Nobody is forgotten, nothing is forgotten! Lieutenant Colonel Sayen Martirosyan

This year we mark the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory over Nazi Germany and the end of the war in Europe. The Victory liberated the world and the Germans themselves from the horrors of Nazism. The Soviet Union lost 26.6 million citizens in the war, including people from Armenia, which was then a part of the USSR. More than 300 thousand people from Armenia died during the Great Patriotic War. The number is equal to the losses of such a country as the USA. May the memory of those who gained the Victory at the front and home front live forever! One of them was my grandfather, an officer of the Red Army, Lieutenant Colonel Sayen Markarovich Martirosyan (1900-1975) who fought since the first day of the Great Patriotic War.

Holding the rank of Major, he commanded the 984th Rifle Regiment of the 275th Rifle Division which participated in the Nalchik-Ordzhonikidze operation as a part of the 10th Rifle Corpus of the Transcaucasian Front (October 26th-November 12th 1942).

Later he headed the 581st Rifle Regiment of the 320th Rifle Division of the 44th Army. The regiment distinguished itself during liberation of the city of Azov on February 7th 1943. Sayen Martirasyan was awarded the Order of the Red Banner and his regiment became decorated with the Order of the Red Banner.

The commendation list says: “During offensive operations of the Division, comrade Martirosyan showed perfect skills of commanding the regiment, showed personal courage and bravery. The 581st Rifle Regiment under Martirosyan's command seriously struck at the enemy’s forces during the battles for Kuleshovka, Krasnogorovka, Azov, Rogozhkino and Morskoy Chulek. As a result of the actions, 350 soldiers and officers were killed, 2 main guns, 23 tanks, and 13 armored vehicles were destroyed. The regiment also took 8 machineguns, 8 vehicles, 3 bikes, 2 mortars, many supplies and ammunition, 22 officers and soldiers were taken as prisoners from December 23rd 1942 to March 10th 1943. His regiment was the first to break into Azov during the battle for the city.”

The 518th Rifle Regiment of the 320th Rifle Division distinguished itself under Martirosyan's command during the liberation of the villages of Kalnibolotskaya and Kushchevskaya in Krasnodar Territory in early 1943.

Later my grandfather also headed the 1241th Rifle Regiment of the 320th Rifle Division. The regiment participated as a part of the 53rd Army of the 2nd Ukrainian Front in the Jassy-Kishinev Operation and liberation of Bucharest. The 1241st regiment and other units which distinguished themselves during the battle for Bucharest were called ‘Bucharesti’. Sayen Martirasyan was awarded the Order of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of the Red Star, and various medals.

After the end of the war my grandfather lived on memories about the difficult times. He carried on correspondence with heads of administrations, principals of schools, museum staff in Krasnodar Territory and Azov, which were liberated by his regiment.

In autumn 2001 during a trip to Rostov-on-Don, where I was invited to an international workshop on problems of the Caucasus, I went to Azov and visited the city museum. There was a display about my grandfather in the hall of the Great Patriotic War. There were his essays, maps, photos, and personal things. I hope that nothing has changed today, and the memory about his actions is preserved in the city museum of Azov.

When I understand my grandfather’s involvement level, his personal contribution to the Great Victory, I am surprised by the harmonic combination in one person of high professionalism, diligence, faithfulness to his business and Motherland, personal courage, and modesty. My grandfather was modest, sincere, fair, almost naïve as a child, intended to help people, especially relatives and friends; he was kind and open to others. He never spoke badly about anyone. I think kindness and wisdom are also together, as well as stupidity and anger, unfortunately.

I think we should not only remember and respect the deeds of our fathers and grandfathers in the Great Patriotic War, raise our children in an atmosphere of respect for the Great Act of Courage, but also try to adopt the best skills of our ancestors. Probably such an attitude will help us to avoid the certain deficit of spirituality, undesired changes in the system of values, and other problems which we are facing today, unfortunately.