Home – Home – Jornals – Humanitarian sciences in Siberia 2014 number

Out of 60 divisions formed in 1939-1943 in the Siberian military district (Altay and Krasnoyarsk Regions, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Kemerovo and Tomsk Oblasts) only 20 divisions took part in the combats for liberation of Byelorussia in 19431944. The term “Siberian major units” needs to be specified for the purpose of defining the share of “Sibiryaks” (natives of Siberian region or drafted into the army from there). As a rule in the course of intensive combat operations there was a considerable rotation of the military personnel and it was replaced not only with “Sibiryaks”. Apparently, the term “Siberian divisions” during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 had certain psychological and propagandist connotation as an element of psychological and moral support while handling the enemy. During the period of September, 1943 - February, 1944 the Soviet Army carried out hard fights in a westerly direction which resulted in liberation of the Upper Dnieper. Siberian divisions without the adequate fire support literally “gnawed through” the fortified lines and suffered huge losses. For the outstanding acts of bravery 65 Siberian soldiers were bestowed with the title “Hero of the Soviet Union”. Almost one third of them were decorated with this title posthumously. In the Belorussian strategic offensive operation “Bagration” (June 23 - August 29, 1944) 16 Siberian divisions took part which equaled approximately 10% from all large units employed in the four fronts. For participation in the battles conducted during the summer of 1944 57 Siberian soldiers were bestowed with the title of the “Hero of the Soviet Union”, 19 of them received it posthumously. At the time of accomplishing a feat 41 heroes were younger than 30, while 2 soldiers had just turned 18. 13 out of 16 Siberian divisions that took part in the operation “Bagration” were bestowed with high government decorations. On June 23, 1944 the Belorussian offensive operation began; on July 28 the red banner fl ared up over the ruins of the Brest fortress. Siberian soldiers and divisions formed in Siberian military district contributed signifi cantly to the liberation of the brotherly republic.