It's been 45 years since that spring of 1969, when the armed conflict broke out in one of the Far Eastern regions of the Soviet-Chinese border.We are talking about the island Damanskii situated on the Ussuri River.The history of the Soviet Union shows that it was the first military actions in all post-war period, which was attended by military forces and border troops of the KGB.And even more surprising was the fact that the aggressor was not a neighboring state, and fraternal, as they all believed China.
Location
Damanskii Island on the map looks pretty small piece of land, which extends approximately 1500-1800 m in length and 700 m in width.Exact its parameters can not be determined, since they depend on the particular time of the year.For example, during the spring and summer floods it can be completely filled waters of the Ussuri River, and in the winter months, the island stands in the midst of a freezing river.That is why it is of no strategic military or economic value.
In 1969, the Sino-Soviet island, photos of which survived from those times, an area of a little more than 0.7 square meters.km, was located on the territory of the USSR and treated Pozharsky District of Primorsky Krai.This land is bordered on one of the provinces in China - Heilongjiang.Distance from the Sino-Soviet to the city of Khabarovsk is only 230 km.From the Chinese coast, he was removed to a distance of approximately 300 m, and the Soviet - 500 m.
history of the island to draw the line between China and Czarist Russia in the Far East have tried since the XVII century.It is from these times and the history of the island begins Damanskii.Then the Russian possessions stretched across the Amur River, from its source to the mouth, and placed both on the left and on the right hand part of it.It took several centuries before they were installed the exact boundary lines.This event was preceded by numerous legal acts.Finally, in 1860 almost all the Ussuri region was given to Russia.
As you know, the Communists led by Mao Zedong came to power in China in 1949.In those days, especially not to dwell on the fact that the main role in this was played by the Soviet Union.After 2 years after the Civil War, in which the winners were the Chinese Communists, Beijing and Moscow signed an agreement.It said that China recognizes the currently existing border with the Soviet Union, and agrees to the fact that the Amur and Ussuri rivers, under the control of the Soviet border troops.
Earlier in the world have already been taken and acted laws that borders extending along the rivers, carried out just on the main channel.But the government of tsarist Russia took advantage of the weakness and acquiescence of the Chinese state, and drew a line of delimitation in the area of the Ussuri River is not on the water, and right along the opposite bank.As a result, the water space and the island it appeared on Russian territory.Therefore, fishing and swimming at the Ussuri River, the Chinese could only with the permission of neighboring authorities.
political situation on the eve of the conflict
Events on the island became a kind of culmination of the Sino-Soviet ideological disagreements between the two largest socialist countries - the USSR and China.They started back in the 50s with the fact that China has decided to raise its international influence in the world and in 1958 entered into an armed conflict with Taiwan.After 4 years, China has participated in the border war against India.In the first case, the Soviet Union expressed its support for such actions, the second - on the contrary, condemned.
In addition, differences were compounded by the fact that after the so-called Caribbean crisis in 1962, Moscow sought to somehow normalize relations with a number of capitalist countries.But the Chinese leader Mao Zedong took this action as a betrayal of the ideological teachings of Lenin and Stalin.Also present was the factor of competition for supremacy over the countries belonging to the socialist camp.
first serious crisis in Soviet-Chinese relations, outlined in 1956, when the Soviet Union took part in the suppression of the popular uprising in Hungary and Poland.Then Mao condemned the actions of Moscow.On the deterioration of the situation between the two countries affected and recall of Soviet specialists who were in China and helped him to successfully develop both the economy and the armed forces.This was done because of the numerous provocations by China.
Everything else Mao Zedong was very concerned that in the West of China, and particularly in Xinjiang still has Soviet troops remained there since 1934.The fact that the soldiers of the Red Army took part in the suppression of the Muslim rebellion in these lands.Great Helmsman as named Mao feared that these territories will depart the Soviet Union.
the second half of the 60s, when Khrushchev was removed from his post, the situation became critical at all.This is evidenced by the fact that before the conflict began on the Sino-Soviet diplomatic relations between the two countries existed at a time attorneys.
border provocations
was after Khrushchev's removal from power situation on the island has become heated.The Chinese began to be sent to the sparsely populated areas bordering their so-called agricultural division.They reminded Arakcheyev military settlements, acting under Nicholas I, who were not only able to fully meet their food needs, but when the need arose to defend themselves and their land in arms.
In the early 60 events on the island began to develop rapidly Damanskii.For the first time flew to Moscow reports that large groups of Chinese soldiers and civilians are constantly violate the established border regime and go to Soviet territory, where they were deported without using weapons.Most of these were peasants, who pointedly engaged grazing or mowing grass.However, they have stated that they are supposedly in China.
Every year the number of such provocations increased, and they began to acquire a more menacing character.Red Guards came into the attack (the activists of the Cultural Revolution) to the Soviet border patrols.Such aggressive actions by the Chinese already numbered in the thousands, and they have been involved for several hundred people.Examples of this include the following event.It's only been four days since arrived in 1969.Then, on the island of Kirkinskii and now Tsilintsindao Chinese staged a provocation, which was attended by about 500 people.
Group fights
While the Soviet government has said that the Chinese people - a brotherly nation, increasingly emerging developments in the Sino-Soviet testified to the contrary.Whenever the two states border guards accidentally crossed the disputed territory, began the verbal skirmishes, which then escalated into melee skirmishes.They usually end with the victory of the stronger and larger displacement of Soviet soldiers and the Chinese on their side.
Every time the Chinese border guards tried to film the group fights and then use them for propaganda purposes.Such attempts are always neutralized by Soviet border guards, who did not hesitate to beat psevdozhurnalistov and confiscated their film footage.Despite this, the Chinese soldiers fanatically devoted to their "god" of Mao Zedong, again returning to the island Damanskii where they could again be beaten or even killed in the name of their great leader.But it is worth noting that such a group fight on melee never came.
China Preparing for war
One even seemingly insignificant border conflict aggravate the situation between China and the Soviet Union.The Chinese leadership is constantly increasing in the border areas close to their military units, as well as special units formed the so-called labor army.At the same time building an extensive paramilitary state farms, is a kind of military settlements.
In addition, the number of active groups of citizens formed the People's Militia.They were used not only for protection of borders, but also to restore order in all the settlements located near it.Groups consist of a group of local residents, which were headed by the representatives of public safety.
1969.Chinese border area a width of about 200 km and got the status of a taboo is now considered an advanced line of defense.All citizens who have any family ties with the Soviet Union or sympathizers, were moved to more remote areas of China.
As the Soviet Union was preparing for war
not to say that Sino-Soviet conflict of the Soviet Union caught unawares.In response to the build-up of Chinese troops in the border area, in the Soviet Union also started to strengthen its borders.First of all, we made the relocation of some units and formations of the central and western parts of the country in the Trans-Baikal region and the Far East.Also, border strip has been improved in terms of engineering structures, which have been equipped with an improved system of technical protection.In addition, it conducts enhanced combat training of soldiers.
most important thing is that the day before, when broke the Sino-Soviet conflict, all border posts and some units were provided with a large number of heavy machine guns and anti-tank grenade launchers and other weapons.There were and BTR-60 and BTR-PB 60 PA.In the very frontier were set up mobile groups.
Despite all the improvements, security equipment still was not enough.The fact is that the brewing war with China demanded not only well equipped but also certain skills and some experience in the development of this new technology, as well as the skills to apply it directly in the hostilities.
Now, after so many years after the Sino-Soviet conflict has occurred, it can be concluded that the country's leadership underestimated the seriousness of the situation arisen at the border, so that its advocates were not ready to repel aggression by the enemy.Also, despite the sharp deterioration in relations with the Chinese side and the considerably increased number of provocations arising from the finding, the command was given strict orders: "Do not use weapons, under any pretext!»
outbreak of hostilities
Sino-Soviet conflict in 1969It began with the fact that about 300 soldiers of the army of China, dressed in winter camouflage, crossed the Soviet border.It happened in the night of March 2.The Chinese have crossed the island Damanskii.The conflict was brewing.
must say that enemy soldiers were well equipped.Clothing was very comfortable and warm, moreover, they were white masking coats.The same fabric was wrapped their arms.For it is not thundering, ramrod were paraffin embedded.All weapons that were present with them, made in China, but only on Soviet licenses.Chinese soldiers armed with SKS carbine, AK-47s and pistols TT.
crossed to the island, they lay down on the West Bank and occupied its position on the hill.Immediately thereafter, it has been adjusted and telephone communications with the shore.That night was the snow, which hid all traces of them.And they lay until the morning on the mats and from time to time basking in that drank vodka.
Before the Sino-Soviet conflict has not yet escalated into an armed conflict, the Chinese are prepared to support its line of soldiers from the shore.There were pre-equipped platform for recoilless guns, mortars and heavy machine guns.In addition, there is also a number of infantry to about 300 people.
have intelligence Soviet frontier was no equipment for night surveillance of the surrounding territories, so they do not see any preparations for military action by the enemy.Besides from the nearest post to Damansky was 800 m, and the visibility at the time was very bad.Even at 9 o'clock in the morning when the border guard, consisting of three members, patrolled the island, the Chinese were not found.Trespassers does not itself issued.
believed that the Sino-Soviet conflict in the island began from the moment when at about 10.40 frontier "Lower Mikhailovka", located 12 km to the south, received the report of the military observation post.It said that was discovered by a group of armed men, numbering up to 30 people.She moved from the border with China in the direction Damansky.Head of the outpost was a senior lieutenant Ivan Strelnikov.He ordered the nomination, and the personnel of the villages in combat vehicles.Strelnikov and seven soldiers have gone on GAZ-69, Sergeant B. Rabovich and with him 13 - on the BTR-60 PB and J. Babanskii group, consisting of 12 border guards - GAZ-63.Last car behind the other two on 15 minutes, as it turned out, she had problems with the engine.
first victim
Upon arrival, the group headed by Strelnikov, which included Nikolai Petrov and photographer, went to the Chinese.They were protesting about illegal border crossings, as well as the requirement to immediately leave the territory of the Soviet Union.Then someone shouted from the Chinese and their first rank parted.Chinese soldiers opened fire on a submachine Strelnikov and his group.Soviet border guards were killed on the spot.Right from the hands of the already dead Petrov took a movie camera, he filmed everything that happens, but the camera did not notice - soldiers falling, it is closed.It was the first victim, who was just beginning Sino-Soviet conflict.
second group under the command of Rabovicha assumed an unequal battle.She shot back to the last.Soon we arrived and the rest of the fighters led by Yu Babanskii.They took up defensive positions behind their comrades and the enemy poured machine-gun fire.As a result, the whole group was killed Rabovicha.In survived only by a miracle escaped the ordinary Gennady silver.It was he who told all that had happened to his comrades.
Babanskii Group continued to fight, but quickly ended ammunition.It was therefore decided to withdraw.Survivors surviving guards on armored personnel carriers took refuge in Soviet territory.And at this time to hurry to their rescue 20 men from a nearby outpost "Kulebyakiny hill" headed by Vitaly Bubenin.It was north of the Sino-Soviet 18 km.Therefore, help arrived only to 11.30.The border guards also joined the battle, but the forces were unequal.Therefore, they decided to bypass the commander of the Chinese ambush from the rear.
Bubenin and 4 soldiers, lost in an APC, and toured the enemy started firing at him from behind, and the other guards were aimed fire from the island.Despite the fact that the Chinese were several times larger than they were in a very unfavorable situation.As a result, managed to destroy the Chinese Bubenin command post.After that, the soldiers began to leave the enemy positions, taking with them the dead and wounded.
Around 12.00 the island Sino-Soviet conflict which was still going on, came Colonel D. Leone.It is the main military compound guards was on maneuvers about 100 km from the place of fighting.They also entered the fray, and by the evening of the same day the Soviet soldiers managed to fight off the island.
In this battle were killed 32 border guards, and 14 soldiers were wounded.How many people have lost the Chinese side, it is still unknown, since such information is classified.According to estimates of the Soviet border guards, China has missed about 100-150 of its soldiers and officers.
Continued conflict
And what about Moscow?On this day, the General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev called the head of the border troops of the USSR General Vladimir Matrosov and wondered what it is: a simple conflict or a war with China?A senior military official had to know the situation on the border, but as it turned out, he was not aware of.Therefore, and called the events a simple conflict.He did not know that the border guards for several hours, keeping defenses at multiple superiority of the enemy, not only in manpower but also in the arsenal.
