Brest Fortress. Kobrin fortification. Casemate Major Gavrilov. 22 June 2016 of the year. 5 o'clock in the morning.
Every year a similar event takes place at this place. For which a large number of Brest residents and guests are going. But this year, as the date was quite impressive, there were not just a lot of participants, but also various. According to our estimates, about 600 people participated in the reconstruction of the battle in the fortress. And this is despite the most severe selection by the organizers.
A few words about them. Organizes this commemorative action militaryhistorical club "Garrison". “Garrison” are famous for their scrupulousness in the selection of participants, and their cruelty has already become legendary. But what to do, 1941 is not easy to portray.
This June the festival was international and international. In addition to the Belarusian and Russian clubs, participants from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Estonia, Bulgaria, Israel and ... Japan arrived. More 50 military history clubs and societies.
Having already been to several reconstructions and clearly realizing that this is not mine, as they say, nevertheless, was pretty surprised. And the organization, and the spirit of the event. The mess, of course, was definite to be, as without him at such a large-scale event, but even he was some such ... kind or something. And painfully dear, army. Especially in terms of relations with the commandant's office.
There were some unpleasant moments, especially during filming. It’s a pity, of course, that they didn’t save our third camera, which the participants from the German side just dared into the trench, and the second, which half of the working time was shooting the back of the head of the Estonian correspondent Eugene. But what remains, we hope, will give you the opportunity to assess the scale of the event.
I will say that this was the fifth event I attended. And while the most impressive. It was not just a reconstruction of some moment of battle. It was a full-fledged forty-minute performance. Bright, beautiful and not leaving anyone indifferent. It is surprising how the organizers were able to rehearse a presentation of this magnitude in some two days.
Kobrin fortress of Brest Fortress, June 22, 4: 30 am.
Participants of the event with frank pleasure crowded around the fires. It was, to put it mildly, not hot.
While we exhibited, the final preparations were over. Field hospital.
It all began somehow suddenly and unnoticed. The fires were quickly extinguished, and the evening of June began on 21. Horse patrol of frontier guards.
Evening dance "Riorita", "The tired sun", "Black Rose" and other melodies of that time.
I could not resist, to be honest, and translated some photos where there are no modern details in black and white format. In my opinion, it turned out quite in the spirit of the times.
In the morning sky the plane rattled. Perhaps he symbolized the German intelligence officer.
Border post at the far end of the site.
The historical moment: delivery to the headquarters of the defector from the other side.
In the meantime, German intelligence was already shooting our patrols.
4: 20 am for the time 5: 20 for the modern.
The start of the war was impressive. The earth really started, the sappers worked to the fullest.
Civilians shelter in the barracks.
St. Petersburg armored BA-6.
The NKVD regiment fighters went into battle.
The first Germans on the outskirts.
The first counterattacks of our fighters.
Wedge T-27.
The first prisoners.
The first loss of the Germans.
The sun has risen. It is possible that 75 years ago, the sunrise looked the same ...
The Germans call on the defenders of the fortress to surrender. The answer from the fortress was heard all over the field: "Do not wait, freaks!"
Surrender of civilians and wounded. The episode took place to be 24 June 1941 of the year.
Not very accurately thrown grenade. Lay exactly between us.
[center] A German armored car hit our car, but was destroyed by Soviet gunners.
The Germans seize the hospital.
And the fortress is captured.
Winners? 75 years ago, they thought so too.
I pay tribute to the participants of the reconstruction. They did not play, they lived happening. I saw what is called with my own eyes. The magnificent performance, the finale of which was the "revival" of all the fallen. They stood on the field in a minute of silence, civilians, Germans, Soviet fighters, and a crowd of thousands of people applauded them ...
We, frankly, succumbed to the general impulse. It was difficult to resist, becoming a witness to this. Therefore, this moment was taken only otpinchennaya camera in the trench. The only thing that could be taken from it was just a moment of silence. We in the sector vehemently applauded the participants. And they stood silently, looking in the direction of the Stella "Bayonet", to the place where those whom they portrayed are buried.
After the end, everything, as usual at such events, mixed up. Soviet fighters shared their impressions with the Germans, both sides were willingly photographed with the audience. We tried to talk with everyone about impressions, but soon abandoned this business. Impressions for all were about the same. And in order not to take time, we decided to leave the opinion of probably the most peaceful person in this field. In principle, he said for everyone.
We are extremely grateful to the press service of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation and personally to comrade Colonel-General Shamanov for his opinion, which he shared exclusively for the readers of the Military Review.
Summarizing what was seen, it is worth saying only that it left us with indelible impressions. And how everything was carried out, and how all the participants lived these minutes. It was a truly animated episode of our story. Heavy, bloody, but ours. And the way participants and organizers relate to history inspires respect.
Thank you all!