Nicholay Prokin
Sverdlovsk region, Sukholozhsky District, village of Shata_x000D_
The Great Patriotic War..._x000D_
How many stories have we heard about brave soldiers, brave sailors, pilots, tankmen who performed dizzying feats at the cost of unthinkable effort, labor and blood, and often at the cost of their own lives. In addition to the familiar names recorded in books and Chronicles, there were many millions of unknown names in the war. Those who honestly fought, but did not become famous for a loud feat, those whose names remained on the battlefield. One of these soldiers was my grandfather Nikolay Prokin._x000D_
My family cherishes the memory of him in memories and photo albums. This story was told to me by my grandfather himself. Nikolayi was born in 1908 in the Urals. He grew up as an ordinary boy, studied, and by the age of eighteen joined the Fire Department. However, by the age of 33, his life had changed dramatically, as well as the fate of millions of Soviet people. It was in 1941._x000D_
The bloodiest war in history has begun._x000D_
As a Communist, my grandfather went to the front in the first ranks. He fought on the 1st Ukrainian Front, was a Platoon Commander. The first days were the hardest ones for young soldiers. It was the first time grandfather had seen so many deaths, felt the pain of loss of friends._x000D_
In one of the battles, near the city of Rivne (Ukraine), the battalion in which my grandfather fought, was surrounded and captured by the Nazis. Nikolay and his comrades, hoping to escape from captivity and return to the front, managed to bury their party cards, remembering the secret place._x000D_
The prisoners were driven under escort for several days. A column was guarded by dogs. When they passed through villages and hamlets, local residents, among whom were mostly women, old people and children, thrust hastily collected food into the hands of captured soldiers. My grandfather said that it was very encouraging for them, supported the belief that they were loved and expected in their native land._x000D_
In the head of Nicholay other prisoners was one thought: "Run". But to run not only for the sake of salvation, but to run to fulfill the duty, to continue to fight the Nazis. The soldiers carefully considered their escape plan and tried to escape twice, but failed. They were caught, severely beaten, and returned. This did not break them, their intentions remained firm. Grandfather could not accept the fact that the enemies were capturing the most dear to him. The faces of his wife and three children who remained in the distant rear near Sverdlovsk often appeared before his eyes. He could not forget them and kept telling himself: "We need to survive and escape!"_x000D_
Chance helped him. Passing through one of the villages, Nikolay and his friend slipped through the wide-open gate. There was shooting, shouting of guards, barking of dogs. But the desire for freedom overcame the fear. The soldiers slipped through the dilapidated buildings and disappeared in the woods. Joy filled their hearts, but now it was necessary to find their own, and this was not easy. Emaciated and exhausted, the fugitives reached the front line only a month later. Then it was a small matter - to run to Russian trenches under the cover of night and then, finally, enjoy the sounds of their native speech._x000D_
However, the reception of compatriots turned out to be not as warm and friendly as the escaped prisoners had expected. Nikolay and his friend could not find their documents and because of this they were almost accused of treason. Fortunately, everything was resolved: they believed them, and once on the front line, our soldiers returned to the ranks._x000D_
Soon his Majesty-chance again helped my grandfather to get rid of the shadow of distrust. His battalion came to the places where he had once been captured. Nikolay found his Party ID and proved to everyone that he did not betray his Homeland!_x000D_
In the ranks of the Soviet troops Nikolay reached Poland, where the Great Patriotic War had ended for him. Probably, all the difficulties that my grandfather endured during the war cannot be described in words. The authorities appreciated all what he did for the Great Victory. Nikolay Prokin was awarded the Order of the Great Patriotic War and many other medals. His name was inscribed in the city's Book of Honor, and he was invited to the capital more than once to participate in the Victory Parade on Red Square._x000D_
Our country remembers and honors people like my grandfather, there could be no Victory without them. Thank them very much! After all, wherever our soldier was, at the front, at the labor machine, behind enemy lines or in captivity of the fascist camps, everywhere he did everything in his power to bring the hour of victory closer. Perhaps the name of this soldier was not familiar to schoolchildren, but if he were in the place of Alexander Matrosov, I am sure he would not hesitate to close the embrasure with his chest. The faithful service of such ordinary soldiers, like a grain of a large mosaic, formed a majestic picture of War and Victory.
