights. He sorted out neighbor's quarrels, gave smart everyday advice. Dad was respected. First "behind his back", and then openly, others began to call him "General". In 2003, the Pope died. He really wanted to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the victory, but his heart stopped at the age of 77. "My General" - that's what my mother, Lyudmila Volkova, called him. Married in 1953, they lived together for 50 years, raised a daughter and son, and enjoyed four granddaughters. And now the Volkov family is continued by five great-grandchildren.

Vakhrushev Alexander Andreevich_x000D_ _x000D_ Alexander Vakhrushev was born on 12.09.1903, totemsky uyezd. Rank: major General of the tank forces. Type of troops: Armored and mechanized troops. In September 1918, he volunteered for the 15th Yuriev rifle regiment of the Estonian division. As a red army soldier of the yuryevsky regiment, he participated in battles against the British and Miller's gangs. On January 20, 1919, he was wounded. After leaving the hospital, he again defended the country of the Soviets with weapons in his hands. In 1925 , he was a platoon commander of a separate cavalry squadron, the 36th TRANS-Baikal rifle division. He served in the Nerchinsk, Chita. In July 1929, a military conflict broke out in the far East. In order to eliminate it, a Special far Eastern army was created under the command of V. K. Blucher. In it, Alexander Andreevich was the political head of the squadron. At the end of 1939, reactionary circles in Finland organized an armed attack on the USSR. Working in extremely difficult conditions, the Red Army defeated belotinska troops. Vakhrushev at this time was the commander of the reconnaissance battalion, which was the first to storm the Mannerheim line. The great Patriotic war found him as commander of a tank regiment. In February 1942, Vakhrushev was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In August 1942, he was sent to the Kalinin front as Deputy commander of the 33rd army for armored and mechanized troops. He was awarded the second order of Lenin, and in April-the order of Suvorov II degree. He was awarded an American government award – the Legion of merit, officer's degree. He was awarded the rank of major General of the tank forces. He died on may 19, 1945 and is buried in Brest.

Vernigerode Ivan Mikhailovich_x000D_ _x000D_ Rank: Sergeant. Type of troops: Armored and mechanized troops. Ivan Mikhailovich is from p. Tomarovka. Before the war, he graduated from 9 classes. "Baptism of fire" took at Belenikhino, there was a fierce battle. I remember well the first German I saw shooting from behind a destroyed building. I fired first and hit him right in the shoulder. Then I gained experience and fought famously. Until the end of the war Sergeant Wernigerode served in the tank troops with submachine. He was wounded eight times, four times seriously, but survived. When once again after the hospital I got to the transfer point, I said that I did not want to join the infantry! And he was sent to a tank unit. I could have been commissioned after being wounded - I was sent to study at a military school – I refused. After the battle of Kursk, he fought in Ukraine and Belarus. Participated in the Korsun-Shevchenko operation, Yassa – Kishinev operation. Liberated Poland and Romania. As part of the tank corps of the 1st Belorussian front, he approached the very lair of the Nazis-Berlin, but three kilometers from the city he was seriously wounded. I heard the news of the capitulation of Hitler's Germany in the hospital. Ivan Mikhailovich ended the war as a squad leader in the security company of the military commandant's office in Magdeburg. In the village of Tomarovka, there are not so many veterans left, but Ivan Mikhailovich does not meet with them for health reasons. Victory day is celebrated only with the family. In October 1945, the guard Sergeant returned to his native land with the order of the red star. He got a job at the Belgorod railway depot, and worked there as a locksmith, car inspector until his retirement. His work experience is 45 years. He was married, his wife Vera Stepanovna, a respected woman in the village, worked for several years at the school as a pioneer guide, and then as a medical Registrar in the Tomarovka polyclinic. They raised two sons, Vladimir and Pavel.

Vodolozhko Aleksandr Gavrilovich_x000D_ _x000D_ Title: Lieutenant Colonel Branch of the armed forces: Armored and mechanized troops Division: 5th tank division on the day of the victory in the great Patriotic war of 1941-1945 in Russia and other States of the former Soviet Union, an unprecedented campaign "Immortal regiment" is being held. It became a popular part of the Victory Parade and United more than twelve million people in its ranks. The immortal regiment stirred up a wave of memory about the heroes of the great Patriotic war: veterans of the army and Navy, home front workers and partisans, prisoners of Nazi camps, blockade-runners, resistance fighters... About all those who made their personal contribution to the common cause of the Victory over fascism. Personal memory is the most important meaning of the "Immortal regiment".My great-grandfather Alexander Vodolozhko was born on July 10, 1923. in the Voroshilovgrad region (Luhansk region) of the Ukrainian SSR. When the war began in 1941, he was not taken to the front, because he was too young, and so he attributed to himself in the passport for another 2 years. First, he graduated from courses for officers and then studied at the tanker. During combat operations, he proved to be a competent specialist and expert in military Affairs, in connection with which the command sent him to the defence plant to receive new tanks "Joseph Stalin -2" for pieces. When my great-grandfather became the commander of one of them, he spent the entire war on it. Later, Alexander Gavrilovich was trained at the Zhukov Military Academy. After that, he became the commander of a self-propelled battery. My great-grandfather fought in the 5th Panzer division of the II Belorussian front. He took part in the defence of Stalingrad, in the East Prussian strategic offensive and in the assault on Konigsberg, crossing the Neman and Oder rivers. During the Pskov-Ostrovskaya offensive operations from July 17 to August 5, 1944, with the rank of guard senior Lieutenant, Alexander Gavrilovich commanded the SU-152 self-propelled battery of the 326 guards heavy self-propelled artillery regiment. During this time, the battery destroyed 17 enemy anti-tank guns, 25 machine-gun nests, 6 heavy guns, 12 ammunition wagons, 4 vehicles, and 2 self-propelled artillery pieces. Destroyed by fire and tracks to a company of Nazi soldiers and officers. On August 5, my great-grandfather was seriously injured and evacuated to the hospital. For these military achievements, Alexander Gavrilovich Vodolozhko was awarded the government award-the order of the Patriotic war of the 1st degree. In the same 1944 year, during the fighting in the area of Skachki, the tracks of a self-propelled installation were hit by enemy artillery fire. It was not possible to return fire from the installation gun. Seeing that the enemy launched a counterattack, Alexander Gavrilovich quickly organized the defence of his combat vehicle by the personnel of the crew, machine gunners, and, confidently interacting with infantry units, during the night repulsed three fierce attacks of the fascists, destroying about a company of enemy soldiers and officers. Thanks to organizational skills, concentration, discipline, the ability to react quickly and find the right solution in difficult combat situations, my great-grandfather were able to keep the combat vehicle intact, without allowing irretrievable losses. In our family, as a family heirloom, my great-grandfather's dark blue tunic, whose chest is dotted with military awards, is carefully preserved. Including: - two Order of I degree of the great Patriotic war, two orders of II degree great Patriotic War Order red Star, combat medal "For the capture of Koenigsberg", "For defence of Leningrad", "For Victory over Germany" and two medals "For military merit", besides, for the shown courage in battles on the territory of Poland, he was awarded the medal of the Polish command. And how many jubilee medals Alexander Gavrilovich was awarded after the war! My great-grandfather graduated from the Great Patriotic War with the rank of major in the tank forces. However, even after that, he did not leave the military service. His whole life was devoted to military Affairs, the defence of our Fatherland. Alexander Gavrilovich Vodolozhko completed his career as Deputy Head of Civil defence of the Severodonetsk production Association "AZOT".It's a pity that there are fewer and fewer people like my great-grandfather over time. In addition, for what they did for us, the current "free" generation, the war heroes should be thanked not only on holidays but on every day. I am proud of my great-grandfather, his steadfastness, courage and immense love and devotion to his Homeland.

Title: Senior Sergeant of the armed forces: Armored and mechanized troops VTOROV IVAN PETROVICH (13.10.1920 - 15.11.2002) was born in the village of Grachi (Sadovoe) Akhtubinsky district, Astrakhan province. Called up to the ranks of the red army Enotaevsky RVC in 1940. Military rank-senior Sergeant. Position - a driver of motor transport (carried fuel and ammunition). He served in the 54th separate mechanized division-MD (CP Astrakhan region). according to Vtorov I. P. was twice wounded, demobilized in the city of Konigsberg (Kaliningrad). In the first weeks of the war, the mechanized corps (MK) and divisions lost almost all their tanks, because they were not manoeuvrable, and the connections were not fully equipped with personnel and equipment. By the end of 1941, the MK and MD were transformed into tank brigades - TB (but from the spring of 1942, large combat forms appeared again: tank and mechanized corps). The specified 54th OMD may be related to Koenigsberg according to the following assumptions. In the East Prussian offensive operation (13.1-25.4.1945) at the stage of the Insterburg - Konigsberg front operation, the 2nd guards tank Tatsinsky red banner order of Suvorov corps took part (2 GV TK in 1943-Voronezh, Orsha, Vitebsk, in 1944-3 Belf), formed on 26.12.1942 from the 24th tank corps (24 TK in 1942 - Voronezh - Voroshilovskaya, Staro-Oskol operations, defence of the Don, Stalingrad offensive operation). 24 TC was created on 7.4.1942. It consisted of the 54th tank brigade-TBR, formed on 18.10.1941 from the 54th tank division-TD. Simultaneously with the formation of the second GV TK, i.e. 26.12.1942, the 54th TBR was re-formed into the 25th guards tank Yelninsky order of Lenin red banner order of Suvorov brigade. So this formation can be briefly presented as follows: 25 GV TBR (Yelninskaya) 2 GV TK (Tatsinsky). The 54th TD mentioned above was formed in 3.1941 and was part of the 28th mechanized corps of the Zakavvo, from which IT was withdrawn on 24.7.1941 to 47A Zakavf (from 23.8.1941). From 11.1941 to 4.1942, the 54th TBR fought in 56A, 12A, 37A of the southern Federal district, and from 5.1942 in 24 TC. As part of the 2 GV TK, there was also the 30th separate guards motor transport company for fuel supply, presumably related to the service of Vtorov I. P. in the operation at Konigsberg, along with the combined arms armies, tank and mechanized corps participated separately: 1 TK, 3 GV KK, 8 MK, 8 GV TK, 1 GV TK, 3 GV TK, 5 GV TA. But they did not have a division under No. 54. 15.4.1989 of the USSR Ministry of defence, he was awarded the jubilee order of the PATRIOTIC WAR of the 2ND DEGREE (No. 38) for bravery, fortitude and courage shown in the fight against the Nazi invaders (http://podvignaroda.mil.ru [ http://podvignaroda.mil.ru ] ). It was also marked with commemorative medals in honour of the victory In the great Patriotic war of 1941-1945 and the Armed Forces of the USSR. In 1996, he was awarded the ZHUKOV MEDAL. In 2000, he was awarded the badge "front-line SOLDIER 1941 -1945". After the war, he worked as a truck driver. In 1975 and 1979, he was awarded the "Winner of the socialist competition" badge. He was buried in the city Astrakhan at the Trusovsky cemetery. From his first marriage, he had a son and a daughter. Second marriage with nee Krasnova Evgenia Vasilyevna (7.1.1929-27.11.1995). Children from her: Lyudmila (Danilova, Korovina, 13.8.1949), Lilia (Zakharova, Zvereva, 28.5.1956-2.1.2007), Vladimir (6.1.1950 - 1976).

Vasiliev Sergey Nikolaevich_x000D_ _x000D_ Rank: Senior Sergeant. Type of troops: armoured and mechanized troops. Unit: 11th Panzer division. The war found Vasiliev Sergey Nikolaevich in the tool shop of the Podolsk mechanical plant, where he worked as a thread grinder. But not immediately after mobilization, he got to the front. In November 1941, he was assigned to a training unit. After completing it, he became a tank driver and received the rank of Sergeant. The young tankman received his first baptism of fire in June 1942 near Voronezh. Then the German-fascist hordes were rushing to Stalingrad. In many tank battles participated with his combat 34, a mechanic driver Sergey Vasiliev. But perhaps the most stressful days of his combat life were during the battle of Kursk. Everyone was extremely happy that they had stood on the Volga, held off the enemy's onslaught in the steppe expanses of the Oryol region, and then drove them west. In the battle for the city of Orel, the fearless tankman was seriously wounded. The doctors said that he would no longer have to drive a combat vehicle. However, Senior Sergeant Sergey Vasiliev did not leave his combat vehicles; he remained in the ranks and became a technician. He was doctoring wrecked cars right on the front line. What was needed here, were his experienced working hands, soldier's wit and courage. In 1944, the unit in which S. N. Vasiliev served crossed the river Vistula. Here the veteran soldier received his first award - the medal "For military merit". Then the battles for the liberation of Poland, entry into enemy territory. During this time, the technician of field repair shops, Senior Sergeant Sergey Vasiliev, together with his front-line comrades, restored hundreds of combat vehicles. In January 1945, the Military Council of the First Belorussian front awarded him the order of the Red Star on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR for the rapid commissioning and high-quality repair of tanks on the front line. A soldier from Podolsk also had the opportunity to participate in the battle for Berlin. Here he received another wound but again remained in the ranks. An experienced soldier-repairman worked in those days literally without getting a wink of sleep, ensuring that as many of our tanks as possible remained fully operational. His hard military work was highly appreciated by the command and at the walls of the defeated Berlin; he received his third military award - the Order of Glory3rd rank. In November 1945, the soldier-worker finally took off the soldier's greatcoat from his shoulders. However, the rest was short-lived. A month later, he came to his native factory, to his tool shop, where in 1966, for his success in fulfilling the tasks of the seven-year plan; Sergey Nikolaevich Vasiliev was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour.

Volkhin Arkady Andreevich_x000D_ _x000D_ Volkhin Arkady Andreevich (1925-1945) lived with his father Andrey Lazarevich, brother Gennady, and sisters Yevgenia and Sofia in Tyumen on 105, Novaya (Profsoyuznaya) street. His mother Anna Nikolaevna died in 1938, affected by frequent relocations after the family was dispossessed and expelled from Pozory village of the Perm region. Their father, Andrey Lazarevich, a participant of the First World War (1894-1942), raised the children. Given the soldier's experience, strength, and health, at the age of 47, he was called to the front. Andrey Lazarevich, a red army rifleman of 26 A 171 subdivision of engineer road construction battalion (Karelian front) was killed during the shelling from the air, and buried in a mass grave just off highway Lauhi - Kesten'ga. Arkady Andreyevich was drafted into the Red Army and sent to study at a Tank school located in the Molotov region (Perm), where he received a military occupation as a breechblock operator and self-propelled artillery gun charger, and was sent to the active army to the first Ukrainian front in March 1944. The guard private fought with the Nazi invaders as part of the second battery of the Artillery division of the 29th Guards Unech motor rifle brigade of the 10th Guards Ural Volunteer tank corps. In the battle for the city of Kamenets-Podolsk (Khmelnitsky region, Ukraine) he performed his first personal feat and was presented with the award, a Medal for Bravery, for repulsing two enemy counterattacks, knocking out an enemy tank, simultaneously eliminating the malfunction of the lock in the gun, and also destroying more than 10 German soldiers with rifle fire. Standing on the defensive in an open area as part of the calculation repulsed four German counterattacks. 21.07. 1944 during the liberation of L’viv (Western Ukraine), the tank was shot down, guard Sergeant Volkhin AA did not die, as stated in the commander's report on irretrievable losses (Ukrainian SSR, Lviv region, Lviv, 23 Kokhanovskaya street, centre, near the road, opposite the forester's house). Guard Sergeant Volkhin A. A. continued the battle path. It was March 1945, and the end of the war was less than two months away... In the battle of 11.03.1945 in the area of Ryben (Poland), being in the advanced detachment and being in the crew of a self-propelled mount, Volkhin A. A. was the first to fight the enemy, showing immortal courage and bravery. The crew received an order to enter the enemy's flank and destroy the anti-aircraft battery, which prevented the advance of the red Army units with fire. Operating in difficult mountainous and wooded terrain, the self-propelled mount attacked the enemy from the move, destroying three guns. In this fierce battle, A. A. Volkhin was killed. For courage and bravery, he was presented with an award, the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd grade. Many years later, the family of his younger brother Gennady (1928-2009, a member of the labour front, a 15-year-old teenager who got up to the lathe at the 639 defence plant, which produced torpedo boats for the front) got a letter from the tank commander A. Kotov, who, while in the hospital, told how Arkady, his "wonderful, modest, cheerful, comrade who did not know sadness", fought and died. The letter was addressed to his sister Eugene, who volunteered for the front in the aviation unit. Arkady wrote in a letter that he had tried apples, plums, and pears in Poland; for a guy from a small Siberian town they were delicious and amazing fruits; he wrote that he became quite an adult, even grew up and put on some weight... In the photo of 1944, he is 19 years old, and at the age of 20, he died... The commander buried him there, by the road near the village, the name of which he did not know...

Vozhzhov Pavel Andreevich_x000D_ _x000D_ 07.1941 year - 04.1943 of the year - student of the Volgograd subtly technical College. Guards Junior Lieutenant since 04.1943: commander of the t-34 medium tank, 144 tanks’ battalions, 10th Guards separate tank brigade. Guards senior Lieutenant, Baltic front (end of the war). Extract from the award list of September 13, 1943 on the presentation of Pavel Andreevich Vozhzhov to the Order of the RED STAR during the battles from 6.9 to 9.9.43 years:"...In the battles with the German invaders for the localities: Shcheglovka, Alyoshenka and the city of Navlya tov. Vozhzhov proved to be a fearless, courageous and determined tank commander. Boldly he led his tank to enemy positions and fire, and tracks destroyed the enemy's manpower and equipment. Vozhzhov was the second to cross the Navlya river and burst into the city, where, following the example of the company commander, he broke through to the railway and, spreading panic among the enemy soldiers and destroying them, quickly captured the station along with other tanks. During the fighting from 6.9 to 9.9.43 years destroyed: 2 PTO, 1 machine gun, 2 guns, 1 car and up to 50 enemy soldiers and officers. Captured: 8 prisoners, 2 PTO, 5 horses... " List of awards Vozhzhov Pavel Andreevich: 20.09.1943-Order of the red Star; 08.01.1945-Order of the red Star; 09.05.1945-Medal "for the victory over Germany in the great Patriotic war of 1941-1945"; 30.12.1956 - Order of the red Star; 06.04.1985 - order of the Patriotic war II degree. After the war, Vozhzhov P. A. served in the group of Soviet troops in Germany (Deputy company commander for the technical part of the 61st Guards tank regiment) and in the Volga military district (Deputy. commander of a tank battalion in the technical part of the 381st tank regiment). He graduated from the service on 08.10.1960 with the rank of major. Since 1960, he lived in Sevastopol. He worked as an electrician in the red banner black sea fleet and in the naval hospital of the KCHF named after N. I. Pirogov. Together with his wife, Vozhzhova Raisa Arsentyevna (07.02.1926-12.01.2017), they raised two sons: Anatoly (doctor of Economics, Professor) and Sergey (Ph. D., associate Professor).

Vedeneev Nikolay Denisovich_x000D_ _x000D_ Nikolay Denisovich Vedeneev-commander of the 9th guards’ tank Uman red banner order of Suvorov corps of the 2nd guards tank army. Guards Lieutenant General of the tank forces. In August 1915, he was called up for military service in the Russian Imperial army. In 1917, he fought on the South-Western front of the First world war as a platoon non-commissioned officer. In 1917, he joined the CPSU(b) and became a red guard. Member of the Civil war. After the Civil war, he served in command positions in the Red Army. In 1928, he graduated from the Frunze Military Academy of the red army. From the first days of the great Patriotic war, Vedeneev served at the front as part of the 13th army of the Western front. At Bobruisk, the corps was surrounded and split into parts. Vedeneev takes command of his group and takes it to his own for 2 months. In October 1941, he was appointed senior lecturer, and in June 1942 – head of the command faculty of the Military Academy of mechanization and motorization of the red army named after I. V. Stalin. He remained in this position until 1944. In April 1944, Vedeneyev was appointed Deputy commander of the 8th Guards tank corps in the 2nd tank army on the 1st Belorussian front. In this position, he joined in the operation "Bagration" on the liberation of Belarus. In August 1944, Vedeneyev became commander of the 3rd tank corps of the same army. For the success achieved on November 20, 1944, the corps became the 9th guards tank corps. On January 12, 1945, a new offensive began, called the Vistula-Oder operation. The 9th guards tank corps was put into action on the second day. In three weeks, up to 500 kilometers were covered with battles. In February 1945, the corps reached the Oder river and captured a very important bridgehead on the West Bank near the city of Kustrin. In this operation, General Vedeneyev's tankers destroyed 74 tanks, 348 guns, 34 aircraft and 3316 soldiers and officers, and captured 2907 prisoners. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 06.04.1945, for exemplary performance of combat tasks of the command on the front of the fight against the German invaders. Vedeneyev was awarded the Rank Hero of the Soviet Union with the order of Lenin and the gold Star medal (No. 5768). On April 23, breaking the enemy's resistance, the corps broke into the capital of Nazi Germany, Berlin. After the war, N. D. Vedeneev continued to serve in the armed Forces of the USSR. Died 16.11.1964. He was buried at Vvedenskoye cemetery. He was awarded three orders of Lenin, the order of the red banner, Kutuzov I degree, Suvorov II degree, medals, a foreign order and a medal. Honorary citizen of the city Suraj (Poland).

Full name: LAST name: Polyakov FIRST name: Mikhail PATRONYMIC: I. the CITY: Kursk region, Begoshcha village date of BIRTH: 20.03.1926 date of DEATH: 14.10.2002 HISTORY: Rank: Junior Sergeant. Type of troops: Armored and mechanized troops. Division: 10th Panzer division. Mikhail Ivanovich Polyakov was born in 1927 in the village of Begoshcha, Kursk region. He went to war in 1943, barely 16 years old, claiming a year (according to documents, he was born in 1926). Immediately got to the forefront of this brutal and bloody war. As part of the reconnaissance battalion of the 10th tank corps of the 3rd Baltic front, he liberated Estonia, Latvia, including the city of Riga. For 2 years of war, he experienced both the joy of victories and the bitterness of defeats, more than once looked death in the face and already understood what war is. But the most terrible test was what ordinary Polyakov had to experience during the liberation of the fortress city of Konigsberg. It was a real meat grinder of human lives and destinies, where blood flowed like a river. There Mikhail Ivanovich ended the war, having received a shrapnel wound in the leg. For the capture of Konigsberg already in the rank of Junior Sergeant, Mikhail was awarded the order of Military Glory of the III degree. And if we talk about the awards of the Motherland, Mikhail Ivanovich was awarded the order of the great Patriotic war II degree and the medal "for the victory over Germany in the great Patriotic war of 1941-1945". my grandfather loved to remember the Victory day on may 9, 1945. There was so much joy, plans and hopes for your future life. And, as he himself said, many plans and hopes came true. I found a good job, which was a joy. Created a family, two children were born. My son is a Colonel who served in Kazakhstan, and my daughter is a teacher. In 1953, Mikhail Ivanovich entered the magnesium electrolysis shop in the city of Berezniki, where he was again, as in the war, always where it is particularly difficult. During the formation of the shop, it was especially difficult there, and there he also proved himself as a specialist in his field, always treated his work conscientiously. For his success in work, my grandfather was awarded another Order of Labor Glory, III degree. Was the winner of the award named after Zhdanov. He was awarded the title of "Honorary Metallurgist".

Title: Lieutenant_x000D_ Branch of troops: Armored and mechanized troops_x000D_ _x000D_ Anatoly Fedorovich Purikov was born in Nizhneudinsk, Irkutsk region in 1916 into a family of employees. Received a complete secondary education, in 1934 he graduated from the communications school in Irkutsk. He began independent work in December 1934 on the construction of a radio station in the village Kamenka, Chunayar village, Boguchansky district, Krasnoyarsk Territory. Until 1937 he worked as the head of the radio station in the village of Klimeno. In 1937 he was called up for military service at the call of the Kansk Regional Military Commissariat, Krasnoyarsk Territory. From 1937-1938 cadet of the Regimental school of Junior Commanders in the city of Kansk, Krasnoyarsk Territory. From 1938-1941 he was a cadet of the Stalingrad Military School of Communications at a full course "radio communications". _x000D_ In 1941, Commander of the command platoon of 20th mechanized corps of 38th Tank Division, 75th Tank Regiment, 4 Tank Divisions, the North-Western Front. In September 1941, attempting to crossthe Desna in the area of the Roslavl-Bryansk railway bridge, he was seriously wounded in the leg and was taken prisoner together with the Division Commander S.I. Kapustin. _x000D_ In the fall of 1941, he escaped from a war camp, hiding in the Chortovsky forest of the Smolensk region until May 1942. _x000D_ In June 1942, while trying to cross the front line, he was again captured by the Nazis and imprisoned in the Shumyachenskaya prison near the city of Roslavl, Smolensk region. After a month of torture, he was again transferred to the Krichevsky POW camp._x000D_ In 1942, for organizing a mass escape in the Krichevsky camp, as well as for refusing to go to various jobs, he was subjected to severe corporal punishment for a month, then he was transferred to war camp in Pukhovichi. After the POW camp in Pukhovichi, he was transferred to the POW camp in Czestochowa. _x000D_ On the way to Czestochowa, he escaped for the third time. After liberation in 1945-1946 he was passing a special security check in the town of Alkino, Ufa region in 32nd Reserve Rifle Division. Based on the results of the check and the testimony of comrades, he was reinstated in rank and presented for awards. He was married and had three children in the city of Nizhneudinsk.

Rank: Senior Lieutenant _x000D_ Branch of troops: Armored and mechanized troops_x000D_ _x000D_ Vasily Ivanovich Dust was born on August 11, 1920 in the village of Striguny, Borisov district, Kursk region. In 1940 he was called up for military service. He began his service as an anti-aircraft gunner. He met the war in Latvia, near Libava. He fought surrounded on Lake Ilmen, then as part of the troops of the Bryansk Front. In 1943 he received an officer's rank and transferred to the armored forces. _x000D_ He participated in Operation Bagration as part of 2nd Belorussian Front. In 1945 he took part in the storming of Königsberg, in a historic link-up with the Allies on the Elbe. He ended the war with the rank of Senior Lieutenant. _x000D_ During the hostilities, he received four wounds, in the shoulder, in the eye, twice in the leg. He was awarded the military orders of Alexander Nevsky, the First Class of the Patriotic War, medals "For Courage", "For Military Merit", "For Capture of Konigsberg", the Polish medal "Victory and Freedom". During the war with Vasily Ivanovich, there were many remarkable episodes. _x000D_ He had to fight as a sniper, fight off a German with a porridge bowler after getting out of a wrecked tank, fall into the tank under the ice during a crossing, shake off German soldiers trying to capture a stalled tank from the armor. But the most notable episode in the life of Vasily Ivanovich was in January 1945 in Poland. At that moment, Vasily Ivanovich commanded a SU-85 battery or a company of T-34 tanks (the memories of the front-line soldier himself and the data indicated in the award documents differ). _x000D_ At 7 o'clock in the morning, the offensive of the front troops was scheduled, the Commanders of the armored units were ordered to move to their starting positions and disguise the equipment. However, half an hour before the appointed time, German aircraft made a massive raid on the positions of the Soviet troops. The troops suffered losses, communications were disrupted. The vehicles of Senior Lieutenant Dust were not damaged, as they were well camouflaged. _x000D_ By the appointed hour of the offensive, Vasily Ivanovich still did not have communication with the headquarters, but made an independent decision to launch the attack. Seeing that one of the units began to attack, other units followed, and the offensive began. _x000D_ The front Commander, Marshal Rokossovsky, who was at that moment at the observation post of the Regiment, had not yet made a decision on whether to start or postpone the start of the offensive, but saw that after one of the tank subunits, the troops moved forward. The offensive was successful, the enemy was driven back. _x000D_ After thecombat, Marshal Rokossovsky summoned Senior Lieutenant Dust to the front headquarters. When the officer announced his arrival, the marshal replied: “What dust you are! You are hero!". With these words, he personally awarded Vasily Ivanovich the Order of Alexander Nevsky. _x000D_ After the war, Vasily Ivanovich continued his service in the Red Army, served in Germany as a Soviet military adviser, then on the territory of the USSR. He was discharged in 1960 with the rank of Major. After completing military service, he moved to Belgorod. He passed away in 2004.