At the turn of the century, looking back, we turn our eyes again and again to the heroic past of our country: we want to preserve for future generations the vast experience of historical development, which is of lasting importance for us and our descendants.

Among the events of the XX century, for military historians, the Great Patriotic War undoubtedly occupies a central place. Its scale and consequences have fundamentally changed the world. The huge material and human losses suffered by our country oblige us to know and remember the lessons of this war. The past must never be repeated.

The key factors of victory in the Great Patriotic War were the inexhaustible spiritual forces of the peoples of the USSR.

The Soviet mentality was most clearly and comprehensively manifested in the exploits of soldiers awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Among them, a special place is occupied by the cohort of tank heroes.

The proposed essay is dedicated to the Hero of the Soviet Union Dmitry Dmitrievich Sholokhov, who set a unique combat record in 1942, which has no analogues in the world. The brave tanker, together with the crew of the thirty-four, destroyed 24 enemy tanks in three hours of continuous combat.

I am reading the award list for the platoon commander of the 349th tank Battalion of the 158th Tank Brigade, Senior Lieutenant Dmitry Dmitrievich Sholokhov, who was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. The award list is an official document that objectively confirms the authenticity of the feat performed. There is no reason to doubt its authenticity.

"30.6.42 the enemy launched an offensive, leading the battle in echelon, using up to 100 aircraft and 150 tanks. Sholokhov courageously met the enemy tanks and, using a fashion show, let them go 200 meters, and began to shoot them at point-blank range. One by one, the Nazi cars were burning. Looking for shelter in the village. Nesternoe, they substituted the board. This advantage was also used by Sholokhov. Not being afraid to bypass the enemy's breaking tanks and submachine gunners, he conducted well-aimed fire and burned 24 German tanks in three hours of battle. Having replenished the ammunition supply, tov. Sholokhov was thrown out in the village of Volchya Aleksandrovka to cover the left flank of the battalion. By this time, up to a battalion of motorized infantry was trying to capture V. Aleksandrovka. Tov. Sholokhov immediately entered the battle with his tank. Having dispersed a battalion of motorized infantry, he burned over 10 transport vehicles and destroyed up to 100 Hitlerites..."

The biography of Dmitry Sholokhov is the most common for his time. Born in a working-class family. A remarkable fact. Dmitry and his parents had different surnames. Father-Dmitry Vasilyevich Chistodoyev, born in 1876. He worked on the railroad all his life. He died in 1934. Mother-Chistodoeva Anna Alekseevna, was born in 1891. From the peasants. After her marriage, she was engaged in housekeeping, raising children. From 1933 to 1935, she worked as a laborer at the Vyazma railway station.

In his autobiography, written on April 24, 1948, Dmitry Dmitrievich explains this fact as follows:: "During the military service, my father, for reasons unknown to me, took the surname of his mother Sholokhova (her maiden name), he carried this surname during his service in the army.

My father's real surname (based on my father's surname) Chistodoyev, which he wore until his death. When I entered primary school, I was asked to choose the surname either Sholokhov or Chistodoyev. I chose the name Sholokhov. Thus, from the moment of entering school, that is, from the age of 8, I bear the surname Sholokhov... " (the spelling and style of the document are preserved. - Approx. the author).

After graduating from the 8th grade of Vyazemskaya High School, he voluntarily entered the Saratov Tank School in September 1938. I didn't have to study for long. The main reason is the situation in the Armed Forces in those years. Rearmament was underway, new units were being formed, and the troops were experiencing an acute shortage of junior officers in primary positions. To solve this problem, accelerated courses are created in military schools, where the most trained cadets are enrolled, who are able to successfully master the program in a shorter time. Dmitry Sholokhov graduated from the military school ahead of schedule on the first category in December 1939 and was appointed commander of the T-28 tank (light tank) in the 20th tank Brigade of the Leningrad Military District.

At that time, a war was already underway on the Karelian Isthmus. Unable to resolve territorial issues through negotiations, the Soviet Union and Finland entered the war. In the first days, the Soviet troops had some success, but as they advanced, the enemy increased resistance, developing active sabotage and partisan activities in the immediate rear of the Red Army, and creating strong resistance nodes on the flanks. The supply of Soviet units and formations was disrupted. The tanks got bogged down in the snow and stopped

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facing numerous obstacles.

Only after a month of fierce fighting was it clarified where the Mannerheim Line passes - a system of long-term fortifications on the Karelian Isthmus, 32 km from Leningrad, with a total length of 135 km and a depth of up to 90 km.

The results of the battles did not please anyone. K. A. Meretskov, then commander of the Leningrad Military District and simultaneously commander of the 7th Army, eloquently described the moral and psychological state of our troops:"...The army suffered losses. The fighters were afraid to go forward... "

At the cost of heavy losses, our troops gained the necessary experience. Any respite was used to critically reflect on the results of the battles, to make adjustments to the training of troops. Within a month, the 20th Tank Brigade was replenished with personnel, equipment, ammunition and other material resources. In the rear, intensive training sessions were held, during which tankers learned to break through well-fortified enemy defenses and master long-term firing points. The management of both units and individual combat vehicles was improved. For tank commander D. Sholokhov, yesterday's graduate of the military school, it was a real school of military skill. In a real combat situation, his commanding formation took place.

In July 1940, the 1st Red Banner Tank Division was formed on the basis of the 20th Tank Brigade and the 1st Light Tank Brigade in the Leningrad Military District. D. Sholokhov is appointed commander of a platoon of T-28 tanks in the 2nd tank regiment of this division. In September 1940, he was awarded the military rank of lieutenant.

In August 1941, D. Sholokhov received a new assignment-first as a T-28 platoon commander in the 51st separate tank battalion of the 7th Army, and in December 1941-to the same position in the 4th separate tank Battalion (Karelian Front).

The main events since the spring of 1942 on the front of the struggle against the Nazi invaders unfolded in the south of our country. After regular organizational measures in March 1942, Lieutenant D. Sholokhov was appointed to the post of platoon commander of T-34 tanks in the 349th tank battalion of the 158th Tank Brigade, which was initially part of the Southwestern and then Stalingrad Front.

Having concentrated a powerful strike group in the south, the Nazis sought to achieve success at all costs. Continuously, they introduced more and more new forces.

Our troops defended themselves stubbornly, exhausting the enemy, striking at him, often using non-standard tactical techniques. The ground was burning, metal was melting, military equipment and weapons could not withstand the strain of fighting, and a continuous pall of smoke from fires hung in the air.

The first year of the war was ending. On the last day of June, Senior Lieutenant Dmitry Dmitrievich Sholokhov performed a feat that is written in gold letters in the history of the Soviet tank forces. In a deadly battle with the enemy, he did not think about rewards, just did his duty, like hundreds of thousands of other warriors.

The command of the 349th tank battalion (commander Captain Nechaev, military commissar of the battalion senior political instructor Lviv) highly appreciated his actions and presented him with the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The presentation was supported by the commander of the 158th Tank Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Yegorov, and the military commissar of the brigade, Colonel Komissar

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Astapenko in July 1942. Only on October 31, the award list was signed by the Deputy commander of the front's tank forces, Colonel-General Orel, and the military commissar of the front's armored vehicle department, regimental Commissar Kotenko. Where the delay occurred, and for what reason - it is difficult to say now. Apparently, in 1942, as in 1941, the system and the mechanism of operational awarding of distinguished soldiers had not yet been debugged.

The news of awarding the title of Hero of the Soviet Union by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 2, 1942, Senior Lieutenant Dmitry Dmitrievich Sholokhov received while already in the position of Assistant Chief of Staff of the regiment for operational work. Before that, in July 1942, there was another important event in his life - he was accepted as a member of the CPSU (b).

The long-awaited day of November 19, 1942, came when our troops, having exhausted the enemy in defensive battles, went on the offensive. The Battle of Stalingrad entered its final phase. During the defeat of the encircled group of Germans, Senior Lieutenant D. Sholokhov again distinguished himself. The award-the Order of the Red Star-was not long in coming.

By the beginning of 1943, the country's defense potential had noticeably increased. Our troops have made significant progress at the front. Our industry increased the production of military equipment and weapons. Everyone was waiting for a big change.

In March 1943, Guards Captain D. D. Sholokhov received a new appointment - to the post of Deputy Chief of Staff of the 36th Guards Tank Brigade of the 4th Guards Stalingrad Mechanized Corps of the Southern Front.

During the Great Patriotic War, there was a fully justified practice when officers who distinguished themselves in battles, who showed high organizational abilities and commanding qualities, were sent to study. The Armed Forces needed highly qualified personnel with combat experience. In May 1943, the command sent the Guards of Captain D. D. Sholokhov to study at the Military Academy of Armored and Mechanized Troops of the Red Army.

His ability to analyze the situation in depth, quick reaction, composure and other qualities were noticed by the personnel authorities. After graduating from the Academy in December 1945, he was placed at the disposal of the Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff. He had to finish another academy, change his military specialty. Later, until he was discharged from military service due to illness in January 1976, he served in this Main Directorate.

In 1975, Colonel D. D. Sholokhov was awarded the Order of the Red Star for successfully completing a special task of the command.

All these years, the reliable rear for Dmitry Dmitrievich was his family. Together with his wife, Galina Fyodorovna, they lived a long, happy life and raised their son Sergey. Unfortunately, in 1971, Galina Fyodorovna died. Dmitry Dmitrievich Sholokhov also passed away early. He died on June 27, 1983.

More than half a century separates us from the victorious year of 1945, when the largest and bloodiest war in the history of mankind ended.

A low bow from the living to those who survived that terrible war and brought us Victory!

Dmitry Sholokhov was born on October 16, 1920 in Vyazma, Smolensk region. In the Armed Forces since 1938. He graduated from the Saratov Tank School in 1939. He participated in the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940.

On the fronts of the Great Patriotic War since June 1941. Platoon Commander of the 158th Tank Brigade (13th Tank Corps of the 21st Army, Southwestern Front) Senior Lieutenant Sholokhov distinguished himself in the defensive battles near Kharkov. On June 30, 1942, near the settlement of Nesternoye (Volchansky district, Kharkiv region), he destroyed 24 enemy tanks. In the battle for the village of Volchya Aleksandrovna, he burned 10 cars. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded on December 2, 1942.

He was awarded the Order of Lenin, three Orders of the Red Star, and medals.

In 1945, he graduated from the Military Academy of Armored and Mechanized Forces of the Red Army. After being discharged from military service in the reserve, he lived in Moscow. He died in 1983. The ashes rest in the Donskoy Monastery.

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