I, as the son of a war veteran, not once was lucky enough to hear stories about how cruel time. Well remember then still young, full of energy men and women with numerous orders and medals on his chest.
Remember and mutilated, in a manky uniform, with decorations, but without shoulder straps, someone without legs, on a wooden trolley with bearings going from the dirty pavement improvised bolsters; who is without hands or with a disfigured face. In the 50’s-early 60-ies there were many, but very few, they lived after the war, and life was bleak.
Every year they become less noticeable. Was genuinely sorry for such people, many, not finding support, abused alcohol and very quickly went into another world, not moving in this state, the hardships of civilian life. I am very sorry that I did not record then and couldn’t remember many of their stories.
About the martial exploits of our soldiers written quite a lot articles, stories, books, filmed documentaries and feature films, but very few covered issues of household living conditions in the war. Think about it, what incredible work, how many forces, health and energy I had to expend soldiers and civilians, and to dig tens or even hundreds of kilometers of trenches in full growth, build dugouts, carrying incredible weights, and it all manually, often under enemy fire.
Have you tried to dig a trench in the forest, among centuries-old spruce trees, constantly bumping and pererubat a blunt axe to the roots? And in winter, on the frozen ground? And on swampy or stony ground? And lie till dark without movement in the water or in the snow, under the constant eye, when the attack ended unsuccessfully?
And malnourished, not sleep much, to sleep in a wet trench in the cold, covered one overcoat, do not wash, do not take off boots for weeks, going to “wind up” sneak out with risk to life, drying clothes on Yes on the icy wind. And in summer, in heat, when hot air was a terrible stench, swarms of flies, and heaps of their larvae swarmed in the mutilated bodies lying on the neutral strips everywhere?
He recalled how the father, once very close to him fell and exploded Il-2, downed a “Messerschmitt”. He ran up to a huge funnel, but found from the crew, only one bloody hand, on which were sitting three meat flies.
As all this was able to withstand our grandfathers, fathers, mothers — boggling! It was a routine war, about which little is written, but it was. Irrevocably a generation that created for us and conveyed to us, as a baton, modern good things of life, which we have used so wasteful to use a new rose, not knowing the hardships and privations of a rather unscrupulous generation of consumers.
I recall the words of V. Tsoi — “war is a young man, a cure for wrinkles.” That is so true! How many talented, brilliant people were buried in the ground! The war led to negative selection — the selection of the best. Often dying one of the most courageous, enterprising, honest, decent soldiers, ready to lose health or even to give their lives in the name of the expulsion of the enemy from their native land. The loss of the most promising part of the population, total devastation and plundering of the country by the enemy threw us a few decades ago.
If not for the war, to the 60-70-th years of our country would have been completely different. More prepared for the various hardships the soldiers were-hunters. They were very much appreciated by commanders, as it is easier endured the hardships of life at the front, well oriented on the terrain, the enemy inflicted more significant damage, often rescued from death not only themselves but also their companions.
That’s one of the episodes that occurred on the territory of Ukraine. Convoy of trucks stopped in the middle of Linden alley, a large house. It was near the beehives, and beehives between the ridges with the already ripe red tomatoes. Dad got out of the car first, walked up to the ridges and only reached out to pluck some fruit, as noted by just the dug out soil.
I looked around and several places saw podvyadshie the grass. Mines! One of them was three inches from the right leg. In the meantime, several people jumped out of cars. “Back! Mines!” — shouted the father, slowly, on one foot, barely keeping balance, he turned and his following came back. Took cars and people away. Hidden behind the corner of the house, threw a grenade. Explosion was such force that the ridges and the hives have not gone.
Of course, in the days of lull hunters have always been drawn to the hunt, because the hunting instinct is not going anywhere, even in war. So in the spring in Bryansk region near the headquarters of the regiment was tarawali grouse. Having built a hut, father twice managed to go to the current. With the dawn of the personal TT he shot a rooster, which is cooked on a fire in the pot.
Ended in failure, “hunting” for ducks. Noticing how the old, filled with water and overgrown with reed Mace funnel down some mallards, he did not invent anything better how to use to achieve the goal of anti-tank grenade, very much wanted tatinki, and guns were not. Came from abroad about fifty feet, threw a grenade.
Noticing her, the ducks managed to climb from the water into the air three meters. After the explosion he found only pieces of meat mixed with feathers. Was nothing to take. Germany, March… the Father noticed a flock of pheasants, sat down in the tall grass in the neutral zone. Taking the triple barrel gun was found a month ago in one of the abandoned houses, stuffed in the pockets of the ammo, they had a chance to go there. These are not raised, but ran into another pack, which came close. Doublet managed to bring down two birds.
Inspired by the success went along the trench, out popped a goat with nice horns. After the third shot, the deer collapsed to the ground. What happened! The Germans could not stand such impudence and opened heavy mortar fire. Saved the trench, at which the hunters, after running three hundred meters to the side of his part, returned safely with booty to the headquarters of the artillery regiment.
Ended the war. Our troops were in Czechoslovakia. The brigade commander was ordered to choose a group of hunters to supply the officers ‘ mess of fresh meat. Having captured the guns, six officers, two times a week went on the hunt and mined per day to fifteen deer and a few hares, which served as a great help for izgledala in the fighting soldiers.
Somehow, seeing in reclamation ditches and small streams trout, father of iron mesh built taptouche (like a large butterfly net) and blocking its ditches, herded together with brother trout. At one time sometimes managed to catch ten kilograms of fish.
Common grief and the universal joy of the Victory over the fierce enemy United people. Absolutely amazing how in such a short time exhausted, wounded in war, people managed to revive the cities and villages, plants and factories, to raise the collective, to establish a peaceful life, moving the country to the level of advanced countries in the world. This is another, now the labor Feat of our people, of people leaving the us generation!
Prostration, immense appreciation and gratitude to the living and eternal memory of those who died in battle and left us in peace-time veterans of the great Patriotic war and all those who with their work have hastened the defeat of the enemy and raised the country from ruins.
With The Victory Day!
