Zoia Kosmodemianskaia

  Zoia Kosmodemianskaia was from family of priests. Kosmodemyansky priests of Russian Orthodox Church were known since 17th century. Zoya's grandfather Saint Pyotr Kosmodemyansky was murdered in 1918 by communists. Zoya was born in 1923 not far from the city of Tambov. In 1930 Kosmodemyansky moved to Moscow. In October 1941 she volunteered for a partisan unit. Zoya was assigned to the partisan unit 9903 (Staff of the Western Front). Out of a thousand people who joined the unit in October 1941 only a half survived the war. At the village of Obukhovo near Naro-Fominsk, Kosmodemyanskaya and other partisans crossed the front line and entered territory occupied by the Germans. They mined roads and cut communication lines. On November 27, 1941 Zoya received an assignment to burn the village of Petrischevo, where a German cavalry regiment was stationed she was captured by fascists. She was to subject to torture but did not say her name and the military secret. On 29 of November fascists hang Zoya. She was posthumously awarded the distinction Hero of the Soviet Union in 1942.

Ivan Vasilyevich Panfilov

Was born in January 1 1893, in Saratov region, worked from 12 years, in 1915 was taken to Czar army, took part in World War I, the in Civil War 1917 in 25-th Chapaev division. Them served in the Middle Asia. In 1941 Panfilov formed 316th Rifle division. In October 1941 the division stayed not far from Volokolamsck, defending the way to Moscow. He was the first who used echelon anti-tank artillery defense. All the German attack were brocken. But then Panfilov’s division had to keep back monster attack for 6 days. They all fought to death. During the battle, Panfilov received an order from Marshal Zhukov, stating that if he retreated he would face a firing squad. In this way General Panfilov's brigade of 28 soldiers and sappers destroyed 60 tanks and several hundred soldiers. Only 3 soviet soldiers survived the carnage. Because of this action they were called Panfilovtsy. For that battle Panfilov was posthumously awarded the distinction Hero of the Soviet Union in 1942.

Alexey Petrovich Maresev

  Alexey Petrovich Maresev was born in May 20 1916, in Volgogradsky region, in the family of workman, studied in airclub and then served in 12-th aviation frontier troop. Then in 1940 worked as pilot instructor. years, in 1915 was taken to czar army, took part in World War I, the in civil war 1917 in 25-th Cha His first fascist plain Ju-52 he shoot down in 1942. Then he shoot three plains during the year. But once he was shoot down and tried to set brocken plain at the ice of lake, but he missed and fall into the forest. Maresev broke his leg, but on all fours reached his division. His foot got frostbitten and were amputated. But Maresev did not dive up he began to fly notwithstanding on the prosthetic devices. In 1943 he returned to military aviation and flied again. He shoot 7 more plains. In august 1943 Maresev shoot three jet fighters FW-190 during one fly. In 1943 he awarded the distinction Hero of the Soviet Union, the worked in VVS as inspector, went to study in Party school and became Post doctor of historical science. Wrote a famous book – “At the Kurskaya Duga” 1964. He is very famous in Russia because of the book about his deed by Boris Polevoi “Story about a real man” and film on the book. Maresev died in 18-th of May 2001.

Nikolai Frantsevich Gastello

Nikolai Frantsevich Gastello was born in 6 of May 1908 in Moscow. In 1933 graduated from aviation military school in Lugansk. He became a bomber pilot, took part in Sovet-Finland War 1939-1940. He command the bomber squadron in 207-aviation battalion. In June 26 1941 his bomber was shoot and burn, Gastello did not hope to alive. He threw his plain on fascist’s battalion and made large damages because of explosion. He was posthumously awarded the distinction Hero of the Soviet Union. On that place on highway Minsk-Vilnius his monumed is build.

Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov - a famous Russian military leader.

  Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov was born in 19 of November December 1896. Finished 3 classes of church school. He started his military career in 1915 during the First World War as a junior corporal in cavalry. In October 1918 he joined the Soviet Army and fought in the Civil War as a commander of cavalry squadron. The attack by Zhukov became the first major armored offensive. He did famous operation in capturing Japan general Kamatsubara by 45 Siberian divisions at the river Khalkin Gol. He became the general of the Soviet Army. On 29 August 1939 Zhukov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. During the Great Patriotic War Zhukov became the deputy Supreme Commander-in-Chief since August 1942. He managed some of the largest military operations, including breaking the Leningrad blocade, Stalingrad operation and Kursk battle. He received his second Gold Star on 29 July 1944. In the end of the war he commanded the Soviet forces that captured Berlin. On 8 May 1945 Zhukov accepted the capitulation of Fascist Germany. On 1 June 1945 he received his third Gold Star. He stayed at Berlin till 1946 then he returned to Moscow. At 1953 after the Stalin death he was one of the leaders of opposition against Stalin regime. He arrested Beria and helped Nikita Hrusciov to come to power. On 1 December 1956 for suppression of the rebellion in Hungary Zhukov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the fourth time (formally it was done for his 60-year jubilee). He wrote a book “Remembrances and thoughts”. Died in 18 of June 1974.