the Hero of Russia Alexander Berzin more than twenty years served in the Northern fleet, commanded a nuclear submarine and division, repeatedly went to the pole, made more than fifty spliti in the polynyas, and a breakout of ice.
what gave you the Gold Star, Alexander?
– Give the face and the title of Hero assigned by the head of state! Yes, and your question is not original, frankly.
Unable to answer, as the Ordinance is written.
– Probably “For the shown courage and heroism”?
Now read This: “For courage and heroism in the performance of military duty in conditions, interfaced to risk for life. On 4 January 1995. The Kremlin, Moscow. President Boris Yeltsin.”
– And in fact, what was awarded?
– six months before was a trip to the North pole, which has become final “discharge” note in my service in the Navy. I soon moved to St. Petersburg, he began teaching at the naval Academy.
All I have on account of seven successful expeditions in the Arctic, which involved submarine commander and senior campaign. Double-surfaced at the pole, transfer ships to the Pacific fleet via the Arctic ocean.
Apparently, decided to award a Star on set…
looks Like you forgot to name the so-called Arctic circumnavigation, which was made in 1982.
Yes, when the nuclear missile submarine for the first time in history took place in the polar night, in all sectors of the Arctic, Soviet, Norwegian, American, canadian, and Danish.
Prepared thoroughly, the task seemed extremely difficult. Before military service under ice was performed in the conditions of polar day, because in the dark time of the year you could not use the main means of intelligence – telekompleks, which allowed to assess the structure of ice, crevasses, gullies. Only after visual inspection allowed for the ascent, and then only under favorable circumstances. Here is the command and decided to test the ability of nuclear submarines, if necessary in the darkness to crack the ice and put the missile attacks.
the best option for such a maneuver – hole, but where it can be found in winter, at the peak of ice formation? In addition, the ocean ice is not flat in structure, due to the constant movement it breaks, vzdyblivaetsya. The surface may be thin, but there would be a huge icicle that is capable of collision to RAM the ship and forever leave it under water.
– a kind of stalactites?
– Exactly! For example, in the Greenland sea have seen the icicle length of ninety meters. It can damage solid case, and if the blow will have on a missile silo, there is a risk of leakage and explosion. Certain death! Without screws to stay then, too, no save. No one!
So, again, the preparation took very seriously.
Before that, I went on the boat To-424 the military service under the ice around Svalbard, and picked our team as the most technically and professionally trained. However, transplanted to a new ship – To-211.
How many people were on Board?
– 142. Of these, about equally divided between officers, warrant officers and sailors of conscription service.
the Planned so-called “star trek”, in the case of the successful completion of which participants relied high awards.
unfortunately, while we were swimming under the ice, died Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist party comrade Brezhnev. Our cruiser went to sea on the twentieth of October 1982, and November 10, died Brezhnev.
That is typical: we had to spend on Board memorial service, making it simultaneously with the other ships of the fleet and memorial service at the red square, but I could not find the hour of farewell to the leader. Three times went to the sessions that towed antenna, which is used in immersed state, but the air was quiet, no one gave any information. Command as if stuck. In the end we had to break the ice, to stick the antenna outside to listen to the world and to know who and what he says in the West. But there was silence.
I have appointed the meeting at 13.00, made a mistake on the hour. The event was held and continued to perform combat missions. On base back in early December, making all that was planned, but before the awards then it did not come – the authorities continued to share power after Brezhnev’s death.
– But the circumnavigation was a success?
– At its best! But Canadians are unable to emerge. Seventeen days went in their sector, looking for the hole and nothing. Solid ice with a thickness of twenty meters and icicles, in other words, Podkovy, up to ninety. Spear-roam – not break.
And in the campaign of the fourteen times broke the ice and surfaced.
How it practically looks?
the Boat stopped and slowly begins to rise.
what speed?
Twenty inches per minute. Rise from a depth of eighty feet lasts approximately two and a half hours. The most unpleasant when the devices see that ice seems to be smooth, and suddenly – the obstacle. Or the boat blew over, or podshow suddenly drawn. Often had to abandon the ascent. Almost every time this was repeated. Three hours keep the crew combat alert, and then – Bang! – and nothing happened. Need to take and start on a new circle.
a trip?
a Hundred and fifty meters in length and a height of a nine-storey house.
pop Up is always 8-9 degrees trim by the stern, was priedkalns nose and cockpit. Purged one tank. If the boat went further, blowing��do two or three more nasal. When you crack the ice, it is important that the chopping the hatch rose above the water. Then you can go and clear the missile deck at the stern.
Ice how thick is able to break the submarine?
– a meter and a half, but I tried to less. It is not known in advance how it will turn out.
So every ascent a sort of lottery?
– No, we didn’t read the tea leaves, all done consciously.
another Question. Departing for active service boats were forbidden to emerge – only to clarify the place and the communication session. We were allowed to climb an unlimited number of times – in any convenient and safe way. The crew was stunned. Usually, after what? Left the base in a few hours – the dive, and following the surfacing about two and a half months when you return home.
And suddenly this gift, which the crew took to cheer, the men rushed to clean the missile deck from the ice. At the same time it was possible to smoke in the fresh air… Even the petition was: “Comrade commander, let’s come up to the surface”. Ask: “what is it?” Answer: “October 29 – birthday of the Komsomol”.
However, soon the enthusiasm waned. Behind – the cold of forty degrees, it’s pitch black, the wind whistles! And we all have chronometrically: how long from receipt of the signal went to search the hole, but on the surface and clean the deck.
the Standards were varied depending on the thickness of the ice and its structure.
the Crowbar worked with ice picks, arms and legs pushed the ice to clean up at least the bridge.
was not up to the cigarette, especially on the boat there was a special Smoking room. At some point almost under the convoy had to assign someone to clean the deck.
so we tumbled in the campaign fourteen times.
you found?
I Doubt it. At least the scouts didn’t report. When I came on base, I was worried about not dented the ship. Divers three times inspected, no dents, everything is fine.
the Only loss is during the campaign dead bird. We had an aviary – bluethroats, tit. Pieces of twelve. Even an aquarium with fish.
– it is supposed to?
the Designers are specially planned for the people to feel at home. The boat even had a sauna, people can relax in the pleasure. Of course, in strict accordance with the order of the day.
– Heard you cat take a hike?
” sure.” A cat, though not in 1982 and 1994. Tanya, the wife, the summer he went with children to the South, gray remained on the shore alone.
– Thought the animals on Board is prohibited.
– Well, why not? Cats on the ship, very useful, better than they are with the rats sleep. When the boat comes in for repair to the factory, thence rodents necessarily climb on Board and hide there. Need some way to expel them, then the cats and help.
Our grey was from a family of hereditary sailors, and his parents also lived on the boat. And we called it so because of gray color.
At the time of trekking, I left gray in the training center, asked to follow, but because of the bad character he constantly fought with other cats. Died, too, because temper: here, in Repino, climbed on a bull that he killed.
in 1994, the year I took gray with him.
– How was he on Board?
Fine. Cabins of the commander and flagship are very large, even the toilet is separate.
the fish do not hurt?
We lived in the second compartment, and the aquarium on the stern, 5 bis. Grey I was not allowed to roam the ship was not allowed out of the cabins.
– You, Alexander, never finished the story, why in 1982 have enclosed a reward?
– I told the boss it was not before: the power is shared. However, we on the crew were given two cars – “Lada” and “Moskvich”. At all.
– For money or free?
– of Course, through the cashier. Then there was the total deficit. Any product demanded vouchers for the purchase of rugs, crystal, furniture…
“Zhiguli” took someone from officers, on “the Muscovite” there were no volunteers, even chipped in a duty Midshipman, then he agreed to take. Otherwise would have had to give the car a different crew, we would say then that not snickering…
– And why you, as the commander didn’t get the car?
Yes, I later became a motorist. Rights received only in 1987.
Asked to provide a “Volga”. I had command of a division, but the commander of the flotilla said to me: “San Sanych, well, not ashamed? It is necessary to encourage the commanders of the boats.” I said, “Yes, I swim – from 200 to 240 days in a year! The other two or three times less!”
In the end promised to give me a white “Volga” in the fourth quarter of 1991. And it was the last car flows to the Northern fleet. The Soviet Union has finally collapsed.
That’s told, they say, cars will be no more. It’s me and not enough. I was going to go to sea, and then came the chief of the garage and says: “San Sanych, cars entered, but your “Volga” no.”
I Plucked up the nerve and asked the Deputy commander of the fleet Kasatonov. Explain: after a couple of hours to my trip, and here such parsley. Igor reassured: “Understood. Don’t worry about that. Happy sailing”.
While I was at sea, the car was found.
in Fairness I will say that for the Arctic circumnavigation of the crew received awards – in 1984, a year and a half after the campaign. The wording for the development of new technology.
Why are you in the list did not get?
– By the time I was already studying in Academy of a name of Kuznetsova.
– So justice was served in 1995, after a campaign, priurochenth the 300 anniversary of Russian fleet?
– Yes, then the submarine for the first time raised the blue and white St. Andrew’s flag and the Russian flag at the North pole. To us there had to be noted by all and Sundry: and skydivers, skiers, and members – only on the submarine forgot.
In the nineties, the attitude of the army and Navy left much to be desired. Hell there was a time. All educated people tried to escape from the service, everyone continued to sit.
Even so?
– Well, except for the lazy, there were still fans of the business and the Motherland.
– They are called patriots.
– I Agree. But it’s hard to be when three or four months are not paid a salary. Although the timeline of military service has not been canceled. You need to go on a hike, and no money to leave families to feed. Back on shore, but to go on vacation no matter what. And so – round…
I Remember walking with officers reports: “Commander, my mother died, asking permission to go to the funeral…” And I couldn’t even write a financial support.
You do not want to leave the fleet?
she couldn’t. Believed you cannot run from the sinking ship. Ashamed.
Wife not nagged?
– Was this when he served in St. Petersburg head of the Department of operational art at the naval Academy named Kuznetsov. There is also long delayed salaries.
what’s it?
– On the second half of the nineties. Really there was nothing to eat, Tanya said, “Leave the service, seek a normal job.” I went to the head of the Academy, said: “You are required to pay what is supposed to the Hero of Russia”. And I got paid. From the cash went straight to the pulpit, where he worked for twenty-five people, and said, “Guys, sorry, but I summon a money. If someone needs food, I need to borrow”. The men replied: “San Sanych, don’t you dare apologize! We all waited to take a feat at least in regard to his family.”
Hard times was.
– But in 1994, as something swung into Arctic campaign?
I decided to stir up the swamp, to remind myself. In the end, was able to prepare not one, but two ships – missile submarine K-18 (it is now called Karelia, it went to sea Vladimir Putin) and anti-submarine. I was appointed senior tactical group.
the Campaign lasted about a month, we podgadali to be at the North pole exactly on 27 July, the Day of the Russian Navy. Sent out a telegram to the Supreme Commander.
this time surfaced safely?
– You could say… Found a suitable hole in the ice right at the North pole, in a pair of cables from a geographical point. Stuck the wheelhouse, and then – nothing. So much ice that do not float… Gone, began to look for a better place.
at the second attempt found a large hole, but were unable to come to the edge of the ice, how was going. Originally planned to pull the part of the crew, to the men on the pole in the football played.
Instead, I had to inflate a rubber boat and planted the banner group on the ice.
Well, guess just in case to take a hike a personal boat. Never took it, and then suddenly dragged. Flair worked! However, without incident has not done: the oars I forgot at home. So… rowing with shovels. On them and swam.
In the banner group consisted of senior assistant captain Moses, he is now a Vice Admiral, commander of the Northern fleet, and the flagship Navigator Bogomazov, God rest his soul. The rest of the submarine looked like the crown of the Land set flags – Russian and St. Andrew.
was This your first trip to the North pole?
– No, 1987 was in the area. We shot two missiles, but failed. True, not our fault, not the mechanism, which was to cut off the connecting cable of the missile with the submarine. Something like grinder. But at the “cutter” put differently, he chewed-chewed but not chewed.
– And?
Cable is pulled out with meat, instrument compartment depressurized. When the rocket went into space, gyroscopes and other instruments began to fall, and there was self-destruction.
– of Course. It’s a clever machine, the rocket immediately hung to the side, straight down falls. No, we were not injured, but the task is not fulfilled. Could have been punished, thank God, did not…
will Surely end up in a more critical situation, Alexander?
– If alive, so nothing really bad happened.
– what?
– there were, of course, lurch.
for Example, using Kingston begins to enter the water compartment. Or something somewhere is going up.
Straight fire?
– Well, they are also different… In any accident it is necessary to take measures to respond.
emergency ascent reached?
– No, thank God. Why do we have without serious accidents? I always relied on the crew, it literacy and teamwork. To achieve this we have spared neither time nor effort. Everyone had thorough knowledge of its physical body and nurture it. If the person served some mechanism or on-Board system, he was obliged literally to the hearing and smell to feel any kind of problem.
On the ship provided the dubbing, sometimes even triple insurance policy, it is possible to make the switching to do not happened nothing irreparable. Just tell me, tell me, don’t wait until the thunder clap. Understand, measure, check, stop, if required, to make repairs, but do not assume the trouble. One who four hours went on watch, was not to sit and stare at the instruments, and to go and look for faults, the deviation of any parameters. Then everything will be nor��cially.
the Main thing – do not be afraid to tell the truth. And in fact, as sometimes happens? “Sorry, scared to report.” Well, Holy smoke!
better than another option: “let’s just Try to figure it out myself, but not raise a panic!” This initiative is the main danger. Maybe “Komsomolets” was lost due to the fact that in the aft compartment, where a fire started on its own to deal with… Never to do anything alone. Declare an emergency alarm to all the people were on the ground, and then look what happened.
– And the “Kursk”?
I don’t know what to answer. Those who could tell me the truth, given the strict subscription to disclose. But Sergey Gorshkov, our great commander-in-chief, rightly said: there is no inevitable accident, produce all people. Even collision with icebergs, when they break logging and retractable device, too, the negligence of the commander, the neglect of features of the navigation area. Can’t be in the Navy such that once or twice, and Bang!
an Unexpected incident happened on the submarine ships first generation, when many still did not know, did not have time to study. Accidents often proceeded from a nuclear reactor, we kept the materials, there were some leaks. Not able to reserve more system. But it was in the making.
you can Not always blame the disaster on the technique. The fire, the admission of water into ship, the explosions of torpedoes or batteries – it is, sorry, absurd. And the inevitable rock is not necessary to sin. If you dig deeper, sure found the human factor.
in Itself, nothing should explode. So either the crew made a mistake, or overlooked the shore.
But fear familiar to you?
– I’m a real person. And I have only one life, not like cats… In the first second when triggered emergency protection, is not myself, but the commander does not have the right to lose control. Rather, it is not fear, but a sense of responsibility for the crew, the ship.
Do not panic. This is the last thing.
– You said yourself that the Arctic is not everywhere you can float…
Is true. Often, this ice is found that no torpedo will not explode. If there’s something really serious, then Khan. All hope for a good training and high skills, as well as the reliability of the material.
How much you spent in the ice?
a total of seven tours – two hundred and seventy days, and totaly under water for about seven years.
Again, different stories there were. For example, the transition from the Northern fleet to the far East you have to pass the shallow Chukchi sea. There is a chute Herald, where the maximum depth is fifty meters.
so consider. Top the ice with icicles, bottom – down with difficult terrain, in the middle of the boat with a height of seventeen meters. Necessary�� to fit into the gap, nothing to catch.
How many feet under the keel usually want?
Three! But not for such a colossus. Twice I held the ships for this gap. Normally it…
– What speed was that?
– In the region of eight knots, about fourteen kilometers per hour. Slowly, but surely. Go and listen to all the sonar work.
to be Honest, scuba diving is boring.
– how do you brought him?
– I will Not say that my childhood dream was to be a submariner. It so happened…
In the four years I was left an orphan. Father didn’t know he was an engineer, built the Moscow subway. There he met my mother. But they split up shortly after my birth. Mother gave her name. And the father I’d be the Kirov.
When I was a year, we moved to Baku, where lived my mother’s parents. She worked in the oil fields. Once we were driving in the car and had an accident. From a blow to the chest started to sarcoma of the lungs, mother died shortly afterwards. I was left alone with his grandmother, since my grandfather had died.
Well… lived a band, needless to say. But at least we were lucky: at the dawn of Soviet power in Azerbaijan, the grandmother stood somewhere on Athas, leaflets were thrown. She was known and respected old Bolsheviks.
They turned to the commander of the Caspian flotilla, was asked to direct me to the Leningrad naval school. From Baku, Peter went thirteen people were able to do the two.
In 1959 I became vospitana. We were named…
was a good student, he graduated from the Nakhimov with a silver medal, went to the school of Mikhail Frunze. Now it bears the name of Peter the Great. Closer to the issue asked in the submarine. Then began active development of the nuclear Navy to serve on submarines was cool.
how Romantic!
– of Course. And technique is awesome.
– And the danger of radiation exposure?
All had a dosimeter measured the level.
When you become a commander?
– I Commanded two submarine cruisers K-216 and K-424.
the First was headed by in 1980, ten years after graduation. Euphoria during the day. Have realized the responsibility of a huge ship, complicated technology, powerful weapons, manpower… Nothing and no one should fail. Constant voltage! The crew, which I found out was the old splaviny, as we say. For example, petty officer, petty officer team hydroacoustics, had fifteen fighting services, and every such trip – eighty-ninety days at sea.
the Men – aces! To me they are easy to work with.
– A second crew?
it was difficult. Cruiser K-424 was built as the lead ship of the series, and the personnel were trained in the factories. Later the crews engaged in training centres, then arriving at the ship, but the sailors d��I head cruiser traveling the country, learning from the companies that built the boat. Because of this, the team had the ambition, they say, they know and can do.
In principle, there is nothing wrong, just bravado does not lead to slackness and misconduct. I’m faced with the fact that the boat was, sorry to the guys drunks. Yes, they knew the business, but could go on a Bender, drink at the most inopportune moment.
So I had to break the raspberries, to restore order.
And you non-drinking friend?
– Well, as you can in the service of something!
Suddenly the call of the ship or a call of duty General from Moscow? The division commander is obliged to be constantly connected. Twenty-four hours a day! In the car – radio and home – phone RF. God forbid you speak with the staff in a drunken state! The next day kicked out with shame. Unthinkable story!
in short, I quickly showed the crew who’s boss. Some dull received punishment, the party Secretary of the boat lost his post.
I Brought the discipline and with a “refurbished” team went to the world.
– for educational purposes only used the whip?
– I was punished, and encouraged. For example, introduced the rule to non-smokers could two hours early to leave the service. Honestly, without cheating. Many, indeed, quit the habit.
Another example. Our 424-th ship was in a Reindeer Lip, and part of the crew lived in gadzhiyevo, in the twenty-four kilometers. And people were transported on the so-called cattle.
the Horror!
– It was covered with tarpaulin “Ural”. And the road – one name. In the winter there were tracked APC, has cleared. People jump into the body and rattled along. Imagine what the view was of a form? No Russian sailors, and the remnants of the French or the Germans near Moscow. Especially pathetic it looked in the summer due to dust. In the morning I did a build on the crew was terrible to watch, not the officers and warrant officers, and devils are some.
I’m Sick of this picture, gathered all and say: okay, guys, we have to sew a new form. Today the first shift is leaving in 14 hours and orders overcoats and jackets. All happily went in gadzhiyevo: the commander was allowed to go home four hours early.
And the next morning, I ordered: “First shift, show kvitochki on the order form.” Of course, no one paper. Well, I declare, tonight, but tomorrow will be punished. Standing, sigh: “Well, comrade commander, you give!”
But a month later on the crew was pleased to see. And the command of the division was surprised: “Berzin, where did you get these done? Like in the movies”.
by the Way, films about submariners look?
– “72 meters” I liked it. I know that the film was shot on the eponymous collection of short stories of the writer Alexander Pokrovsky?
– the name sounds Familiar.
– But what you may not know that he was chemist I have on the submarine K-216 and directed there by the party organization.
I Must say, the books at Pokrovsky evil. When he began to produce them one after another, I always took up with an internal shudder: what if something nasty written about me? Alexander then took offense: “Comrade commander, how could you think that? Never say bad words in your address. You are the best man.”
And the movie turned out true. You know, in the Ministry of defence it is not all like it, intercession was not even invited to the official screening of “72 meters”, or rather, made it so he didn’t.
– What other paintings have you seen?
– American K-19 with Harrison Ford in the title role. The contents of underwater life is shown well. That’s just the facial expressions of the actors weird. So the Russian officers not to grimace. Well, I didn’t like divers, we dress differently. Apparently, the consultants screwed up.
Where is movie and literature. I heard you were friends with Victor Konecki?
– When in 1994 he moved to St. Petersburg, there was established the St. Petersburg club of submariners, and I was elected its President. We started to invite respected people, including Viktor Viktorovich.
We soon became friends. I often visited him at home. He is a man of amazing integrity and sincerity. Kept it real, did not hide what he thinks. With him it was always interesting to talk to. Of course, we were arguing about.
I respected Victor not only as a wonderful writer, all the books were read to tatters. For me at least it was what he half a dozen times through the Northern sea route. It is a powerful story.
Victor gave you his books?
– I Have the complete collection. Autographed. And the picture is a gift from him… There is a common photograph taken at home Konecki. In his office hung a huge map of the world, where was laid all the way track, Victor. Australia, South America, North. Mentally we always talked about life and loved to remember. Last time I saw her a few weeks before the death of him.
– you, Alexander, Star of what number?
– an Interesting case was when he washed the reward in the circle of friends.
he Drank, and the wife of my friend-submariner says: “that test is so strange – 105?”. Her husband responds, “Woman, this is not a test, and the serial number of the coin.” The poor, even sardelas from embarrassment.
the original But I almost never wear. Too heavy star. And expensive.
– In the sense that, was it hard?
– And in a figurative and literal. It weighs a lot, but the clasp is flimsy, shitty holds. Pity if you lose.
For formal occasions is a fake. For example, for a parade on the occasion of Navy Day.
Go?
– In recent years – is necessary. A beautiful ceremony, the eye is pleased.
And the place I always allocate�� closer to Vladimir Putin.
I Must say, parades in my life were many. On red square regularly marched when I was in Nakhimov.
And then on the 50th anniversary of the October revolution, when he was a cadet of the school named after Frunze.
– How did you survive the coronavirus-isolation? Probably not a difficult hike under the ice?
I disagree. On duty we carry out tasks, serve, and sit here and wait, I don’t know. On the ship constantly communicate with people, the situation changes. There is no one to lock up and be afraid of everyone and everything.
the television was also told, they say, divers are accustomed to. Nothing to do. Two big differences as speak in Odessa. In the campaign every day – work, and because of the pandemic all shied away from each other.
In any situation, the worst part is the uncertainty. Not a terrible end, the horror without end.
But we, divers, are able to tolerate. And not so worried. Here will come up with a vaccine, then take a walk.
Saint Petersburg
