Port city hero. Children heroes and their exploits during the Great Patriotic War
When in June 1941 fascist Germany brought down the full power of its blow on our country, every Soviet city stood in its path as a mighty bastion. There was a heroic struggle literally for every quarter, for every inch of land, which mentally and physically exhausted the enemy. Cities that particularly distinguished themselves for the massively demonstrated courage and heroism of their defenders were subsequently awarded the high title "Hero City".
For the first time, the concept of a city hero was heard in the Order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of May 1, 1945, so they were named: Leningrad, Sevastopol, Odessa and Stalingrad; this, of course, was not an official conferment of the title, but an emphasis on their important contribution to the final victory and the heroic role of the defenders. Even during the war, participants in the defense of these cities were awarded specially established medals.
In 1965, on the eve of the twentieth anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the title of Hero City of the USSR was awarded to six cities, in addition to those that were already noted in the order of 1945, these were Kiev and Moscow, as well as the Hero Fortress Brest. In 1973, this title was awarded to Novorossiysk and Kerch, in 1974 to Minsk, and in 1976 to Tula. In the year of the fortieth anniversary of the Victory (1985), Smolensk and Murmansk were awarded the title of Hero City.
Each of the cities awarded the high title of Hero City contributed its own unforgettable page to the fiery history of the Great Patriotic War.
Thus, Moscow, the capital of our Motherland, from the very beginning of the war was the primary target for the implementation of the enemy’s aggressive plans to capture the USSR. To implement them, the German command deployed colossal forces. But their plan was thwarted thanks to the heroic struggle of Soviet troops and civilians.
On the way to Moscow, other cities of the country stood in front of the Nazis as a powerful barrier - Smolensk, Tula and Minsk, which found itself at the very epicenter of the battles of 1941. Tula offered fierce resistance with a small number of defenders. Smolensk heroically withstood numerous enemy attacks and occupation, although even here the Nazis outnumbered our troops in numbers and combat equipment.
In September 1941, the enemy managed to take Leningrad into a tight ring, as a result of which a grueling 900-day blockade began, which led to mass deaths from hunger and cold. But, despite this, the residents of Leningrad heroically survived, directing all their strength to fight the invaders.
Odessa, completely surrounded by enemy troops in 1941, fought courageously against an enemy that was five times stronger than it. The importance of the defense of Sevastopol lay in its status as the country's main naval base and the largest port on the Black Sea. The city survived three large-scale enemy attacks and occupation; its defenders were able to inflict serious damage on German troops and thwart their plans on the southern flank of the front.
Volgograd (Stalingrad) stood in the way of the Nazis, who sought to cut off the fertile and resource-rich southern regions of the country with a throw to the Volga. The Battle of Stalingrad went down in history as the largest and greatest battle of the Great Patriotic War. It lasted 200 days and nights, as a result of which the enemy lost 1.5 million people and was forced to turn back.
The Brest Fortress was distinguished by its special heroism, which, with the courage of its defenders, stopped the enemy for a whole month in his plans to advance deeper into the country. The Germans were confident that they would capture it in just a few hours, due to a sudden attack on the garrison.
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Moscow. Cenotaph. |
Coat of arms of the hero city of Sevastopol. |
Minsk. Obelisk on top of the Mound of Glory. . |
The war demanded the greatest effort from the people and enormous sacrifices on a national scale, revealing resilience and courage Soviet man, the ability to self-sacrifice for the sake of freedom and independence of the Motherland. During the war, heroism became widespread and became the norm of behavior Soviet people. Thousands of soldiers and officers immortalized their names during the defense of the Brest Fortress, Odessa, Sevastopol, Kiev, Leningrad, Novorossiysk, in the battle of Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk, in the North Caucasus, the Dnieper, in the foothills of the Carpathians, during the storming of Berlin and in other battles.
For heroic deeds in the Great Patriotic War, the title of Hero Soviet Union Over 11 thousand people were awarded (some posthumously), of which 104 were awarded twice, three three times (G.K. Zhukov, I.N. Kozhedub and A.I. Pokryshkin). The first to receive this title during the war were Soviet pilots M.P. Zhukov, S.I. Zdorovtsev and P.T. Kharitonov, who rammed fascist planes on the outskirts of Leningrad.
Total in wartime ground forces over eight thousand heroes were trained, including 1,800 artillerymen, 1,142 tank crews, 650 engineering troops, over 290 signalmen, 93 air defense soldiers, 52 military logistics soldiers, 44 doctors; in the Air Force - over 2,400 people; V Navy– over 500 people; partisans, underground fighters and Soviet intelligence officers - about 400; border guards - over 150 people.
| Representatives of nations | Number of heroes |
|---|---|
| Russians | 8160 |
| Ukrainians | 2069 |
| Belarusians | 309 |
| Tatars | 161 |
| Jews | 108 |
| Kazakhs | 96 |
| Georgian | 90 |
| Armenians | 90 |
| Uzbeks | 69 |
| Mordovians | 61 |
| Chuvash | 44 |
| Azerbaijanis | 43 |
| Bashkirs | 39 |
| Ossetians | 32 |
| Tajiks | 14 |
| Turkmens | 18 |
| Litokians | 15 |
| Latvians | 13 |
| Kyrgyz | 12 |
| Udmurts | 10 |
| Karelians | 8 |
| Estonians | 8 |
| Kalmyks | 8 |
| Kabardians | 7 |
| Adyghe people | 6 |
| Abkhazians | 5 |
| Yakuts | 3 |
| Moldovans | 2 |
| results | 11501 |
Among the military personnel awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, privates, sergeants, foremen - over 35%, officers - about 60%, generals, admirals, marshals - over 380 people. There are 87 women among the wartime Heroes of the Soviet Union. The first to receive this title was Z. A. Kosmodemyanskaya (posthumously).
About 35% of Heroes of the Soviet Union at the time of awarding the title were under 30 years of age, 28% were between 30 and 40 years old, 9% were over 40 years old.
Four Heroes of the Soviet Union: artilleryman A.V. Aleshin, pilot I.G. Drachenko, rifle platoon commander P.Kh. Dubinda, artilleryman N.I. Kuznetsov - were also awarded Orders of Glory of all three degrees for their military exploits. Over 2,500 people, including 4 women, became full holders of the Order of Glory of three degrees. During the war, over 38 million orders and medals were awarded to the defenders of the Motherland for courage and heroism. The Motherland highly appreciated the labor feat of the Soviet people in the rear. During the war years, 201 people were awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor, about 200 thousand were awarded orders and medals.
Viktor Vasilievich Talalikhin
Born on September 18, 1918 in the village. Teplovka, Volsky district, Saratov region. Russian. After graduating from the factory school, he worked at the Moscow meat processing plant and at the same time studied at the flying club. Graduated from the Borisoglebok Military Aviation School for Pilots. He took part in the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939–1940. He made 47 combat missions, shot down 4 Finnish aircraft, for which he was awarded the Order of the Red Star (1940).
In the battles of the Great Patriotic War from June 1941. Made more than 60 combat missions. In the summer and autumn of 1941, he fought near Moscow. For military distinctions he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner (1941) and the Order of Lenin.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the presentation of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal was awarded to Viktor Vasilyevich Talalikhin by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of August 8, 1941 for the first night ramming of an enemy bomber in the history of aviation.
Soon Talalikhin was appointed squadron commander and was awarded the rank of lieutenant. The glorious pilot took part in many air battles near Moscow, shooting down five more enemy aircraft personally and one in a group. He died a heroic death in an unequal battle with fascist fighters on October 27, 1941.
V.V. was buried Talalikhin with military honors at the Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow. By order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR dated August 30, 1948, he was forever included in the lists of the first squadron of the fighter aviation regiment, with which he fought the enemy near Moscow.
Streets in Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Borisoglebsk were named after Talalikhin Voronezh region and other cities, a sea vessel, GPTU No. 100 in Moscow, a number of schools. An obelisk was erected at the 43rd kilometer of the Warsaw Highway, over which the unprecedented night fight took place. A monument was erected in Podolsk, and a bust of the Hero was erected in Moscow.
Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub
(1920–1991), Air Marshal (1985), Hero of the Soviet Union (1944 – twice; 1945). During the Great Patriotic War in fighter aviation, squadron commander, deputy regiment commander, conducted 120 air battles; shot down 62 planes.
Three times Hero of the Soviet Union, Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub, flying the La-7, shot down 17 enemy aircraft (including the Me-262 jet fighter) out of the 62 he shot down during the war on La brand fighters. Kozhedub fought one of the most memorable battles on February 19, 1945 (sometimes the date is given as February 24).
On this day, he went on a free hunt together with Dmitry Titarenko. On the Oder traverse, the pilots noticed a plane quickly approaching from the direction of Frankfurt an der Oder. The plane flew along the river bed at an altitude of 3500 m at a speed much greater than the La-7 could reach. It was Me-262. Kozhedub instantly made a decision. The Me-262 pilot relied on the speed qualities of his machine and did not control the airspace in the rear hemisphere and below. Kozhedub attacked from below on a head-on course, hoping to hit the jet in the belly. However, Titarenko opened fire before Kozhedub. Much to Kozhedub’s surprise, the wingman’s premature shooting was beneficial.
The German turned to the left, towards Kozhedub, the latter could only catch the Messerschmitt in his sights and press the trigger. Me-262 turned into a fireball. In the cockpit of the Me 262 was non-commissioned officer Kurt-Lange from 1./KG(J)-54.
On the evening of April 17, 1945, Kozhedub and Titarenko carried out their fourth combat mission of the day to the Berlin area. Immediately after crossing the front line north of Berlin, the hunters discovered a large group of FW-190s with suspended bombs. Kozhedub began to gain altitude for the attack and reported to the command post that contact had been made with a group of forty Focke-Wolwofs with suspended bombs. The German pilots clearly saw a pair of Soviet fighters go into the clouds and did not imagine that they would appear again. However, the hunters appeared.
From behind, from above, Kozhedub in the first attack shot down the leading four Fokkers at the back of the group. The hunters sought to give the enemy the impression that there were a significant number of Soviet fighters in the air. Kozhedub threw his La-7 right into the thick of the enemy planes, turning Lavochkin left and right, the ace fired in short bursts from his cannons. The Germans succumbed to the trick - the Focke-Wulfs began to free them from bombs that were interfering with air combat. However, the Luftwaffe pilots soon established the presence of only two La-7s in the air and, taking advantage of the numerical advantage, took advantage of the guardsmen. One FW-190 managed to get behind Kozhedub’s fighter, but Titarenko opened fire before the German pilot - the Focke-Wulf exploded in the air.
By this time, help arrived - the La-7 group from the 176th regiment, Titarenko and Kozhedub were able to leave the battle with the last remaining fuel. On the way back, Kozhedub saw a single FW-190 trying to drop bombs on Soviet troops. The ace dived and shot down an enemy plane. This was the last, 62nd, German plane shot down by the best Allied fighter pilot.
Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub also distinguished himself in the Battle of Kursk.
Kozhedub's total account does not include at least two aircraft - American P-51 Mustang fighters. In one of the battles in April, Kozhedub tried to drive away German fighters from the American “Flying Fortress” with cannon fire. The US Air Force escort fighters misunderstood the La-7 pilot's intentions and opened barrage fire from a long distance. Kozhedub, apparently, also mistook the Mustangs for Messers, escaped from under fire in a coup and, in turn, attacked the “enemy.”
He damaged one Mustang (the plane, smoking, left the battle and, having flown a little, fell, the pilot jumped out with a parachute), the second P-51 exploded in the air. Only after the successful attack did Kozhedub notice the white stars of the US Air Force on the wings and fuselages of the planes he had shot down. After landing, the regiment commander, Colonel Chupikov, advised Kozhedub to keep quiet about the incident and gave him the developed film of the photographic machine gun. The existence of a film with footage of burning Mustangs became known only after the death of the legendary pilot. A detailed biography of the hero on the website: www.warheroes.ru "Unknown Heroes"
Alexey Petrovich Maresyev
Maresyev Alexey Petrovich fighter pilot, deputy squadron commander of the 63rd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, guard senior lieutenant.
Born on May 20, 1916 in the city of Kamyshin Volgograd region in a working-class family. Russian. At the age of three he was left without a father, who died shortly after returning from the First World War. After finishing 8th grade high school Alexey entered the federal educational institution, where he received a specialty as a mechanic. Then he applied to the Moscow Aviation Institute, but instead of the institute, he went on a Komsomol voucher to build Komsomolsk-on-Amur. There he sawed wood in the taiga, built barracks, and then the first residential areas. At the same time he studied at the flying club. He was drafted into the Soviet army in 1937. Served in the 12th aviation border detachment. But, according to Maresyev himself, he did not fly, but “took up the tails” of the planes. He really took to the air already at the Bataysk Military Aviation School of Pilots, from which he graduated in 1940. He served as a pilot instructor there.
He made his first combat mission on August 23, 1941 in the Krivoy Rog area. Lieutenant Maresyev opened his combat account at the beginning of 1942 - he shot down a Ju-52. By the end of March 1942, he brought the count of downed fascist planes to four. On April 4, in an air battle over the Demyansk bridgehead (Novgorod region), Maresyev’s fighter was shot down. He attempted to land on the ice of a frozen lake, but released his landing gear early. The plane began to quickly lose altitude and fell into the forest.
Maresyev crawled to his side. His feet were frostbitten and they had to be amputated. However, the pilot decided not to give up. When he received prosthetics, he trained long and hard and got permission to return to duty. I learned to fly again in the 11th reserve air brigade in Ivanovo.
In June 1943, Maresyev returned to duty. He fought on the Kursk Bulge as part of the 63rd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment and was deputy squadron commander. In August 1943, during one battle, Alexey Maresyev shot down three enemy FW-190 fighters at once.
On August 24, 1943, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Guard Senior Lieutenant Maresyev was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Later he fought in the Baltic states and became a regiment navigator. In 1944 he joined the CPSU. In total, he made 86 combat missions, shot down 11 enemy aircraft: 4 before being wounded and seven with amputated legs. In June 1944, Guard Major Maresyev became an inspector-pilot of the Directorate of Higher educational institutions Air Force. Boris Polevoy's book "The Tale of a Real Man" is dedicated to the legendary fate of Alexei Petrovich Maresyev.
In July 1946, Maresyev was honorably discharged from the Air Force. In 1952, he graduated from the Higher Party School under the CPSU Central Committee, in 1956 - graduate school at the Academy of Social Sciences under the CPSU Central Committee, received the title of candidate historical sciences. In the same year, he became the executive secretary of the Soviet War Veterans Committee, and in 1983, first deputy chairman of the committee. He worked in this position until last day own life.
Retired Colonel A.P. Maresyev was awarded two Orders of Lenin, the Order of the October Revolution, the Red Banner, the Patriotic War, 1st degree, two Orders of the Red Banner of Labor, the Order of People's Friendship, the Red Star, the Badge of Honor, "For Services to the Fatherland" 3rd degree, medals, and foreign orders. He was an honorary soldier of a military unit, an honorary citizen of the cities of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Kamyshin, and Orel. A small planet is named after him solar system, public fund, youth patriotic clubs. He was elected as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Author of the book "On the Kursk Bulge" (M., 1960).
Even during the war, Boris Polevoy’s book “The Tale of a Real Man” was published, the prototype of which was Maresyev (the author changed only one letter in his last name). In 1948, based on the book at Mosfilm, director Alexander Stolper made a film of the same name. Maresyev was even offered to play the main role himself, but he refused and this role was played by professional actor Pavel Kadochnikov.
Died suddenly on May 18, 2001. He was buried in Moscow at the Novodevichy cemetery. On May 18, 2001, a gala evening was planned at the Russian Army Theater to mark Maresyev’s 85th birthday, but an hour before the start, Alexei Petrovich suffered a heart attack. He was taken to the intensive care unit of one of the Moscow clinics, where he died without regaining consciousness. The gala evening still took place, but it began with a minute of silence.
Krasnoperov Sergey Leonidovich
Krasnoperov Sergei Leonidovich was born on July 23, 1923 in the village of Pokrovka, Chernushinsky district. In May 1941, he volunteered to join the Soviet Army. I studied at the Balashov Aviation Pilot School for a year. In November 1942, attack pilot Sergei Krasnoperov arrived at the 765th attack air regiment, and in January 1943 he was appointed deputy squadron commander of the 502nd attack air regiment of the 214th attack air division of the North Caucasus Front. In this regiment in June 1943 he joined the ranks of the party. For military distinctions he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner, the Red Star, and the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd degree.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded on February 4, 1944. Killed in action on June 24, 1944. "March 14, 1943. Attack pilot Sergei Krasnoperov makes two sorties one after another to attack the port of Temrkzh. Leading six "silts", he set fire to a boat at the pier of the port. On the second flight, an enemy shell hit the engine. A bright flame for a moment, like it seemed to Krasnoperov, the sun eclipsed and immediately disappeared in thick black smoke. Krasnoperov turned off the ignition, turned off the gas and tried to fly the plane to the front line. However, after a few minutes it became clear that it would not be possible to save the plane. And under the wing there was a complete swamp. There was only one way out. : to land. As soon as the burning car touched the marsh hummocks with its fuselage, barely had the pilot time to jump out of it and run slightly to the side, an explosion roared.
A few days later, Krasnoperov was again in the air, and in the combat log of the flight commander of the 502nd assault aviation regiment, junior lieutenant Sergei Leonidovich Krasnoperov, a short entry appeared: “03.23.43.” In two sorties he destroyed a convoy in the area of the station. Crimean. Destroyed 1 vehicles, created 2 fires." On April 4, Krasnoperov stormed manpower and firepower in the area of 204.3 meters. In the next flight, he stormed artillery and firing points in the area of Krymskaya station. At the same time, he destroyed two tanks and one gun and a mortar.
One day, a junior lieutenant received an assignment for a free flight in pairs. He was the leader. Secretly, in a low-level flight, a pair of “silts” penetrated deep into the enemy’s rear. They noticed cars on the road and attacked them. They discovered a concentration of troops - and suddenly brought down destructive fire on the heads of the Nazis. The Germans unloaded ammunition and weapons from a self-propelled barge. Combat approach - the barge flew into the air. The regiment commander, Lieutenant Colonel Smirnov, wrote about Sergei Krasnoperov: “Such heroic deeds of Comrade Krasnoperov are repeated in every combat mission. The pilots of his flight became masters of assault. The flight is united and occupies a leading position. The command always entrusts him with the most difficult and responsible tasks. With his heroic exploits, he created military glory for himself and enjoys well-deserved military authority among the regiment’s personnel.” Indeed. Sergei was only 19 years old, and for his exploits he had already been awarded the Order of the Red Star. He was only 20, and his chest was decorated with the Golden Star of the Hero.
Sergei Krasnoperov made seventy-four combat missions during the days of fighting on the Taman Peninsula. As one of the best, he was trusted to lead groups of “silts” on assault 20 times, and he always carried out a combat mission. He personally destroyed 6 tanks, 70 vehicles, 35 carts with cargo, 10 guns, 3 mortars, 5 anti-aircraft artillery points, 7 machine guns, 3 tractors, 5 bunkers, an ammunition depot, sunk a boat, a self-propelled barge, and destroyed two crossings across the Kuban.
Matrosov Alexander Matveevich
Sailors Alexander Matveevich - rifleman of the 2nd battalion of the 91st separate rifle brigade (22nd Army, Kalinin Front), private. Born on February 5, 1924 in the city of Yekaterinoslav (now Dnepropetrovsk). Russian. Member of the Komsomol. Lost his parents early. He was raised for 5 years in the Ivanovo orphanage (Ulyanovsk region). Then he was brought up in the Ufa children's labor colony. After finishing 7th grade, he remained to work in the colony as an assistant teacher. In the Red Army since September 1942. In October 1942 he entered the Krasnokholmsky Infantry School, but soon most of the cadets were sent to the Kalinin Front.
In the active army since November 1942. He served in the 2nd battalion of the 91st separate rifle brigade. For some time the brigade was in reserve. Then she was transferred near Pskov to the area of Bolshoi Lomovatoy Bor. Straight from the march, the brigade entered the battle.
On February 27, 1943, the 2nd battalion received the task of attacking a strong point in the area of the village of Chernushki (Loknyansky district, Pskov region). As soon as our soldiers passed through the forest and reached the edge, they came under heavy enemy machine-gun fire - three enemy machine guns in bunkers covered the approaches to the village. One machine gun was suppressed by an assault group of machine gunners and armor-piercers. The second bunker was destroyed by another group of armor-piercing soldiers. But the machine gun from the third bunker continued to fire at the entire ravine in front of the village. Attempts to silence him were unsuccessful. Then Private A.M. Sailors crawled towards the bunker. He approached the embrasure from the flank and threw two grenades. The machine gun fell silent. But as soon as the fighters went on the attack, the machine gun came to life again. Then Matrosov stood up, rushed to the bunker and closed the embrasure with his body. At the cost of his life, he contributed to the accomplishment of the unit’s combat mission.
A few days later, the name of Matrosov became known throughout the country. Matrosov’s feat was used by a journalist who happened to be with the unit for a patriotic article. At the same time, the regiment commander learned about the feat from the newspapers. Moreover, the date of the hero’s death was moved to February 23, timing the feat to coincide with Soviet Army Day. Despite the fact that Matrosov was not the first to commit such an act of self-sacrifice, it was his name that was used to glorify the heroism of Soviet soldiers. Subsequently, over 300 people accomplished the same feat, but this was no longer widely publicized. His feat became a symbol of courage and military valor, fearlessness and love for the Motherland.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was posthumously awarded to Alexander Matveevich Matrosov on June 19, 1943. He was buried in the city of Velikiye Luki. September 8, 1943 by order people's commissar Defense of the USSR, the name of Matrosov was assigned to the 254th Guards Rifle Regiment, and he himself was forever enlisted (one of the first in the Soviet Army) on the lists of the 1st company of this unit. Monuments to the Hero were erected in Ufa, Velikiye Luki, Ulyanovsk, etc. The museum of Komsomol glory of the city of Velikiye Luki, streets, schools, pioneer squads, motor ships, collective farms and state farms were named after him.
Ivan Vasilievich Panfilov
In the battles near Volokolamsk, the 316th Infantry Division of General I.V. especially distinguished itself. Panfilova. Reflecting continuous enemy attacks for 6 days, they knocked out 80 tanks and killed several hundred soldiers and officers. The enemy's attempts to capture the Volokolamsk region and open the way to Moscow from the west failed. For heroic actions, this formation was awarded the Order of the Red Banner and transformed into the 8th Guards, and its commander, General I.V. Panfilov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. He was not lucky enough to witness the complete defeat of the enemy near Moscow: on November 18, near the village of Gusenevo, he died a brave death.
Ivan Vasilyevich Panfilov, Guard Major General, commander of the 8th Guards Rifle Red Banner (formerly 316th) Division, was born on January 1, 1893 in the city of Petrovsk, Saratov Region. Russian. Member of the CPSU since 1920. From the age of 12 he worked for hire, and in 1915 he was drafted into the tsarist army. In the same year he was sent to the Russian-German front. He joined the Red Army voluntarily in 1918. He was enlisted in the 1st Saratov Infantry Regiment of the 25th Chapaev Division. Participated in civil war, fought against Dutov, Kolchak, Denikin and the White Poles. After the war, he graduated from the two-year Kyiv United Infantry School and was assigned to the Central Asian Military District. He took part in the fight against the Basmachi.
The Great Patriotic War found Major General Panfilov at the post of military commissar of the Kyrgyz Republic. Having formed the 316th Infantry Division, he went to the front with it and fought near Moscow in October - November 1941. For military distinctions he was awarded two Orders of the Red Banner (1921, 1929) and the medal "XX Years of the Red Army".
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded posthumously to Ivan Vasilyevich Panfilov on April 12, 1942 for his skillful leadership of division units in battles on the outskirts of Moscow and his personal courage and heroism.
In the first half of October 1941, the 316th Division arrived as part of the 16th Army and took up defense on a wide front on the outskirts of Volokolamsk. General Panfilov was the first to widely use a system of deeply layered artillery anti-tank defense, created and skillfully used mobile barrage detachments in battle. Thanks to this, the resilience of our troops increased significantly, and all attempts of the 5th German Army Corps to break through the defenses were unsuccessful. For seven days, the division, together with the cadet regiment S.I. Mladentseva and dedicated anti-tank artillery units successfully repelled enemy attacks.
Attaching great importance to the capture of Volokolamsk, the Nazi command sent another motorized corps to this area. Only under pressure from superior enemy forces were units of the division forced to leave Volokolamsk at the end of October and take up defense east of the city.
November 16 fascist troops launched a second “general” attack on Moscow. A fierce battle began again near Volokolamsk. On this day, at the Dubosekovo crossing, there were 28 Panfilov soldiers under the command of political instructor V.G. Klochkov repelled the attack of enemy tanks and held the occupied line. Enemy tanks were also unable to penetrate in the direction of the villages of Mykanino and Strokovo. General Panfilov's division firmly held its positions, its soldiers fought to the death.
For the exemplary performance of the command's combat missions and the massive heroism of its personnel, the 316th Division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner on November 17, 1941, and the next day it was reorganized into the 8th Guards Rifle Division.
Nikolai Frantsevich Gastello
Nikolai Frantsevich was born on May 6, 1908 in Moscow, into a working-class family. Graduated from 5th grade. He worked as a mechanic at the Murom Steam Locomotive Construction Machinery Plant. In the Soviet Army in May 1932. In 1933 he graduated from Lugansk military school pilots in bomber units. In 1939 he took part in the battles on the river. Khalkhin - Gol and the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-1940. In the active army since June 1941, the squadron commander of the 207th Long-Range Bomber Aviation Regiment (42nd Bomber Aviation Division, 3rd Bomber Aviation Corps DBA), Captain Gastello, carried out another mission flight on June 26, 1941. His bomber was hit and caught fire. He flew the burning plane into a concentration of enemy troops. The enemy suffered heavy losses from the explosion of the bomber. For the accomplished feat, on July 26, 1941, he was posthumously awarded the Title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Gastello's name is forever included in the lists of military units. At the site of the feat on the Minsk-Vilnius highway, a memorial monument was erected in Moscow.
Zoya Anatolyevna Kosmodemyanskaya (“Tanya”)
Zoya Anatolyevna ["Tanya" (09/13/1923 - 11/29/1941)] - Soviet partisan, Hero of the Soviet Union was born in Osino-Gai, Gavrilovsky district, Tambov region in the family of an employee. In 1930 the family moved to Moscow. 
She graduated from the 9th grade of school No. 201. 
In October 1941, Komsomol member Kosmodemyanskaya voluntarily joined a special partisan detachment, acting on instructions from the headquarters of the Western Front in the Mozhaisk direction.
Twice she was sent behind enemy lines. At the end of November 1941, while performing a second combat mission near the village of Petrishchevo (Russian district of the Moscow region), she was captured by the Nazis. Despite cruel torture, she did not extradite military secrets, did not give her name.
On November 29, she was hanged by the Nazis. Her devotion to the Motherland, courage and dedication became an inspiring example in the fight against the enemy. On February 6, 1942, he was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Manshuk Zhiengalievna Mametova
Manshuk Mametova was born in 1922 in the Urdinsky district of the West Kazakhstan region. Manshuk’s parents died early, and the five-year-old girl was adopted by her aunt Amina Mametova. Manshuk spent her childhood in Almaty.
When the Great Patriotic War began, Manshuk studied at medical institute and at the same time worked in the secretariat of the Council of People's Commissars of the Republic. In August 1942, she voluntarily joined the Red Army and went to the front. In the unit where Manshuk arrived, she was left as a clerk at the headquarters. But the young patriot decided to become a front-line fighter, and a month later Senior Sergeant Mametova was transferred to the rifle battalion of the 21st Guards Rifle Division.
Her life was short, but bright, like a flashing star. Manshuk died in battle for the honor and freedom of her native country when she was twenty-one and had just joined the party. The short military journey of the glorious daughter of the Kazakh people ended with an immortal feat she performed near the walls of the ancient Russian city of Nevel.
On October 16, 1943, the battalion in which Manshuk Mametova served received an order to repel an enemy counterattack. As soon as the Nazis tried to repel the attack, Senior Sergeant Mametova’s machine gun started working. The Nazis rolled back, leaving hundreds of corpses. Several fierce attacks of the Nazis had already been drowned out at the foot of the hill. Suddenly the girl noticed that two neighboring machine guns had fallen silent - the machine gunners had been killed. Then Manshuk, quickly crawling from one firing point to another, began to fire at the advancing enemies from three machine guns.
The enemy transferred mortar fire to the position of the resourceful girl. A nearby explosion of a heavy mine knocked over the machine gun behind which Manshuk lay. Wounded in the head, the machine gunner lost consciousness for some time, but the triumphant cries of the approaching Nazis forced her to wake up. Instantly moving to a nearby machine gun, Manshuk lashed out with a shower of lead at the chains of the fascist warriors. And again the enemy’s attack failed. This ensured the successful advancement of our units, but the girl from distant Urda remained lying on the hillside. Her fingers froze on the Maxima trigger.
On March 1, 1944, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, senior sergeant Manshuk Zhiengalievna Mametova was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Aliya Moldagulova
Aliya Moldagulova was born on April 20, 1924 in the village of Bulak, Khobdinsky district, Aktobe region. After the death of her parents, she was raised by her uncle Aubakir Moldagulov. I moved with his family from city to city. She studied at the 9th secondary school in Leningrad. In the fall of 1942, Aliya Moldagulova joined the army and was sent to sniper school. In May 1943, Aliya submitted a report to the school command with a request to send her to the front. Aliya ended up in the 3rd company of the 4th battalion of the 54th Rifle Brigade under the command of Major Moiseev.
By the beginning of October, Aliya Moldagulova had 32 killed fascists.
In December 1943, Moiseev’s battalion received an order to drive the enemy out of the village of Kazachikha. Capturing this locality The Soviet command hoped to cut the railway line along which the Nazis were transporting reinforcements. The Nazis resisted fiercely, skillfully taking advantage of the terrain. The slightest advance of our companies came at a high price, and yet slowly but steadily our fighters approached the enemy’s fortifications. Suddenly a lone figure appeared ahead of the advancing chains.
Suddenly a lone figure appeared ahead of the advancing chains. The Nazis noticed the brave warrior and opened fire with machine guns. Seizing the moment when the fire weakened, the fighter rose to his full height and carried the entire battalion with him.
After a fierce battle, our fighters took possession of the heights. The daredevil lingered in the trench for some time. Traces of pain appeared on his pale face, and strands of black hair came out from under his earflap hat. It was Aliya Moldagulova. She destroyed 10 fascists in this battle. The wound turned out to be minor, and the girl remained in service.
In an effort to restore the situation, the enemy launched counterattacks. On January 14, 1944, a group of enemy soldiers managed to break into our trenches. Hand-to-hand combat ensued. Aliya mowed down the fascists with well-aimed bursts from her machine gun. Suddenly she instinctively felt danger behind her. She turned sharply, but it was too late: the German officer fired first. Gathering her last strength, Aliya raised her machine gun and the Nazi officer fell to the cold ground...
The wounded Aliya was carried out by her comrades from the battlefield. The fighters wanted to believe in a miracle, and vying with each other to save the girl, they offered blood. But the wound was fatal.
On June 4, 1944, Corporal Aliya Moldagulova was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Sevastyanov Alexey Tikhonovich
Aleksey Tikhonovich Sevastyanov, flight commander of the 26th Fighter Aviation Regiment (7th Fighter Aviation Corps, Leningrad Air Defense Zone), junior lieutenant. Born on February 16, 1917 in the village of Kholm, now Likhoslavl district, Tver (Kalinin) region. Russian. Graduated from the Kalinin Freight Car Building College. In the Red Army since 1936. In 1939 he graduated from the Kachin Military Aviation School.
Participant of the Great Patriotic War since June 1941. In total, during the war years, junior lieutenant Sevastyanov A.T. made more than 100 combat missions, shot down 2 enemy aircraft personally (one of them with a ram), 2 in a group and an observation balloon.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded posthumously to Alexei Tikhonovich Sevastyanov on June 6, 1942.
On November 4, 1941, junior lieutenant Sevastyanov was on patrol on the outskirts of Leningrad in an Il-153 aircraft. At about 10 p.m., an enemy air raid on the city began. Despite anti-aircraft fire, one He-111 bomber managed to break through to Leningrad. Sevastyanov attacked the enemy, but missed. He went on the attack a second time and opened fire at close range, but again missed. Sevastyanov attacked for the third time. Having come close, he pressed the trigger, but no shots were fired - the cartridges had run out. In order not to miss the enemy, he decided to ram. Approaching the Heinkel from behind, he cut off its tail unit with a propeller. Then he left the damaged fighter and landed by parachute. The bomber crashed near the Tauride Garden. The crew members who parachuted out were taken prisoner. Sevastyanov’s fallen fighter was found in Baskov Lane and restored by specialists from the 1st repair base.
April 23, 1942 Sevastyanov A.T. died in an unequal air battle, defending the “Road of Life” through Ladoga (shot down 2.5 km from the village of Rakhya, Vsevolozhsk region; a monument was erected in this place). He was buried in Leningrad at the Chesme Cemetery. Enlisted forever in the lists of the military unit. A street in St. Petersburg and a House of Culture in the village of Pervitino, Likhoslavl district, are named after him. Dedicated to his feat documentary"Heroes don't die."
Matveev Vladimir Ivanovich
Matveev Vladimir Ivanovich Squadron commander of the 154th Fighter Aviation Regiment (39th Fighter Aviation Division, Northern Front) - captain. Born on October 27, 1911 in St. Petersburg in a working-class family. Russian Member of the CPSU(b) since 1938. Graduated from 5th grade. He worked as a mechanic at the Red October factory. In the Red Army since 1930. In 1931 he graduated from the Leningrad Military Theoretical School of Pilots, and in 1933 from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School of Pilots. Participant in the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939–1940.
With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War at the front. Captain Matveev V.I. On July 8, 1941, when repelling an enemy air raid on Leningrad, having used up all the ammunition, he used a ram: with the end of the plane of his MiG-3 he cut off the tail of the fascist aircraft. An enemy plane crashed near the village of Malyutino. He landed safely at his airfield. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the presentation of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal was awarded to Vladimir Ivanovich Matveev on July 22, 1941.
He died in an air battle on January 1, 1942, covering the “Road of Life” along Ladoga. He was buried in Leningrad.
Polyakov Sergey Nikolaevich
Sergei Polyakov was born in 1908 in Moscow, into a working-class family. He graduated from 7 classes of junior high school. Since 1930 in the Red Army, he graduated from the military aviation school. Participant in the Spanish Civil War 1936 – 1939. In air battles he shot down 5 Franco planes. 
Participant of the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-1940. On the fronts of the Great Patriotic War from the first day. The commander of the 174th Assault Aviation Regiment, Major S.N. Polyakov, made 42 combat missions, delivering precision strikes on enemy airfields, equipment and manpower, destroying 42 and damaging 35 aircraft.
On December 23, 1941, he died while performing another combat mission. On February 10, 1943, for the courage and courage shown in battles with enemies, Sergei Nikolaevich Polyakov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union (posthumously). During his service, he was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Red Banner (twice), the Red Star, and medals. He was buried in the village of Agalatovo, Vsevolozhsk district, Leningrad region.
Muravitsky Luka Zakharovich
Luka Muravitsky was born on December 31, 1916 in the village of Dolgoe, now Soligorsk district of the Minsk region, into a peasant family. He graduated from 6 classes and the FZU school. Worked on the Moscow metro. Graduated from the Aeroclub. In the Soviet Army since 1937. Graduated from the Borisoglebsk military pilot school in 1939.B.ZYu 
Participant of the Great Patriotic War since July 1941. Junior Lieutenant Muravitsky began his combat activities as part of the 29th IAP of the Moscow Military District. This regiment met the war on outdated I-153 fighters. Quite maneuverable, they were inferior to enemy aircraft in speed and firepower. Analyzing the first air battles, the pilots came to the conclusion that they needed to abandon the pattern of straightforward attacks, and fight on turns, in a dive, on a “slide” when their “Seagull” gained additional speed. At the same time, it was decided to switch to flights in “twos”, abandoning the officially established flight of three aircraft.
The very first flights of the twos showed their clear advantage. So, at the end of July, Alexander Popov, together with Luka Muravitsky, returning from escorting the bombers, met with six “Messers”. Our pilots were the first to rush into the attack and shot down the leader of the enemy group. Stunned by the sudden blow, the Nazis hastened to get away.
On each of his planes, Luka Muravitsky painted the inscription “For Anya” on the fuselage with white paint. At first the pilots laughed at him, and the authorities ordered the inscription to be erased. But before each new flight, “For Anya” appeared again on the starboard side of the plane’s fuselage... No one knew who Anya was, whom Luka remembered, even going into battle...
Once, before a combat mission, the regiment commander ordered Muravitsky to immediately erase the inscription and more so that it would not be repeated! Then Luka told the commander that this was his beloved girl, who worked with him at Metrostroy, studied at the flying club, that she loved him, they were going to get married, but... She crashed while jumping from a plane. The parachute did not open... She may not have died in battle, Luka continued, but she was preparing to become an air fighter, to defend her Motherland. The commander resigned himself.
Participating in the defense of Moscow, Flight Commander of the 29th IAP Luka Muravitsky achieved brilliant results. He was distinguished not only by sober calculation and courage, but also by his willingness to do anything to defeat the enemy. So on September 3, 1941, acting on Western Front, he rammed an enemy He-111 reconnaissance aircraft and made a safe landing on the damaged aircraft. At the beginning of the war, we had few planes and that day Muravitsky had to fly alone - to cover railway station, where the train with ammunition was being unloaded. Fighters, as a rule, flew in pairs, but here there was one...
At first everything went calmly. The lieutenant vigilantly monitored the air in the area of the station, but as you can see, if there are multilayer clouds overhead, it’s raining. When Muravitsky made a U-turn over the outskirts of the station, in the gap between the tiers of clouds he saw a German reconnaissance plane. Luka sharply increased the engine speed and rushed across the Heinkel-111. The Lieutenant's attack was unexpected; the Heinkel had not yet had time to open fire when a machine-gun burst pierced the enemy and he, descending steeply, began to run away. Muravitsky caught up with the Heinkel, opened fire on it again, and suddenly the machine gun fell silent. The pilot reloaded, but apparently ran out of ammunition. And then Muravitsky decided to ram the enemy.
He increased the speed of the plane - the Heinkel was getting closer and closer. The Nazis are already visible in the cockpit... Without reducing speed, Muravitsky approaches almost closely to the fascist plane and hits the tail with the propeller. The jerk and propeller of the fighter cut the metal of the tail unit of the He-111... The enemy plane crashed into the ground behind the railway track in a vacant lot. Luka also hit his head hard on the dashboard, the sight and lost consciousness. I woke up and the plane was falling to the ground in a tailspin. Gathering all his strength, the pilot hardly stopped the rotation of the machine and brought it out of a steep dive. He could not fly further and had to land the car at the station...
Having received medical treatment, Muravitsky returned to his regiment. And again there are fights. The flight commander flew into battle several times a day. He was eager to fight and again, as before his injury, the words “For Anya” were carefully written on the fuselage of his fighter. By the end of September, the brave pilot already had about 40 aerial victories, won personally and as part of a group.
Soon, one of the squadrons of the 29th IAP, which included Luka Muravitsky, was transferred to the Leningrad Front to reinforce the 127th IAP. The main task of this regiment was to escort transport aircraft along the Ladoga highway, covering their landing, loading and unloading. Operating as part of the 127th IAP, Senior Lieutenant Muravitsky shot down 3 more enemy aircraft. On October 22, 1941, for the exemplary performance of combat missions of the command, for the courage and courage shown in battles, Muravitsky was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. By this time, his personal account already included 14 downed enemy aircraft.
On November 30, 1941, flight commander of the 127th IAP, Senior Lieutenant Maravitsky, died in an unequal air battle, defending Leningrad... The overall result of his combat activity, in various sources, is assessed differently. The most common number is 47 (10 victories won personally and 37 as part of a group), less often - 49 (12 personally and 37 in a group). However, all these figures do not fit in with the number of personal victories – 14, given above. Moreover, one of the publications generally states that Luka Muravitsky won his last victory in May 1945, over Berlin. Unfortunately, there is no exact data yet.
Luka Zakharovich Muravitsky was buried in the village of Kapitolovo, Vsevolozhsk district, Leningrad region. A street in the village of Dolgoye is named after him.
At the very beginning of May, all the thoughts and intentions of millions of people in the territory former USSR turn towards the great date, May 9. We will never forget this day, as it marked the end of our time. It took the lives of many of our fellow citizens, separated millions of families and brought so much grief that living participants in those events cannot remember this time without tears.
Many heroes were forgotten. We probably won't know where their last fight was. There are also those whose names will forever remain on monuments and in hearts. Among the heroes there are not only people, but also great cities that in those terrible years withstood the fierce onslaught of the Nazis, or resisted their pressure for many months.
What it is?
This is a high title that was received by twelve cities of the USSR, famous for their history of defense. Monuments and steles have been erected on their territory, which are designed to always remind the townspeople of the unparalleled heroic feat of their people.
It must be remembered that the hero cities of the Great Patriotic War, whose photos and names are in the article, paid for their high rank with great blood, since they received it for the unparalleled courage of the defenders during the defense in the most difficult years.
St. Petersburg (Leningrad)
At the very beginning of autumn, the Germans were able to completely block the city's supply from land. The blockade of Leningrad began, which lasted for almost 872 long, hungry days. Almost all residents of the city are heroes. The photo “Leningrad in the Siege” still brings horror and mortal melancholy even to seasoned front-line soldiers, let alone the direct participants in those events.
The courage of its inhabitants was unparalleled: in completely inhumane conditions, they not only fought the invaders, but even managed to organize the production of weapons, which were immediately used on the front line, literally behind the factory buildings. Today, it is believed that about one and a half million people have died from hunger and disease.
Only 3% fell with weapons in their hands. Hunger did the rest. Today, every schoolchild knows that the only way to salvation was the “Road of Life”, which passed along the ice of Lake Ladoga, which froze for the winter. However, in the summer, transportation by water was carried out, but their volumes were not so large. This was truly the path of Life, since along this route 1.5 million people managed to leave the city, among whom were mainly children, women and the elderly. The blockade of the city was finally lifted only in 1944.
What do you imagine when you pronounce the phrase “hero cities of the Great Patriotic War”? Photos, monuments at battle sites and much more. But the blockade survivors may even cry at these words, as other, terrible pictures of those years appear before their eyes.
In memory of those terrible days, seven monuments were erected, as well as exactly 112 memorial pillars along the entire length of the Road of Life. The central monument of the composition is the “Broken Ring” monument, which symbolizes the final breakthrough of the blockade and the liberation of Leningrad. Of course, all the great cities of the Great Patriotic War are worthy of respect, but the sacrifice of the Leningraders should always be remembered.
Odessa
The title was also awarded in May 1965.
Odessa became one of the first cities that found itself on the path of the fascist invaders. By August 1941, despite the unparalleled courage of its defenders, it was completely blocked. The only route left was by sea, protected by many ships of the Black Sea Fleet. Not only a huge amount of food came from the sea, but also weapons that made it possible to fight off the advancing enemy troops.
In order to more effectively defend against the ever-increasing attacks of the Germans, an entire fortified area was created. Residents of the city managed to produce, under difficult conditions, the simplest armored vehicles and flamethrowers, which were immediately at the disposal of the fighters. The defenders of Odessa had to leave the city, but they left, not broken or conquered: subsequently many detachments were formed from them, just as steadfastly and with the same courage they defended Crimea from the Nazis.
Currently, the monument, which is dedicated to the events of those days, is installed in the park named after Taras Shevchenko. More precisely, it is a whole memorial Complex“Walk of Fame”, which forever captured for descendants the feat of their great ancestors. In general, all the great cities of the Great Patriotic War have similar memorial places.
Sevastopol
The title was awarded in the same period as the above cities.
Crimea has always had the most important strategic importance for the country, since it was through its territory that the shortest way To oil fields Caucasus. It is not surprising that from the first days of the war, the Wehrmacht command gave its legions a simple order: by all means, capture and clear Sevastopol as soon as possible. The USSR command also had no illusions on this score: a significant part of the aircraft were located in Crimea, which could not be left to be torn to pieces by the enemy. It was necessary to defend the city for as long as possible.
The best detachments, which at one time opposed the enemy in Odessa, were immediately sent to defend. They also formed a core whose members were active throughout the Crimean Peninsula. Unfortunately, in July next year the city still had to be abandoned.
However, the Germans did not feel too confident in the captured city, since their forces were constantly being torn apart by the partisans. Sevastopol was completely liberated in May 1944. The medal “For the Defense of Sevastopol” has always been considered elite in the ranks of the Red Army, since the exploits of those who defended this ancient monument were great. military glory Russia and the USSR.
In order to forever imprint these days in the memory of descendants, a monument was erected on Sapun Mountain. This place was the key to the city, the most important defensive position, where a huge number of Soviet and German soldiers. However, all other hero cities of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 can be characterized in the same way.
Volgograd (Stalingrad)
The title was also awarded on May 8, 1965. When the terrible Battle of Stalingrad took place, during which the Soviet army was able to break the back of Hitler’s troops, this city was the battlefield. For 200 days there was an incessant, bloody battle for every meter of urban space, every house was turned into an impregnable fortress.
In the month that it took the Nazis to capture Poland at one time, the Germans were able to capture a couple of streets in Stalingrad, while suffering terrible losses. The intensity of the fighting was terrible, both sides successfully and widely used snipers.
On the famous Mamayev Kurgan there is a monumental complex “To the Heroes Battle of Stalingrad", at the very top of which stands a gigantic monument to the Motherland, which will always be a symbol of the love and devotion of our people to their Motherland. Our article contains not only the hero cities of the Great Patriotic War: pictures and photos of monuments will help you feel the monumentality of those places.
Kyiv
The order conferring the rank was also signed on May 8, 1965. It should be noted that the new Ukrainian authorities have now “cancelled” it. However, they were not the ones who defended Kyiv, they were not the ones who liberated Kiev. So it is not for them to issue “orders to abolish the status of a hero city.”
The defensive operation lasted exactly 70 days. The occupation of the city by German troops dragged on for 2.5 years. During this time, the Germans and their nationalist hangers-on managed to do a lot of “work”: Jews were shot en masse, a concentration camp for Soviet prisoners of war, in which thousands of our soldiers died.
Many historical and architectural monuments were destroyed, and many priceless exhibits from museums disappeared without a trace. Of course, many residents of Kyiv took part in the partisan movement and tried with all their might to protect hometown from the tyranny of the Nazis. But only after the hardest winter battles of 1943 was it completely liberated from the forces of German troops. Note that both hero cities of Ukraine (of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945) were almost completely destroyed, and it took a very long time to restore them.
Like Volgograd, it has its own Motherland monument.
Fortress in Brest
The legendary monument to the courage and valor of Soviet soldiers. The title was also awarded only in May 1965. We have already mentioned many hero cities of the Great Patriotic War: a list of them can be obtained by simply skimming the subheadings of the article. But Brest is a very special place, about which you can talk for a very long time.
Many people know about the defense of this fortress from the piercing and terrible book of Boris Vasiliev. But from the book we cannot understand what people felt and what they expected, who knew perfectly well about the impossibility of salvation, who were hourly losing their comrades and loved ones. With all this, they did not even think about surrendering to the enemy. The battle in Brest is the first in the history of that war, and one of the most significant.
This is completely unsurprising. German troops planned to take the city on the move, and then “victoriously march” to continue moving to the East. They miscalculated badly. For several days, a group of Soviet soldiers desperately defended even the approaches to the fortress, preventing the Germans from entering its boundaries. Brutal shootings did not stop even at night.
The soldiers, terribly tired, dying of thirst and hunger, resisted the enemy until the last second. “I am dying, but I am not giving up” - this famous inscription on one of the walls of the Fortress fully shows the real mood of our soldiers in that terrible, last battle. The Germans eventually captured the fortress when there were no living defenders left, but they did not feel like victors: while European countries submitted German army in a couple of weeks, some pathetic fortress, only on the incredible courage and heroism of its defenders, was able to hold out for a couple of months.
The entire fortress was recognized as an eternal memorial in 1971. It always burns on its territory, always paying tribute to the memory of the fallen soldiers of the Soviet army.
Moscow
As in all previous cases, the title was awarded in May 1965. Almost everyone knows the hero cities of the Great Patriotic War to one degree or another. The photo “Moscow, parade of 1941” is also familiar to many. It was from here that fresh troops were sent on a counterattack; it was here that the command headquarters of the Red Army was located.
It is not surprising that from the very beginning of the war, the capture of the capital of the USSR was the prerogative of the German command, and therefore the best troops were used for this purpose. The Barbaros plan provided for the conquest of the city in the first three months of the war. But Kyiv, Leningrad and Smolensk put an end to such ambitious plans, postponing the start of the operation to capture the city for six months. The Germans appeared on the approaches to Moscow only in mid-autumn, when the first serious cold weather had already begun.
Our command imposed a war of attrition on them. Until December of that year, the defense of Moscow continued, in which numerous volunteer detachments took part.
Several times the situation became critical. It seemed that the Germans were about to achieve their goal, and Hitler was already preparing to throw a luxurious party in the Kremlin. But on December 5, our troops launched the first effective counteroffensive, as a result of which the Germans were pushed back 200 kilometers from the city limits.
In memory of those events, a memorial to the Unknown Soldier was erected in front of the walls of the Moscow Kremlin. It must be said that such a monument can be safely erected by all hero cities of the Great Patriotic War, photos of which are in our article.
Kerch
The title was awarded only on September 14, 1973. The city is famous for the fact that the front line passed right through it four (!) times. At least 15 thousand residents died, half of them were brutally shot in the Bagerovo ditch. The Germans took another 15 thousand for forced labor in Germany. Less than 15% of the city remains. Almost all more or less significant buildings were destroyed, and there were no entire buildings left. Only at the beginning of April 1944 was Kerch finally liberated from the Nazi invaders.
On the mountain with beautiful name Mithridates burns the Eternal Flame in honor of those events.
Novorossiysk
The title was also awarded in mid-September 1973. During the war, almost the entire city was captured by German troops. The Nazis’ goal was Georgia, a direct route to which opened immediately after the capture of Novorossiysk.
Everyone understood that such an outcome would allow Hitler to gain a firm foothold in the Caucasus. The powerful Novorossiysk fortified area was created specifically to counter this, but by August 1942 little remained of it (no more than 20%). In February 1943, after 225 days of occupation, Soviet soldiers managed to retake the city.
It is not surprising that the main monument was a memorial called “Line of Defense”. The 40-meter-long stele symbolizes that no villain will be allowed to enter the city gates. Hero of the Great Patriotic War, sniper Rubakho Philip Yakovlevich was also a native of the glorious Novorossiysk.
Minsk
Just three days after the start of the war, the city found itself under German occupation. On its territory, the “hardworking” Germans created three ghettos at once, in which about 80 thousand Jews were killed. In Minsk itself and its environs, the Nazis killed at least 400 thousand people. Only in June 1944 was a large-scale liberation operation finally launched. By the time the city was completely cleared, only 80 buildings remained intact.
The most significant monument is the "Pit" memorial, which was dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust. By the way, this was the first monument in the entire USSR, on the surface of which there are inscriptions in Yiddish.
Tula
The Soviet “weapon forge” was a tasty target for the German command, and therefore it was under no circumstances allowed to allow the city to be captured. In addition, Tula covered the southern borders of Moscow, which made it even more important. Already in the fall of 1941, the local militia repelled the most powerful attacks of the Germans with honor, and the path to the Germans was reliably blocked.
When the Great Patriotic War broke out, the city of Gorky (Nizhny Novgorod) found itself in approximately the same situation. Today activists are trying to achieve this honorary title being awarded to him. However, let's return to Tula.
The city and its surroundings were heavily damaged. Almost all villages were burned, killing at least 360 thousand civilians. Even under conditions of a deep siege, the Tula industry continued to produce sniper rifles. By the way, it was on these defensive lines that the PPK, the Korovin submachine gun, the author of which was undeservedly forgotten for many years by the Soviet regime, showed itself magnificently.
However, old residents of the city remember him well. The hero of the Great Patriotic War was not completely forgotten.
In honor of those events, numerous monuments to military glory were erected throughout the city, and a monument was erected in the form of a soldier and a worker leaning on a rifle bayonet. All hero cities of the Great Patriotic War are famous for their exploits, but even against this background the Tula people stand out for their unbroken will to win.
Murmansk
Hitler's directive to his troops was simple and short: Murmansk was ordered to be destroyed immediately at the start of the war, since many tons of cargo from the Allies passed through its ports. More than 800 massive air raids were carried out, about 186 thousand were dropped on the city powerful bombs, but its defenders withstood this hell with honor. Many cities of the Great Patriotic War went through bombing, but nowhere were there such heavy bombings.
Almost all buildings were burned or heavily damaged. The wooden buildings played a bad role, through which the fire spread with incredible speed. It was only in the fall of 1944 that the threat to the city was completely eliminated. A monument was erected. But this was done only 30 years after the end of the Second World War, when the main hero cities of the Great Patriotic War had long been on the “list of honor”.
Smolensk
The title was also awarded on May 6, 1985, which is extremely strange, since the defenders of the city during the war showed courage disproportionately greater than the same Kievans.
In July 1941, it seemed to the Nazis that the path to the heart of the country was completely open. The main goal was Moscow, and all the cities lying on the route of the German troops were considered just an “annoying obstacle.” Already on June 15, the southern part of the city was occupied, and soon the rest of its areas fell under massive attacks. But this was only the beginning, as the city’s defenders did not even think of giving up.
In mid-July, heavy fighting began and lasted for more than two months. Soviet troops suffered heavy losses, but the Nazis fared no better. In addition, civilians died en masse: the punitive forces alone destroyed more than 300 villages along with all their inhabitants.
It is assumed that approximately 600 thousand people died, but this figure is clearly greatly underestimated, since search engines continue to find more and more mass graves every year. The city has a museum that contains all the documents and evidence telling about the life of the city in those terrible years.
So we have listed all the great cities of the Great Patriotic War.
More than a dozen years ago, Mikhail Efremov was born - a brilliant military leader who distinguished himself during two wars - Civil and Patriotic. However, the feats that he accomplished were not immediately appreciated. After his death, many years passed until he received his well-deserved title. What other heroes of the Great Patriotic War have been forgotten?
Steel Commander
At the age of 17, Mikhail Efremov joined the army. He began his service as a volunteer in an infantry regiment. Just two years later, with the rank of ensign, he participated in the famous breakthrough under the command of Brusilov. Mikhail joined the Red Army in 1918. The hero gained fame thanks to armored flights. Due to the fact that the Red Army did not have armored trains with good equipment, Mikhail decided to create them himself, using improvised means.
Mikhail Efremov met the Great Patriotic War at the head of the 21st Army. Under his leadership, soldiers held back enemy troops on the Dnieper and defended Gomel. Not allowing the Nazis to reach the rear Southwestern Front. Mikhail Efremov met the beginning of the Patriotic War while leading the 33rd Army. At this time he took part in the defense of Moscow and in the subsequent counter-offensive.
At the beginning of February, the strike group, commanded by Mikhail Efremov, made a hole in the enemy’s defenses and reached Vyazma. However, the soldiers were cut off from the main forces and surrounded. For two months, the soldiers carried out raids behind German lines, destroyed enemy soldiers and military equipment. And when the ammunition and food ran out, Mikhail Efremov decided to break through to his own, asking on the radio to organize a corridor.
But the hero was never able to do this. The Germans noticed the movement and defeated Efremov’s strike group. Mikhail himself shot himself to avoid being captured. He was buried by the Germans in the village of Slobodka with full military honors.
In 1996, persistent veterans and search engines ensured that Efremov was awarded the title of Hero of Russia.
In honor of Gastello's feat
What other heroes of the Great Patriotic War have been forgotten? In 1941, a DB-3F bomber took off from the airfield near Smolensk. Alexander Maslov, and it was he who flew the combat aircraft, was given the task of eliminating the enemy column moving along the Molodechno-Radoshkovichi road. The plane was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft guns, and the crew was declared missing.
A few years later, namely in 1951, in order to honor the memory of the famous bomber Nikolai Gastello, who carried out a ramming attack on the same highway, it was decided to transfer the remains of the crew to the village of Radoshkovichi, to the central square. During the exhumation, a medallion was found that belonged to Sergeant Grigory Reutov, who was a shooter in Maslov’s crew.
The historiography was not changed, however, the crew began to be listed not as missing, but as dead. Heroes of the Great Patriotic War and their exploits were recognized in 1996. It was in this year that Maslov’s entire crew received the corresponding title.
The pilot whose name was forgotten
The exploits of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War will remain in our hearts forever. However, not about everyone heroic deeds memory preserved.
Pyotr Eremeev was considered an experienced pilot. He received his for repelling several German attacks in one night. Having shot down several Junkers, Peter was wounded. However, having bandaged the wound, within a few minutes he again flew out on another plane to repel the enemy attack. And a month after this memorable night, he accomplished a feat.
On the night of July 28, Eremeev received the task of patrolling the airspace over Novo-Petrovsk. It was at this time that he noticed an enemy bomber that was heading towards Moscow. Peter got behind him and started shooting. The enemy went to the right, and the Soviet pilot lost him. However, another bomber was immediately noticed, which was leaving for the West. Coming close to him, Eremeev pressed the trigger. But shooting was never opened, as the cartridges ran out.
Without thinking for a long time, Peter crashed his propeller into the tail of a German plane. The fighter turned over and began to fall apart. However, Eremeev saved himself by jumping out with a parachute. They wanted to give him a reward for this feat, but they didn’t have time to do this. On the night of August 7, the attack was repeated by Viktor Talalikhin. It was his name that was inscribed in the official chronicle.
But the heroes of the Great Patriotic War and their exploits will never be forgotten. This was proven by Alexey Tolstoy. He wrote an essay called “Taran”, in which he described Peter’s feat.
Only in 2010 he was recognized as a hero
In the Volgograd region there is a monument on which are written the names of the Red Army soldiers who died in these parts. All of them are heroes of the Great Patriotic War, and their exploits will forever be remembered in history. On that monument the name Maxim Passar appears. He was awarded the corresponding title only in 2010. And it should be noted that he fully deserved it.
He was born in the Khabarovsk Territory. The hereditary hunter became one of the best snipers. He showed himself back in By 1943, he destroyed about 237 Nazis. The Germans placed a significant reward on the head of the marksman Nanai. Enemy snipers were hunting him.
He accomplished his feat at the very beginning of 1943. In order to free the village of Peschanka from enemy soldiers, it was necessary to first get rid of two German machine guns. They were well fortified on the flanks. And it was Maxim Passar who had to do this. 100 meters before the firing points, Maxim opened fire and destroyed the crews. However, he failed to survive. The hero was covered by enemy artillery fire.
Underage Heroes
All of the above heroes of the Great Patriotic War and their exploits were forgotten. However, they all must be remembered. They did everything possible to bring Victory Day closer. However, not only adults managed to prove themselves. There are also heroes who are not even 18 years old. And it is about them that we will talk further.
Along with adults, several tens of thousands of teenagers took part in the fighting. They, just like adults, died and received orders and medals. Some images were taken for Soviet propaganda. All of them are heroes of the Great Patriotic War, and their exploits have been preserved in numerous stories. However, it is worth highlighting five teenagers who received the corresponding title.
Not wanting to surrender, he blew himself up along with enemy soldiers
Marat Kazei was born in 1929. This happened in the village of Stankovo. Before the war I managed to complete only four classes. The parents were recognized as “enemies of the people.” However, despite this, Marat’s mother began hiding partisans in her home back in 1941. For which she was killed by the Germans. Marat and his sister joined the partisans.
Marat Kazei constantly went on reconnaissance missions, took part in numerous raids, and undermined echelons. He received the medal "For Courage" in 1943. He managed to rouse his comrades into the attack and break through the ring of enemies. At the same time, Marat was wounded.
Talking about the exploits of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, it is worth saying that a 14-year-old soldier died in 1944. This happened while performing the next task. Returning from reconnaissance, he and his commander were fired upon by the Germans. The commander died immediately, and Marat began to shoot back. He had nowhere to go. And there was no opportunity as such, since he was wounded in the arm. Until the cartridges ran out, he held the line. Then he took two grenades. He threw one immediately, and held the second until the Germans approached. Marat blew himself up, thus killing several more opponents.
Marat Kazei was recognized as a Hero in 1965. Juvenile heroes of the Great Patriotic War and their exploits, stories about which are quite widespread large quantities, will remain in memory for a long time.
The heroic deeds of a 14-year-old boy
Partisan reconnaissance Valya was born in the village of Khmelevka. This happened in 1930. Before the capture of the village by the Germans, he completed only 5 classes. After that, he began collecting weapons and ammunition. He handed them over to the partisans.
In 1942 he became a scout for the partisans. In the fall, he was given the task of destroying the head of the field gendarmerie. The task was completed. Valya, together with several of his peers, blew up two enemy vehicles, killing seven soldiers and the commander himself, Franz Koenig. About 30 people were injured.
In 1943, he was engaged in reconnaissance of the location of an underground telephone cable, which was subsequently successfully undermined. Valya also took part in the destruction of several trains and warehouses. That same year, while on duty, the young hero noticed punitive forces who decided to stage a raid. Having destroyed the enemy officer, Valya raised the alarm. Thanks to this, the partisans prepared for battle.
He died in 1944 after the battle for the city of Izyaslav. In that battle, the young warrior was mortally wounded. He received the title of hero in 1958.
Just a little short of turning 17
What other heroes of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 should be mentioned? Scout in the future Lenya Golikov was born in 1926. From the very beginning of the war, having obtained a rifle for himself, he joined the partisans. Under the guise of a beggar, the guy went around the villages, collecting information about the enemy. He passed on all the information to the partisans.
The guy joined the detachment in 1942. Over the course of his entire combat journey, he took part in 27 operations, destroyed about 78 enemy soldiers, blew up several bridges (railway and highway), and blew up about 9 vehicles with ammunition. It was Lenya Golikov who blew up the car in which Major General Richard Witz was traveling. All his merits are fully listed in the award list.
These are the minor heroes of the Great Patriotic War and their exploits. Children sometimes performed feats that adults did not always have the courage to do. It was decided to award Lenya Golikov with the Golden Star medal and the title of Hero. However, he was never able to receive them. In 1943, the combat detachment in which Lenya was a member was surrounded. Only a few people escaped the encirclement. And Leni was not among them. He was killed on January 24, 1943. The guy never lived to see the age of 17.
Died due to the fault of a traitor
The heroes of the Great Patriotic War rarely remembered themselves. And their exploits, photos, images remained in the memory of many people. Sasha Chekalin is one of them. He was born in 1925. He joined the partisan detachment in 1941. He served there for no more than a month.
In 1941, a partisan detachment inflicted significant damage on enemy forces. Numerous warehouses were burning, cars were constantly being blown up, trains were derailed, sentries and enemy patrols regularly disappeared. Fighter Sasha Chekalin took part in all this.
In November 1941, he caught a severe cold. The commissioner decided to leave him in the nearest village with a trusted person. However, there was a traitor in the village. It was he who betrayed the minor fighter. Sasha was captured by partisans at night. And finally, the constant torture was over. Sasha was hanged. For 20 days he was forbidden to be removed from the gallows. And only after the liberation of the village by the partisans was Sasha buried with military honors.
It was decided to award him the corresponding title of Hero in 1942.
Shot after prolonged torture
All of the above people are heroes of the Great Patriotic War. And their exploits are the best stories for children. Next we will talk about a girl who was not inferior in courage not only to her peers, but also to adult soldiers.
Zina Portnova was born in 1926. The war found her in the village of Zuya, where she came to rest with her relatives. Since 1942, she has been posting leaflets against the invaders.
In 1943, she joined a partisan detachment, becoming a scout. That same year I received my first assignment. She had to identify the reasons for the failure of the organization called the Young Avengers. She was also supposed to establish contact with the underground. However, upon returning to the detachment, Zina was captured by German soldiers.
During the interrogation, the girl managed to grab a pistol lying on the table and shoot the investigator and two other soldiers. While trying to escape, she was captured. They constantly tortured her, trying to force her to answer questions. However, Zina was silent. Eyewitnesses claimed that one day, when she was taken out for another interrogation, she threw herself under a car. However, the car stopped. The girl was pulled out from under the wheels and taken away for interrogation. But she was silent again. This is what the heroes of the Great Patriotic War were like.
The girl never waited until 1945. In 1944 she was shot. Zina at that time was only 17 years old.
Conclusion
The heroic exploits of soldiers during hostilities numbered in the tens of thousands. No one knows exactly how many brave and courageous deeds were committed in the name of the Motherland. This review described some heroes of the Great Patriotic War and their exploits. It is impossible to briefly convey all the strength of character that they possessed. But there is simply not enough time for a full story about their heroic deeds.
The highest degree of distinction in the USSR was the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. It was awarded to citizens who accomplished a feat during military operations or distinguished themselves by other outstanding services to their Motherland. As an exception, it could have been appropriated in peacetime.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was established by the Decree of the USSR Central Executive Committee of April 16, 1934. Later, on August 1, 1939, as an additional insignia for Heroes of the USSR, the Gold Star medal was approved, in the form of a five-pointed star fixed on a rectangular block, which was issued to the recipients along with the Order of Lenin and a diploma of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces. At the same time, it was established that those who repeated a feat worthy of the title of Hero would be awarded the second Order of Lenin and the second Gold Star medal. When the hero was re-awarded, his bronze bust was installed in his homeland. The number of awards with the title Hero of the Soviet Union was not limited.
The list of the first Heroes of the Soviet Union was opened on April 20, 1934 by polar explorer pilots: A. Lyapidevsky, S. Levanevsky, N. Kamanin, V. Molokov, M. Vodopyanov, M. Slepnev and I. Doronin. Participants in the rescue of passengers in distress on the legendary steamship Chelyuskin.
Eighth on the list was M. Gromov (September 28, 1934). The crew of the aircraft he led set a world record for flight range along a closed curve at a distance of more than 12 thousand kilometers. The next Heroes of the USSR were the pilots: crew commander Valery Chkalov, who together with G. Baidukov and A. Belyakov made a long non-stop flight along the Moscow - Far East route.
It was for military exploits that for the first time 17 commanders of the Red Army (Decree of December 31, 1936) who participated in the Spanish Civil War became Heroes of the Soviet Union. Six of them were tank crews, the rest were pilots. Three of them were awarded the title posthumously. Two of the recipients were foreigners: Bulgarian V. Goranov and Italian P. Gibelli. In total, for battles in Spain (1936-39), the highest honor was awarded 60 times.
In August 1938, this list was supplemented by 26 more people who showed courage and heroism during the defeat of the Japanese interventionists in the area of Lake Khasan. About a year later, the first presentation of the Gold Star medal took place, which was received by 70 fighters for their exploits during battles in the area of the river. Khalkhin Gol (1939). Some of them became twice Heroes of the Soviet Union.
After the start of the Soviet-Finnish conflict (1939-40), the list of Heroes of the Soviet Union increased by another 412 people. Thus, before the start of the Great Patriotic War, 626 citizens received the Hero, among whom were 3 women (M. Raskova, P. Osipenko and V. Grizodubova).
More than 90 percent of the total number of Heroes of the Soviet Union appeared in the country during the Great Patriotic War. 11 thousand 657 people were awarded this high title, 3051 of them posthumously. This list contains 107 fighters who became heroes twice (7 were awarded posthumously), also in total number The recipients included 90 women (49 posthumously).
The attack of Nazi Germany on the USSR caused an unprecedented rise in patriotism. Great War brought a lot of grief, but it also revealed the heights of courage and strength of character of seemingly ordinary ordinary people.
So, who would have expected heroism from the elderly Pskov peasant Matvey Kuzmin. In the very first days of the war, he came to the military registration and enlistment office, but they brushed him off because he was too old: “go, grandfather, to your grandchildren, we’ll figure it out without you.” Meanwhile, the front was inexorably moving east. The Germans entered the village of Kurakino, where Kuzmin lived. In February 1942, an elderly peasant was unexpectedly summoned to the commandant's office - the battalion commander of the 1st Mountain Rifle Division found out that Kuzmin was an excellent tracker with perfect knowledge of the terrain and ordered him to assist the Nazis - to lead a German detachment to the rear of the advanced battalion of the Soviet 3rd Shock Army . “If you do everything right, I’ll pay you well, but if you don’t, blame yourself...” “Yes, of course, of course, don’t worry, your honor,” Kuzmin feignedly whined. But an hour later, the cunning peasant sent his grandson with a note to our people: “The Germans ordered a detachment to be led to your rear, in the morning I will lure them to the fork near the village of Malkino, meet me.” That same evening, the fascist detachment with its guide set off. Kuzmin led the Nazis in circles and deliberately exhausted the invaders: they forced them to climb steep hillsides and wade through dense bushes. “What can you do, your honor, well, there is no other way here...” At dawn, tired and cold fascists found themselves at the Malkino fork. "That's it, guys, they're here." “How did you come!?” “So, let’s rest here and then we’ll see...” The Germans looked around - they had been walking all night, but they had moved only a couple of kilometers from Kurakino and were now standing on the road in an open field, and twenty meters in front of them was a forest, where, now they understood for sure, there was a Soviet ambush. “Oh, you…” – the German officer pulled out a pistol and emptied the entire clip into the old man. But at that same second, a rifle salvo rang out from the forest, then another, Soviet machine guns began to chatter, and a mortar fired. The Nazis rushed about, screamed, and shot randomly in all directions, but not one of them escaped alive. The hero died and took with him 250 Nazi occupiers. Matvey Kuzmin became the oldest Hero of the Soviet Union, he was 83 years old.
And the youngest holder of the highest Soviet rank– Valya Kotik joined the partisan detachment at the age of 11. At first he was a liaison for an underground organization, then he took part in military operations. With his courage, fearlessness and strength of character, Valya amazed his seasoned senior comrades. In October 1943, the young hero saved his squad by noticing the approaching punitive forces in time, he raised the alarm and was the first to enter the battle, killing several Nazis, including a German officer. On February 16, 1944, Valya was mortally wounded in battle. To the young hero posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. He was 14 years old.
The entire people, young and old, rose up to fight the fascist infection. Soldiers, sailors, officers, even children and old people selflessly fought against the Nazi invaders. Therefore, it is not surprising that the vast majority of awards with the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union occur during the war years.
IN post-war period The title of GSS was awarded quite rarely. But even before 1990, awards continued for exploits during the Great Patriotic War, which were not carried out at the time for various reasons, intelligence officer Richard Sorge, F.A. Poletaev, the legendary submariner A.I. Marinesko and many others.
For military courage and dedication, the title of GSS was awarded to participants in combat operations performing international duty in North Korea, Hungary, Egypt - 15 awards; in Afghanistan, 85 internationalist soldiers received the highest honor, of which 28 were posthumous.
A special group, awarding military equipment test pilots, polar explorers, participants in the exploration of the depths of the World Ocean - 250 people in total. Since 1961, the title of GSS has been awarded to cosmonauts; over 30 years, 84 people who have completed a space flight have been awarded it. Six people were awarded for eliminating the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant
It should also be noted that in post-war years A vicious tradition has emerged of awarding high military honors for “desktop” achievements dedicated to anniversary birthdays. This is how repeatedly noted heroes like Brezhnev and Budyonny appeared. “Gold Stars” were also awarded as friendly political gestures; due to this, the list of Heroes of the USSR was supplemented by the heads of the allied states Fidel Castro, Egyptian President Nasser and some others.
The list of Heroes of the Soviet Union was completed on December 24, 1991, by captain 3rd rank, underwater specialist L. Solodkov, who participated in a diving experiment for long-term work at a depth of 500 meters under water.
In total, during the existence of the USSR, 12 thousand 776 people received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Of these, 154 people were awarded it twice, 3 people three times. and four times – 2 people. The first twice Heroes were military pilots S. Gritsevich and G. Kravchenko. Three times Heroes: air marshals A. Pokryshkin and I. Kozhedub, as well as Marshal of the USSR S. Budyonny. There are only two four-time Heroes on the list - USSR Marshals G. Zhukov and L. Brezhnev.
In history, there are known cases of deprivation of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union - 72 in total, plus 13 canceled Decrees on conferring this title as unfounded.
Biographies and exploits of Heroes of the Soviet Union and holders of Soviet orders:
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