“On the eve of the Victory Day chairman of the city council of Kaliningrad Andrew Kropotkin been a guest of World War II veteran, a member of the storming of Koenigsberg Ivan Dmitrievich Tikhonov, who lives in his constituency number 4 “, – spread the message of the press service of the City Council, by an evil tradition, without specifying the date of the event. (The day before – the day prior, therefore, “on the eve of” Victory Day May 8 there – Ed.)
… Postnikov went to war in 17 years, he specialized in “sniper”, fought from 1942 year to a victorious 1945, was a scout artillery, took Konigsberg and Pilau, bear left here their military and then a police service. In 1948 he was transferred to Chukotka, and in 1957 returned to this, which became the native land. He worked as chief Mamonovskiy police department in the resignation came as a lieutenant colonel.
Ivan Dmitrievich – 89 years, but he admitted Andrew Kropotkin age – a state of mind, so he is young and energetic, travels around the country, is on the ground fighting, meets with fellow soldiers, youth. And a long intimate conversation with the chairman of the City Council did not start with memories of bygone days, and on the evaluation of the day today, by talking about the current generation. “Young people have always to criticize, even Lermontov wrote:” Yes, there were people in our time, is not that the current tribe “- laughing Ivan Dmitrievich. – But in fact, we have young people – wonderful. Each generation must move forward, otherwise there was no progress. And if there is a movement, then the country is going in the right direction. ” Andrew Kropotkin agreed with this, adding that it is very important not only to strive for success, but also to seek the meaning of life.
Representatives of two generations agreed that Kaliningrad – the best city on earth. “I know from the memoirs of her grandmother, how hard it was to restore it from the ruins, – said Andrei Kropotkin. – If you do not talk about it, do not remember how many lives claimed the war, the new generation will hardly be able to properly dispose of this heritage ».
Andrew Kropotkin presented Ivan Tikhonov large plasma TV. And, while the technique set up, talking, of course, came the most memorable events of the war.
Ivan D. written showed them a picture, which shows the tower of the Royal Castle, where he spent a memorable night from 9 to 10 April 1945. Speculate on the role of military intelligence, how correct was the idea of the Soviet command to organize assault brigades. All this has allowed brilliantly offensive and spend 4 days to take the fortress, which was considered impregnable.
It would seem that these days a lot written and said. But it is precisely such meetings, such confidential talks help resurrect those old days events. “Can you imagine, we even collected harvest in 1945 – says Ivan Dmitrievich. – The Germans were so confident that the Soviet troops here will not reach that spring sown wheat. Locals initially met us wary. But then we realized that we did not come to take revenge and to free them from the Nazis. And discipline in our army was very strict, were issued special orders, punishing any violations against the indigenous population. If at the beginning of the war they are very worshiped Hitler, by this time had already suffered and waited, when it will end ».
Representatives of two generations talked about much. Chairman of the City Council of Kaliningrad war veteran asked about health, that helped to survive at the front. “Once this match” – announced its motto Ivan Dmitrievich. – And on the front of myself, a young boy, taught recruits “are dying in the first place, a coward, a curious and a drunkard.” Therefore, we in the battery where I was komsorgom agreed: a drop of alcohol to victory! And never smoked, gave all the snuff old people ».
Speaking about his awards, and their – more than 40, Ivan D. stressed medal” For Courage “, which he received in the battle of Borisov, when our group of 45 fighters crashed twice superior to their squad fascists. Ivan Tikhonov not only destroyed a few sniper shots Fritz, but took three “languages”. And the Order of Glory, he was honored for capture of Koenigsberg, support groups for capturing artillery fire. “A most valuable prize was a 10-day vacation to a sanatorium to recover. After the trenches – clean sheets, care, no shooting! “- Says the veteran.