The Battle of Stalingrad. Participants in the battle: list, history and interesting facts

After the defeat of Hitler's troops near Moscow, the strategic initiative was completely transferred to the Red Army. However, in 1942, in anticipation of an early victory, the Soviet command issued a directive on the offensive on all fronts. Without careful preparation and replenishment of reserves, this led to a series of serious defeats of the Soviet Union in early 1942. The military advantage was lost. The parties were preparing for new battles. One of the decisive battles was the Battle of Stalingrad. The participants of the battle, who visited it, called it "hell on Earth."

The strategic importance of Stalingrad

Many liberal and Western historians were skeptical about the defense of this city. They believed that his defense was connected with the name of the supreme leader of the USSR and there were ambitions of two dictators, one of whom wanted to seize a town called the leader of the enemy, and the second one threw all his strength to prevent it. But the Battle of Stalingrad, whose memories also disprove this information, was of great strategic importance. The fact is that the military might of the armies of the Second World War did not play any role without the reserves of oil fields. The only such country in Hitler was Romania. But its resources were clearly not enough. Germany made attempts to seize Egypt and the oil-rich Middle East. For these purposes, an army group "Africa" was created, led by the legendary Rommel. Its number was, of course, small, but comparable to the forces of the British troops, who did not allow the Germans to enter these territories. Italian geologists, fortunately for our history and the country, did not find oil on the territory of Libya. Perhaps the story would have a different scenario, but, as you know, it does not have a subjunctive mood. Thus, the only true decision of the German command was the abandonment of Moscow and the seizure of Stalingrad, which opened the way to the Caucasus with its rich oil fields. In addition, an important transport artery was blocked for the Soviet Union itself. In Siberia, oil was not mined at that time, so the loss of the Caucasus completely disarmed our army. Therefore, one of the bloodiest battles in the history of mankind was the Battle of Stalingrad. The participants in the battle understood the importance of the bridgehead very well. Hence the self-sacrifice and heroism of the Soviet soldiers.

On the eve of the battle

While developing a plan of military operations for the summer-autumn of 1942, the Supreme Headquarters and the State Defense Committee were not united. Marshal of the Soviet Union Shaposhnikov insisted on strategic defense, moving on some sectors of the front counteroffensive. The main reserves had to be concentrated in the central direction in such a way that they could easily be transferred to the desired sector of the front through a network of railways. This plan was based on the transport advantage of the USSR. The network of railways on the territory controlled by the Germans was constantly exposed to sabotage. There was no possibility of a drastic change in the direction of the strategic strike. In addition, the fascist troops did not have a second front and could concentrate all available reserves on the east.

Catastrophe of 1942

Marshal SK Timoshenko pointed to the need for a preemptive strike of the South-Western and Southern fronts. At a meeting with Stalin's participation, it was decided to advance in the south in the region of Kharkov and the Crimea.

But the attacks of the Soviet troops were unsuccessful, in addition, the German 11th Army in May launched a counteroffensive in the Kerch direction and literally crushed the Crimean front. The remaining troops were evacuated from the peninsula. The attack in the Kharkov area was also unsuccessful . The two largest fronts in late May were surrounded and on the verge of complete destruction. German aviation completely dominated the air. The situation in the country deteriorated dramatically.

The main goal is the Caucasus

It became clear that Wehrmacht troops would develop success and break through to the Caucasus to oil through Stalingrad. Directive No. 41 was issued, which pointed out the need to exclude from the USSR a number of economic agricultural areas of Ukraine and the oil-bearing regions of the Caucasus.

In June, the remaining troops of the two fronts began to retreat in order to prevent the threat of encirclement and complete destruction. Now both sides were preparing for the decisive battles in the Caucasus and in Stalingrad. At this time, the Supreme Headquarters issued a series of decrees, which are ambiguous and sharply discussed by many historians. Order No. 227 "Not a step back" and a decree on the creation of penal battalions. For the sake of justice it is worth noting that the latter already existed in the German army and performed well in battles. So the idea of creation does not belong to Stalin, as many Western historians say.

Tactical miscalculations

The German leadership, thrilled with successes in the south, made a strategic miscalculation. The main shock grouping was abandoned by the fascists to the Caucasus, and only one army of General von Paulus was allocated to Stalingrad. In addition, a shock tank brigade was withdrawn from the group and also thrown to the Caucasus. The Germans did not expect after a successful battle to see on this site a significant resistance of the Russians. But the calculation of the Supreme Rate - to concentrate considerable reserves so that they can be quickly transferred to the right direction - was fully justified. The Battle of Stalingrad began. Participants in the battle with trepidation remembered it for the rest of their lives. We will remember, too.

Participants of the Battle of Stalingrad. List of heroes

Given the severity and duration of this military operation, it involved several armies, tank and air divisions. Of course, we will not be able to list in a short article those who saw with their own eyes a terrible spectacle called the Battle of Stalingrad. Participants in the battle will never be forgotten in the memory of generations. Imagine only a few fallen heroes of this meat grinder. We will be happy if one of the descendants sees his illustrious relatives:

Agarkov Pavel Demjanovich;

Vorobyov Mikhail Dmitrievich;

Kolesnichenko Andrey Aleksandrovich;

Smyslov Alexey Maksimovich.

These and other participants in the Battle of Stalingrad, whether alive or dead, will always remain heroes for our country.

"There is no land beyond the Volga for us"

August 23, 1942, the Germans raged bombs on the city with fury. Beat from all the guns. A powerful industrial center turned into ruins. The two-day defense of the city began. The Germans understood their miscalculation and tossed reinforcements to Paulus more and more. But it was already late. The Soviet command and the rank-and-file soldiers swore, at all costs, to protect the city. Victory in the battle meant victory in the entire Great Patriotic War. Of course, until its end, there was still a lot of time, lost lives, loud victories and annoying defeats. But the defeat of the major German forces here was psychologically a turning point in the whole military campaign. It is no accident that American and British politicians released even commemorative medals and charters dedicated to this event.

Heroes will remember forever

A hard test for the entire Soviet people was the Battle of Stalingrad. The names of the participants will be presented in this article. Raguzov Sergey Alexandrovich, was born in 1922. In Stalingrad he was in command of a mortar platoon. He was awarded personally personally with Stalin's gratitude "For personal courage and courage". His platoon stopped a powerful tank attack. The commander himself collided with one of them face to face, but he did not lose his head and threw a couple of bottles of incendiary mixture. The tank exploded from the fire. In this attack, Raguzov's platoon destroyed 4 heavy vehicles, several dozen infantrymen. In all, about 10 tanks came. The rest retreated after the losses received.

Tulyakov Ivan Antipovich

Many heroes-participants of the Battle of Stalingrad sang the death of the brave. USSR, and modern Russia has never forgotten its heroes. I want to recall Tulyakov Ivan Antipovich, a military correspondent who died while crossing the Volga. In his last article, Ivan Antipovich wrote: "It is better to be a wife, mother, child of the deceased hero than the surviving coward." And so all the defenders of the city thought.

Churanov Victor Vasilievich

Children participating in the Battle of Stalingrad remember another hero of these days - Viktor Churanov. A participant in the defense of Moscow, the defense of Stalingrad, the capture of Warsaw was awarded two medals "For Courage". Being a mechanic-driver of the tank, he sprawled his car on the enemy, sparing no life. His crew hit several German cars both near Moscow and at Stalingrad. One of the few surviving these terrible days of war from the first to the last day.

Shelyvanov Vasily Andreevich

Against the battery of Vasily Andreyevich, the Germans threw 18 cars. Defenders, showing heroism, met the fascists with powerful shelling, destroying 4 cars, several more were hit, but retreated. The Germans, who did not expect such a rebuff, retreated.

Here is the incomplete list of the heroes presented in the article. Unfortunately, there are many dead in this terrible war. Do not forget their names.