Alexander Gritchenko, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, first-rank captain, deputy chairman of the Section of Veteran Fellow-Soldiers of the Azerbaijani Republic, made a speech at the international conference “Anniversary of Great Victory; vivid memory through generations” last week. In his speech, the veteran said that there had been many attempts to falsify the history of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. In his words, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev traditionally meets with veteran, congratulates them, grants material aid, lays flowers at the memorial to Major-General Azi Aslanov, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, on May 9.
Quoting Marshal of the USSR Georgy Zhukov, Gritchenko noted that many young people aged 17-18 had died in the war. The veteran said that 700,000 Azerbaijanis went to war, half of them died. He added that Azerbaijan had taken part in liberating Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, the Baltic states, Eastern Europe from the enemy. The captain mentioned rifle divisions 77, 223, 296, 402 and the 416th rifle division of the 5th offensive army, which had stormed Berlin and raised the Victory Flag over the Brandenburg Gate. The 416th rifle division was given the red banner and the 2nd-rank Suvorov Order, the 369th marine battalion formed in Baku received the red banner.
123 Azerbaijanis were given the title of Heroes of the Soviet Union, 34 received the Order of Glory, 400,000 were awarded orders and medals of the Soviet Union. A thousand were honoured with congratulatory notes from the commander-in-chief, recalls the veteran.
Gritchenko gave the names of well-known distinguished heroes: twice Hero of the Soviet Union Major-General Azi Aslanov, Hero of the Soviet Union Aslan Veziov, Ziya Buniyatov, Adil Kuliyev, Melik Mageramov, Mehti Huseinzadeh, Richard Sorge, Nikolai Sheverdyayev, Nikolai Popov and many others.
The veteran described deeds of notable war heroes.
On June 29, 1941, Ilyas Ismailov destroyed 11 enemy tanks in one battle.
On October 18, 1942, Kafur Mamedov of the Red Fleet saved his commander Zinovy Sinetsky in the Battle of the Caucasus by covering him with his body. Mamedov became a Hero of the Soviet Union. Poet Suleyman Rustem described the heroic act in the poem “The Heart of Kafur”.
Lieutenant Musa Bagirov and 11 of his hero-soldiers had managed to hold off the enemies offensive until reinforcements arrived. Bagirov became a Hero of the Soviet Union.
On February 11, 1943, Soviet forces took control over the city and the railway network of Lozovaya in Ukraine. Major-General I.Y. Kulgin’s division was the first to enter it.
Over 2,500 soldiers, including Lieutenant Mageramov, became Heroes of the Soviet Union for crossing the River Dnepr.
Sergeant Victor Lunin of the artillery forces destroyed three enemy tanks in Stalingrad.
Guerilla Mehti Huseinzadeh became a Hero of the Soviet Union.
Alexander Gritchenko, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, first-rank captain, deputy chairman of the Section of Veteran Fellow-Soldiers of the Azerbaijani Republic, made a speech at the international conference “Anniversary of Great Victory; vivid memory through generations” last week. In his speech, the veteran said that there had been many attempts to falsify history of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. In his words, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev traditionally meets with veteran, congratulates them, grants material aid, lays flowers to the memorial of Major-General Azi Aslanov, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, on May 9.Quoting Marshall of the USSR Georgy Zhukov, Gritchenko noted that many young people aged 17-18 had died in the war. The veteran said that 700,000 Azerbaijanis went to war, half of them died. He added that Azerbaijan had taken part in liberating Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Baltic states, Eastern Europe from the enemy. The captain mentioned rifle divisions 77, 223, 296, 402 and the 416th rifle division of the 5th offensive army, which had stormed Berlin and raised the Victory Flag over the Brandenburg Gate. The 416th rifle division was given the red banner and the 2nd-rank Suvorov Order, the 369th marine battalion formed in Baku received the red banner.123 Azerbaijanis were given the title of Heroes of the Soviet Union, 34 received the Order of Glory, 400,000 were awarded orders and medals of the Soviet Union. A thousand were honoured with congratulation notes from the commander-in-chief, recalls the veteran.Gritchenko gave names of well-known distinguished heroes: twice Hero of the Soviet Union Major-General Azi Aslanov, Hero of the Soviet Union Aslan Veziov, Ziya Buniyatov, Adil Kuliyev, Melik Mageramov, Mehti Huseinzadeh, Richard Sorge, Nikolai Sheverdyayev, Nikolai Popov and many others.The veteran described deeds of notable war heroes.On June 29, 1941, Ilyas Ismailov destroyed 11 enemy tanks in one battle.On October 18, 1942, Kafur Mamedov of the Red Fleet saved his commander Zinovy Sinetsky in the Battle of the Caucasus by covering him with his body. Mamedov became a Hero of the Soviet Union. Poet Suleyman Rustem described the heroic act in the poem “The Heart of Kafur”.Lieutenant Musa Bagirov and 11 of his hero-soldiers had managed to hold off the enemies offensive until the reinforcements arrived. Bagirov became a Hero of the Soviet Union.On February 11, 1943, Soviet forces took control over the city and the railway network of Lozovaya in Ukraine. Major-General I.Y. Kulgin’s division was the first to enter it.Over 2,500 soldiersm including Lieutenant Mageramov, became Heroes of the Soviet Union for crossing River Dnepr.Sergeant Victor Lunin of artillery forces destroyed three enemy tanks in Stalingrad.Guerilla Mehti Huseinzadeh became a Hero of the Soviet Uni
