The memorial complex "Field of Military Glory," located south of the of Polotsk in Belarus, is one of the monuments of military history dedicated to the events of the WWII. The memorial not only immortalizes the memory of the fallen but also serves as a reminder of the tragic and heroic events that unfolded here in the first months of the war.
In the summer of 1941, after Germany`s invasion of the Soviet Union, the territory of Belarus found itself at the forefront of the German offensive. Polotsk, a strategically important city on the path to Moscow and Leningrad, became the scene of fierce battles. The German Army Group "Center" sought to capture the city to ensure further advancement into Soviet territory.
South of Polotsk, in the area where the memorial now stands, bloody battles raged in July-August 1941. Here, units of the 22nd Army of the Western Front defended the area, attempting to hold back the onslaught of superior enemy forces. Soviet soldiers, many of whom were conscripted from nearby villages, fought with incredible courage. They set up ambushes, mined roads, and did everything to slow down the enemy`s advance.
One of the key episodes was the defense of the Polotsk fortified area. Despite the German forces` significant advantage in technology and air power, Soviet soldiers managed to delay their advance for several weeks. This allowed for the evacuation of part of the civilian population and industrial enterprises, as well as the regrouping of forces for further defense.
However, this delay came at a great cost. Thousands of Soviet soldiers perished in the battles, many were wounded or captured. Local residents who assisted the army also became victims of the war.
The memorial complex "Field of Military Glory" in Polotsk was established in the 1960s on the initiative of local residents and war veterans. It includes:
1. Obelisk and Eternal Flame — the central monument symbolizing the memory of the fallen heroes.
2. Mass Grave — where the remains of Soviet soldiers who died in the battles for Polotsk are buried. The memorial plaques bear the names of those whose identities could be established.
3. Open-Air Museum — the memorial grounds feature reconstructed fragments of fortifications, trenches, and anti-tank ditches used in 1941. This allows visitors to feel the atmosphere of those tragic days.
4. Memory Alley — along the avenue, steles with the names of heroes are installed, along with informational boards detailing the course of the battles and the fates of the participants.
Every year on Victory Day, solemn rallies, wreath-laying memory Alley ceremonies, and military-historical reenactments are held here. These events help preserve the memory of the events of 1941 and pass it on to future generations.
