Soviet Conquest: Berlin 1945

Author:Le Tissier, Tony
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Bisac Code 1: HIS027100; Bic Code 1: HBWQ; HISTORY / Military / World War II
ISBN: 9781473841567
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2014-09-29T16:00:00+00:00

Back in Küstrin

Many times have I watched troops getting into their ready positions. But what was played out on the roads to Küstrin exceeded all previous experience. Infantry, tanks, artillery and sappers were advancing in an unending stream. In this flood our regiment seemed no more than a drop in the ocean. And then again in the woods of Küstrin! Here the troops stood even thicker than on the roads leading in. Wherever one looked there were tanks, guns and trucks. As we came to our allocated area we passed an unusual column of three-axled trucks with mighty searchlights mounted on them. They were to blind the enemy during the night attack.

I went to the staff bus in order to snatch some sleep. Although I was dog-tired, I was unable to fall asleep for a long time. Near the bus Lieutenants Kuklin and Muraviov were talking: ‘Yes, Petra, it would be great to survive the war. Woods, fresh air,’ groaned Kuklin. ‘How often have I ploughed on until supper time. Then when I got home I would be exhausted. My children would fly around my neck: Aniutka with her blonde plaits and my four mudlarks, Vitka, Petka, Volodka and Tolka. My fatigue would immediately be blown away. Will such happiness ever be repeated?’

After a short pause Kuklin started: ‘Do you know, when the war is over you will be once more in charge of a collective farm and everything will go back to normal.’

The sound of German aircraft came nearer and the noise swelled. The air sentry, who was located high up in a pine tree, cried out: ‘Aircraft alert! Everyone under cover!’

I quickly left the bus and jumped into a slit trench. The first Junkers were already diving out of the clouds. Lieutenants Ivanov and Salichov opened fire with their anti-aircraft machine-guns. The leading aircraft dived down. Several seconds later there was an explosion. But the other aircraft stayed on course and dropped their bombs. I pressed myself down on the ground and pulled a mattress over me. Ear-deafening explosions filled the air, splinters smacking against my boots.

Gradually the noise died down and I carefully climbed out of the slit trench. Dead and wounded were lying everywhere. Yudin had been killed, our regimental doctor severely wounded. Salichov too had been hit in the chest and legs. His breathing was intermittent. Gumar had already survived three wounds, but this time it did not seem he would survive.

‘Sascha, where are you?’ he groaned.

‘Here, Saititch.’ Lieutenant Boldyrev knelt next to the dying man.

‘Write to my sister in Akmolinski. I have revenged the death of our brother Baka.’ Salichov breathed a few times, gasping for air, and then fell silent for ever. We silently lowered his head. No one could quite grasp that this cheerful, brave man was no longer with us. The losses from this air attack forced us to be careful, to reinforce the air sentries and set up anti-aircraft weapons.

Soon afterwards I was ordered to Gorgast by General Krivoshein. I immediately drove off.

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