22 June. Brest Fortress. Battle Reconstruction

41


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!
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  1. +12
    5 July 2016 06: 10
    Thanks to the authors, thanks to the organizers and sponsors of this very necessary event! And many thanks to the participants!
    A very necessary action, do not forget the sacred!
    1. MrK
      0
      5 July 2016 11: 30
      Quote: aszzz888
      A very necessary action, do not forget the sacred!

      I completely agree with my colleague. But one question does not go out of my head: Why did our two divisions remain in the fortress by the beginning of the war, on June 22?
      1. +8
        5 July 2016 16: 33
        Quote: mrark
        Why did our two divisions remain in the fortress by the beginning of the war, on June 22?

        Heroes of the Brest defense - guards, capters, orderlies .... The main staff was in summer camps, which were bombed and shot in the first hours. My father, a sergeant then, met the war exactly there, in summer camps near Brest. He got out of the encirclement himself and brought with him about a hundred soldiers, armed, some with his own, some with captured weapons, some in our uniform, some in German, some in civilian clothes only near Smolensk. They almost shot their own - "German spy and saboteur".
        PS Children's memories of the Brest Fortress. 60s Father, mother and I wander along the paths among the ruins, piles of broken bricks. Then there was still no memorial.
    2. +1
      5 July 2016 12: 45
      German machine gunner without a second number is firing. And then shoots with hands on the go ..
      1. 0
        5 July 2016 15: 02
        Quote: Kostoprav
        German machine gunner without a second number is firing. And then shoots with hands on the go ..

        I could be wrong, but the MG-42 machine gun.
        1. 0
          6 July 2016 14: 03
          That's right!) And the Germans already all have captured trophies)
  2. +16
    5 July 2016 06: 12
    I read about reconstructions before, but had no idea what it was. Impressed with black and white photographs. So it seems that this is a documentary. Thanks to the authors.
    1. +13
      5 July 2016 10: 05
      Thank you, nice to hear / see. I tried.
  3. +4
    5 July 2016 06: 44
    Thank. Thank you very much!
  4. +2
    5 July 2016 06: 45
    I still remember the panorama of the defense of Sevastopol, such a vivid impression, but I was only five years old, and it was a very, very long time! It was a pity at that time there were no such reconstructions, I can imagine what kind of memories remained! Our children have such a place for reconstructions !
  5. +6
    5 July 2016 07: 09
    The author of the article firmly shakes hands. Here was a large-scale event and not a word about it in the media. Sorry.
    1. +3
      5 July 2016 08: 48
      This is a common thing, they do not write about reconstructions of fights.

      Photo from the same meta, but 5 years ago ...
      1. +8
        5 July 2016 10: 02
        Quote: avg-mgn
        . That was a major event and not a word about it in the media. It's a pity.


        Quote: Narkom
        This is a common thing, they do not write about reconstructions of fights.


        Well, we write ... And there is an opinion that we will continue to write, because such a reportage is still more informative than a one and a half minute story on TV.

        In general, it is not easy to communicate with reenactors. People are very on its wave. Therefore, the media and reluctant to cover events.
        1. +3
          9 July 2016 14: 12
          Quote: Banshee
          In general, it is not easy to communicate with reenactors. People are very on its wave. Therefore, the media and reluctant to cover events.

          As a matter of fact with airsoft players Yes ...
  6. +8
    5 July 2016 07: 17
    Thank you, great photos .. we have M. Gavrilov’s ul in Krasnodar, Peter Mikhailovich Gavrilov lived with us in Krasnodar since 1968 .. where he died on January 26, 1979. And he was buried with military honors in the garrison memorial cemetery of Brest.
  7. +18
    5 July 2016 08: 16
    Major of Defense of the Brest Fortress, commander of the 44th Infantry Regiment of the 42nd Infantry Division, Major Peter Mikhailovich Gavrilov (1900 - 1979).

    P.M. From June 22 to July 23, 1941, Gavrilov led the defense of the East Fort of the Brest Fortress. He managed to rally around him all the surviving fighters and commanders of various units and subunits, and to close the most vulnerable places for breaking through the enemy. Until June 30, the fort's garrison provided organized resistance, stubbornly repelling the countless attacks of the enemy and preventing him from breaking into the fort. After the enemy used high-power aerial bombs and destroyed part of the fort’s structures, the Germans managed to break into the fort and capture most of its defenders. Since early July, Major Gavrilov with the surviving fighters switched to tactics of sudden attacks and attacks on the enemy. July 23, 1941 from a shell explosion in the casemate was seriously wounded and was unconscious in a state of unconsciousness. He spent the war years in the Nazi concentration camps of Hammelburg and Revensburg, having experienced all the horrors of captivity. He was liberated by Soviet troops in May 1945 in the Mauthausen concentration camp. Passed a special check and was reinstated in a military rank. But at the same time he was expelled from the party due to the loss of a membership card and being held captive. Since the fall of 1945, he was the head of the Soviet camp for Japanese prisoners of war in Siberia on the construction of the Abakan-Taishet railway. In June 1946, he was transferred to the reserve.

    In 1955, he finally found his wife and son, with whom he parted under bombs in the first hour of the war. In 1956, S.S. Smirnova “Brest Fortress”, based on factual material. This event favorably reflected on the fate of Gavrilov. He was restored to the party and he was presented to the highest award of the country. On January 30, 1957, for the exemplary performance of military duty during the defense of the Brest Fortress in 1941 and the courage and heroism shown to this, Peter Mikhailovich Gavrilov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal.
    1. +3
      5 July 2016 16: 07
      Only something they do not remember regimental commissar Fomin, he also distinguished himself
      1. +7
        5 July 2016 18: 01
        His feat is highly appreciated by the people and the government - Decree of the Presidium
        Supreme Soviet of the USSR Efim Moiseevich Fomin posthumously awarded the Order
        Lenin, and an extract from this decree, like a precious relic, is now stored
        in a new apartment in Kiev, where the wife and son of the deceased commissar live.
        And in the Brest Fortress, not far from the Kholm Hill, to the bullet-riddled
        a marble memorial plaque is written on the wall of the barracks, on which it is written that
        here the regimental commissar Fomin boldly met death at the hands of the Nazis
        executioners. And many sightseers visiting the fortress come here,
        to lay a wreath at the foot of the wall or just leave it near this board ..

        a bunch of flowers is a modest tribute to the people’s gratitude and respect for memory

        hero.
    2. +2
      5 July 2016 19: 28
      Quote: bionik
      He was liberated by Soviet troops in May 1945 in the Mauthausen concentration camp. Passed a special check and was reinstated in a military rank. But at the same time he was expelled from the party due to the loss of a membership card and being held captive. Since the fall of 1945, he was the head of the Soviet camp for Japanese prisoners of war in Siberia on the construction of the Abakan-Taishet railway. In June 1946, he was transferred to the reserve.

      Hehehehe ... liberal liberal historians used to howl that after the liberation from a German concentration camp, the hero of the Brest Fortress was thrown into the Gulag.
      Well - in a sense, they really threw it. They made the head of the prisoner of war camp. smile

      Moreover, the example of Major Gavrilov is not the first and not the only one.
      According to the "Certificate on the progress of verification of second-hand encircled persons and second-hand prisoners of war as of October 1, 1944":
      In total, the former Red Army soldiers who left the encirclement and were released from captivity, 354592 people, including officers of 50441 people, passed through the special camps.
      From this number it is checked and transferred:
      ...
      5924 people for the formation of escort troops and the protection of special camps
  8. +2
    5 July 2016 08: 16
    Thanks to the author! Nobody is forgotten, nothing is forgotten. The feat of the defenders is immortal.
  9. +7
    5 July 2016 08: 26
    The senior nurse of the surgical department of the hospital of the Brest Fortress Praskovya Leontyevna Tkacheva with the wives and children of the Red Army commanders (in a white coat in the center of the picture), surrounded by German soldiers. Photo of the soldier of the 45th Infantry Division Michael Wechtler, June 24, 1941.
    1. +9
      5 July 2016 08: 30
      When the shelling of the Brest Fortress began, the surgical department was destroyed, and about 80 people were in it. The dressing room was broken, the pantry was burning. Bandages ran out, and there was no more water. By noon, the Nazis came close to the casemate and used smoke bombs. Several wounded suffocated. Praskovya Leontyevna was wounded by two fragments of shells. The position of the defenders on the South Island was becoming increasingly critical. Tkacheva wrote down their names and addresses on the union ticket. This half-burnt union ticket number 69267 is on display at the Museum of Defense of the Brest Fortress. Thanks to the entries in this ticket, it was possible to find some relatives of the defenders of the Brest Fortress. She abbreviated the names of people, their addresses.

      On June 24, after the capture of the South Island, the Nazis began to carefully check the shelters and found the infirmary P.L. Tkacheva. They captured the wounded, women with children from other compartments of the rampart.

      The prisoners were built into a convoy and taken to a prisoner of war camp. On the way, Praskovya Leontyevna organized women and adolescents, gave the command: “Do not leave the wounded!” And again, the exhausted fighters were raised, helped to walk or carried alternately. For this act, the Nazis almost shot Tskachev Tkachev. Passed the whole war.
  10. +10
    5 July 2016 09: 42
    I already wrote on this topic after the first publication. Once again I want to express my gratitude as a Brest citizen (as a child) to reenactors and especially Roman, and indeed VO for memory, for a whole series of articles. After all, not one Russian media paid not just what was due, but even simply serious attention to this date. All in passing: yes, there was a date, yes, such an event took place in Brest and that’s it. And then we want the children, grandchildren and their grandchildren to remember and be proud of everything. In this regard, we are losing to the West. They will make a penny, and show the whole world that they are heroes. We need to advance in our propaganda of the heroic pages of Country History. And no matter what she was called. All this is our MOTHERLAND!
    In relation to Peter Mironovich Gavrilov.
    By coincidence, after the reconstruction, I was at the Garrison Cemetery, where he was buried. So the reconstruction takes place literally 200 meters from his grave. The cemetery is located behind the embankment of the casemates, where he fought the last days of the Fortress Defense and where he was captured in an unconscious state. And passing by his grave, he said that all this reconstruction was in his honor. And he, as it were, is now its participant, because all shooting and explosions are clearly audible in the Garrison Cemetery.
    And one more small digression about tolerance. The garrison cemetery, if someone was not there (I just have my father buried there) consists of two parts: the first part is the burial place of Polish soldiers who were in the fortress from the 17s to September 1939, XNUMX. And the second part is the actual burial of Soviet soldiers and officers after the liberation of Brest and the honorable burial of officers of the Soviet Army who served in Brest after the war. So, unlike the Poles, who remove the grave of our soldiers from their land, the Polish part of the cemetery in Brest is in perfect condition. I did not find my old pictures, but you can take my word for it. Every year, when I come to Brest and go to the cemetery, I am struck by the cleanliness and accuracy at any time of the year that are present at the Polish burial site. But, it is, about tolerance.
    1. +8
      5 July 2016 10: 11
      Quote: tveritianin
      But, this is so, about tolerance.


      This is not about tolerance, this is about honor and dignity. About what on the other side of the border is not enough in our days. But we have something with this order ...

      It is possible that the time will come (if it comes to Europe) when they nevertheless understand such truism as memory and duty to the dead.

      By the way, to the address of the same Poles: in Przemysl there is a small museum that contains the Polish military history club. It is dedicated to our fighters and their exploits. Paradox, but there are Poles who are Poles. And there are euroids ...
      1. 0
        5 July 2016 13: 09
        Yes, I completely agree with you. and the museum in Przemysl is supported by volunteers. There are such people there!
  11. +4
    5 July 2016 09: 44
    Some b / w straight really turned out from 41-th!

    Thank you for the report !!!
  12. 0
    5 July 2016 09: 44
    Here is the grave of Hero of the Soviet Union Gavrilov Pyotr Mikhailovich
  13. +10
    5 July 2016 09: 51
    Here is the grave of Hero of the Soviet Union Gavrilov Pyotr Mikhailovich
  14. +1
    5 July 2016 09: 52
    In the background trees, behind which there is an external embankment of Gavrilov’s casemate
  15. 0
    5 July 2016 10: 43
    A masterpiece! Thanks to the reenactors, thanks to the author. Photos are strong! good
  16. 0
    5 July 2016 11: 35
    I peered at the faces in the photographs and never once doubted the reality of what was happening, so people at that moment experienced everything that was once in the same place ... As the chronicle looked ... Black and white photos are very strong ... Thanks to the authors and the reenactors ... Now the financial component will be improved and I’ll try to go and see with my own eyes ... My son is now passing the exams at the Moscow Polytechnic Institute, I had to go with him earlier ...
  17. -7
    5 July 2016 13: 08
    It was not just a reconstruction of some point in the battles. It was a full forty-minute performance. Bright beautiful

    Namely, the performance, bright and beautiful ... How does the language turn to speak about such a tragic event as war?

    I understand that it is necessary to educate young people in the spirit of patriotism and love for the Motherland. But it seems to me that on this wave many idlers (mummers) appeared, "reconstructing" important historical events: the Battle of Borodino, the Battle of Kulikovo, in this case, one of the episodes of the defense of the Brest Fortress. Every "show" must be funded by someone. Requires uniforms, weapons, military equipment of the time to which the event belongs (up to tanks, guns, horses, etc.). All this requires money, and the "mummers" do not act unselfishly. Moreover, guests are invited from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Estonia, Bulgaria, Israel and ... Japan. More than 50 military history clubs and societies.

    It would be better if this money was directed really for children's needs.

    PS. Do not judge strictly. But "mummers" they remain mummers.
    1. +6
      5 July 2016 13: 37
      You are wrong here. Yes, they are "mummers" as you said, but they show what happened. They tell the children about their history, how the people lived in those days. It is necessary to involve children in this process and already show and tell by example, otherwise all this will become just dry numbers and letters, and then it will be forgotten.
    2. +2
      5 July 2016 22: 45
      Quote: evge-malyshev
      I understand that it is necessary to educate young people in the spirit of patriotism and love for the motherland.

      Exactly so! Or, as in the film "Brest Fortress" (Director: Alexander Kott), we need to educate our youth, and not by drinking champagne to the anthem of Russia by the mediocre players of the Russian national football team Pavel Mamaev and Alexander Kokorin in Monte Carlo and by riding the newly made Chekists in Gelendvagens! Thanks to the authors! Photos, especially black and white, are impressive!
  18. +3
    5 July 2016 14: 47
    I watched the movie "The Fortress". I cannot imagine the "reconstruction" of those tragic days for the country more realistic. There is also a film version called "Brest Fortress". All episodes of this film are based on the facts collected in the book by S.S.Smirnov. Reconstruction of historical events, in particular the defense of the Brest Fortress, is most likely important for the participants and organizers themselves. And the viewer from the outside, being in the place of this theatrical performance, cannot appreciate the whole tragedy of the situation, the whole essence of the feat of the defenders. Now, if the spectators are also dressed in uniforms, loaded with ammunition, weapons and ammunition (albeit blank), put in trenches, then they will not be spectators, but participants of the obolron (or capture). Scary film about terrible events. And reconstruction will always be reconstruction. But all the same, the organizers and participants - respect.
    1. +1
      6 July 2016 08: 16
      Quote: Evgenijus
      And the viewer from the side, being in the place of this theatrical performance, cannot appreciate the whole tragedy of the situation, the whole essence of the defenders' feat. Now, if the spectators are also dressed in uniforms, loaded with ammunition, weapons and ammunition (albeit single), put in trenches, then it will not be spectators, but participants of obolon (or capture). .

      I want to tell you that this place has tremendous energy, believe me, you don’t need any form or weapons to feel like a participant in those events.
      Thanks to the authors for the wonderful reports and great photos and videos. I read with great pleasure.
  19. +2
    5 July 2016 16: 11
    https://topwar.ru/uploads/images/2016/598/fxll862.jpg
  20. -3
    5 July 2016 23: 04
    Mass heroism is understandable, but if the defender of the fortress had been ordered to prepare the defense in advance, then there would be no such losses. And so the efficiency from the defense of the fortress is only 5-7 percent out of 100 possible. The fault here is of course Stalin and Zhukov and not those who are here held on to the last.
    1. The comment was deleted.
    2. 0
      30 January 2018 17: 00
      The boy at school read Rezun :) Now he is angrily puffing about I.V. Stalin and G.K. Zhukov :)) Tell me more about the genius of Vlasov, and about what this "great strategist" finished :)))
  21. +2
    6 July 2016 05: 14
    Separately, it must be said about the reenactors.

    The cost of a German company and ammunition is very high. Each item is at least $ 20. Y belt 40 dollars, waist belt 30, gas mask 70, backpack 40, belt MP-40 40. In short equipment about 1000 bucks. So it’s really hard for journalists to talk to reenactors. Those guys are serious.
  22. +1
    7 July 2016 10: 59
    http://sport.tut.by/news/swimming/503137.html
    But not always as it was in Brest
    That's how it was under Stalingrad

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