159

LETTER TO HER MOTHER

p August 22, 1943

p My dear little Vitya, Mummie and Grannie,

p Haven’t dropped you a line for a whole week-haven’t had the time. Yesterday we came out of the righting and there was a letter from Vitya waiting for me. So I am replying at once.

p First a couple of words about myself-I’m alive and well. To tell you the truth, I don’t hear very well at the moment, but it will blow over. I’ve already been twice in fighting. From 15.8.43 to 21.8.43 we’ve been giving the Gerries hell in these parts. They tried to knock us off of the hill we were holding but all their attempts to break through were foiled. Our lads fought hammer and tongs-all my dear and brave comrades true to their orders: not a step back.

p Many of them died a hero’s death, but I came through alive and, my dear ones, even if I say it myself, I think I didn’t let anyone down. I carried about thirty badly wounded from the battlefield. The regimental commander mentioned me in the dispatches and I think he has put me forward for an award.

p Dear Vitya, you write that things are pretty bad at home. I know, my love, but you must set your teeth, overcome all the difficulties and realise that all this is the doing of the dirty fascist beast. We have to show him what we are made of and get revenge on him for smashing our happy life, for hundreds and thousands of dead and wounded, and for the blood and tears of our fathers, mothers and sisters. You have never had occasion to feel uncomfortable for my sake. And I assure you that will never be necessary.

p Look after yourselves, write more often.

Lots of kisses to all of you,
Valya

160

Valeria Gnarovskaya, a sweet and kind 19-year-old girl, was known at the front as Little Swallow. Valya saved the lives of many wounded soldiers.

Valeria Gnarovskaya, Hero of the Soviet Union

Once, in September 1943, the nazis suddenly launched a desperate assault on a section held by her regiment. Two Tiger tanks broke through the defences and were bearing down on the regiment’s position. It was a very critical moment. And then something happened which even eyewitnesses find difficult to put into words. With a bundle of grenades Valya ran forward and threw herself right under the tracks of the leading Tiger. There was a big explosion and the tank ground to a halt. The second tank tried to turn back but it was too late. Valya’s comrades dashed up and put it out of action. Thanks to her self-sacrifice, the breach was quickly patched up, the assault beaten off and the regiment put on the offensive. Valeria Gnarovskaya was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.