June 22 every year in all the countries of the former Soviet Union recall the terrible events of 1941, when an attack by Hitler's troops began the Great Patriotic War (World War II).What is to live in conditions of war, millions of people have experienced the Union.
Estimates of the term "Great Patriotic War" by historians
As you know, the Nazi troops in Europe began military operations since 1939.The same can talk to some extent about the Red Army (although the actions of the army of the USSR can not be regarded as aggressive. It was a reunion of the Eastern and Western Ukraine).In Western historiography it comes to the Second World War, which lasted from 1939 to 1945.Soviet, and then Russian historical science and primarily analyzed events that took place on the territory of our country, so it is more important for local historians is the period from 1941 to 1945.
That is why the tradition of the peoples and the official position of the states that emerged from the former Soviet Union, appears the term "Great Patriotic War".What lies in the essence of this concept?"Great" - because they rebelled against the forces of the aggressor, in fact, all the people, except those who hate the current regime."Patriotic" - people to defend their land, their homeland.It was a war, the main idea of which was to protect their own land from the ferocious enemy.
WWII veterans in the ranks of the Red Army fought a lot of soldiers.Status indicates the presence of veteran benefits for utilities, travel in public transport and other (eg, free health permits, extraordinary telephone system).In the first years after the war veteran status were not all the people who fought on the front, but only the most affected and the most distinguished of their exploits (Heroes of the Soviet Union and the war invalids) during the Second World War.What to get the title of Hero?During the war, the status of Hero of the Soviet Union received almost 12 thousand people, of whom about a quarter - posthumously.By the way, the status of Hero could not be obtained for some "ordinary" success.This title was given only to people who have repeatedly and clearly expressed himself in the battles of WWII.
What is a "veteran" in the modern sense of the legislation?This social category of persons with benefits for services to the state and the people in the Great Patriotic War.Who can be attributed to this category?Firstly, disabled veterans and Heroes of the Soviet Union.Then gradually it gained the status of such categories - participants of the blockade of Leningrad;persons awarded with the medal "For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War";persons diseases which are associated with service at the front, and many others.
members WWII
in the ranks of the Red Army during the war was intended to several million Soviet citizens.Of course, not all of those who fought were fighting awards, which were given the right to claim to be a veteran.Many soldiers died literally in the first days of stay at the front.
war veterans - all who fought against Nazi troops in the Soviet Union.Of course, here and it could be considered members of guerrilla groups that operated in almost every forest, causing significant damage to the power of Hitler's army.
