• From the memoirs of Major General of the militia Yakovlev M.N. (1921-2021) "In June 1941, I was in the service of the Leningrad militia and with the outbreak of war with several comrades was sent to Luga to help in the defense of the city. We inexperienced and untrained policemen were first sent to the construction of the Luga frontier, and then after the breakthrough we retreated towards Leningrad. The command came to its senses and decided to recapture the Meadow with all its might. We were brought together with the remnants of the border guards in one department. The city was attacked with 4 infantry squads, T26 45 mm tanks, T26 twin-turret, Ba 10 and Ba 20. My friend and partner, the future militia colonel Mironov P.P., was sent to the calculation of Stalin's sledgehammer B4. To strengthen it, they attached a mortar, a 45 mm cannon and a pair of machine guns. The enemy has just entered the city and has not had time to really strengthen himself yet. He occupied the main street. We attacked in an open field in full view of the enemy. The first shot of the 45 mm cannon thinned the mortar of the enemies, which caused fire on itself and was destroyed. By narrow Prague tanks crawled through the streets. Our tanks went head-on along the road, the infantry rushed to the buildings for cover. We were advancing with the second echelon from the right flank."
  • "I remember this first fight with a shudder. I was lucky and I was slightly wounded by a burst from a machine gun. This is the first of 7 wounds in my entire life. My friend Pavel, who is in the calculation of the howitzer, was concussed by a hit from a mortar. The enemy was stopped and our troops were able to withdraw to Leningrad. We suffered heavy losses, but the enemy washed his face with blood like a nigoda. Then there was a retreat to Leningrad, service in the criminal investigation department during the war, business trips to Lithuania, Ukraine, where we finished off German accomplices. The fight against banditry in the Petrogradsky district of Leningrad. And service to the major general of the militia. As part of the rookie squad, we turned into veterans under fire and began adulthood." Major General of militia Yakovleva M.N. (1921-2021) Glory to the Red Army!