Moscow is behind us

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

75th anniversary of the Battle of Moscowwill likely be dedicated to many events in the city. Exhibitions and galleries that generally talk about Great Patriotic War, also a lot. However, there is one in Moscow museum, schoolthat deserves special attention … Museum "Volunteers" dedicated to the 18th division people's militia of the Leningradsky district of Moscow … She defended the approaches to Moscow in the fall and winter of 1941. The head of the museum told us about this. Marina Pechnikova.

Height taken

The museum at the school was created 51 years ago. Now this educational institution is called as follows: State budgetary educational institution of the city of Moscow "School with in-depth study of the French language No. 1251 named after General Charles de Gaulle", Academic building No. 1. Then, in school 706, the museum was called "Combat glory of the 18th division of the people's militia - 11th Guards rifle Gorodok (a city in Belarus) of the three-time order-bearing division." In order to avoid confusion a few years ago during certification, the name was simplified - "Volunteers". After taking part in the battles for Moscow, in 1942, by order of Stalin, she was the first of all the divisions of the people's militia to receive the title of "guards". The first victorious battle of the division took place on November 12, 1941, on the Skirmanov heights in the Ruza region. This height was important for the Nazis for a free exit to the Volokolamsk highway. The battles for the height went on for a long time, German tanks and pillboxes interfered. One of the soldiers of the 18th division, Anatoly Makrushin, performed his feat there. He covered the embrasure of the pillbox with his chest. Every year on November 12, students of the school where the museum is located go to the Skirmanovskie heights. Lay wreaths, look after the mass grave. Every year the local administration and the villagers hold a rally here. And this year, a joint solemn meeting will be held at the heights. On September 14, at the site of the formation of the people's militia of Moscow - near the Sovetskaya Hotel on Leningradsky Prospekt, the first foundation stone was installed for the future monument to all the fighters of the 18th division of the people's militia of the Leningradsky district of Moscow.

We remember not only anniversaries

The 70th anniversary of the Great Victory and its 50th anniversary, the museum, first of all, congratulated the veterans living in the Sokol area. For many years, several veterans have been "attached" to each class, whom the children are looking after. The fact is that, unfortunately, very few veterans of the 18th division survived. Several former fighters of the division are now bedridden and have poor vision. It has not yet been possible to find the relatives of the veterans who have already passed away.

This year, preparations for the anniversary of the Battle of Moscow began on September 1. The first lesson was called "Heroic Division". The lesson took place in the museum. It was attended by veterans of the Great Patriotic War. It must be said that subject lessons are often held in the museum: history, biology, mathematics, Russian, English, chemistry. Physics lesson will be here soon. Teachers associate all these sciences with the theme of war and, specifically, with the history of the division. For example, during a chemistry lesson, students studied explosives, metals, talked about chemists who worked during the war. First-graders learn letters by remembering the names of hero cities.

Be alive, period

Why is this museum interesting in general? He is alive. During breaks, children run in here, members of the museum council are dressed in the uniform of the Red Army soldiers. Interactive classes are constantly held here. This story begins with the words: “It's a pity that objects cannot speak, but memory speaks for them. June 22, 1941 split the history of our country into the pre-war and war era”. Levitan's voice sounds from the loudspeaker. This loudspeaker, as well as many other historical rarities, was donated to the museum. There is an accordion that went through the First and Second World Wars with the owner. The exhibits are constantly updated. Field binoculars of the commander, a half of a German mortal token, many finds from under Skirmanovo - weapons, bowlers … There also opened its own museum. Guests often leave gifts in the school museum related to the Great Patriotic War in general. The other day, students of the aviation technical school from the city of Zhukovsky visited it. They dedicated their design work for the competition of the Ministry of Defense to 18 divisions.

However, the greatest pride of the head of the museum is the Book of Memory. The children themselves fill in the third book. They write about their relatives who fought in the Great Patriotic War. Last year, the guys shot documentaries - impressions of the museum. For two years in a row, scientific and practical conferences dedicated to the division have been held here. Children themselves carry out scientific research work and, based on its results, write reports, prepare presentations. This year, children from the Moscow region and other regions of the country have joined the children from this school in this work. The reports were dedicated to 13 Heroes of the Soviet Union who fought in the division. Off-site search activity, which, by the way, has been conducted by Marina Pechnikova with her children in the Azimut club, has not been carried out recently. This requires separate funds. School museums are not allowed to do this. Today, as before, school graduates help the museum. True, the activists will soon have one trip. Marina Pechnikova, along with five children, was invited to Sevastopol to a seminar dedicated to patriotic work with the younger generation. It will take place from 1 to 5 November.

The heart of the museum is a birch tree with the eternal fire of Memory (artificial), a bullet-through helmet, barbed wire and a splinter that cut through the birch. On Teacher's Day, it is worthwhile to once again thank those who, despite the great difficulties in the current school system, preserve their memory. And they bring it to the younger generation.