Online exhibition «Kazakhstan’s contribution to Victory in the Great Patriotic War»

May 9 marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War (Eastern Front of the Second World War). In honor of this memorable date, we present photographs provided by the Central State Archive of Film, Photo Documents and Sound Recordings of the Republic of Kazakhstan. These materials vividly illustrate Kazakhstan's contribution to achieving the Victory.

As the President of Kazakhstan K. Tokayev noted: "The people of Kazakhstan does not forget the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. The names of the fallen will forever remain in the memory of the people. Kazakhstan played a key role in supplying the army. 9 out of 10 bullets were produced in Kazakhstan. We sent 1,500 wagons of clothing and food to the front. Our contribution to achieving the Victory is obvious."

The Great Patriotic War became a severe ordeal for all the peoples of the former USSR. There were no military actions on the territory of Kazakhstan, but the people of the country actively participated both in the war and in providing the Soviet Army with everything necessary to defeat the enemy. During the war, 1 million 200 thousand citizens of Kazakhstan - about 20% of the population of the republic.

12 rifle and 4 cavalry divisions, 7 brigades, 50 separate regiments were formed in Kazakhstan. Among them is the famous 316th rifle division, the first commander of which was Major-General I.V. Panfilov, which fought an unequal battle on the approaches to Moscow. Many Kazakhstanis found themselves in the thick of the war: the defensive battles of 1941, Stalingrad and the Kursk salient. Our fellow countrymen participated in the liberation of Europe and the capture of Berlin. Every second soldier called up from Kazakhstan died at the front.

The Motherland highly appreciated the military merits of Kazakhstanis. 528 of our fellow countrymen were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, 110 thousand were awarded the Order of Glory. Four Kazakhstanis became twice Heroes of the Soviet Union - Sergey Lugansky, Talgat Begeldinov, Leonid Beda, Ivan Pavlov. You can see photographs of Talgat Begeldinov, as well as other war Heroes - Aliya Moldagulova, Malik Gabdullin, Baurzhan Momyshuly, Khiuaz Dospanova, Kasym Kaisenov in the exhibition.

The workers of the home front of the republic also made an invaluable contribution to the victory. Kazakhstan became a solid arsenal of the front. More than 200 defense enterprises were relocated from the European part of the USSR to various regions of the republic. In a short time, thanks to the dedicated round-the-clock work of workers, these enterprises began to give output. During the war, hundreds more enterprises were built and became an important forge of victory.

Kazakhstan took a leading position in the production of copper, lead, bismuth, molybdenum, and polymetals necessary for the military industry. Kazakhstan's defense plants mastered the production of new types of weapons, shells, mines, and other types of military products. Kazakhstan's agriculture provided the front and rear with food, and industry with the necessary raw materials.

The mobilization to the front affected the entire adult male population, fathers, husbands, sons, brothers from every home went to the front, so the majority of those working at enterprises were women and children. The burdens of the war years fell on their shoulders, the responsibility for providing the front with everything necessary.

The people of Kazakhstan honor the memory of the front-line soldiers and home front workers who, at the cost of incredible hardships, brought closer the end of the war. Active work is underway throughout the country to perpetuate the memory of the great Victory. A special plan of events to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory is being implemented, including more than 2 thousand events and actions. They will culminate in a parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory and Defender of the Fatherland Day, which will be held in Astana on May 7. About 4.5 thousand military personnel will take part in it.

42 thousand war veterans and home front workers will be awarded the jubilee commemorative medal "80 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War". In addition to the established support measures, each veteran will receive a one-time payment of 5 million tenge (about $ 10 thousand). All these events emphasize our commitment to strengthening historical memory and continuity of generations in Kazakhstan.

 

Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

to the Swiss Confederation and

and the Principality of Liechtenstein