VETERAN’S WISH TO ARMENIAN SOLDERS

AZG Armenian Daily #083, 07/05/2005

60th Anniversary

“It was the fall of 1939 when I was recruited to the army”, 85 years
old WW II veteran Haykaz Verdian tells, “I was a student at Baku Oil
Technical School at the time. The war broke out when I was getting
ready to return home after two years of study.”

The young man had to put aside all his dreams and hopes. In 10 November
1941, Verdian participated in the battles at Volkhovsky front. He
served at the 136th anti-tank artillery division that had a primary aim
to join defenders of Leningrad. It was very difficult to break through.

“We were transferred to Kursko-Orlovsky front in May. There our
division was gradually advancing breaking enemy’s resistance. But
we appeared in encirclement in spring of 1944. We stood firm for 27
days fighting in enemy’s rear. On the 28th day Germans attacked us
with 11 tanks. Artillery waited for order”.

Already senior lieutenant by then, Verdian moved forward. His
battery alone managed to demolish 5 tanks of the enemy breaking the
circle. That combat brought him Medal of Battle Red Flag and Medals
of Great Patriotic War of 1st and 2d degree.

“I was wounded 4 times. First time it was in town of Zenkov, then
during the encirclement of Scevchenko and while forcing a crossing
over river Visla. In 3 cases I recovered on the battle field but the
4th wound was a serious one and I was sent to hospital spending there
60 days”.

Haykaz Verdian participated in Kiev liberation and seizure of
Berlin. He returned home as a captain.

“I was glad to be finally at home and to be beside my relatives
victorious and in captain’s rank”.

“On these days of great victory in WW II and liberation of Shushi
I wish that the Armenian soldiers always come out victorious from
every fight.”

By Anna Gzirian and Anushik Grigorian