Figure 1.-This is a photograph of Shasa (Peter) in his Red Armyb uniform. It was presumably taken just before the German World War II invasion of the Soviet Union and his capture by the Germans (July 1941). |
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'Fortress Brest' is based on the actual experiences of Cadet Shasa (Peter) Kylpa and the events he experienced at Fortress Brest after the German invasion (June 22, 1941) Alyosha Kopashov played him in the film. Brest was on the demarkation line between German and Soviet occupied Poland. Thus it was one of the Red Army positions attacked at the onset of Barbarossa. Many Red Army units quickly surrendered. Stalin fearing that a war might begin by undesciplined local commanders gave strict orders about not firing without permission. Thus some advanced Red Army positions were oiver run before receiving ordes to fire. Ohers returned fire without orders. Many Red Army units surrendered en masse. The men in Fortress Brest fought a heroic 9-day battle to defend the fortress (June 22-30, 1941). Sasha Akimov, the boy cadet tells the story of the defence of the fortress and Shasha's part in it. The film makers sought the help of the Brest Museum to maintain to accurately depict the events ar Brest. The film does nor explain, however, why it was that the invasion of the Soviet Union began with attacks on a Polish city or why thecRed Army garrison was in the middle of Poland. The impression the film gives is that Brest was in Russia. Cadet Sasha Peter Klypa lived in the Red Army fortress garrison at the time.
Sasha was a short, skinny, frail looking boy. He looked more like a 12 year old boy than 15 year old teenager. He did not look the sort of boy who was suitable for the rigorous life of a boy soldier. He might have been frail in appearance but as an account of his experiences tells us, 'his heart was strong and true'. The film gives the impression that the Red Army had pre-teen boys. This because Shasa lookd so young as thus a younger boy was chosen for the part to reflect this. Almost the entire Soviet garrison was killed, Sasha was one of the few defenders who survived it.
The Russian movie 'Fortress Berst' is based on the actual experiences of Cadet Shasa (Peter) Kylpa and the events he experienced at Fortress Brest when the Germans invaded (June 22, 1941) Brest was a Polish city, but because of the prior Soviet invasion (September 1939), the Polish Army was interned in Soviet camps under terrible conditions. Many officers were shot, some in the Katyn Forrest. Shasa was part of the Red Army that occupied eastern Poland. Alyosha Kopashov played Shasa in the film. The film only covers the 9-day fight for the Fortress. Shasa's fight for survival goes on for 4 years after he was captured by the Gernmans.
Brest-on-the-Bug and Brest-Litovsk are the same city. It is located where the Bug River and Mukhavets rivers meet. It was a Polish city which fell under Russioan rule in the Third Polish Paetition (1795). The Russians fortified it after the Napoleonic Wars (1831). It had a mixed population (Polisg, Belorussia, Ukranian, and Jewish) with Poles dominating. It was an important trnsporation hub, both river and rail transport. By the 20th century it was located on the
main railway line connecting Berlin and Moscow and thus while a relatively small city, one of some importance. Because of the break-of-gauge at Brest, where the Russian broad gauge meets the European standard gauge, all passenger trains, coming from Poland, must have their bodies replaced. Military logistics were heavily dependent on rail lines.
The new Polish state after World war I managed to extend its terrirory well east of Brest as a result of the Polish-Soviet War (1920-21). After the NAZI-Soviet Non-Agression Psct (August 1939) making possible World War II. Within days first the NAZIs and then the Soviets from the east invaded Poland. Brest was in the Soviet occuption zone, but on the demarkation line between German and Soviet occupied Poland.
The shattered Polish forces fall back east and attempt to organize a new defensive line. Once certain of Polish defeat, Stalin seeing that the Polish Army was unable to resist the Germans and that the British and French were not intervening, ordered the Red Army to attack from the East (September 17). A Red Army force of 1 million men enters Poland, Soviet propaganda claims it was necessary to "protect it's Byelorussian and Ukrainian population." This was an attempt to follow the NAZI success at claiming to protect the German minority in Czexhoslovakia and Poland. The demoralized Polish Army which valiantly fought the Germans, offers little resistance to the Soviets. The Soviets take 240,000 Polish soldiers and 15,400 officers prisioner German and Russian forces met at Brest-Litovsk (September 18). World War II accounts usually focus on the NAZI invasion and occupation of Poland. In fact the Soviet occupation was also horific, although it did not include the biological genocide of the NAZI occupation. Stalin like Hitler, however, was at this stage of the War intent on destroying the Polish nation. Polish soldiers were internened in camps by the Soviets. Soviet actions in eastern Poland were extremely brutal. An estimated 0.1 million Poles were killed by the Soviets (1939-41). The most publicized killings were the Polish officers shot by the NKVD in the Katyn Forrest, but this was only a part of the wide spread executions of Poles by the Soviets. Some estimates suggest that 2.0 million Poles were deported to Siberia and other areas in the Soviet Union.
Sasha was a short, skinny, frail looking boy. He looked more like a 12 year old boy than 15 year old teenager. He did not look the sort of boy who was suitable for the rigorous life of a boy soldier. He might have been frail in appearance but as an account of his experiences tells us, 'his heart was strong and true'. His father was in the military as was his brother. His father had his wife and family with him. This mean that some of the Red Army soldiers posted to the Soviet occupied territories brought their families with them. Presumably he was an officer. There were other cadets too. His friend was one.
Cadet Sasha (Peter) Klypa lived in the Red Army fortress garrison at the time.
Sasha lived with his brother and his family in a house which was outside the fortress, near the main entrance gate. It was Saturday, June 21, 1941. A friend persuaded Sasha to leave the barracks without permission. He would not be missed because he was free of duties that day. He and his friend went to watch a sporting event at the Brest Sports Stadium and afterwards Sasha play the trumpet in the orchestra.
When he returned home he was in very serious trouble because his absence had been noticed. His punishment was not savour one. While the soldiers watched a film Sasha had to attend an extra music practice in preparation for the regimental band’s concert a few days later. Sasha soon had the most difficult pieces perfected. After a good telling off he was allowed to go into the fort to meet his friend who he soon found. It was a happy summer’s evening and everyone was having an enjoyable time.
There is not the sligest indication in the film that the Red Army had invaded Poland and wasa an army of occupation.
The film gives the impression that the Red Army had pre-teen boys. This because Shasa lookd so young as thus a younger boy was chosen for the part to reflect this.
He was a spirit boy who soon after his arrival won the hearts of the garrison because he was a cheerful boisterous cadet. He soon showed himself to be was a kindly, sympathetic boy who was very generous and shared his things with his friends. In his studies he was a smart boy and he was regarded by many as a brave lad. Sasha worked hard and was a diligent cadet who never shied away from the rigorous training programme. We use the term cadet, but we are not sure just what his actual status was. It seems to mean a student prior to the attack because his biographer says he was a good student and his tutors or teachers were pleased with him. He was part of the regimental band -- playing a trumpet. Also his brother was a soldier holding a position. On the Saturday he did not seek official permission to go into town. When he returned he was disciplined and had to stay in the barracks learning difficult pieces of music for the regimental band's performance a few days later.
The English translation describes him as 'a Graduate of the Regiment'. Hense we used the term Cadet.
The reading was a Google translation of the Russian so I'd to wade tgrough some quite senseless English!
Sasha and Kohl had a good time. As they returned home Kohl invited Sasha to go fishing with him very early the next morning. Four am was the agreed time to meet. This was just as dawn was breaking. The two boys knew that. this was thought to be the best time to go fishing. They planned to meet at the river and spend the first few hours fishing. Each said jokingly that he would be the first to wake up. Sasha kept his uniform on that night as he slept. He thought it would give him vital seconds in winning the contest to be first to the river. There was to be no fishing that day because terrible events were unleashed about a quarter to four that Sunday morning. The garrison was being bombarded. Sasha wake-up and was out of bed in a thrice, fully clothes he instinctively went to get a rifle but there was an explosion which knocked him to the ground. His head hit the wall and slump to the floor unconscious. He lay there for a moment of two before coming round. He was dazed and bewildered. His first thought was grab his rifle.
The Battle of Britain in many ways changed the course of the War. An invasion of Britain was impossible without air superiority. Hitler, fearing a cross-Channel invasion, decided that the only way to force the British to seek terms was to destroy the Soviet Union. He began shifting the Wehrmacht eastward to face the enemy that he had longed to fight from the onset--Soviet Russia. The nature of the War changed decisevely in the second half of 1941. The Germans invaded Russia in June 1941, launching the most sweeping military campaign in history. It is estimated that on the eve of battle, 6.25 million men faced each other in the East. Hitler launched the massive Barbarossa invasion of the Soviet Union (June 1941). It was the beginning of the largest military campaign in history. It was not, howevdr, a invasion of Russia. Stalin has extended Soviet borders beyond the Russian hearland. Thus it was that Brest came under attack in the opening hours of Barbarossa. And Brest was a Polish not Russian city. Many Red Army units quickly surrendered. Stalin fearing that aar might begin by undesciplined local commanders gave triuct orders about not firing without permission. The Red ir Force was ordered to allow Luftwafffe ovdrflights. Thus some advanced Red Army positiins were over run before receiving ordes to fire. Ohers returned fire without orders. Many Red Army units surrendered en masse. The garrison at Brest was one that fought. And as the Whermacht was heavily depdendent on rail lines for logistics, Vrest was an impottant objective.
The men in Fortress Brest fought a heroic 9-day battle to defend the fortress (June 22-30, 1941). Sasha Akimov, the boy cadet tells the story of the defence of the fortress and Shasha's part in it. The film makers sought the help of the Brest Museum to maintain to accurately depict the events ar Brest. The film does nor explain, however, why it was that the invasion of the Soviet Union began with attacks on a Polish city or why thecRed Army garrison was in the middle of Poland. The impression the film gives is that Brest was in Russia. Almost the entire Soviet garrison was killed, Sasha was one of the few defenders who survived it.
Sasha was in the midst of a nightmare. There were dying or wounded soldiers everywhere. Those that were not wounded ran from the barrack house in blind panic. A young lieutenant saw the coolness of Sasha who was not panicking but had taken up a position to meet the enemy. He took charge and used Sasha as an example he was able to restore order.
The enemy fire intensified. The fort’s buildings were blown to bits. The survivors carried the wounded down into the cellars. Someone had to go to the second floor and act as look out for the appearance of the enemy. It was Sasha who was first to volunteered for this dangerous of post.
Sasha took the opportunity to search the ruined building as he set off with the other volunteers. He ran errors for the commander and easily sneaked through the rubble to deliver the messages and take replies back. This was very dangerous and hazardous work. Sasha spent all day going backwards and forwards with messages and reports about the enemy strength and positions.
The following day the soldiers ran out of ammunition. Sasha and Nick Novikov sneaked about and found a barracks with only minor damage. Inside they found ammunition. The two boys, even though they were under fire carried ammunition to their comrades.
The commanding officer knowing his age and youthfulness decided to send Sasha on missions to the command post which were less dangerous so as to keep him as safe as possible. Sasha did not realise this and when he could fought bravely with his comrades against the enemy. His comrades tried to stop Sash going with them but despite being chased back Sasha bayoneted an enemy soldier.
It was Sasha who searched the rubble for medical supplies. He found them under rubble in a dilapidated building. He was able to take them back to his comrades.
There was a shortage of water and Sasha braved the cross fire to bring water for the thirsty fighters and civilians. He soon found the safest way to the river and always returned with a flask full of water.
When the shelling started many of the civilians had not time to dress. They were now in hiding wearing only their night clothes. Sasha found clothes for the woman and children. He dragged a case of clothes back to his position for them to change into.
The officers saw that Sasha made sure that the little children had something to eat. Sasha gave them food before eating food himself. On one occasion Sasha found a bombed out store. In the ruins he found chocolate. He took it back and shared it out among the children.
When the commander realised that the Russian position was hopeless he arranged for the woman and children to surrender to the Germans. The Commander included Sasha but he would not go. “Am I not in the army?” he said. The Lieutenant admired the boy’s courage and let him stay to the finish.
In Early July the end came for the defenders. Now almost out of ammunition there was just enough left for one last desperate break out to possible freedom? It failed and the Russian soldiers were either killed or captured. [Smirnov]
Sasha and a few of his friends managed to break out and stealthily made their way to the river which under cover of darkness they crossed. Sasha and his friends evaded capture for 2 days but were eventually rounded up and taken to a POW holding camp. On the way a Nazi news reel film crew were filming the scene. Sasha raised his fists and was beaten by the German soldiers. He and his young friends were not long in captivity. They planned an escape which were successful. Sasha and the boys were able to hide in Best. They lived in the town for about month. While in Brest he and the youngsters with him. Not sure if this was a Polish family. We don't think there cwere many ussian families there, but duruing the Soviet occupation the NKVD deported many Poles and brought in some Russians. The family lived through the war and told their story long after it to the biographer. The boys had to escape when the Gestapo came to search for soldiers. They next turned up in a village near the town of Saki Zhabinka. Many of the boys remained here but after a while Sasha and a friend trued to escape east in an effort to rejoin the Red Army in the fight against the Nazis. Sasha and his friend never made it. One night they slept in a barn and were arrested the next morning.
The two boys were sent with lots of other boys to a work camp in Germany. We are not entirely sure about this. Where they were sent affected their chances of surviving the War. Most Soviet POWs did not, especially those czaptured in Barbarossa. Conditions for French and British POWs were harsh. Conditions for Soviet POWs were homicidal. They were given little food or medical care. Often they were not even housed, but kept in opnfields behind barbed wire. Survival was in part a matter of time. Soviet POWs died in large numbers that first winter. (The same had occured with Polish POWs.) Their treatment varied. Some were sent to the death camps. Others to concentation camps like Auchwitz. Not all perished, but the mortality rate was very high. If Shasa was sent to a labor camp rather than a POW camp he had a much better chance of surviving. We do not yet have details on the camps where he was held.
The NAZIs finally surrendered (Msy 1945). Peter Klypa had managed to suurvive nearly 4 years of German confinment. That was rare. Most of the German POWs taken during Barbarossa died in NAZI camps. Many starved to death or from exposure to the elements. We are not sure what camp he was at when he was liberated. He was able to retun to Russia. Many POWs who breturned were arrested by the NKVD. Surrendering to the Germans was seen as trasonus. We are not sure how Shasa was treated. A reader writes, "I noted the comment here that at the end of the War, the former Red Army soldiers in German custody were arrested by Russian authorities because they had surrendered. I thought that this might not be the fate of Shasa because he was captured. Shasa was, however, in some sort of trouble when he returned home in 1945. It seems he was in detension for a while. I thought this was a civil matter but as it was not explained might not be. This needs to be looked into to complete his story."
Smirnov, S. Brest Fortress. As with most Russian World War II histories, the focus is on the 1941 German invasion, Not the nearly 2 years that the Soviet Union was a NAZI ally and oversaw brutal occupations of Poland ans other nbeigboring countries (1939-41).
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