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PARTISAN
SHURA
In
Turovskiy Forest (Vinnitsa Region) the monument to soldiers, who have gone liberating
their territory, is situated. The memorial plaque is bearing the carved names
of the perished soldiers; among them one may find the name “Shura partisan”.
About
heroic deed of Alexander Toporovskiy, we’ve been narrated by his niece Alexandra,
who was named after him. Many long years nothing has been known about Shura
death. The relatives incurred information about him in the archives and finally
received materials from the 4th department of USSR Ministry of
Defense (Moscow), notifying that lieutenant Toporovskiy Alexander Isaakovich (1922
year of birth) was missing in 1942. About his involvement in partisan
detachment there was no information. Long searches have led them to the meeting
with the man, who knew very well Shura, fought side by side with him in the
partisan detachment. It was Georgiy Kulagin detachment, which acted on occupied
Vinnitsa and Kiev Region territories. Shura was the machine gunner in the detachment. The
partisan detachment has been carrying out just another raid in Oratovskiy
District (Vinnitsa Region). After military operation the partisans made their way
towards the Turovskiy Forest, where they’ve been encircled by the Nazi chasteners.
Bearing great losses, the detachment had to step back, wending to the
Lukashevskiy Forest. They’ve had such opportunity due to Shura. Being twice
wounded, he fired back and threw grenades at Nazi, leaving one cartridge for
himself. But it misfired. Shura Toporovskiy has been captured alive. He was subjected to abysmal tortures. Tetiev
village residents were last who saw Shura, when he was carted through village. With
his last ounce he appealed to people to fight against Nazi. It happened on May 28th,1943. Since that time nobody saw Shura. Over
several days it became to know that Shura partisan had been tortured to death in
Tetiev or Monastyrishchi.
Great
glory to soldiers who perished in WWII times, defending nation from Nazism
horrors.
Alla Farimets,
Tkuma Center Museum Programs Coordinator
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