30

p Not later than November 13, 1941  [30•* 

p Volkhov 

p My dear wife Stanislava, little Valya and mum,

p Please excuse my bad writing. I’m having to write on a scrap of paper perched on my knees. Hurrying to let you know I’m alive and about to go into battle.

p Maybe this letter will be the last, my dear ones. Dear Stanislava, look after our daughter and care for my mother. If you don’t get any more news from me, you’ll know I gave my life honourably for you and our beloved country.

p Best of luck—your husband and father.

p Stassya, once again, look after our little girl.

Love to you all,
Kolya

p Nikolai Gatalsky was a regular officer in the Soviet Aimy On finishing a three-year course :n a military-political school he was appointed to the 144th Division When war broke out he was transferred to another unit fighting on the Leningrad Front "The fascists will never set foot in the city of Lemn,” he used to tell the men and always himself headed the counter-attacks

p The fighting was at its hottest around Leningrad Gatalsky’s detachment took up the defence of a hamlet called Morozovo On the 31 morning of Novcmbei 13, 1941, the nazis began a fierce assault It seemed that just one moie push and the remaining heroes would be wiped out But at that moment, the political instructor raised himself to his full height Behind him rose the others With their last handgrenades they tore into the enemy shouting “hurrah”.

When the battle died down, there on the snow, surrounded by nazi coipses, lay the political instructor. His men buried him on the outskuts of the village Ini^c volleys rang out Then, Nikolai Gatalsky’s comrades again rushed into the fray