All the authors we publish letters lived to see the Victory. With the exception of one. The future Hero of the Soviet Union, Natan M. Polyak was born 9 APR 1922 in Rostov-on-don. In 1925 the family moved to Moscow. Nathan graduated from the school № 170 in which studied the children of employees of the third international. With 3 courses of the Institute have volunteered in the 8-th division of the militia. In the army in July 1941. Fought on the Reserve, Western, Stalingrad, South-Western, southern fronts. Was wounded. April 3, 1943 his mother received a death notice. But Lieutenant Polyak was alive and continued service. On the front said: “the shell twice a funnel is not falling”. Perhaps that’s why Nathan was sure he’d meet Victory.
NATHAN POLOSOK
His military career continued at 4-m 1-Ukrainian and Byelorussian fronts. Particularly distinguished himself in a breakthrough of enemy defenses on the Oder. April 9, 1945 Nathan 23 years old. He is the captain, the political officer 1054 th infantry regiment of 301st rifle division, was awarded in February, order of the red banner. To his main dream – to take Berlin – was only 50 miles….
In mid-April N. Polyak write to his brother Arkady, the Lieutenant, who was also at the front: “Ah, Berlin close. Two transitions, and there… don’t worry about me. Bullet is looking for timid, but I know not one of them”.
couldn’t Nathan know when he wrote this letter that began on 16 April, the battle for Berlin would be his simultaneously tragic and heroic. The enemy defended the last Bastion of the Third Reich desperately that it is not allowed to build on the success of the offensive. Perhaps, therefore, the Sovinformburo until 21 April never mentioned the battle for Berlin. And combatants in the first day of the offensive was not until the letters…
premium sheet for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union learn about the last hours of the life and death of Nathan in a battle at one of the Seelow heights, where he hoisted the Red Flag of the battalion, but was killed by a shell fragment: “Captain Pulusuk during the period of heavy offensive fighting to break through the heavily fortified defense of the Germans near the railway station, Verbic /on the outskirts of Berlin/ 16 to G. 18.04.1945 have shown exceptional heroism and courage. Two days, our troops fought bloody battles for nameless height in Verbis. 3 infantry battalion, received the task – to master the storm that height. Captain Polyak, heading the command of the battalion, courageously led his battalion to storm the heights. The Germans, trying to keep him for this important line of defense, counterattacked, the battalion Paluska. Soviet soldiers following the example of a brave commander enlisting in combat with numerically superior forces of the Germans in fierce battles have destroyed 6 German tanks, 2 self-propelled guns and 90 of the Nazis “
40 years after the death of the hero of his letters and photos were passed to the Archive of the economy, where I then worked. And they were first published in may 1985. it is in the “MK”.
BASIL POLEEV
he Went to the front as a volunteer, assigning a year, at the age of 16, after his father, who died near Kerch, came to funerals. Defended Stalingrad, conducted sabotage behind enemy lines, participated in the liberation of the Rostov region of Donbass and Southern Ukraine. After being wounded and the hospital a 19-year-old guard Sergeant, squad leader of company relationships within the guards airborne division, 3rd Ukrainian front participated in the battles in Hungary and Czechoslovakia, have taken Vienna.
After the war, Vasily Poleev — military personnel, captain. Then worked in the Ministry of internal Affairs in Volgograd, was a Colonel in the militia. His letter was published in the collection “letters from the Front. 1941-1945”, published in 2010 in Volgograd..
“on 16 April 1945
greetings from the front!
Mother and grandmother, Hello!!!
First reported that I was alive and well….
Mom, if You knew how we eat here. Because where will the Russian soldiers, there to him all the honors and privileges. Lacks one thing only — the bird’s milk.
Mom, I am now on the 3rd Ukrainian front. My path — from the Budapest and Vienna — has already passed. We received a commendation comrade. Stalin for the defeat of the Panzer divisions. It is we, the guards, with unprecedented speed captured the Austrian capital Vienna.
And for all deeds committed in this way, the command I presented to the government awards. As received, I will inform you.
Mom, guys me very happy. And I’m always proud of them.
Mom, very much. A lot of military Affairs I did with my eagles. But just don’t describe. Mom, come in exceptionally difficult conditions forested mountainous terrain. Have to meet many hardships and harsh military trials, but we are all eager — closer to the creature’s lair, the closer our meeting at Home.
in the meantime, I wish You the best of health and success in life.
Your son Bob.
if possible, take a picture and send it to you. Greetings from of the paratroopers”.
For his able guidance his Department Vasily Poleev was April 18, awarded order of the red Star. And on the same day, during a battle near the village of Oldendorf where the guards had personally removed five damage lines of communication, it was presented to medals “For courage”.
after 2 weeks with a small V. G. will celebrate its 94th anniversary and he lives in Volgograd, retiring as a Colonel.
Publication was prepared by the co-Chairman of the Russian Holocaust Center, Russian state humanitarian University Professor Ilya Altman, with participation of the head. The educational Department of the Center Svetlana Tyanking
