On this day during the war.
In 1941:
In the operational Department of the headquarters of land forces of Germany held a meeting dedicated to the preparations for war with the Soviet Union, to which the chief of staff of the 4th army günter Blumentritt prepared notes. They said: "the History of all wars with the participation of Russian shows that Russian fighter stands, impervious to bad weather, very undemanding, not afraid of no blood, no losses. So all the battles of Frederick the Great to world war were bloody. Despite these quality troops, the Russian Empire is almost never achieved victory. The commanders of lower echelon are stereotyped, showing autonomy and sufficient flexibility. In this we surpass the Russians. Russian high command is inferior to ours, because thinking is formally, not showing confidence. Today the remaining high chiefs, with few exceptions, should be even less afraid than of the former, well-trained generals in the tsarist army... Our troops are superior to the Russians in combat experience, the training and armament. We will have heavy fighting within 8-14 days, and then success will not keep you waiting, and we will win."
In Moscow hosted the second confidential meeting of German Ambassador in Moscow and the Soviet Ambassador in Berlin. The German Ambassador suggested that Stalin sent to Hitler, Mussolini and Matsuoka letter, which stated that the USSR will continue to pursue a friendly policy towards these countries. Dekanozov and Schulenburg agreed to meet again on may 12. Even if the Schulenburg and warned about the impending attack, this conversation had greatly alarmed the Soviet leadership.
In 1942:
In Leningrad during the shelling killed 13 children aged 4-6 years from kindergarten Tobacco factory of a name Uritsky.
In 1943:
In the Black sea Soviet ship sunk the transport with the troops of the enemy.
The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopted a decree "On the introduction of martial law at sea and river transport".
Died of typhus in the concentration camp Auschwitz, the anti-fascist Danielle Casanova. During the occupation of France became one of the organizers of the Resistance movement. In February 1942, was arrested by the Gestapo.
In 1944:
The 20th anniversary met a war veteran Bulat Okudzhava, a veteran, a ninth-grader, mortar, machine gunner, after being wounded, the heavy artillery radioman who became the outstanding Russian poet and novelist:
Conscience, Honor and Dignity –
Here it is, our sacred army.
You give him your hand,
For him not afraid and into the fire.
The face of his high and amazing.
Commit to him your time is short.
May not be the winner,
But it will die like a man.
In 1945:
The day of Victory of Soviet people in the great Patriotic war of 1941-1945.
Troops of the 1st Ukrainian front liberated the capital of Czechoslovakia the city of Prague.
Troops of the 3rd Ukrainian front took the Austrian town Bruck, Graz and joined with American forces in the district of Amstetten.
With the capitulation kurlansky group of the enemy army completed the liberation of the territory of Latvia. For years of occupation Hitlerites killed in Latvia 313,8 thousand civilians and more than 330 thousand prisoners of war, sent to Germany 280 thousand people. Were turned into ruins of the city of Jelgava, Daugavpils, Rezekne, Bolva, Valmiera.
In Prague at 4 a.m. came the Soviet tanks 3 and 4 Panzer army. After a few hours in the city entered the small joints of the 1st Ukrainian front. By 10 o'clock the capital of Czechoslovakia was completely under the control of Soviet troops. In commemoration of this event in June 1945 was established the medal "For liberation of Prague".
Soviet troops liberated the Danish island of Bornholm.
Released from German captivity squadron commander, senior Lieutenant Valery F. Polunovskij. To captivity he made 479 sorties, including 13 night, made 46 air battles, shot down 13 enemy planes.
Established medal "For the capture of Berlin" and "For victory over Germany in the great Patriotic war of 1941-1945". Medal "For Victory over Germany" was awarded 14 900 000 people.
Fully surrendered part of the German Wehrmacht stationed in Austria.
The newspaper "Pravda" published: "Treatment of tov. I. V. Stalin to the people! Comrades! Countrymen and countrywomen! It was a great day of Victory over Germany! On 7 may in Reims was signed the preliminary Protocol of surrender. On 8 may representatives of the German Supreme command in the presence of representatives of the Supreme command of the allied forces was signed in Berlin the final act of surrender. Knowing the wolfish habits of the German bosses who consider treaties and agreements by a blank piece of paper, we have no reason to trust their word. However, this morning the German troops began to surrender. But one group of German troops in the area of Czechoslovakia is still evading surrender. I hope the red Army will be able to bring her to her senses. Now we can justifiably say that it was a historic day, the Day of the great Victory over German imperialism. From now on, over Europe will fly the great flag of freedom of peoples and peace among peoples. With the Victory You, my dear countrymen and countrywomen! Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in battle with the enemy and gave their lives for the freedom and happiness of our people!"
