The feat of the soldiers from the rifle battalion, commanded by Guards Captain Belgin (photograph above, to the right) is one of those, which became known for the whole armed forces. On July 6, 1943, near the village of Krutoi Log, they repelled 11 enemy’s attacks, knocked out 14 tanks and eliminated over 600 people. This exhausting bloody battle lasted for 16 hours. As a result, only 140 servicemen survived out of 550.
The Korocha direction was one of the most intensive. The enemy concentrated more than 300 tanks there. For the displayed bravery and heroism, the servicemen were awarded orders and medals, and Captains Belgin, Ilyasov and Sergeant Zorin were honoured with the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union. The military unit itself was given the name of “heroic battalion”.
On the night of July 6, Captain Вelgin received an order to take up defence at a new line and prepare the area for defensive operations. Just a few hours later, the soldiers managed to dig trenches, install anti-tank barriers, artillery systems and mortars. Anton Belgin, who already had a huge experience of combat operations, managed to organize the preparation in such a way that tired soldiers not only successfully completed the task, but were also given hot meals and had an opportunity to rest a bit.
During the first attack, Hitler’s soldiers were allowed to come up so close to our positions that they did not expect such a powerful resistance and were forced to retreat for some time. But then, they started the attack again: 70 tanks were thrown against the battalion. Already wounded, Captain Belgin continued to lead the battle, but after an enemy tank had broken through the defense lines, he threw himself under the caterpillar tracks with a grenade in his hands.
Guards Captain Ivan Ilyasov (photograph below, to the left) was the commander of the 8th rifle company. 34 enemy tanks broke through its defence section. One of them began to plow the trench, where there was Captain Ilyasov’s position. In the last seconds of his life, already under the tank, he managed to shout into the telephone receiver, “Comrades, fight to the last! I am perishing… consider me a communist…” The soldiers of his company managed to repel 8 enemy attacks, destroyed 4 tanks and eliminated more than 300 enemy soldiers and officers.
Guards Sergeant Sergey Zorin (photograph below, to the right) was responsible for the communication of the battalion with the higher echelon of command. For 12 times, being under uninterrupted firing of the enemy, he restored damaged communication lines. Four times, he personally delivered reports to the regiment commander. During one of these sorties, he saw a German combat vehicle moving towards him. In one precise motion, he threw a grenade under the tank’s caterpillar and stopped it.
Front, army and divisions newspapers were describing the feats of the Guards servicemen. Their heroic act became an example for all Soviet soldiers.
The Korocha direction was one of the most intensive. The enemy concentrated more than 300 tanks there. For the displayed bravery and heroism, the servicemen were awarded orders and medals, and Captains Belgin, Ilyasov and Sergeant Zorin were honoured with the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union. The military unit itself was given the name of “heroic battalion”.
On the night of July 6, Captain Вelgin received an order to take up defence at a new line and prepare the area for defensive operations. Just a few hours later, the soldiers managed to dig trenches, install anti-tank barriers, artillery systems and mortars. Anton Belgin, who already had a huge experience of combat operations, managed to organize the preparation in such a way that tired soldiers not only successfully completed the task, but were also given hot meals and had an opportunity to rest a bit.
During the first attack, Hitler’s soldiers were allowed to come up so close to our positions that they did not expect such a powerful resistance and were forced to retreat for some time. But then, they started the attack again: 70 tanks were thrown against the battalion. Already wounded, Captain Belgin continued to lead the battle, but after an enemy tank had broken through the defense lines, he threw himself under the caterpillar tracks with a grenade in his hands.
Guards Captain Ivan Ilyasov (photograph below, to the left) was the commander of the 8th rifle company. 34 enemy tanks broke through its defence section. One of them began to plow the trench, where there was Captain Ilyasov’s position. In the last seconds of his life, already under the tank, he managed to shout into the telephone receiver, “Comrades, fight to the last! I am perishing… consider me a communist…” The soldiers of his company managed to repel 8 enemy attacks, destroyed 4 tanks and eliminated more than 300 enemy soldiers and officers.
Guards Sergeant Sergey Zorin (photograph below, to the right) was responsible for the communication of the battalion with the higher echelon of command. For 12 times, being under uninterrupted firing of the enemy, he restored damaged communication lines. Four times, he personally delivered reports to the regiment commander. During one of these sorties, he saw a German combat vehicle moving towards him. In one precise motion, he threw a grenade under the tank’s caterpillar and stopped it.
Front, army and divisions newspapers were describing the feats of the Guards servicemen. Their heroic act became an example for all Soviet soldiers.
