Kobrin's release by eyes of eyewitnesses

Kobrin → Materials about Kobrin district → Kobrin district in the years of war

At dawn operation on liberation of Belarus code-named "Bagration" began on June 23, 1944. On July 3 the capital of our republic Minsk was freed from fascist aggressors. Now this day is celebrated as the Independence Day of Republic of Belarus. During the Lublin-Brest operation on July 20, 1944 by troops of the I Belarusian front released Mr. Kobrin.

The honourable name "Kobrin" was appropriated to twelve parts I of the Belarusian front which especially caused a stir in fights for the city. Among them there was the 533rd army destructive anti-tank regiment under command of P. Govorov in which the second lieutenant Ivan Matveevich Matveev served as the commander of investigation to guard. The remained its diary entries are shown in one of halls of the new building of the military and historical museum of A. V. Suvorov. And though maintaining diaries by soldiers and officers of regular army in the conditions of a wartime was strictly forbidden, from rules there were always exceptions. Thanks to it we can learn about Kobrin's release from notes of the eyewitness today. It is remarkable that since July 20, 1944 the description of events of each passable day begins:

"on July 20, 1944... We approach by to Kobrin of the Brest region. Germans took cover on the railroad that passes across east suburb of the city. I went with Derevitsky (the Art. the sergeant, the operator) to investigation with a task to learn the information about the opponent. In an infantry staff of a battalion reported that in 10 minutes there will be an artillery preparation and approach to Kobrin. Already tell that the river is forced, means we will be in the city soon. To Brest there are only 45 km.

Reported on all results on command. Our battery settled down about farms. I with the people occupied one house. As were having been tired, before twilight laid down to have a rest.

July 21. The opponent left the city at night. At 4:00 in the morning our battery left for Kobrin. The front left far to Brest. Shots reach us deafly. Here we drove up to the river. All bridges are blown up. Began to build a crossing for motor transport. This time I went to the city. Took with itself 3 people. In the city there is a lot of ruin. The population with knots comes back from the woods to the dwellings... I brought together party meeting at which personally gave the report on the question "Political Vigilance and Tasks of the Party Organization"... And life in just released Mr. Kobrin began".

Here the order of the 61st N153 army of July 8, 1944 about assignment to Matveev of a rank the lieutenant came. Command of a regiment settled down near hospital (nowadays the building of the Criminal Procedure Code, Sovetskaya St.). Ivan Matveevich writes: "On a table the record player, hangs a balalaika with the broken-off signature stamp on a wall. Soon found plates and started fun. The room is cheerful, conditions good. A little far away there is the 12th division of guards in which I worked after courses as the commander of a platoon of an educational battalion. Communication works for me normally and therefore to worry there is nothing, everything is all right".

"July 23. Organized a party bureau meeting concerning elections of members of a party bureau and work among the civilian population exempted from fascist aggressors".

Except Kobrin, the 533rd destructive anti-tank regiment freed the cities: Kovel, Pinsk, Ivanovo, Drogichin, Antopol. For fights on liberation of Brest it was awarded the order the Red Banner. Polk took part in liberation of Riga, reached Germany, beat fascists on the Oder River, stormed the cities of Froyenvalda, Ebersvalda, Tselendorf, the northern suburb of Berlin, reached Elba (the last diary entries of Matveev are made on June 30, 1945 in. It is boiled, Germany). For combat operations in Germany it is awarded by the Order of Suvorov 3 class and the Order of Kutuzov.

Having a presentiment of a particular interest in primary sources, in the records of military years Ivan Matveev on the separate page of the diary wrote down: "Perhaps there will pass years and it will remain indelible memory. At each person if to look back, the passable way is interesting. My fighting way in this war is connected with difficulties from the first day of war, with surprises, dangers, deprivations. It is written here very much and very briefly, to describe all very difficult. Well let though in brief there will be for me this real reality".

And for us is the recovered history today.

Nazaruk, T. Kobrin's release by eyes Eyewitnesses / Tatyana Nazaruk//Kobrynsk_ vesn_k. – 2003. – 2 l_penya. – Page 2.



Popular materials


Materials about Kobrin district

Make the contribution to a reconstruction of history of Kobrin district. If you have interesting materials - share with us: admin@ikobrin.ru

Comments


Names of articles





Search in the website



Our partners