Azernews.Az

By Kamila Aliyeva

Azerbaijan celebrates the 72nd anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, the scariest war in the history of mankind, on Tuesday, May 9.

The great victory of 1945 put an end to the six-year long war that killed about 65 million people all over the world.

During the years of war Azerbaijan occupied a special place in the plans of large states because of its natural resources and favorable geographic location between the West and East.

The Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic entered World War II with the whole Soviet Union, on June 22, 1941. Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party was set on capturing Azerbaijan's oil fields and turning the country into military colony.

Germany sought to seize Baku oil in order to move to the East - to the Iranian canal and the Indian Ocean. By Hitler’s order, a map of industrial and military facilities of Baku was drawn up. The plan to seize the Caucasus "Edelweiss" indicated the exact time of the occupation of Baku.

Hitler's plan was to attack Baku on September 25, 1942, but German forces were defeated before they could reach Azerbaijan.

During the war, the entire economy of Azerbaijan was adapted to the needs of the army and all industrial spheres were working for the front.

Azerbaijan’s oil was one of the decisive factors in the Great Patriotic War. At that time, 70-75 percent of oil and 85-90 percent of gasoline of the USSR was supplied by Baku. Motor military equipment practically worked on Baku’s fuel. From 1941 to 1945, 75 million tons of oil and 22 million tons of gas were delivered from Baku to the front. The true heroism was the selfless service and dedication of the people of Azerbaijan, who worked day and night in oil production.

In general, Baku produced more than 130 types of weapons and spare parts, including rocket Katyusha, a machine gun Shpagin, and a fighter YAK-3.

During this four-year period, Azerbaijan supplied 500,000 tons of cotton and other strategic raw materials.

In 1941-1943, 15 kg of gold, 952 g of silver, bonds worth 311 million manats, 1.6 million different items for the front and 125 wagons of warm clothes were sent to the defense fund.

Azerbaijani scientists also directed their knowledge and abilities against fascism. During the war, chemical scientists, led by the famous academician Yusif Mammadaliyev, organized the production of 38 types of fuel, gasoline for 9 types of aircraft, and 8 types of diesel fuel.

Azerbaijan also provided huge human resources. More than 600,000 soldiers from Azerbaijan went to the front, while 40,000 of them were volunteers. The 77th, 223rd, 271st, 402nd and 416th divisions, consisting of Azerbaijanis, were fighting on the front line.

Azerbaijani soldiers revealed great heroism in wartime. As many as 121 people received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, and 34 were awarded all three categories of the Order of Glory. Some 170,000 Azerbaijani soldiers and officers were awarded various orders and medals of the USSR.

From 600,000 Azerbaijanis sent to the front during five years, over 300,000 were dead and missed.

Hazi Aslanov, two-time Hero of the Soviet Union, the Heroes of the Soviet Union - Israfil Mammadov, Ruslan Vazirov, Adil Guliyev, Ziya Bunyadov, Garay Asadov, Malik Maharramov and Mehdi Huseynzade, Generals Mahmud Abilov, Akim Abbasov, Tarlan Aliyarbeyov and Hajibala Zeynalov - wrote new pages in the history of our nation by their unbending will and bravery.

The 416th division, formed of Azerbaijanis, went through a valiant combat route from the Caucasus to Berlin. Ziya Bunyadov and other 20 people were awarded the honorary title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the liberation of Poland and Czechoslovakia from the Nazis.

Azerbaijanis participated in the guerrilla movement corps against fascism in Europe as well. They fought heroically in partisan detachments in the Crimea, Belarus, the North Caucasus, the Baltic countries, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Italy and in the anti-fascist resistance movement in France.

The first Azerbaijani Hero of the Union was Sergeant Israfil Mammadov, assistant to platoon commander of the 42nd Rifle Regiment. In December 1941, his group of fighters fought near Novgorod and repulsed four attacks by superior enemy forces. They entered the melee and held the position.

Another prominent person was two-fold Hero of the Soviet Union, Hazi Aslanov. This legendary hero of World War II was promoted to the rank of the major general of tank troops in March 1944. He showed valor and bravery in many battles, including the battle of Stalingrad, the largest land battle in history.

Legendary partisan Mehdi Huseynzade fought against the Nazis in the Yugoslav-Italian partisans guerrilla corps after suffering severe wounds in the battle of Stalingrad and a spell in German captivity.

Azerbaijan was a true participant of this universal victory and May 9 is a special day to pay tribute to those who fought for peace, freedom and human dignity and to commemorate the many millions of victims of the Second World War.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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