A little background from wikipedia: Brest Fortress, formerly known as Brest-Litovsk Fortress, is a 19th-century Russian fortress in Brest, Belarus. In 1965, the title Hero Fortress was given to the Fortress to commemorate the defence of the frontier stronghold during the first week of the German-Soviet War, when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, with the launch of World War II's Operation Barbarossa. The title Hero Fortress corresponds to the title Hero City, that was awarded to an eventual total of twelve Soviet cities. At 04:15 (Moscow time) June 22, 1941 the German Wehrmacht attacked the Brest fortress with no warning. The attack started with an artillery barrage, including 600 mm mortars of the second battery of the Heavy Artillery Battalion 833 Nr. III ("Thor") and Nr. IV ("Odin"). The defenders were taken by surprise and initially failed to form a solid front. By 09:00 that day, the fortress was completely surrounded. The ensuing battle of Brest Fortress lasted for 32 days, during which lives lost about 2000 soldiers and officers defending the castle, and attackers losing nearly 430 soldiers and officers. The last defended object in the fortress was taken by June 29. About 6,800 Soviet soldiers and commanders were captured. According to Soviet sources, the battle lasted until 20 July, with no one surrendering to the Germans. This narrative became a testament to the resilience and courage of Red Army and Soviet people. A few Soviet soldiers did indeed hold out inside pockets of the fortress until as late as 23 July. During a journey to different parts of the Eastern front, Hitler and Mussolini visited the fortress on August 26, 1941. Strong security measures were in place.
Sadly, basically the only thing to see in the town of Brest. It is right on the border with Poland, within a few hundred meters. There is also a quite rich and big museum with a strong focus on concentration camps. The fortress itself may not be the most beautiful thing you have ever seen, but it certainly conveys a lot of emotions, just as the monumental statues. Imo, Belarus is one hell of an underestimated travel destination.
https://i.redd.it/ri5p2px2s9j31.jpg
https://i.redd.it/sz30tb56s9j31.jpg
Submitted August 28, 2019 at 07:13PM by Raidzor338 https://ift.tt/2NE1tMS
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