Russian Embassy exhibits WWII photos

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Friday April 30, 2010 00:00

 

The photos are the works of two Russian war correspondents, Georgiy Petrusov and NP Shestakov who captured so many poignant moments with their lenses during the 1939-1945 war, which is described by some as the 'most terrible war' in the history of mankind.

'Almost the whole of Europe fell under the yoke of fascism. Sixty-two states and 1,700 million people (80 percent of the world population at the time) were involved in it. Military operations took the territories of three continents and waters of four oceans,' Russian Ambassador Anatoly Korsun said at the opening of the exhibition. He added that during the war, 62 million people were killed.

The then Soviet Union lost over 27 million people, 2,000 Soviet cities and towns were ruined and thousands of plants and factories were destroyed.

Ambassador Korsun paid tribute to Batswana who took part in the war. At the time, Botswana (then known as Bechuanaland) supported their British colonial masters.

'We know that Batswana citizens also participated in World War II. In the centre of Gaborone, there stands a war memorial in honour of the Batswana who died in that terrible war. Every year, the employees of the Russian Embassy lay flowers on this memorial,' he said.

Before the exhibition, Ambassador Korsun had paid a courtesy call on two war veterans, 90-year-old Modisa Thebe of Tshosa Ward in Kumakwane and 86-year-old Kgosi Mareko Mosielele of Manyana.

Thebe took active part in the war having fought in North Africa, the Middles East and some parts of Europe. He told the ambassador that he was decorated with five medals during the war, which were unfortunately destroyed when his hut burnt down.

On the other hand, Kgosi Mosielele only took part in the peace efforts at the end of the war when he was sent to Egypt to help in the rebuilding of the country. The Kgosi seized the opportunity to inform the ambassador that he would be retiring tomorrow (Saturday).

Although there are too many photographs to mention, there are some that are worth-mentioning here such as the one by Petrusov of Senior Lieutenant Meldzihov, who is hailed as a hero for having supposedly killed 108 Germans in one battle. This is interesting because during a past interview with one the of local veterans, he pointed out that he could not tell the number of enemy troops he brought down since in war people do not have time to stop and count their victims. Having said that perhaps it is only God and Senior Lieutenant Meldzihov who know the truth about the number of enemy troops he (Meldzihov) brought down or the method he used to determine that.

Another interesting photo is that of Private Victor Bazanov by Shestakov who according to a caption under his picture worked 'ardently providing food to soldiers'. The caption further says that he took 20 minutes instead of 30 minutes to carve big carcasses and that he took five minutes instead of 20 minutes to carve small cattle. The private's expertise in carving meat quickly must have come in handy during a war in which millions of troops had to be fed as quickly as possible.

One of the photos that is likely to make some sensitive viewers shed a tear or two is one by Petrusov that features an old man standing in a dilapidated house in 1943. The photo, which was taken in the city of Vyazm in the Smolensk region, shows the despondent ancient inspecting the ruins around him.

Another noteworthy photo is by Petrusov's showing some Russian guerrillas that resisted the Axis despite the harsh conditions. The photographer captured the guerrillas both, men and women gearing up for a battle in a forest covered by snow.

Some of the light moments captured by the photographers include the picture taken by Shestakov that shows American soldiers admiring Soviet soldiers' firearms. By the look on the faces of the Americans, one can safely assume that it was the first time they beheld the arms of their fellow allies.

Although the war was engaging to soldiers from both sides, Petrusov also managed to capture some light moments such as the one depicting Soviet soldiers having a picnic in Germany in May, 1945 with some civilian women. Did this happen after the fall of Berlin and were the women German or Russian? The caption does not shed much light on that.

Then there is another picture by the same photographer showing Russian soldiers during a concert provided by the Song and Dance Troupe (whoever these were).

Towards the end of the war, Shestakov managed to snap solemn looking German prisoners of war (POWs) being marched through the snow by Russian soldiers. Their enemies must have proclaimed in that moment of shame, 'How the mighty have fallen!'Another Shestakov picture showcases German soldiers lying dead in the square of a Czechoslovakia city after it had been freed. A sorry sight indeed!

Other engaging photos showcasing youthful scouts lying camouflaged in the snow, a barrel of a canon, the fall of Berlin in May, 1945, the devastation of the city of Dorogobuzh in 1943, Russians soldiers meeting the American allies in the freed Czechoslovakia in 1945, a meeting of Russian officers in Stalingrad during the winter of 1943, Russian soldiers transporting anti-tank artillery, Russian soldiers being welcomed back home by women holding flowers. The triumphant soldiers are seen holding portraits of Josef Stalin, the Soviet ruler of the time.

According to Korsun, every year, the Russians celebrate May, 9 as Victory Day.

On this day, veterans meet, people lay flowers on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other war memorials. In the Red Square in the centre of Moscow, there takes place military parade with the show of military forces and war materials.