Even if the walls of the fortress fall, people will certainly be behind them, and the future of the city, country and humanity will depend on them. World War II, like a hurricane, swept over Europe. Literally in a matter of months, Hitler subjugated a significant number of countries, but then he crossed the borders of the Soviet Union and found out what a real battle was. Where others surrendered, Soviet soldiers did not even think about running away. They fought for every meter of their native land, the cities were in blockades for months, but did not raise white flags. This put a lot of pressure on the invaders. After the victory in the Great Patriotic War, the government decided to award the title “Hero City” with places whose residents showed themselves excellently in fighting with the military. Hero cities of the USSR - a powerful bastion defending their country.
About regulations
In May of the 45th year, a decree was issued on granting the status of “Hero City” to the locality, which distinguished itself in the battle with the fascist invaders. According to this order, the first hero cities of the USSR were:
- Stalingrad;
- Odessa;
- Sevastopol
- Leningrad.
In 1961, this title was awarded to Kiev. 1965 The Presidency certifies the status of the “Hero City” status. Almost immediately, 7 orders were issued. According to regulatory documents, all the hero cities of the USSR received the Golden Star medal. In addition to this medal, Odessa, Stalingrad and Sevastopol were additionally awarded the Order of Lenin. Also, according to the issued order, the immortal title of "Heroes" was awarded to Moscow and the Brest Fortress.
In 1980, the status of the “Hero City” status was slightly corrected; now it is not a simple title, but the highest degree of recognition. As a memory of the heroism of the past, a series of badges with a local emblem were made in these cities. In the postwar years, traveling places that received the highest award, no one returned home without the badge "Hero City" of the USSR.
Hero Cities in Alphabetical Order
The status “Hero City” is the noblest and highest reward for numerous, social heroism. The war brought a lot of losses, but revealed qualities such as the valor and courage of every resident. One has only to recall the siege of Leningrad. For 900 long days, the area was surrounded by enemy cordons, but no one was about to give up. In total, the list of "Hero Cities" of the USSR includes 12 places:
- Volgograd
- Kerch;
- Kiev;
- Leningrad
- Minsk;
- Moscow;
- Murmansk;
- Novorossiysk;
- Odessa;
- Sevastopol
- Smolensk
- Tula.
The Brest Fortress can also be added to this list, which was awarded the immortal title “Hero Fortress”. Each city is known for a great feat, which is not forgotten.
Leningrad
For sure, they will remember this hero city of the former USSR for a very long time. The invaders intended to completely destroy the population. Fierce battles began on the way to the city 07/10/1941. The enemy had a numerical advantage, both in terms of weapons and in the number of soldiers. 09/08/1941 German troops began to control the Neva, and Leningrad was separated from the mainland.
The blockade of the city continued until January 1944. During these 900 days of occupation, more inhabitants died than the United States and Great Britain lost together in this war. Starvation killed 800 thousand people. But every day, half a million residents worked on the construction of defensive obstacles. 35 km of barricades, more than 40 km of anti-tank structures, over 4 thousand pillboxes. In addition, Leningraders repaired and produced weapons. So, 1.9 thousand tanks, 225.2 thousand assault rifles, 10 million mines and explosive shells, 12.1 thousand mortars were transported to the front zones. More than half a million people received military medals.
Stalingrad (Volgograd)
The city-hero of the USSR Stalingrad survived the most widespread confrontation of the Second World War, which went down in the history of military battles as the Battle of Stalingrad. 07/17/1942, the invaders went towards the current Volgograd with the intention of quickly gaining victory. But this battle lasted for 200 days, both military and ordinary Soviet residents were involved in it.
On August 23, 1942, the first attack on the city took place, and on March 25, martial law was declared. 50 thousand volunteers joined the Soviet army. Despite constant shelling, local factories continued to operate without slowing down to supply the necessary military ammunition to the front. The Germans came close to September 12th. 2 months of fierce battles inflicted significant damage on the enemy army. 11/19/1942 Leningraders launched a counterattack. After 2.5 months, the enemy was destroyed.
Odessa and Sevastopol
The forces of the Nazis were 5 times higher than the combat power of the defenders of Odessa, but the defense of the city still continued for 73 days. During this period of time, soldiers of the Soviet army and volunteers from the people's militia were able to inflict tangible damage to the invader army. However, the city still fell under the care of the Nazis.
The hero cities of the USSR in the Great Patriotic War played their key roles, even if they were besieged, they were an example of endurance, strength and unwavering courage. The defensive tactics of Sevastopol is known on the pages of military history and in tactical exercises as the standard of long and active defensive operations behind enemy lines. The defense of the coastal city lasted more than 8 months, starting from 10.30.1941. Only with the 4th attempt did the Germans manage to capture him.
Brest Fortress
It was Brest that became the first city to face the enemy army face to face. On the morning of June 22, the Brest Fortress was under enemy fire, where at that time there were about 7,000 Soviet soldiers. The fascist invaders planned to take control of the fortress in a few hours, but were stuck for a whole month. The German army suffered significant losses, control of the fortress was taken a week later, but another month the Nazis suppressed individual centers of resistance. The time won by Brest made it possible to mobilize the military forces of the Union and prepare to repel the attack.
Moscow and Kiev
Distinguished themselves in the battle with the enemy and the capital of the two great powers. The outbreak of war was marked for Kiev by an air strike. The city came under fire from the invaders in the first hours of the outbreak of war, but two weeks later a committee was set up to protect the city. A 72-day defensive operation began. 33 thousand people of Kiev joined the ranks of the Soviet troops. They were part of the fighter battalions and fought a worthy battle to the enemy.
The enemy attack was stopped on the first line of the city fortification. The enemy failed to capture Kiev on the move, but on July 30, 1941, another attempt was made to assault. After 10 days, the enemies managed to break up the defense in the southwest, but the defenders were able to counteract this. After 5 days, the invaders retreated to their previous positions. By direct assault, Kiev was no longer taken. 17 fascist divisions took part in battles near Kiev for a long time. Therefore, the enemy was forced to withdraw part of the offensive forces that went to Moscow, and send them in the direction of Kiev. Because of this, Soviet troops retreated on September 19.
As for Moscow, the battle for it consisted of two types of operations: defensive and offensive. The fascist command decided to go towards Moscow. Its capture would be a devastating blow to the allied army, so the main combat power was thrown at the capital. In turn, the Soviet army was not going to give up so easily. On December 5, the Germans were pushed back from Moscow, and its defenders from defense switched to a counterattack, this event was the climax of the war.
Climax
Due respect must be given to Kerch, Tula, Novorossiysk, Murmansk, Smolensk, who made a worthy contribution to the battle against the Nazis. The Soviet army fought to the last, and local residents fought along with them. In defense and attack battles all human resources were involved. Murmansk, Novorossiysk, Leningrad, Stalingrad - thanks to the titanic efforts they were able to stop the advance of the enemy, and were not captured. A severe siege in the Kerch quarries allowed to delay the advance of the Nazis, but the inhabitants suffered terrible losses. It was on the Kerch peninsula that the Soviet commission began to investigate the crimes of the Nazis.
Twelve, that's how many hero cities were in the USSR. They were that unbending spirit that remains after the walls of the fortress fall.