Many people wonder how and when the flag hoisted over the Reichstag Soviet soldiers.Let's face it.Before we talk about those who set flag over the Reichstag, describe the order of events of the last days of April 1945, which preceded this significant event.
Battle for Berlin, strictly speaking, began on April 16.The operation lasted from that date to May 8.Its aim was to complete the defeat of Germany, to connect with our allies, to seize Berlin.We will not describe in detail the entire operation.Let's speak only about the events immediately preceding the storming of the Reichstag, of interest to us.
What was the Reichstag?
April 29 began fighting for the Reichstag of the 3rd Shock Army.One of the main points in the central sector of the Berlin Defense is the name of this building.It was surrounded on three sides by the River Spree.Only one bridge across it remained intact.25 meters was the width of the river.Reichstag on the fourth side was covered with stone buildings, located on the perimeter.The Nazis turned it into a fortress, including "House of Himmler" - the building where it was located reyhsministerstvo Interior.
What were the approaches to the building?
approaches to the building is an open platform.They were raking through-automatic machine-gun fire and heavy guns and numerous anti-aircraft artillery of the park.They had barricaded all the doors and windows.Only a narrow loopholes were left for firing artillery shells and automatic weapons.The trenches encircling several rows of the building, connected with its cellars.
who defended the Reichstag?
Thousands of soldiers and officers from different parts of the Reichstag defended.They were mostly students of maritime schools dropped by parachute into the area of the fortress.In addition, there were SS troops, artillerymen, pilots, folkshturm.They were armed with a large number of machine guns, assault rifles and faustpatrona.Hitler ordered the officers of any means to keep the Reichstag.
storm it was requested parts seventy-ninth Infantry Corps.He was reinforced with artillery, self-propelled guns and tanks.
Preparing to storm the Reichstag
April 29 midnight, ended in preparation for the assault.Cross the river under cover of artillery and mortar fire of the 525th Infantry Regiment.They fasten on the opposite bank.April 29 morning, was discovered by "the house of Himmler's" artillery and mortar fire.Units 756, 380 and 674 regiments throughout the day fought for the ministry.Gitlerovy provided stubborn resistance, which for each room of each floor fiercely fought.
30 April to 4 hours 30 minutes the house was completely cleared of the enemy.Breaking the resistance, units 171 and 150 divisions took 12 hours to the starting position in the trench (for storming the Reichstag).She had a high bulk walls that allowed the Russian to take cover from the fire.Germans have been several violent counter-attack, supported by artillery and tanks.However, Soviet troops were repelled these attempts.
Attaching battles for Berlin exclusive military and political significance, the Military Council of the Third Shock Army established before the onset of red flags.They were handed over the rifle divisions.
first storming the Reichstag
Around 13:30 the assault began.Heavy fire on the enemy's attack opened from the Tiergarten.They were pressed to the ground storming divisions that could not therefore advance to the Reichstag.Many Soviet soldiers for the battle were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
but failed the first assault on the Reichstag.The units replace the retired officers and soldiers directed replenishment.Tightens artillery, refined objects of attack.
Next storming
assault was repeated in 18 hours.Battalion Neustroeva under cover of artillery rushed to the attack in unison.It was headed by I. Ya Sianov, party organizer company, AP Brest, deputy for political affairs, K. Gusev, battalion adjutant.Also, soldiers and battalions Samsonov Davydov rushed forward.
could not withstand the enemy rush heroic Soviet soldiers.They reached within a few minutes of the Reichstag, in which red flags.That seemed flag 756 th Infantry Regiment, party organizer Peter Pyatnitskiy, however, running up the stairs, the soldier was struck by a bullet of the enemy.He picks up the banner of Sergeant PD Shcherbina, one of the pillars of his strengthens.So for the first time hoisted the flag over the Reichstag Soviet soldiers.
fighting inside the building
from the upper floors of the embrasures, the Nazis poured heavy fire of Soviet soldiers.However, the soldiers broke the walls of the building were in a dead zone of fire.Bricked bricks proved the main entrance door.Soviet soldiers had to break through a path log.The attackers stormed the Reichstag building, already in battle ensued.Rapidly acting Battalion: in the halls, corridors they engage in melee with the Nazis.Hand grenades, machine-gun fire, faustpatrona Soviet soldiers forced the enemy to weaken the fire and captured the rooms that were adjacent to the entrance hall.Meter by meter storming battalions of the first floor was purified from the Germans.One part of the Nazis were driven into the vast cellars, and the other - to the upper floors.
in exceptionally difficult conditions for Soviet soldiers took the fight at the Reichstag.From explosions of hand grenades and faustpatrona a fire in the premises.He began to grow when the Soviet troops began to use flamethrowers to smoking Fritz.Bitter fights and on the second floor.
Planting the Banner
Soldiers Battalion Neustroeva (Lisimenko, Zagitov, Macs, and Sgt Minin) broke through the roof, paving the way for one of the stairwells by fire from machine guns and grenades.The flag hoisted over the Reichstag now they are.Particularly noting the two fighters.Their names usually referred to when answering the question of who hung the flag over the Reichstag.We describe the details of these events.
two heroes were noted MA Yegorov and MV Kantar (reconnaissance regiment).They were the ones who raised the flag over the Reichstag.Soldiers were instructed to hoist the banner of the Military Council of the Third Shock Army.They are supported by the company Syanova together with a group of soldiers led by Lieutenant Brest, April 30, at 21 hours 50 minutes, climbed onto the roof.Flag over the Reichstag hoisted the Soviet soldiers.For heroism and leadership battle KY Samsonov, SA Neustroyev, VI Davydov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.We get it as Kantariya MV and MA Egorov (those who raised the flag over the Reichstag).But the fighting did not end there.
continued fighting inside the Reichstag
So, we understand that one who raised the flag over the Reichstag.As it was, we also found.The Soviet flag over the Reichstag ascended on April 30 at 21 hours and 50 minutes.We now describe further events.Inside the Reichstag battle continued until the morning on May 1 with a higher voltage.Separate groups of Nazis, who sat in the basement of the building, the resistance did not stop until May 2, they were not yet finished, Soviet fighters.
at 6:30 am May 2 G. Weidling, General of Artillery (Chief of Defence Berlin) surrendered.He ordered the remains of the garrison troops to cease resistance.It was realized in the middle of the day.Were eliminated on the same day are southeast of Berlin group of German troops.
were wounded and killed in the battle for the Reichstag to 2500 enemy soldiers.The prisoner captured 2604 people.
Total losses from the USSR in the Berlin operation were 78 thousand people.The enemy lost about one million people, including 150 thousand were killed.In Berlin, were deployed throughout the Soviet field kitchen, treat the hungry Berliners.
victory
In the same year, May 3rd, pictures of the burning of the Reichstag, which fluttered over the Banner of Victory, was published in "Pravda" Moscow newspaper.Raising the flag over the Reichstag ushered in the country that the enemy is defeated.
In 1945 June 24, took place in Moscow on Red Square, the first parade to commemorate the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War.
Banner of Victory was decided to bring in Berlin on this parade.It has kept to this day in the Central Museum of the Armed Forces.Those who set the flag over the Reichstag will not forget in our country ever.The names of these heroes we remember every year on May 9 is celebrated as the anniversary of the Victory.It was the construction of the flag over the Reichstag marked it.
Why celebrated Victory Day May 9?
You may ask: "Why did the Victory Day is celebrated on May 9 that is a little later?"The fact that it was then, at 0:43 Moscow time, signed the capitulation of Germany.It carried Wilhelm Keitel, Field Marshal, and representatives of the German Navy, which Doenitz received from the appropriate authority.On the Soviet side was attended by Georgy Zhukov.By taking the Reichstag led brilliantly executed operation, as well as the courage of Soviet soldiers and officers who beat for ending the nightmare of war continues for a long and terrible four years.
