p I am defending a very valuable, important and crucial district. It really is something to defend. Vital highways. Though the place is dangerous, we cannot abandon it. If I die, it will be worth it.

p Glory to the late Junior Lieutenant V. M. Shchekin. His name will live forever in my heart as my best man. He fought for his country to his final breath.

p 30-05-44

p After my death, please send my decorations to my greyhaired father. Let him know my words.

p “Your son Vanya carried out his father’s advice and behest without begrudging any strength or even his life.

p “Accomplished well. With my unit, I brought down 23 enemy planes. July 6, 1941, in the region of Troni ( Bessarabia) we wiped out over a battalion of infantrymen and on July 8, 1941, beat off 12 tanks, burned one tank, others sent packing.”

Vanya Alexeyev

Ivan Alexeyev went to the front straight from college. Put in command of a gun battery, he bravely fought the enemy. The young Chuvash was much respected and liked in the army. He was killed on June 13, 1944.