Book: Memories and reflections

Young people will have to continue our work. It is very important that they learn from our failures and our successes. The science of winning is not an easy science. But the one who studies, who strives for victory, who fights for a cause that he believes in is right, will always win. I have seen this in many lessons in my own life.

There was a strict order in the war: no matter how difficult it was, the wounded were certainly carried out from under the fire. This showed concern not only for saving human life. This was the basis of the faith of those going into battle: no matter what happened to me, my comrades would not leave me. The memory of the dead, a sensitive attitude towards the war disabled - this is maintaining the same high morality.

The Soviet soldier then endured difficult trials. And today the old wound is speaking, my health is acting up. A former front-line soldier will not complain to you - not the right kind of character. Be careful yourself. Without insulting their pride, treat them with sensitivity and respect. That's a very small price to pay for everything they did for you in 1941, '42, '43, '44, '45.

I would also urge our youth to take care of everything connected with the Great Patriotic War. It is very necessary to study military experience, collect documents, create museums and build monuments, and not forget memorable dates and famous names. But it is especially important to remember: there are former soldiers living among you. Treat them with care.

... I confess that the work was for me, a military man, difficult. The end of "Memories and reflections" is a summing up of my entire life. In it I, like every man, was their joy, grief, and loss. In retrospect, people my age inevitably lays everything on the shelves: what was the main thing, and what you should not ignore. For me the main thing was to serve his country, his people. And with a clear conscience can say: I did everything to fulfill this duty. This book is probably the last of what I consider to be obliged to do.
The days of my greatest joys coincided with the joys of the Fatherland. Anxiety homeland, loss and grief has always excited me more than personal. I've lived my life with the knowledge that benefit the people, and this is important for any life.
Every year we get further and further away from the wartime. A new generation of people. For them the war is our memories of her. And we, the participants in these historical events, it becomes less and less. But I am convinced that time has no power over the greatness of all that we experienced in the war. It was extremely difficult, but also very nice time. A survivor of the once great trials and winning will be a lifetime then draw strength in this victory.
Wherever the Soviet people at the front, in the rear, behind enemy lines, in Nazi camps, everywhere and everywhere he was doing everything in his power to hasten the hour of victory. And no one can downplay the significance of the military and labour feat of the Soviet people in the great Patriotic war!
I dedicated my book to the Soviet soldier. His will, his indomitable spirit, his blood produced a victory over a strong enemy. Soviet soldiers knew how to look boldly into the eyes of mortal danger, while showing valour and heroism. There are no limits to the greatness of his feat for the country, as there are no boundaries and the greatness of his labor exploits after the war. Got to end the war as millions of our soldiers were back at the front - the front of the work. They had to rebuild the war-ravaged economy, to raise from the ruins of cities and villages.
<...> I would like this book especially read by young people. We, the older generation, know very well what helped us to survive the onslaught of colossal power. But the young have yet to comprehend.
<...> My word to you young people: be ever vigilant! Day of delay in the past war have cost us dearly. Now in the case of a crisis, the account can go for seconds.
What I would like to see you, defenders of the Motherland? Knowledgeable and hardy. The army is now equipped with sophisticated equipment. To study it is much more difficult than in the years of my youth. Then it was easier. Each time puts before the soldiers their tasks. The latest technology on forces, well trained and well educated people. Learn!

Remembering how and what we, the military, demanded from the industry in the last few months of peace, I see that sometimes we did not take into account all the real economic possibilities of the country. Although with her, so to speak, a departmental point of view we were right.
<...> The military is often blamed for the fact that they are too pressured to accelerate the adoption of a particular sample on Board. They said, "What are you a hothead? When it will be necessary - we will throw planes, tanks, shells."
- Now you scold us, ' replied the military, for what we strongly desired, and if a war happens, then you will say - why do bad required.
Of course, we, military leaders understood that the country has many primary tasks, and everything should be solved on the basis of high politics. But it turned out that a big policy, the head of which was Stalin, in their assessments of the threat of war proceeded from an erroneous assumption.

Leningrad! One of the most beautiful cities in the world. Works of architecture, painting, sculpture, wonderful monuments, beautiful gardens, parks and museums of the city are the pride of our country.
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The loss of Leningrad in all respects would be a serious complication of the strategic environment. In the case of the capture of the city by the enemy and the connections here are German and Finnish troops we would have to create a new front to defend Moscow from the North, and Deplete the strategic reserves, which was preparing a Bid to protect the capital. In addition, we inevitably would have lost a powerful Baltic fleet.
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Combat experience showed that the enemy was very sensitive to any kind of activity on our part. The counter-attacks and counter-attacks forced the enemy to advance in slow motion. Instead throw on the main line high impact forces, the German command was often limited to half-measures. And it gave us the opportunity to gain time, which was necessary for active centranedra.
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Two important factors: the introduction into the consciousness of our soldiers and the people unshakeable confidence in our victory and the necessity of accumulating reserves for the purpose of increasing the depth of defense of the front. The implementation of unexpected enemy strike forces of the 8th army was supposed to give immediate results.
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As shown by the further course of events, this plan proved to be efficient and effective.

I must admit also that a certain share of responsibility for the shortcomings in the training of the armed forces to launch military operations rests with the people's Commissar of defense and responsible workers of the Commissariat of defense. As a former chief of staff and closest aide of Commissar, can't absolve themselves of the blame for these shortcomings and I.

... Conversing with the soldiers, I realized that they are not eager to "sniff the powder" does not want war. They had already other Duma - not the oath to the king, and on earth, peace and their love ones. ...