The Great Patriotic War of 1941-45 and the Contribution of Kyrgyzstan to the War.

From June 22 1941, the whole Soviet Union as well as Kyrgyzstan started undergoing serious tribulations. Fascist Germany attacked USSR craving for worldwide domination. That is how the Great Patriotic War for freedom and independence of motherland began.

360,000 of Kyrgyz warriors took part in the battles with the fascist Germany. Only in first two days of war 270 applications from volunteers were received at Frunze military registration. Kyrgyz government organized nationwide accelerated military training, nursing, and sanitary activism courses. Soldiers from Kyrgyzstan heroically fought against occupants from the first days of war. According to the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on June 22 1941, total mobilization of liable for military service in the country began.

During this campaign, 385th infantry division, 40^th & 153d shooting brigades, and 2 national cavalry divisions were formed in our republic. The first one to join the battle was 316^th infantry division under commandment of military commissar of Kyrgyzstan, general-major I.V.Panfilov. 316^th division was comprised by Kyrgyz and Kazakh governments, and afterwards it was called the 8^th Guard Panfilov infantry division and was awarded an order of Red Star for exemplary execution. The division was called by Panfilov’s name, who was awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union. In addition, among other Heroes of Soviet Union, there were 28 soldiers of Panvilov division from Kyrgystan: Duishenkul Shopokov, Nikolai Ananiev, Grigory Shemyakin, Grigory Konkin, Ivan Moskalenko, Grigory Petrenko, Ivan Dobrobabin.

State of continuing pressure was present at the battlefront. On the 28^th of July 1942, Stalin issued a strict decree – “Not a step backwards!” Kyrgyz soldiers followed the common mission during battles near Moscow, Leningrad, North Caucasus, Ukraine, Belorussia, Moldavia, Baltics, in the countries of Eastern Europe, and even in Berlin. One of the many prominent warriors was Cholponbai Tuleberdiev, who was entitled as Hero of the Soviet Union. At the battles near Don river, on August 6 1942, Cholponbai Tuleberdiev committed the immortal feat by covering enemy’s dzot. Heroic deeds:

• Dmitriev defended the Brest fortress (the Hero of the SU)
• Daiyr Asanov during 4 hours of battle destroyed 8 tanks, 6 armoured vehicles and 40 fascists (the Hero of the SU)
• Akun Sadyrbaev could catch and throw back 16 grenades (the Hero of the SU)
• Ismailbek Taranchiev directed his plane to the enemy’s tanks at and destroyed 6 tanks and several cars (1991 - the Hero of the SU)

In order to supply the war front, the Soviet Government set a goal to turn union republics at the home front into powerful military-industrial arsenal at breakneck speed. Central Asia, as well as Ural and Siberia were supposed to become home front’s areas of military hardware, armament, industrial products, and the zones for evacuating population. Kyrgyz SSR welcomed more than 300 000 of immigrants of various nationalities.

Since the first days of war, nations organized volunteer patriotic movement for funds collection, which was constituted by monthly contributions of daily fees. By the end of 1941, Kyrgyzstan produced 85% of all antimony produced in the USSR. Almost every cartridge and detonator contained antimony from Haidarkhan, which became the main supplier of this strategic metal.

Resources and reserves of agricultural, industrial, and meat&dairy products significantly decreased in the war period. Nevertheless, during the period 1941-1945, Kyrgyz SSR became one of the most important bastion of USSR’s economy. Home front workers also supplied the soviet army with sugar beet, butter, meat, cotton, wheat, etc. More than 30 factories and plant were evacuated to Kyrgyzstan. A new railroad connecting Kant&Rybachie was built.

The consequences of WWII:

The USSR and USA emerged as the world's superpowers

Start of the Cold War that lasted for the next 46 years

Formation of the United Nations in 1945 to prevent another world conflict

Decolonization movements in Asia and Africa

For KSSR:

More than 90 000 valiant soldiers from Kyrgyzstan perished.

More than 10 000 warriors awarded by orders and medals

73 kyrgyz soldiers received the highest title of the Hero of the Soviet Union

21 people became Cavalries of the Order of Fame of all three degrees.

Date: 2015-01-02; view: 1315