Alexey Fedorovich Biryukov, a 96-year-old veteran of the Great Patriotic War, shares his life story. Born in Belarus in 1927, Alexey was a teenager when World War II broke out. He recalls the German occupation, the fear and brutality they inflicted on his village, and the loss of his father, who was shot by the Germans.
Alexey joined the Soviet army at 17 and was assigned to the sappers. He recounts the harsh realities of war, including the high casualty rate, the fear of death, and the difficulty of clearing mines. He was wounded in the suburbs of Konigsberg and spent time in a hospital in Kazan, where he saw many soldiers with severe injuries.
After the war, Alexey returned home and struggled to come to terms with the trauma he experienced. He eventually decided to pursue his education and became an excellent student. He graduated from a technical college and was appointed director of a collective farm at the age of 24.
Alexey met his wife, whom he has been married to for 70 years, while working at the collective farm. They have seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is one of only two remaining Great Patriotic War veterans in his area and continues to celebrate the anniversary of the war's start, June 22nd, with his family.
Throughout his story, Alexey expresses his hatred for the Germans, who he holds responsible for the suffering and loss he and his family endured. His account provides a personal and emotional perspective on the experiences of those who lived through World War II.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker is Biryukov Alexey Fedorovich, a participant in the Great Patriotic War.
2. He is 96 years old at the time of the recording.
3. He was born in the Gomel region, Zhlobinsky district, Recta village.
4. He started working at a collective farm from the 5th grade.
5. He was in the 7-8 grade when he went to work at the collective farm every day.
6. The war started on June 22, 1941.
7. He was evacuated with his family to the train station, which was 8km away.
8. They spent one night and one day at the station, but no trains arrived.
9. The Germans occupied Belarus, and they took away all the cattle from the village.
10. He was enlisted in the army and assigned to the sappers.
11. He studied the device of mines, how to work with them, and how to defuse and plant them.
12. He was the youngest in his unit, and others were older, including teachers and a school director.
13. He went on reconnaissance to capture an enemy and was involved in battles.
14. He was wounded in the suburbs of Konigsberg and spent 12 days in a hospital in East Prussia.
15. He was sent to Moscow for treatment but was refused due to lack of space.
16. He was redirected to Kazan, where he was accepted and treated in a hospital located in a school.
17. He got off the train at his 16th station and walked home, where he found his school and some provisions.
18. He was afraid of what he might find at home, but his parents were okay.
19. He decided to study and went to a technical college, which was 8km from his village.
20. He graduated and was appointed director of the collective farm at the age of 24.
21. He met his wife at work, and she was a school student at the time.
22. They got married after she finished the 10th grade and have been together for 70 years.
23. They have 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
24. There were 122 Great Patriotic War veterans in his area, and now only 2 are left, including him.