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Stalingrad
Stalingrad, the large Russian industrial town on the banks of the Don and Volga Rivers will always be notorious for the Battle of Stalingrad. Between August 1942 and February 1943 millions of soldiers delivered battle here on behalf of their respective countries. Felix Dalberger visited the battle fields together with a guide (which is highly recommended) and returned home with the following photo shots.
Stalingrad, which today is called Volgograd, is built on the bank of the River Volga. The picture shows the place where thousands of people tried to cross during the battle. Civilians tried to escape, soldiers were sent across to fight. In the middle of Stalingrad there is a strategically very important hill, Mamajev Kurgan. This elevation dominates a large part of the town. The side that controls the hill holds an excellent position during the battle. This was the reason fierce fighting took place for this view point which continually changed hands.
From 1967 onwards the hill was converted into a monument of 6,5 hectares (approx. 16 acres) memorizing the siege over the Germans. On the summit a 52 meters (approx 170 ft) high statue has been erected symbolizing the motherland. Right below this gigantic statue you will find “the Hall of Courage”. Along the eaves you can read the following text: “We were only mortals, not many of us have survived, but we fulfilled our duty for our motherland.”
These are only two out of a total of nine monuments on this hill. In Stalingrad itself you will also find memorials of the fighting.
One of the few buildings that still remained erect at the end of the battle was a grain elevator. You will recognize it on a number of photographs taken during the war. The attack started on the 13th of September, 1942, The elevator defended by only approximately 40 Russians, fell into German hands only on September 22nd. This handful of soldiers was able to ward off a complete battalion which was supported by tanks and caused enormous losses to the Germans. Only one, seriously wounded, Russian survived this ordeal. He was captured and survived the war.
In the middle of the city one finds also a strange looking, small white building. Behind its door there is a staircase which leads to an underground space where General Zhukov had his headquarters during the Battle for Stalingrad. Stalingrad itself in the meantime
has been reconstructed but occasionally you may encounter ruins that remind of the heavy battle. Also on the wide plains outside the city there are still various trenches to be found.
All in all, Volgograd is certainly worth your while.
Pictures: Felix Dalberger.
Picture grain elevator: http://www.chez.com/barbarossa/,
with thanks to Philippe Carmoy.
Editors: Jeroen Koppes & Felix Dalberger.
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