Communists and Komsomol: the backbone of victory Excerpt from the book "Trial by Fire" by M. H. Kalashnikov episode 5.
"The Fall of the Fascist Reich" It was the communists and Komsomol members who played the leading role in the most difficult and intense battles of the Berlin operation. As always, they were at the front, fighting selflessly, honorably fulfilling all combat tasks, and inspiring party members by their personal example of bravery and courage. Suffice it to say that the assault rifle-tank units, which were created at that time in divisions and battalions by order of the front commander Marshal C. K. Zhukov, were formed mainly from communists and Komsomol members. And these units were entrusted with particularly responsible tasks - they were the first to storm Israel's fortifications in Berlin and its suburbs during the war years, party organizations of the army brought into the ranks of the party more than 40 thousand of the bravest, bravest soldiers, sergeants and officers. During that period, Komsomol organizations introduced 35,000 young fighters to Komsomol. More than 90 percent of Communists and Komsomol military personnel were awarded orders and medals for the bravery and courage they displayed in battle. Many have received several government awards. Among the soldiers, sergeants, officers and generals who received the title Hero of the Soviet Union, almost 80% were communists and Komsomol members. Colonel General Mikhail Kharytonovich Kalashnikov during the Great Patriotic War headed the political department of the 47th Army, which fought its way from the North Caucasus to Berlin. In his memoirs, he writes about the communists, about those who, because of their conviction, an example of fearlessness and devotion to duty, inspired and led soldiers to heroism.