Hotline of power engineering specialists:
Today in the museum "Third battlefield Russia" of the State Military History Museum "Prokhorovka Field" there was presentation of the book "Energy - to the Great Victory". The publication was prepared by employees of IDGC of Centre - Belgorodenergo division in collaboration with a military writer Vasily Zhurakhov in memory of the energy industry veterans that fought and then restored the war-ravaged country’s electric power industry.
The book tells the story of the role of the energy industry in the development of the military-industrial complex, the peaceful transfer of sectors of the economy on a war footing, heroic deeds of power engineers at the front and in the rear, military power of electricity and bold engineering solutions, born on the battlefield.
Speaking about the preparation of the publication, Deputy General Director of IDGC of Centre - Belgorodenergo division director Sergey Demidov said that the events of 70 years ago were recreated with veterans’ memories, photographs and archival documents, including the Central Archive of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Museum of the headquarters of the Voronezh Front, and the Russian State Archives of Film and Photo. It contains materials about the fate of 64 veterans - power engineers and more than 200 veterans of the Belgorod power system - former front-line soldiers. "Their feat is only part of the immortal feat of the Soviet people. Our grandfathers and teachers did everything depending on them, understanding how energy was needed in the rear and at the front, for the defense industry, hospitals and medical units. The more we know and remember our history, the more we have a chance for a good and bright future," he said.
Not everyone knows, but electricity fought. It was the latest weapons and tactical maneuvering. On the front the power engineers fought as part of separate electrical squadrons, who were responsible for the deployment of electrical obstacles. Anti-infantry "fire grids" under high voltage were used at the Kursk Bulge as well, they impeded the actions of the enemy, allowing our troops to conduct aimed fire at them. For example, only in the Voronezh Front band 593 kilometres of wire electrical obstacles were installed.
Deputy Governor of the Belgorod region Oleg Abramov was one of the first to read the edition. He noted that the Great Patriotic War touched every family, and we must always remember the courage of the workers in the rear, which gave the front everything it needed. Power engineers, engineers and ordinary workers in record time transferred to the rear and repurposed large production facilities to make weapons, equipment and ammunition, baked bread, sewed clothes. "The Victory was achieved including through their courage, bravery and intelligence. It is important that the staff of "Belgorodenergo" and all IDGC of Centre continues the tradition of glorious memory, does not forget about labour victories," he said.
Advisor to General Director of IDGC of Centre, Chairman of the trade union organization of IDGC of Centre Victor Ablezgov stressed that the basis of the company in the early postwar years was former veterans. It is they who, sparing no effort, health, in spite of the most difficult working conditions, did everything to restore the destroyed grid and supply electricity to plants, factories, collective farms and simple inhabitants. Remembering about the exploits of the heroes-workers, IDGC of Centre devotes much time to interact with veterans, providing them with comprehensive support and social patronage.
A lot of power engineers just at the front, when under a bombing laid power lines, decided what they would be doing after the war. One of them is a veteran of the Great Patriotic War and a veteran of Belgorodenergo Nikolay Shevtsov. He gave 43 years of his life to the Belgorod power system, and his professional choice he made immediately after the war, restoring the power grids of the ruined city. "First, think about the Motherland, and then about yourself," addressed Nikolay Shevtsov to the younger generation "Do not let everyday things become more important."
The first copies of the book were immediately at the presentation donated to veterans of the energy industry, after which all the participants paid tribute to the heroes who died in the Great Patriotic War and laid flowers at the memorial "Candle of Memory".
