(7. 5. 1909 - 8. 7. 1948)
A LEXANDER I. Levin, a lieutenant colonel, commander of 990 Infantry Regiment 230 th Infantry Division, Stalin. Born May 7, 1909 in g. Rtischevo Saratov region. Russian. He graduated from the seven-year school and military school. In the Red Army was called in 1932.
. From August 1942 until the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War, fought against the Nazi invaders in the West, the North Caucasus, Southern, 4 and 3-m 1-Ukrainian and Byelorussian fronts
. Participated in the defense of the Caucasus, the liberation of Ukraine, Moldova, Poland, defeating the enemy in Germany. Wounded in 1943. For military distinction was awarded the Order of the Red Banner (1945), . World War 2 nd degree (1944), . Krasov Stars (1943), . medals "For Military Merit" (1944), . "For the Defense of the Caucasus", . "For the capture of Berlin", . "For the liberation of Warsaw and three other military medals.,
. W tion of the Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin and medal "Gold Star" Alexander Ivanovich Levin was awarded May 31, 1945 for personal courage and leadership shown by the regiment as they crossed the river Spree and the storming of Berlin.
. AI
. Levin died July 8, 1948.
April 16, 1945, two hours before dawn, the regiment Levine went on the offensive with Kyustrinskogo springboard. Dozens of powerful searchlights lit the Nazi defenses, blinding the enemy. Brought down artillery fire on enemy fortifications unprecedented power. Initially, the Germans were confused, and our soldiers captured without loss of the first position. But the deeper the divisions in the Nazi defenses, the more stubborn the resistance of the enemy. South Batslova regiment was met by well-organized fire from all weapons and was forced to stop.
. Colonel Levin skillfully organized exploration, felt weak spots in defenses and on the night of April 19 surprise attack, broke through enemy fortifications
. Two days later, the regiment engaged the enemy on the eastern outskirts of the Nazi capital.
Struggle on the streets of Berlin, the Nazis continued with fanatical tenacity to defend every street, every house. The Soviet soldiers were fighting in an unfamiliar city and experienced many difficulties. To limit the maneuver was limited and observation, the use of tanks and aircraft, it was necessary destruction of stone buildings, turned the enemy into strongholds of. Despite these and other difficulties, our men struck powerful blows at the enemy and move decisively. April 23 Regiment Levine went to the river Spree in the Karlshorst. We had to move this to force a crossing. The river was here the width to 60 meters tall, dressed in a concrete bank.
At night on a hastily put together from poles men descended the stairs to the river, embarked on rafts made of planks, logs, empty barrels, railway sleepers. In the course were set to rescue belt with a sunken ship, ordinary bathtub, made in stock, fishing boats, picked up on the lake Shtinits Zee. Rota one roll crossed the river, broke the machine-gunners with grenades in the basements of houses and seized a small bridgehead. Together with the advanced units crossed and the regimental commander. He took a leadership battle at the beach-head in their hands. At the dawn of a section of broken boats crossing the Dnieper flotilla, which was moved to the south-western shore of the Spree tanks and artillery.
The Germans launched several counterattacks, but it was too late. Polk firmly held the stone house on the river embankment.
Assault Group, comprised of tanks and guns of large caliber, have resumed their activities. Occupying a house by house, block by block, the Soviet troops moved towards the center of Berlin. In the fierce battle, 29 and 30 April the regiment Levin destroyed more than, 800 Nazis, and took the building of the Berlin state printing.
. We Troma next day the soldiers saw the Victory Banner over the Reichstag ...
. ---
. Sources:
.
1) Heroes of the Soviet Union: A Brief Biographical Dictionary. V.1. M.: Voeniz.1987.
2) Rumyantsev.N.M. People legendary heroism ". Saratov. 1968
