American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 14, March, 2023 165 | P a g e THE EXPLOITS OF UZBEK SOLDIERS IN THE BATLLE OF STALINGRAD (BASED ON LETTERS FROM THE FRONT) Rufina Ravilevna Kayumova Basic Doctoral Student of Andizhan State Universitу named after Babur Andizhan Region, Republic оf Uzbekistan tsezar2204@mail.ru ABSTRACT: The National Archives of Uzbekistan contains a significant number of archival documents from the Second World War. The study of the Second World War is one of the topical scientific areas of Uzbek historical science. This interest is due to the fact that today, in the context of the revision and qualitative improvement of the system of international relations, this period of history is being carefully studied and objectively reassessed on the territory of almost all a former Soviet republics. The article describes the heroic exploits of Uzbek soldiers in the Battle of Stalingrad on the basis of letters from the front. Keywords: Motherland, World War II, National archives of Uzbekistan, , battle of Stalingrad, front letters, patriotism, research, epistolary text, archival materials. INTRODUCTION The National Archives of Uzbekistan (formerly the Central State Archives of the Republic of Uzbekistan) stores a significant number of archival documents from the period of the Second World War. The value of front-line letters lies in the fact that, with a comprehensive study of not only the economic political, but also the social aspects of the history of the war, they not only complement the event moments, but also allow us to assess the consciousness, worldview, sensory-emotional perception of the eyewitness of fatal events. The study of the memories of people of the front-line generation allows us to expand the boundaries of the study of the war period in the history of Uzbekistan, to study the features of the individual perception of the direct participants in the war. RESEARCH METHODS The Uzbek warriors, together with the entire Red Army, with unremitting energy and courage fought against the hated enemy. In the days of the great battle on the Volga, the Uzbek people addressed an exciting letter to the Uzbek soldiers fighting on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. It was signed by 2 million 412 thousand people [1, p.13]. American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 14, March, 2023 166 | P a g e RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS “Beloved sons of order-bearing Uzbekistan! The Uzbek people call on you to be merciless in battle...- the letter said,-We curse cowards, deserters, there will be no place for them in our Uzbekistan. Motherland will never forgive them... Victory or death - there is no other outcome”. - the house of a Russian is also your house, the house of a Ukrainian and a Belarusian is also your house [2.p.10]. With such simple words, the Uzbek people expressed their deep feelings, their boundless devotion to the great friendship of peoples. “The letter of the Uzbek people,” Pravda Vostoka wrote in those days, “inspired not only Uzbek warriors, but also warriors of other nationalities” [3.1]. In addition, a letter to the Uzbek people from the Uzbek fighters of the First Belorussian Front was published in one of the issues of the military newspaper in the Uzbek language of the 1st Belorussian Front: “Our dear fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, wives and children! Two years ago you addressed us with a letter. At that time, black clouds hung over Stalingrad. Together with all the heroic defenders of Stalingrad, the Uzbek soldiers demonstrated courage, iron discipline, an example of valor and the ability to win” [4, p.60]. In the defense of Stalingrad, representatives of all nationalities, including Uzbek soldiers, became famous for their heroic deeds. Among the fighters who defended the famous “Pavlov’s House” was Kamoljon Turgunov. It should be noted that the only surviving defender of the Pavlov House died at the age of 93. He was then 20 years old. In one of his letters, he writes as follows: “In May 1942, we were sent to Dubovka, where we took the course of a young fighter, we were taught to shoot from all types of weapons, bayonet fighting, they ran in tanks. Then I mastered the PTRS anti- tank rifle, which was considered a powerful tool for fighting tanks. I still remember all the vulnerabilities of the German T-3 and T-4 tanks. In September, after a many-day hike to Astrakhan, we were transferred by train to the left bank of the Volga River. The path was difficult every now and then we had to repel the raids of German attack aircraft [5.1]. It should be noted that the heroic defense of the “Pavlov’s house” lasted 58 days, and the enemy was never able to take it and go to the Volga. In the great battle on the banks of the Volga, the envoys of Uzbekistan fought bravely and courageously. As is known, formations of the 62nd and 64th armies played an outstanding role in this battle. It was they who repelled on July 17, L942, the offensive of the fascist shock divisions on the distant approaches to Stalingrad, at the turn of the Chir and Tsimla rivers. [6.1]. Sergeant Raimankulov Magomet, a sapper of the 326th Army Engineer Battalion of the 62nd Army, proved to be an excellent warrior. In battles with the Nazi invaders on the Stalingrad front, he showed valor and heroism. In one of the letters, the following information is given: Sergeant Raymankulov, heading the boat crew, showed resourcefulness, delivered ammunition and food to the courageous defenders of Stalingrad, evacuated the wounded to the left bank of the river. Private Bazar Narzalis from the 47th separate engineering company of the same army did not lag behind his countryman. He was known as a skilled miner, mined roads on the way of the offensive of enemy troops. A lot of equipment and manpower American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 14, March, 2023 167 | P a g e of the enemy flew into the air from the explosion of these mines, Narzaliev in the Stalingrad region, under heavy enemy fire, once laid 140 mines within two hours. And at the beginning of 1943, he was already clearing the roads of enemy mines, making passages for our tanks. By order of the 62nd Army, Sergeant Akberdin Mukhin, the commander of the 17th separate machine-gun and artillery battalion, was awarded the medal “For Military Merit”. When repulsing the counterattacks of the enemy troops encircled near Stalingrad, he showed himself as a brave and devoted warrior. With his detachment, he blocked the way for a group of fascists up to 50-60 people, and being wounded, did not leave the battlefield [7.1]. In units and formations of the illustrious 62nd Army, which later became the 8th Guards Army, many other valiant sons of the Uzbek people bravely fought the enemy. This is Nuriddin Asamuddinovich Sharafutdinov, Major of the Medical Service. The command in a letter sent to the Samarkand region writes: “Comrade. Sharafutdinov, in the position of divisional doctor of the 45th rifle division since August 1942. From the moment he entered the battle for the city of Stalingrad, from October 26, 1942, he ensured the correct organization of the sanitary service of the unit. With the timely transfer of the operational group of the medical battalion and thanks to its fruitful work, more than 1,000 wounded were missed, Sharafutdinov himself was under enemy fire in the regiments, battalions established the work of the sanitary service, personally helped the quick evacuation of the wounded [8.1]. Colonel of the medical service Sharafutdinov Nuridin, born in 1910 in Tashkent, was called up for service in 1930. His military path was in the 61st Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division. During the performance of military duty, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star on 02/03/1943, on 11/03/1944 - the medal “For Military Merit”, on 05/18/1945 the Order of the Patriotic War II degree, on 11/06/1945 - the Order of the Red Star. After the end of the war, he returned to his homeland and by order No. 203/519 of 11/15/1950 was awarded the Order of the Red Banner [9.1]. Soldier Sadyk Mamadaliyev also showed courage and steadfastness in the battles near Stalingrad; Kalinin, Andizhan region. The political instructor of his company, Alisher Ganiev, wrote about him like this: “In one of the sectors of the Stalingrad Front, a fighter of the 9th company, 2nd platoon, Sadyk Mammadaliyev, was wounded in his left arm by a bullet through and through. After repulsing the enemy attack, the fighter was given first aid. Then he was asked to go to the hospital, but he moved the fingers of his left hand - they worked flawlessly and despite the pain in his hand, he declared: Comrade political instructor! I'm still quite capable. I remain on the battlefield and will stand in line, destroying the Nazis. And if I die, I ask for one thing - inform my relatives and all of Uzbekistan that I died for the Motherland [10.1]. Sadyk Mammadaliyev was seriously wounded during a combat mission and died of wounds in a hospital in 1943 and was buried in Ukraine in the Poltava region, Oposhnyansky district, at the Kholodivshyn cemetery. The unprecedented exploits of the defenders of Stalingrad served as an example for the Uzbek soldiers who fought in other sectors of the front. American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 14, March, 2023 168 | P a g e The Uzbek warriors of the Western Front wrote in their letter dated February 7, 1943: “Fight as valiantly as the Stalingraders, destroy the enemy’s manpower and equipment, as the Stalingraders did, drive the German fascist invaders to the west, clear the land of git Lerovites - this is what the heroic defenders of Stalingrad oblige us to do. Let his native Uzbekistan know, - they wrote further, - the names of the heroes - daring, courageous, courageous, brave Uzbek warriors fighting on the Western Front [11.1]. We can also note the letter from Captain Fyodor Shevnikov to the editor of the Pravda Vostoka newspaper. “Dear edition! The name of Babakul Abzalov is widely known in our unit. I would like to tell you how a simple ordinary soldier defends his Motherland, how the brave sons of Uzbekistan serve their people until their last breath. Before the fight, he wrote on his helmet: “Forward to the West! For the Motherland! Abzalov Babakul in the battles with the German fascists for the city of N proved to be an exceptionally courageous, courageous and courageous defender of the Motherland. As the best sniper who brought up dozens of well-aimed shooters who killed hundreds of enemy soldiers and officers. In the battles for the city, N always followed the battle formations and destroyed the German invaders with accurate fire with his sniper rifle, increasing their number from 108 to 118 people. A passionate agitator, Uzbek Abzalov, inspired all the fighters, and especially those of non-Russian nationality. But, in the battle for the city of N., he died the death of a brave noble sniper of our unit, foreman Babakul Abzalov, who exterminated 118 Nazis ...”[12.1]. Babakul Abzalov, born in 1905, was called up by the Vabkent RVC, Bukhara region in 1939. Being on the defensive from September 13 to October 8, 1942, he killed 24 Germans with a rifle. He passed on his combat experience to the Kazakhs and Uzbeks who were in his unit. For his courage in October 1942, by order of the 61st Army of the Western Front, he was presented with the award “For Military Merit”. On June 21, 1943, by order of the 149th rifle division, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star for valor and courage. Sniper of the 3rd rifle battalion, 744th rifle regiment, 149th rifle division Babakul Abzalov from August 7 to 12, 1943, in the battle for the city of Dmitrovsk-Orlovsky, destroyed 118 Germans. By order No. 188 of September 29, 1943, he was presented to the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree. But he was seriously wounded and died from his wounds on 08/15/1943 in the hospital 226 OMSB. He was buried in the Kursk region, Zheleznogorsk district, the village of Troyanovo [13.1]. In addition, it should be noted such brave heroes as the guard major of the medical service, the divisional doctor of the 74th Guards Rifle Division, Guards Junior Lieutenant Maksud Sakhabitdinov - Deputy Company Commander for Political Affairs of the 39th Guards Rifle Division, Guards Senior Lieutenant Yusuf Srazhevich Sabitov - company commander of the 79th Guards Rifle Division, Kadyr Islamovich Shamuratov - Red Army soldier of the same division, Sergeant Abdulkhaid Khadzhibaev - squad leader of the 227th Rifle Regiment, Guards Junior Sergeant Akhmed Nabiev - gun commander of the 87th Guards Artillery regiment of the 39th rifle division, Red Army soldier Zafar Mufazalov - machine gunner of the 48th machine gun battalion of the same division, and many others [14.1]. American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 14, March, 2023 169 | P a g e The unprecedented exploits of the defenders of Stalingrad served as an example for the Uzbek soldiers who fought in other sectors of the front. The Uzbek warriors of the Western Front wrote in their letter dated February 7, 1943: “Fight as valiantly as the Stalingraders, destroy the enemy’s manpower and equipment, as the Stalingraders did, drive the German fascist invaders to the west, clear the land of git Lerovites - this is what the heroic defenders of Stalingrad oblige us to do. Let his native Uzbekistan know, - they wrote further, - the names of the heroes - daring, courageous, courageous, brave Uzbek warriors fighting on the Western Front. [15.1]. “... Fearless, Akhat Babamuratov did not lose his head in front of the armored vehicles of the Germans. With well-aimed fire from armor-piercing weapons, he destroyed four enemy tanks in one battle. Let the beloved wife of the collective farmer hunter Babakul Abzalov rejoice, he honorably fulfilled his duty to the Motherland. In the very first two weeks of his stay on the front line, Babakul killed 50 Germans to death. The names of the fearless Uzbek warriors Kuzybaev, Tashpulatov, Abdurasulov and others are famous at the front,” the letter said. [16.1]. In addition, this letter reported on the combat score of snipers. Madaminov Mamadali, who exterminated 84 fascists, Tashpulatov - 91, Saitov Kasym - 29, Toshmatov Ikram - 93 Nazis, “Let the Uzbek people be proud of them, who sent them to exploits,” the letter said [17.1]. In addition, the heroic deeds of the sons of the Uzbek people are noted in a letter sent to the Central Committee of the Communist Party (b) of Uzbekistan by the Military Council of one of the armies of the Stalingrad Front. The letter said: “We are proud of such heroes as the son of golden Ferghana, Kamol Taichubaev. He was the first, with a red banner in his hand, to break through the German defenses, which the fascist general Count Brockdorf proclaimed “impregnable” to the whole world. The Uzbek hero in this battle destroyed 42 Nazis and hoisted a banner on the liberated village, he was awarded the Order of Lenin [18.1]. CONCLUSION The battle on the Volga is an unsurpassed example of military art. The history of wars does not know such examples of the encirclement and destruction of such a large number of regular troops. The victory at Stalingrad marked the beginning of a radical turning point in the course of World War II and was a symbol of the heroism and courage of the Uzbek people. REFERENCES: 1. Letter of the Uzbek people to the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War. State Publishing House of the Uzbek SSR, 1942. page 13 2. Ibid., p.10. 3. Pravda Vostoka, October 22, 1942, No. 251 (6029) 4. Shamsutdinov R. About the contribution of the people of Uzbekistan to the great victory (1941-1945). Tashkent: Akademnashr, 2020.446 p. 5. National archive of the Republic of Uzbekistan (NA RUz). F.1735, L.1. W.4.p.301-302 American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 14, March, 2023 170 | P a g e 6. NA RUz. F.1735. L.1. W.9. P 84 7. NA RUz. F.1735. L.1.. W.17. P. 186 8. Samarkand regional state archive. F.776. L.1. W.17. P.14. 9. SAMO R 33, L. 682525. W.189. P.164. 10. SAMO R 58. L.977525. W.287. P.9. 11. NA RUz. F.1735. L.1. W 30. p.92. 12. NA RUz. F.1735. L.1. W 21. p.189. 13. SAMO R. 33. L.686044. W.1329. P.58. 14. NA RUz. F.1735. L.1. W.19. p. 67 15. NA RUz. F.1735. L.1. W 19. p. 93-94 16. NA RUz. F.1735. L.1. W 25. p. 178 17. NA RUz. F.1735. L.1. W.26. p.654 18. Pravda Vostoka.23 july 1943., № 153 (6241)