Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

May 9 marks the 71st anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, the bloodiest war of the mankind.

Notwithstanding the fact that Azerbaijan’s capital did not get the title of hero city, Baku was one of the main characters in the World War II.

During the World War II, Azerbaijan played an important role in the plans of large states because of its natural resources and favorable geographical position.

Germany sought to seize Baku oil to move to the East -- to the Iranian channel, and the Indian Ocean.

Hitler's Birthday Cake 1942--a slice of Baku.

For the Soviet Union, which also included Azerbaijan then, the war started in June 1941. Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party was set on capturing Baku's oil fields to fuel his own efforts of the war.

Hitler's plan was to attack Baku on September 25, 1942. Anticipating the upcoming victory, his generals presented him a cake of the region - Baku and the Caspian Sea. Delighted, Hitler took the choice piece for himself - Baku.

Fortunately, the attack never occurred and German forces were defeated before they could reach Baku.

Azerbaijan’s oil was one of the decisive factors in the Great Patriotic war. Oil production in Azerbaijan reached its peak in 1941 that made 23.5 million tons. That figure comprised 71.4 percent of all the oil produced in the USSR and up to 50 percent of the world production. Azerbaijani oil workers lifted 75 million tons of oil and 22 million tons of petrol to the country during war years.

The 416th Division formed of Azerbaijani soldiers held a valiant battle way from the Caucasus to Berlin. Ziya Bunyadov and another 20 people were awarded the honorary title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the liberation of Poland and Czechoslovakia from the Nazis.

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 hold the position.

Another prominent person was twice 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, famous in Yugoslavia as “Mikhailo” 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.

From 600,000 Azerbaijanis sent to the front during five years, over 300,000 dead and missed. In other words, one out of every six Azerbaijani became a victim of this war.

This was a dramatic quantity for Azerbaijan, after all, in those years Azerbaijan has a population of 3.4 million people. Thus, Azerbaijan put in the struggle against fascism as much of its citizens as France, Greece, Albania, Norway, Romania, Hungary, the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium taken together.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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