Our article will be devoted to the not very famous writer today - this is Emanuel Genrikhovich Kazakevich. "Star" (a summary of the work we will describe below) - a story that made him famous. That is why we will turn to this book.
About the author and work
The Soviet prose writer and poet is Emanuel Kazakevich. "Star" (a summary of the story is the main theme of our article) was first published in 1947 on the pages of the magazine "Banner". Like almost all works of this period, the story book is dedicated to the Great Patriotic War.
The author himself served in the reconnaissance company throughout the war years, where he went from a private to a captain. And it is not surprising that the work of Zvezda describes the everyday life of scouts, because their life was familiar to the writer firsthand.
E. Kazakevich, “Star”: summary
Actions take place in Western Ukraine. Here, one of the local villages includes a Soviet reconnaissance platoon. Scouts are commanded by Lieutenant Travkin, distinguished by concern for his fighters. Under his command were 18 soldiers, 12 of them were combatants tested by battle. The rest were recently recruited, and what to expect from them during the battle was unknown. Ahead, they were waiting for a meeting with the enemy - the Soviet troops were advancing.
Travkin was a very young reserved man, his comrades did not always understand him, but nevertheless he earned their love and respect for his selfless attitude to his duties and selflessness.
Scouts go on a short easy raid, during which it turns out that the Germans are already close. Therefore, the division goes on the defensive, and reinforcements are pulled from the rear.
Training
With knowledge of the case, describes the military realities of Emanuel Kazakevich ("Star"). The summary tells how the head of the army intelligence department arrives in the division, who sets the commander with the task of sending a group of scouts behind enemy lines - there was evidence that the enemy troops were regrouping, so it was possible to find out the number of tanks and reserve troops. The best candidate for this operation is Travkin.
From this moment, Travkin begins to conduct training with his squad every night. He stubbornly chased his subordinates through a cold stream, forced him to learn how to cut wire correctly, to find mines and minefields, to get through trenches.
Meshchersky, a junior lieutenant who had just graduated from a military school, asked for a group of scouts. He was a blue-eyed, slender young man of twenty. He practices selflessly, without complaining or retreating. This causes Travkin respect for the newcomer.
Have passed the last training. Set the call sign for the reconnaissance group - "Star", and for the division - "Earth". However, at the last moment, the command decides to send Anikanov instead of the Meshchersky officer.
Raid behind enemy lines
The work of the scouts is portrayed as a game of a man with the death of E. G. Kazakevich “Star” (a brief summary has already noted that such a callsign was assigned to a group of scouts) after the last briefing is put forward on a mission. Travkin leads the detachment, which was also joined as a mandatory escort by sappers.
Scouts managed to overcome the barbed wire and pass the German trenches. An hour later they had already plunged into the forests.
The remaining troops inseparably peer into the darkness, waiting for a signal from the scouts. Meshchersky, the commander of a company of sappers, and other soldiers gathered here. Other officers now and then approach them, asking if the detachment has returned. However, there was no signal that would say that the scouts were found and were retreating. So, while the group is moving forward successfully.
Meeting with the Germans
The most important, but also the most dangerous military work is described by the work “Star” (Kazakevich). The summary of the story requires telling how closer to dawn the scouts got to the edge of the forest and then unexpectedly met three Germans. The enemies were in the truck, and one of them accidentally looked out at the moment when the Soviet soldiers appeared.
However, Travkin’s composure saved the group. He realized that they could not run. Therefore, the soldiers, without speeding up or slowing down, moved on. The German was numb from what he saw - in front of him passed seven green shadows in hoodies, and did not raise an alarm.
After that, the detachment crossed the meadow, and then Travkin was able to transmit a radiogram.
Prisoners and the return trip
Continues to describe the journey of scouts Kazakevich ("Star"). The summary will not do without a story about how, having passed through a swamp and a forest, the soldiers saw an SS detachment. Going around him, they went to a small house, from which came the moans and screams. Later it turned out that this is a hospital. The German who came out from there was caught and interrogated. From interrogation, they learned that there is a tank division. Travkin got in touch with Earth and reported on everything he managed to find out.
After that, the group advanced to the railway station. Here Mamochkin and Anikanov managed to capture the knowledgeable SS man. However, the Dove died.
The scouts advanced on the return trip, but now the Germans knew about them and began to pursue. On the way Brazhnikov perishes, Anikanov and Semenov are wounded. The radio station that hung by the shoulders of Bykov is deteriorating - bullets hit it. Now the detachment has lost the opportunity to contact the headquarters.
Denouement
The story that Kazakevich describes is coming to an end. “Star” (a summary is presented here) is a story about the exploit of scouts who risk their life in war more than anyone else.
The scouts never managed to get to their own - the Germans began a round-up, took them in ticks and shot them. The commander in chief, who received intelligence information, realizes that the Germans are preparing a counterattack to prevent the Soviet troops from breaking into Poland, and gives orders to strengthen the left flank.
The only one who is still waiting for the scouts to return is Katya, a signalman who is in love with Travkina. Before the start of the offensive, she sent the call sign "Star."