A solemn rally 'Memory of Generations' was held in the Vitebsk district, dedicated to the unveiling of memorial plaques on the obelisk to fallen soldiers
– In the northern region, special attention is paid to perpetuating the memory of fallen defenders of the Fatherland. There are over 1.5 thousand military burial sites in the Vitebsk region, containing the remains of 416 thousand soldiers and commanders, with almost 200 thousand being unknown, – emphasized Vladimir Terentyev, Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the RPO "Belaya Rus".
– Thanks to enthusiasts, searchers, servicemen of the 52nd Separate Specialized Battalion, and youth, thousands of names of those who died defending the Motherland from the Nazi invaders are being restored from oblivion year after year.
Over 800 soldiers are buried in the mass grave in the village of Osinovka. Today, this list has been supplemented with 159 names of Red Army soldiers and officers who gave their lives for the liberation of the Motherland from the Nazi invaders. More than 50 rifle divisions, not to mention tank, artillery, cavalry, aviation, engineering units and formations, participated in the liberation of the Vitebsk district from the Nazi invaders. These data indicate fierce, persistent battles lasting for almost nine months. The 277th Rifle Roslavl Red Banner Division of Orders of Suvorov and Kutuzov, commanded by Major General Semyon Gladyshev, also took an active part in the liberation of the Vitebsk district, including in the Belarusian strategic offensive operation "Bagration".
At various times, parts of the division participated in the liberation of the settlements of Oktyabrsky and Shapyachinsky rural councils: Garkava, Dribino, Dymanovo, Zazeby, Zarechye, Kosachi, Lobany, Lychkovsky railway station, Lyakhi, Maklaki, Osinovka (liberated in June 1944 during the Vitebsk-Orsha Offensive Operation), Starina, Sverchki. After the liberation of the Vitebsk region, the 277th Rifle Division continued its glorious combat path to the west. The division was part of the 5th Army of the 3rd Belorussian Front.
It is difficult to overestimate the significance of the work carried out by caring people engaged in the search for soldiers and partisans who died during the war. Vasily Shatkov, Head of the Gas Supply and Gas Consumption Accounting Department of UP "Vitebskoblgaz", is a well-known searcher, whom people turn to for help when trying to establish the burial place of their loved ones. Vasily Petrovich identified 31 names of soldiers buried in this mass grave. This is very meticulous and difficult work. It requires studying a large volume of information, combat reports of units, award documents, and comparing them with existing lists of military burials near these combat actions.
"Appreciate the feat accomplished by our grandfathers and great-grandfathers," emphasized Vasily Shatkov, addressing the younger generation. "Visit here more often to bow and honor the memory of the Fatherland's defenders who died for the freedom and independence of our Motherland."
The memorial plaques with the names of the heroes were made on the initiative of the public association "Belaya Rus" UP "Vitebskoblgaz" with the support of the Vitebsk regional organization of the public association "Belaya Rus"
Photo by Dmitry OSIPOV.