Home / Azerbaijan / Azerbaijan in the Second World War

Azerbaijan in the Second World War

In fields of battle.

Despite of selflessness the Soviet soldier, departure in the first months of war from behind serious errors of command, was represented by the Russian officers as result of cowardice and inability of the soldiers from other nationalities, including turks (uzbeks, azerbaijanians, turkmens, kirghizes, kazakhs etc.), whom they as a sneer have named “yoldashi”. However, the history has proved injustice of these think. Thousands young men and girl heroically battled on fronts. Since the first days of war many azerbaijanians differed on battles. 44 azerbaijanians (between them were the military doctor M. Gadirov, soldiers A. Gafarov, I.Dadashov, A.Maysurov, A. Aliyev and others) were among the heroic defence counsels of a fortress of Brest, which more than month was held by defenses and carried to the fascists the large losses. Group of the soldiers under the command of lieutenant D. Javadov during 7 days courageously has reflected strong attacks of an enemy and has destroyed his tens alive force. The military pilot lieutenant Huseynbala Aliyev on the sky of Leningrad has destroyed 6 planes of the enemy. On last fight in july 29, not withstanding what he has received 30 wounds ( From them 3 were fatal) could successfully land. Per the first days of war (June 25) pilot of 63-rd air brigade of the Black Sea Navy Mazahir Abasov, who carried out the task to bombard bases of the opponent in Konstantce has entered battle with two enemy battle planes. Not withstanding what one of engines of his plane has left out of operation, M. Abasov safely struggled and has beaten one plane of the enemy. On one working motor he has reached the purpose and has dumped bombs. On a return rate the second motor of the plane also has left out of operation, but the brave commander could put the wheel plane on water. For courage on battles against the fascists, which came nearer of Moscow in October, – December 1941, the commander tank subdivision Hazi Aslanov was awarded with a military award “Gold Star”. Guards the senior sergeant, the machine guner Idris Veliyev on battles with the fascists in the field Borodino personally has destroyed more than 50 soldiers and officer of enemy. The younger sergeant Israfil Mammadov on battles for village Pustinka, not far from Novgorod, has shown of the large heroism ( To 20 soldiers about 10 hours battled with a batallion of an enemy and has not given it to pass, having destroyed 300 – itself personally 70- fascists.) and became first azerbaijanian, received a high rank “Hero of the Soviet Union “.

Azerbaijan 77-th division accepted active participation in landing operation of the Soviet Army on a peninsula Kerch at the end of 1941 and in the beginning of 1942. In the beginning of January it has come to region Ag-Manay of peninsula Taman. It 105 regiment expelled the fascists from Vladislavka, which had the large tactical meaning. Was destroyed 18 infantry division of an enemy. 77-th division in March, 1942 helped forces of the Soviet army, which were compelled to recede, to pass to peninsula Taman. This division accepted active participation in a defense of Novorosiysk.

The large victory of the Soviet army at the end of 1941 under Moscow and heroic defense of Leningrad (in which was lost also my uncle lieutenant Sirmammed Gaffarov) has destroyed the plan lightning war of the German fascism. The myth about invincibility of fascist army was destroyed. In January 1, 1942 in Washington 26 states, switching USA, the Great Britain and the USSR, have signed the declaration on connection of the military, economic resources for destruction of the fascist block. The anti-fascist coalition of the states was formed and became stronger. 50 states of the world took part already in April, 1945 in this union.

The enemy still was strong. This time fascists have begun attack on a southern direction of the German – Soviet front. In the beginning of May, 1942 they having grasped Kerch, Stavropol and Kharkov came nearer to Volga. By the plan “Edelveys” after capture Kharkov continuing attack on Caucasus the fascists wanted to conquer industrial and agricultural region with rich petroleum, other strategic raw materials, to deprive the USSR from the help of the allies on a way Basra-Iran-Khazar and to open the road to capture of Near and Average East. For this purpose was created group of army “А” under command of general-feldmarshal List. It 1-st tank army (the commander was the general – colonel Kleyst) in September 6 having begun attack in a direction Grozni-Makhachkala-Baku in September 25 should grasp Baku. Hitler marked that, we having grasped Baku shall transform tanks and planes of the Soviet Army in ” iron toys “.

In July 25 the fascist armies forcing Don passed to approach, in August have grasped Krasnodar, Stavropol and Maykop. A situation was very heavy and dangerous.

Notwithstanding what there were in one coalitions with the USSR against a fascism the USA and England wanted to take in the hands Caucasus, especially Azerbaijan. By their plan of “Vilvet” the forces of Soviet Army leaving from Caucasuses should engage on Stalingrad front. And on the Caucasian front against an enemy should battle the American- English military parts in which structure entered 10-th army of Britain and 20 air squadrons.

The Soviet management, were afraid that azerbaijanians will cooperate by forces of enemy in behind of Soviet Army, have prepared the plans of deportation of the inhabitants of Azerbaijan to Central Asia and Kazakhstan. And even was accepted about it the decision from December 7, 1942. However, the management of republic, especially M. J. Bagirov could assure Stalin that the deportation azerbaijanians will not serve for a victory in economic, and political sense. It will promote reduction of manufacture of the strategic goods in republic and to demoralize the soldier of army from Azerbaijan.

With the special efforts of the chairman of State Committee on resettlement, created in October 25, 1941, A. Mikoyan was made and approved the plan of destruction of Baku in case of real threat of capture.

The front successes of the Soviet Army have played determining role in destruction of these terrible plans. It is necessary to note that, by the end of war – in 1944 a part of azerbaijanians with Mehceti turks were expelled from native grounds in Georgia.

In September 16, 1942 the State Committee of a Defense has made a decision about a defense of Baku. 58-th army and the incorporated horse regiment was transferred in this region. The Main Command in September 24 has announced a military rule in the Transcaucasian republics, including Azerbaijan SSR. The Baku defense area was created. Have begun construction of defenсе structures. Were dug out tranchs in vicinities of city. The defence line became stronger with long-range guns and tanks. For a defense of city were involved 10-th rifle brigade, military school, and force of an anti-aircraft defense of the Baku district. As a result of vigilance of the pilots and the soldiers of air-defence devices the attempts of the fascists in 1942 71 times and in 1943 3 times were not held to rush in the sky of Baku. 96 planes of enemy were destroyed. The strategic bridge on the river Samur also successfully defended from air attacks.

Among the defence counsels of the Transcaucasian front were of 66,1 thousand azerbaijanians. Division azerbaijanians on all fronts was display mistrust to them of a management. However in the Caucasian battles azerbaijanians courageously struggled against the fascists. The enemy grasping Mozdok, has met by a persistent defense and changed direction attack, has gone to Nalchik and Orjonikidze. In battles on region Mozdok 402-nd, 416-th and 223 Azerbaijan divisions were included into structure the basic shock forces of 44-th Soviet army. 77-th Azerbaijan division took part in defenсе operations. 833-rd regiment under command of the major Akim Abasov have shown heroism in battles for Mozdok, reflected 30 attacks of an enemy and have destroyed 36 their tanks.

In the beginning of October, 1942 the Soviet Army having destroyed the basic forces of enemy at Orjonikidze also has expelled him to north. Such elected military parts sent to this front for capture of Baku as 23 tank division from Paris, regiment of “Brandenburg” and division Alp were destroyed here. By heroic defense of Caucasus the Soviet troops has held down large forces of an enemy, which to it was necessary under Stalingrad.

The soldiers of 77-th, 223, 227, 271-st, 296-th, 402-nd and 416-th Azerbaijan divisions and 707-th division, which in structure there were much Azerbaijan soldiers accepted active participation in counter-attack of the Soviet Army on Northern Caucasus, in clearing cities and villages from the fascist aggressors. 77-th division participated in clearing Kerch, Taman peninsulas, Novorossiyck, Mozdok, Mineralniye Vodi, Stavropol, Lebedi and Rostov, together with other occupied items from the fascists. 402-nd division has cleared from the enemy 10 occupied items in region Mozdok, and has destroyed a plenty of his alive force and engineering. Having lost a part of personal structure this division then was joined with 416-th division. In the beginning of December 416-th division has expelled the fascists from the occupied items Novo-Lediyov and Kapustino. In January, – April 1943 this division accepted active participation in clearing Mozdok, Grafskoe Lenilin, Stavropol and Armovir, together with coast of the Azov sea from the enemy. In clearing of Taman peninsula personal structure of 227 division differed by heroism and it have appropriated a honourable rank ” Temyurt`s division “.The soldier of 18 army Gafur Mammadov has shown courage on battles for Tuapse, in one battle has destroyed 13 fascists, and by life has rescued from death his Russian commander. After death he has received a high rank “Hero of the Soviet Union”. For heroism on battles with the enemy the platoon commander of 43-rd rifle brigades Idris Syleymanov also has received such rank. In common, fascists on Caucasus lost more than 100 000 alive forces, and a lot of military engineering.

The rout of fascist army on Caucasus was rescueed southern regions of the USSR, including Azerbaijan, and in the first turn of Baku from threat of capture, has destroyed the plans of the enemy, connected with Near and Average east.

Azerbaijanians courageously battled and in Stalingrad battles. During two months group of the snipers of Baloglan Abbasov has destroyed approximately 3 thousand soldiers and officers of the enemy. The fearless commander and itself was lost in one of battles.

The Soviet Army passing to a contour approach in winter of 1942 besieged of a troops of enemy. The large heroism has shown 55-th separate tank regiment of the lieutenant colonel Hazi Aslanov. The Aslanov`s tank regiment during 6 days heroically battled to a part of general Manshteyn`s army, trying to come for the help to 6-th army, which has got in siege at Stalingrad and having destroyed 45 tanks (from 70 tanks) and alive force of an enemy has not given him to pass. And Hazi Aslanov has received a rank “Hero of the Soviet Union “.

In February, 1943 the German fascist army was completely to break under Stalingrad. This year the Soviet Army has won half of grounds, grasped from the USSR. Has extended anti-fascist movement worldwide. Went deep crisis in the fascist block. The fascist mode in Italy fell and this country has left war. And anti-Hitler coalition, on the contrary, became stronger. In the Teheran conference of the allies in November, 1943 was made a decision to open of the second front in Europe against fascist Germany. However, second front in Europe opened late, after the allies were convinced that the Soviet Union will win of a fascism and were afraid that all territories grasped of Red Army will get under influence of USSR.

The brilliant victories of the Soviet Army in Stalingrad and Caucasian battles promoted change in a course of war.

In summer of 1943 the Soviet Army began strong attack. In all fronts the Azerbaijan soldiers and the officers self-denyingly battled. A banner of a victory above city Oryol first was lifted by sergeant H. Ajdarov. The great courage have shown lientenant M. Bagirov in region of Oryol-Belgorod, M. Maharramov and S. Kazimov in battles for Dnieper, M. Guliyev in forcing a gulf Kerch. The pilots A. Guliyev, Z. Seyidmammadova and others were distinguished by battle merits.

416-th division accepted active participation in clearing city Togonrog and under the order of the Supreme Main Command for heroism has received a honourable name “Taganrog`s division”. This division differed in battles for clearing Melitopol from the fascists in October and was awarded with “Red Banner”. In the beginning of September 271-st division actively participated in operation “Donetsk” and for courage has received a honourable name “Gorlovka`s division “.

In 1944 as a result of the important victories of the Soviet army on fronts all the territory of the USSR was freed from the fascist aggressors. 416-th division in structure of 5-th shock army took part in forcing Dnieper and clearing cities Nikolayev and Kishinev. For difference in battles in clearing of city Odessa this division was awarded with an award “Suvorov“ of the second degree. In April 13, 1944 fighters of 77-th division have shown of heroism in clearing city Simferopol from the enemy and has received a honourable rank “Simfiropol`s division”. For military merits in a capture of height mountain of Sapun this division was awarded with an award “Suvorov“ of the second degree. In summer of 1944 77-th division was sent to Pribaltik front, took part in clearing Pribaltik republics and East Prussion from the fascists.

At 23-30 of June, 1944 fighters of 35-th Guards tank brigade under command of the general – major Hazi Aslanov with the large courage forcing the river Berezina, have cleared of the fascists of city Pleshenitsi and other 580 occupied items, destroying many alive forces and military engineering of the opponent. It has created a favorable condition for successful attack of the basic forces of 3-rd Byelorussian front. Command of front has presented Hazi Aslanov for decoration a high rank “Hero of the Soviet Union” for the second time. However, rank twice hero of the USSR was given to him 47 years after death. A tank brigade of Hazi Aslanov accepted active participation in clearing Pribaltik. A management of empire and armenian lobby in army painfully have met an exit from environment of azerbaijanians the skilful commanders. In January 24, 1945 Hazi Aslanov in a very mysterious condition was fatally wounded in a place where there did not pass military operations and has died.

223 division deffered in battles behind clearing of Southern Ukraine, Kishinev, in operation of Yassi-Kishinev.

About oval

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *