(14. 1. 1923 - 31. 8. 1943)
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In IKTOR I. songbird, Guard lieutenant, platoon commander of the firing batteries, 76-millimeter cannon 288-th Guards Rifle Regiment, 94 Guards Rifle Division, was born January 14, 1923 in a
. Pady Balashov District, Saratov Region. Ukrainetz. Graduated 9 years of secondary school. In 1941 he was drafted into the Red Army and sent to study at the School of Artillery. From October 1942 until September 1943 fought at Stalingrad, Voronezh and Steppe Fronts. For military distinctions were awarded medals "For Courage" and "For the defense of Stalingrad.
. W tion of the Hero of the Soviet Union Viktor Ivanovich Pevunovu awarded on Feb. 22, 1944 for bravery and courage in repelling the enemy offensive in the Belgorod area in the summer of 1943.
. August 31, 1943 VI
. Songbird died a heroic death. Buried in the cemetery of the kolkhoz "Red Dawn" Kharkiv region.
On the night of July 7 platoon Guard lieutenant Pevunova moved into the open gun emplacements on the south-western outskirts of the village Myasoedova. By morning the calculations dug trenches, camouflaged guns, prepared for firing projectiles. Had breakfast before dawn. The soldier immediately overcame sleep. They slept on the ground, resting under his head fresh willow branches. Only a songbird, the night overpowering fatigue, scrutinized through binoculars neighboring village Sevryukova occupied before the enemy, he studied the valley of the river reasonable, outlined the guidelines established by the sectors of fire for guns. Suddenly from behind temnevshego on the horizon of the forest resounding blow gun, a second later the first enemy shells landed near the village of Myasoedova.
Fifteen minutes later an avalanche of enemy tanks rushed to Myasoedova and to the right, along the river reasonable. Menacingly growling engines, tanks, slowly approached the village. They were full-length came the infantry. The enemy's fire intensified with each passing moment, but did not bring much harm - the Germans were shooting at random, feeling every suspicious bush, every bump.
The calculations took place at the guns, gunners froze at sight. When the leading tanks to remain no more than 400 meters, songbird calmly ordered: "Fire!" Almost simultaneously, there were two shots. Shell landed in the second gun turret of the tank. On detonation exploded munitions: Tank scattered in pieces in different directions. Meanwhile, the shots came one after another. Calculations have worked steadily, without haste and bustle. The next rounds were hit by three tank. The battlefield was shrouded in smoke of burning cars ...
Suddenly left out of the smoke crept heavy tank. The first instrument entered into combat with the Tigers, but the shells, like peas from the wall, bounced off the thick frontal armor. Releasing two shells on our gun, "Tiger" turned right and ran at full speed directly at the regimental command post. Songbird himself stood behind the sight instead of a wounded gunner and one after the other punched in the left side of an enemy tank shell two broneprozhigayuschih. In fifty meters from the command post "tiger" stopped and puffed. Attack the enemy on Myasoedova bogged down.
However, on the right flank of the situation was complicated. After breaking through the defense of neighboring regiment across the river reasonable, enemy tanks moved on Melichove. In the gap Nazis did not fail to throw large forces of infantry. Columns of vehicles and armored personnel carriers streamed along the roads to the north.
Pevunovskie guns opened up on one of the columns flanking fire. From the very first hit broke two vehicles and armored personnel. Among the Nazis rose panic. In the fight against the enemy's infantry platoon joined the other two batteries. The movement of the enemy column was delayed until the evening.
T ri day the enemy's tanks stormed our position near the village Myasoedova and each time I back off. Platoon Pevunova during this time had destroyed 12 tanks, 10 vehicles and armored personnel carriers, 2 guns and a company of infantry. When knocked down the battery commander, songbird took over command of the guardsmen and walked with them to Kharkiv.
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Sources:
1) Heroes of the Soviet Union: A Brief Biographical Dictionary. V.2. M.: Voeniz.1988.
2) Rumyantsev.N.M. People legendary heroism ". Saratov. 1968
