The event marks the 70th anniversary of Bendery’s liberation from Nazy occupation in the course of the Iasi-Kishinev operation
Today, a meeting dedicated to the unveiling of the memorial sign Height 150.0 has been held by Suvorov mountain near Gyska village.
The event has been attended by Archbishop of Tiraspol and Dubossary Savva, Head of the Bendery State Administration Yuri Gervazyuk, Chairman of the Municipal Council of People's Deputies Yuri Kara, Senior Counselor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, the JCC' Russian Co-Chair Vasily Korchmar, Russian Defense Attaché Assistant Lt. Col. Sergey Lokhanov, peacekeepers, war veterans.
The Iasi-Kishinev operation started on 20 August 1944 and went down in history "as one of the biggest and outstanding operations interms of its strategic, political and military importance." According to the operation plan,the troops of 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts wereto breakthrough the enemy’s defense north of Iasi and south of Bendery.
Suvorov mountain is the height where the fate of the Iasi-Kishinev operation was at stake. The enemy took advantage of Suvorov mountain's dominant position and equipped it with unbroken lines of trenches, breastwork and concrete emplacements, and created a well-organized fire plan. Our troops advanced across open territory, suffering heavy casualties.Carrying the mountain by assault deprived the enemy of its last stronghold in this defense area. On the eve of 22 August 1944 the Red Banner was hoisted at height 150.0.
Nearly 3,000 Soviet soldiers laid down their lives in combats for the liberation of Bendery, Khadzhimus, Giska, which lasted for over four months.
The head of Bendery, Yuri Gervazyuk, has thanked the war veterans for the feat they had performed.
"We are unveiling this memorial sign in the honour of the victors, in the honour of our Motherland's best sons. At the foot of Suvorov mountain the troops of 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts started the Iasi-Kishinev offensive and took this height by assault after violent fighting. Our obeisance to the defenders," said Yuri Gervazyuk.
"Today is the great date we cannot forget. This operation showed our troops' great strategy and tactics. The Iasi-Kishinev operation was carried out in the shortest time possible, ten days. Four soldiers repeated Alexander Matrosov's feat during the operation. They covered enemy's pillboxes with their chests. Two warriors threw themselves under the tanks with grenades. Eternal glory to these men who gave their lives to liberate Motherland from the worst enemy," noted Korneliy Yelenov, a Great Patriotic War veteran.
The Height 150.0 memorial sign has been consecrated by Archbishop of Tiraspol and Dubossary Savva. Natural flowers have been laid to the foot of the monument.
