#Neman river

[imperial-russia]

The Alexander Column  is the focal point of Palace Square in Saint Petersburg. The monument was raised after the Russian victory in the war with Napoleon and named for Emperor Alexander I. 

The Column was designed by Auguste de Montferrand, built between 1830 and 1834  by Antonio Adamini, and unveiled on 30 August 1834. The monument is claimed to be the tallest of its kind in the world at 47.5 m tall and is topped with a statue of an angel holding a cross. The angel was designed by the Russian sculptor Boris Orlovsky and it is said that its face bears great similarity to the face of Emperor Alexander I.

The pedestal of the Alexander Column is decorated with symbols of military glory. On the side of the pedestal facing the Winter Palace is a bas-relief depicting winged figures holding up a plaque bearing the words "To Alexander I from a grateful Russia". The composition includes figures representing the Neman and Vistula rivers that were associated with the events of the Patriotic War. Flanking these figures are depictions of old Russian armour – the shield of Prince Oleg of Novgorod, the helmet of Alexander Nevsky, the breastplate of Emperor Alexander I, the chainmail of Yermak Timofeyevich and other pieces recalling heroes whose martial feats brought glory to Russia. The other three sides are decorated with bas-reliefs featuring allegorical figures of Wisdom and Abundance, Justice and Mercy, Peace and Victory, the last holding a shield bearing the dates 1812, 1813 and 1814. These compositions are enhanced by depictions of Ancient Roman military symbols and Russian armour.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 6.24 (before 1900)

1312 BC – Mursili II launches a campaign against the Kingdom of Azzi-Hayasa. 109 – Roman emperor Trajan inaugurates the Aqua Traiana, an aqueduct that channels water from Lake Bracciano, 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Rome. 474 – Julius Nepos forces Roman usurper Glycerius to abdicate the throne and proclaims himself Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. 637 – The Battle of Moira is fought between the High King of Ireland and the Kings of Ulster and Dál Riata. It is claimed to be the largest battle in the history of Ireland. 843 – The Vikings sack the French city of Nantes. 972 – Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces, takes place. 1128 – Battle of São Mamede, near Guimarães: Forces led by Afonso I defeat forces led by his mother Teresa of León and her lover Fernando Pérez de Traba. 1230 – The Siege of Jaén begins, in the context of the Spanish Reconquista. 1314 – First War of Scottish Independence: The Battle of Bannockburn concludes with a decisive victory by Scottish forces led by Robert the Bruce. 1340 – Hundred Years' War: Battle of Sluys: The French fleet is almost completely destroyed by the English fleet commanded in person by King Edward III. 1374 – A sudden outbreak of St. John's Dance causes people in the streets of Aachen, Germany, to experience hallucinations and begin to jump and twitch uncontrollably until they collapse from exhaustion. 1497 – John Cabot lands in North America at Newfoundland leading the first European exploration of the region since the Vikings. 1509 – Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon are crowned King and Queen of England. 1535 – The Anabaptist state of Münster is conquered and disbanded. 1540 – English King Henry VIII commands his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, to leave the court.[ 1571 – Miguel López de Legazpi founds Manila, the capital of the Philippines. 1593 – The Dutch city of Geertruidenberg held by the Spanish, capitulates to a besieging Dutch and English army led by Maurice of Nassau. 1604 – Samuel de Champlain encounters the mouth of the Saint John River, site of Reversing Falls and the present-day city of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. 1622 – Battle of Macau: The Dutch make a failed attempt to capture Macau. 1663 – The Spanish garrison of Évora capitulates, following the Portuguese victory at the Battle of Ameixial. 1717 – The Premier Grand Lodge of England is founded in London, the first Masonic Grand Lodge in the world (now the United Grand Lodge of England). 1724 – On the Feast of St. John the Baptist, Bach leads the first performance of his Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam, BWV 7, the third cantata of his chorale cantata cycle. 1762 – Battle of Wilhelmsthal: The British-Hanoverian army of Ferdinand of Brunswick defeats French forces in Westphalia. 1779 – American Revolutionary War: The Great Siege of Gibraltar begins. 1793 – The first Republican constitution in France is adopted. 1812 – Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon's Grande Armée crosses the Neman river beginning the invasion of Russia. 1813 – Battle of Beaver Dams: A British and Indian combined force defeats the United States Army. 1821 – Battle of Carabobo: Decisive battle in the war of independence of Venezuela from Spain. 1859 – Battle of Solferino (Battle of the Three Sovereigns): Sardinia and France defeat Austria in Solferino, northern Italy. 1866 – Battle of Custoza: An Austrian army defeats the Italian army during the Austro-Prussian War. 1880 – First performance of O Canada at the Congrès national des Canadiens-Français. The song would later become the national anthem of Canada.

[capture24trip]

Delhi Day Trips: Exploring Nearby Destinations in Just One Day

In the bustling city of Delhi, sometimes all you need is a quick escape from the chaos and hustle of urban life. Luckily, the capital is surrounded by a myriad of destinations that are perfect for day trips, offering a refreshing change of scenery and a chance to explore the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of the region. Join us as we embark on a journey to discover some of the best nearby destinations that can be explored in just one day.

1. Agra: The City of Love

Just a few hours' drive from Delhi lies the historic city of Agra, home to one of the most iconic monuments in the world – the Taj Mahal. A day trip to Agra offers the perfect opportunity to marvel at the timeless beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Murtaza Mahal. Apart from the Taj Mahal, visitors can also explore the majestic Agra Fort, stroll through the bustling streets of the old city, and indulge in some mouthwatering Mughlai cuisine.

2. Jaipur: The Pink City

Known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and stunning architecture, Jaipur is another popular destination for a day trip from Delhi. The capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur is famous for its majestic forts, palaces, and bustling bazaars. Visitors can explore the imposing Amber Fort, wander through the colorful markets of Johari Bazaar, and marvel at the intricately designed Haw Mahal. A day trip to Jaipur offers a fascinating glimpse into the royal heritage and cultural traditions of Rajasthan.

3. Neman: A Heritage Getaway

For a dose of history and luxury, head to Neman, a charming town located just a few hours' drive from Delhi. The highlight of Neman is the magnificent Neman Fort Palace, a 15th-century heritage hotel that offers a glimpse into the grandeur of Rajasthan's royal past. Visitors can explore the sprawling palace complex, soak in the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, and indulge in a sumptuous meal at the onsite restaurant. Neman is the perfect destination for a relaxing day trip away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

4. Mathura-Vrindavan: Land of Krishna

Located on the banks of the Yamuna River, Mathura and Vrindavan are sacred cities revered by millions of devotees as the birthplace and childhood home of Lord Krishna. A day trip to Mathura-Vrindavan offers the opportunity to visit the famous temples and religious sites associated with the life of Lord Krishna, including the Krishna Janma bhoomi Temple, Dwarkadhish Temple, and Banked Bihari Temple. Visitors can also participate in the vibrant celebrations and rituals that take place throughout the year, immersing themselves in the spiritual atmosphere of these holy towns.

Conclusion:

From historic monuments to sacred temples, nearby destinations from Delhi offer a diverse range of experiences that can be explored in just one day. So pack your bags, hit the road, and embark on a memorable day trip to discover the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of these fascinating destinations. Whether you're craving history, culture, or spirituality, there's something for everyone within easy reach of the bustling city of Delhi.

MORE DEATIL

[radiogornjigrad]

INDIJSKA MISTIKA U KNJIGAMA TINA UJEVIĆA I KOSTE TADIĆA

Idol of Lord Shiva in the swollen Ganga river in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand on August 14. (PTI Photo) Čuj pjesmu vjetra u noći…. O ne, ni kiše, ni snijega, ni vjetra nema, meni se drijema, meni bolniku…. ….Al strašna mene, mračna mora mori, jer u meni se grozna neman krije, da srce moje para, da me pije svu krv i snagu što mi život tvori … Čuj pjesmu vjetra u noći, on naviješta srh što će doći po…

[disco-cola]

ok so I have a very small family like only my mom my brother and my grandparents (my moms an only child too and my entire family has always been mad at each other for idk what reason lmao i haven’t seen the rest of them since I was a child) but my mom and grandparents were all born in the gdr which is a country that literally doesn’t exist anymore (good thing tho) and my grandpa told me this week my grandmas side of the family were living somewhere along neman river and my grandpas side of the family were from east prussia which is also a country that doesn’t exist anymore (also good thing tho) but today the region they were living in is Kaliningrad that’s actually so cool man I wish I had money and could do a DNA test I would love to know more about my ancestry tbh i love this kind of shit

[123freemoviesfun]

The Crimson Rivers (2018)

Detective Niemans is accustomed to take on complex investigations, and is able to teach professional wisdom to his new partner, who becomes Camille Delaunay, ready to improve. The two of them very successfully cope with the cases that they are assigned, and some of them turn out to be very complicated, which does not scare Niemans. The last case, for which Nemans and Camille take on, turns out to be morally difficult. The cruelty of the criminal, who needs to be stopped, gets to the bone. And the detectives are drawn into a cycle of gruesome events. Read the full article

[mariacallous]

The Belarusian Defense Ministry announced plans to conduct a snap combat readiness inspection of its armed forces.

According to the ministry’s press service, “troops will have to promptly advance into their assigned areas, implement their engineering equipment, organize security and defense, and build bridge crossings over the Neman and Berezina rivers.”

On December 11, the Institute for the Study of War reported that Russia seeks to set up a permanent military base in Belarus and is conducting an “information campaign” to pressure Belarusian leaders into supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. At the same time, for the foreseeable future, according to analysts, Belarus is “unlikely to invade Ukraine due to internal dynamics within the country.”

[thewolfnessphotography]

[kopytkowa]

03.VI.2019

By the Neman River, Grodno, Belarus

__

Maybe this isn't most beautiful place in Grodno. But I feel some kind of personal closeness with this place. In Poland we have famous book "Nad Niemnem" (ang. version would be translated as "By the Neman river") wrote by Eliza Orzeszkowa. She lived there in Grodno. And my mother gave me my name after one of the main characters from this book. So I enjoy my time there, even if it's not the most beautifull.

[whoismargott]

Kaunas, Heart of Lithuania

21.07.2017

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 6.24

1312 BC – Mursili II launches a campaign against the Kingdom of Azzi-Hayasa. 109 – Roman emperor Trajan inaugurates the Aqua Traiana, an aqueduct that channels water from Lake Bracciano, 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Rome. 474 – Julius Nepos forces Roman usurper Glycerius to abdicate the throne and proclaims himself Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. 637 – The Battle of Moira is fought between the High King of Ireland and the Kings of Ulster and Dál Riata. It is claimed to be the largest battle in the history of Ireland. 843 – The Vikings sack the French city of Nantes. 972 – Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces, takes place. 1128 – Battle of São Mamede, near Guimarães: Forces led by Afonso I defeat forces led by his mother Teresa of León and her lover Fernando Pérez de Traba. 1230 – The Siege of Jaén begins, in the context of the Spanish Reconquista. 1314 – First War of Scottish Independence: The Battle of Bannockburn concludes with a decisive victory by Scottish forces led by Robert the Bruce. 1340 – Hundred Years' War: Battle of Sluys: The French fleet is almost completely destroyed by the English fleet commanded in person by King Edward III. 1374 – A sudden outbreak of St. John's Dance causes people in the streets of Aachen, Germany, to experience hallucinations and begin to jump and twitch uncontrollably until they collapse from exhaustion. 1497 – John Cabot lands in North America at Newfoundland leading the first European exploration of the region since the Vikings. 1509 – Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon are crowned King and Queen of England. 1535 – The Anabaptist state of Münster is conquered and disbanded. 1540 – English King Henry VIII commands his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, to leave the court. 1571 – Miguel López de Legazpi founds Manila, the capital of the Philippines. 1593 – The Dutch city of Geertruidenberg held by the Spanish, capitulates to a besieging Dutch and English army led by Maurice of Nassau. 1604 – Samuel de Champlain discovers the mouth of the Saint John River, site of Reversing Falls and the present-day city of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. 1622 – Battle of Macau: The Dutch make a failed attempt to capture Macau. 1663 – The Spanish garrison of Évora capitulates, following the Portuguese victory at the Battle of Ameixial. 1717 – The Premier Grand Lodge of England is founded in London, the first Masonic Grand Lodge in the world (now the United Grand Lodge of England). 1762 – Battle of Wilhelmsthal: The British-Hanoverian army of Ferdinand of Brunswick defeats French forces in Westphalia. 1779 – American Revolutionary War: The Great Siege of Gibraltar begins. 1793 – The first Republican constitution in France is adopted. 1812 – Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon's Grande Armée crosses the Neman river beginning the invasion of Russia. 1813 – Battle of Beaver Dams: A British and Indian combined force defeats the United States Army. 1821 – Battle of Carabobo: Decisive battle in the war of independence of Venezuela from Spain. 1859 – Battle of Solferino (Battle of the Three Sovereigns): Sardinia and France defeat Austria in Solferino, northern Italy. 1866 – Battle of Custoza: An Austrian army defeats the Italian army during the Austro-Prussian War. 1880 – First performance of O Canada at the Congrès national des Canadiens-Français. The song would later become the national anthem of Canada. 1894 – Marie François Sadi Carnot, President of France, is assassinated by Sante Geronimo Caserio. 1913 – Greece and Serbia annul their alliance with Bulgaria. 1916 – Mary Pickford becomes the first female film star to sign a million-dollar contract. 1918 – First airmail service in Canada from Montreal to Toronto. 1922 – The American Professional Football Association is renamed the National Football League. 1932 – A bloodless revolution instigated by the People's Party ends the absolute power of King Prajadhipok of Siam (now Thailand). 1938 – Pieces of a meteorite land near Chicora, Pennsylvania. The meteorite is estimated to have weighed 450 metric tons when it hit the Earth's atmosphere and exploded. 1939 – Siam is renamed Thailand by Plaek Phibunsongkhram, the country's third prime minister. 1940 – World War II: Operation Collar, the first British Commando raid on occupied France, by No 11 Independent Company. 1943 – US military police attempt to arrest a black soldier in Bamber Bridge, England, sparking the Battle of Bamber Bridge mutiny that leaves one dead and seven wounded. 1947 – Kenneth Arnold makes the first widely reported UFO sighting near Mount Rainier, Washington. 1948 – Cold War: Start of the Berlin Blockade: The Soviet Union makes overland travel between West Germany and West Berlin impossible. 1949 – The first television western, Hopalong Cassidy, starring William Boyd, is aired on NBC. 1950 – Apartheid: In South Africa, the Group Areas Act is passed, formally segregating races. 1954 – First Indochina War: Battle of Mang Yang Pass: Viet Minh troops belonging to the 803rd Regiment ambush G.M. 100 of France in An Khê. 1957 – In Roth v. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment. 1960 – Assassination attempt of Venezuelan President Rómulo Betancourt. 1963 – The United Kingdom grants Zanzibar internal self-government. 1973 – The UpStairs Lounge arson attack takes place at a gay bar located on the second floor of the three-story building at 141 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, US. Thirty-two people die as a result of fire or smoke inhalation. 1975 – Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 encounters severe wind shear and crashes on final approach to New York's JFK Airport killing 113 of the 124 passengers on board, making it the deadliest U.S. plane crash at the time. This accident led to decades of research into downburst and microburst phenomena and their effects on aircraft. 1981 – The Humber Bridge opens to traffic, connecting Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. It remained the world's longest bridge span for 17 years. 1982 – "The Jakarta Incident": British Airways Flight 009 flies into a cloud of volcanic ash thrown up by the eruption of Mount Galunggung, resulting in the failure of all four engines. 1989 – Jiang Zemin succeeds Zhao Ziyang to become the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre. 1994 – A Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crashes at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, Washington, killing four. 1995 – Rugby World Cup: South Africa defeats New Zealand and Nelson Mandela presents Francois Pienaar with the Webb Ellis Cup in an iconic post-apartheid moment. 2002 – The Igandu train disaster in Tanzania kills 281, the worst train accident in African history. 2004 – In New York, capital punishment is declared unconstitutional. 2010 – At Wimbledon, John Isner of the United States defeats Nicolas Mahut of France, in the longest match in professional tennis history. 2010 – Julia Gillard assumes office as the first female Prime Minister of Australia. 2012 – Death of Lonesome George, the last known individual of Chelonoidis nigra abingdonii, a subspecies of the Galápagos tortoise. 2013 – Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is found guilty of abusing his power and engaging in sex with an underage prostitute, and is sentenced to seven years in prison. 2021 – The Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida suffers a sudden partial collapse, killing 98 people inside. 2022 – In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that the U.S. Constitution does not assign the authority to regulate abortions to the federal government, thereby returning such authority to the individual states. This overturns the prior decisions in Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992).

[raulchik]

Вот и прошли очередной Чемпионат Беларуси по нахлысту на реке Неман близ деревни Еремичи в Гродненской области.

Прекрасно проведённое время, отличный отдых, моя новая палатка, которой я доволен на все 100%, ночные песни под гитару и ночное испытание палатки ветром и древнем с грозой.

Ну и 8 место из 19 возможных, меня не может не радовать😊

July | 2022

[teatitty]

Irish Gods and Goddesses (That I Remember)

Aine: Goddess of Summer, Wealth and Sovereignty, has also been a Goddess of Love and Fertility Aengus Og: God of Youth, Love and Beauty Anu/Danu: Mother Goddess/Ancestor of the Tuatha Dé. The Victorians associated her with the land Badb: Goddess of War and sister of The Mórrígan Banba: Patron Goddess and wife of Mac Cuill (his given name was Éthur) Bel: Sun and Fire God closely associated with Beltane. Also the patron deity of the Italian city of Aquileia Bodb Derg: Son of Dagda and his successor as King of the Tuatha Dé. He’s the King of the sídhe of Munster and Fionn’s wife, Sadhbh, is believed to have been his daughter  Boann: Goddess of the River Boyne and mother of Aengus Brigid: Daughter of The Dagda and wife of Bres. Associated with Spring, Fertility, Healing, Poetry and Smithcraft. “The goddess whom poets adored.” St Brigid is believed to be a Christianization of her Caer Ibormeith: not a Goddess herself but she is the wife of Aengus and some claim her to have been Diarmuid’s foster-mother as a result Cailleach: A Divine Hag, Creator, Weather and Ancestor Deity who determined the length and harshness of winter. Largely popular with poets! Cernunnos: Horned God. A lack of surviving literature about him makes it hard to tell what exactly he was the God of but he’s associated with stags, horned serpents, dogs, bulls and rats and is usually depicted sitting cross-legged, naked and with antlers The Dagda: He is associated with Fertility, Agriculture, Manliness and Strength, as well as Magic, Druidry and Wisdom. He can control life and death, the weather and crops, as well as time and the seasons. Portrayed as a father-figure, king and druid, he’s arguably the most important God in Irish myth. Dian Cecht: God of Healing and the paternal grandfather of Lugh and son of Dagda. He was the Tuatha De’s physician Donn: God of The Dead, father of Diarmuid ua Duibhne, and believed to be an aspect of Dagda. He’s also the Ancestor of the Gaels Ériu: Matron Goddess. Ireland’s name “Erin” is derived from her own. Sister of Banba and mistress of Lugh Fódla: Sister of Banba and Ériu. A Giantess of Ireland Flidais: Goddess of Cattle and Fertility Goibniu: Smithing God and associated with Hospitality, he was the personal metalsmither of the Tuatha De and even made Nuada an arm of silver when he lost his own in battle Llyr/Lir: Apart from odd tiddbits, his identity remains obscure though we do know that he’s the father of Manannán Lugh: God of Oaths, Truth and Law and believed to have been a Sun God, he’s the father of Cú Chulainn Macha: Sovereignty Goddess and one of the Goddesses thought to have made the Mórrígan, several figures with her name show up in Irish myth and folklore all of whom are believed to derive directly from her Manannán mac Lir: God of the Sea, over-king of the surviving Tuatha Dé and Ruler and Guardian of the Otherworld, he’s a close friend of Aengus and co-raised Diarmuid with him in the Land of Promise The Mórrígan: Shapeshifting Goddess associated with War and Fate, especially the Foretelling of Doom, Death or Victory in battle, she’s the wife of Dagda and it is said that all of her prophecies come true Neit: God of War and husband of Nemain and/or Fea, and sometimes Bodb. Grandfather of Balor Nemain/Neman: Goddess who personified the frenzied havoc of War, in ancient texts Nemain sometimes appears as one of the Goddesses who make up The Mórrígan Niamh: Daughter of Manannán and one of the queens of Tír na nÓg, she’s the lover of Oisín, son of Fionn mac Cumhaill Nuada: The first king of the Tuatha De and husband of Boann, he was most likely a god of Hunting and Fishing Ogma: Brother of Dagda, he was the inventor of Ogham, the script in which Irish Gaelic is written

[luthum]

The Treaties of Tilsit were two agreements signed by Napoleon I of France in the town of Tilsit in July 1807 in the aftermath of his victory at Friedland. The first was signed on 7 July, between Emperor Alexander I of Russia and Napoleon I of France, when they met on a raft in the middle of the Neman River.

Despite fighting against each other for many years, the two leaders reportedly got along extremely well, talking, laughing, and at one point, they even kissed.

Napoleon later said that if Alexander was a woman, he would have made him his mistress. This is my Historical OTP.

[greatworldwar2]

• Fighter Squadron 2/30 Normandie-Niemen

Escadron de Chasse 2/30 Normandie-Niemen or (Fighter Squadron 2/30 Normandie-Niemen) is a French Air and Space Force (Armée de l'air et de l'espace) Fighter Squadron which famously served on the Eastern Front of the European Theatre of World War II with the 1st Air Army.

During the rallying of General Charles de Gaulle through the Appeal of June 18th, 1940 inviting Frenchmen to join him in London, some went on to Great-Britain to continue the fight with the Allies. Great-Britain became the most important Free French military base and rallying point. Following the rupture of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact by Operation Barbarossa on June 22nd, 1941, representatives of Vichy were declared as Persona non grata "person not welcome" by the Soviet Authorities and were asked to return to France. Colonel Charles Luguet, the air attaché of the Vichy Government in Moscow, changed allegiance to the Free French. In 1942, de Gaulle, recognizing the importance of French soldiers to serve on all fronts of the war, decided to engage forces on the Eastern Front (World War II). He envisaged first to send a Mechanized Division (the future 1st Free French Division of general de Larminat) on the Eastern front, however British opposition added to the difficulties of this project and the view of général Valin, commandant of the Free French Air Forces, made him opt to send an air unit instead of a Division. Beginning in 1942, the Soviet diplomats liaising with the French National Committee, mainly Ambassador Alexander Bogomolov, announced that the Soviet Government welcomed with great care, the project initiative of sending French aviators to combat on the Eastern Front.

On February 19th, 1942, Charles de Gaulle designated colonel Charles Luguet and Captain Albert Mirlesse to take on practical negotiations with the USSR, under the authority of General Valin. The Soviets studied the proposition with interest, however negotiations consumed time, Colonel Pougatchev, military chief of the mission in London, did not accept a group whom were all French, detached near the Soviet Army. Nevertheless, on February 25th, 1942, a first list of pilots was communicated to the Soviets. The first commandant, Joseph Pouliquen, was designated and tasked by general de Gaulle in person to complete formation and command the future Fighter Group n°III (G.C. n°III) placed at disposition at the front, the latter would garrison in Lebanon while awaiting the green light from the Soviets. The effective creation of the Fighter Group Normandie, wasn't dated until the end of 1942 (the first date mentioned in the Marching Journal was September 15th, 1942), under the designation only of Normandie. Joseph Pouliquen suggested the designation of Normandie for the G.C.n°III, he had preferred to designate the group on the name of his province, Bretagne, but the latter was already in use by a bombardment group. Accordingly, the first constitution was formed of a group of fighter pilots and French mechanics, all volunteers. The first group was composed of 14 fighter pilots and 58 mechanics. The group was also joined by 17 Soviet mechanics.

The first 14 fighter pilots of the G.C.n°III hailed from units of the Royal Air Force or from the Fighter Group Île-de-France in England (The English) and from the Alsace Fighter Group (groupe de chasse Alsace) North Africa (The Libyans). De Gaulle officially ordered the creation of the Groupe de Chasse Normandie (GC 3) on September 1st, 1942, with Commandant Pouliquen in command. Mechanics, pilots and hardware travelled by rail and air via Tehran to Baku. At Ivanovo, a training course was given to the personnel to handle the first aircraft of the G.C.n°III, the Yakovlev Yak-1. Nevertheless, before this departure on October 24th, 1942, commandant Pouliquen and colonel Édouard Corniglion-Molinier, accompanied by commandants Denis and Tuslane, awarded the respectively the fanion of the escadrille and the arms insignias of Normandie to members of the unit. Arrived to the U.S.S.R on 28 November, the training instruction of the French on the Yakovlev Yaks-7 and 1 lasted from December 2nd, until March 14th, 1943. On the following March 20th, général Ernest Petit, French mission military chief to Moscow in company with colonel Schoumoff, commandant of the Aerial Base of Ivanovo and colonel Levandovitch of the superior command of the Russian Aerial Forces, passed revue of the group during two days. Following that inspection, the result statement added that: "By its military qualities and moral, this unit is ready to be sent to the front. The unit hence became operational on March 22nd, 1943.

The first campaign of GC 3, equipped with the Yakovlev Yak-1 fighter saw combat between Polotniani Zavod and Sloboda/Monastirtchina. It was hosted by a Soviet fighter regiment, and became that regiment's fourth squadron. The Group joined as of March 22nd, 1943, the 1st Air Army. From an initial aerial victory over a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 on April 5th their tally rose dramatically. On April 5th, 1943, pilots Albert Preziosi and Albert Durand scored the unit's first victories, 14 days after their arrival at the front. Two Fw 190 were shot down in the region of Roslav while the patrol was escorting a Petlyakov Pe-2 bomber. Eight days later, on April 13th, 1943, while in course of a free chase, three aircraft were engaged by four Fw 190s. Three pilots of Normandie-Niémen were shot down, as well as three Fw 190. They fought in the Battle of Kursk during the month of July. The Commandant of the Group Jean Tulasne and his deputy Albert Littolff were killed during this battle. Commandant Pierre Pouyade who joined the regiment after his evasion in Indochina, became commandant. The squadron became the focus of Soviet propaganda, so much so that Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel decreed that any French pilots were to be shot on sight and if captured would be executed. In August, the French mechanics commanded by Alex Michel and Louis Duprat, the two officer mechanics, were sent to the Middle East and definitely replaced by Soviet mechanics at the order of Engineer-Captain Sergueï Agavelian. Here again, formation considerations on Soviet material has prevailed. On October 11th, de Gaulle accorded the groupe the title of Compagnon de la Libération. By the time GC 3 relocated to Tula on November 6th, 1943, only six pilots remained from the original groupe, which had accumulated 72 aerial victories since becoming operational. In their first year on the front they claimed 86 kills (77 confirmed, 9 'probables') and 16 enemy aircraft damaged, for the loss of 25 Yak fighters.

In 1944 the groupe was expanded to become a régiment, with a fourth escadrille joining its ranks, with the reinforcement by numerous pilots hailing from North Africa. After completing training on the more advanced Yakovlev Yak-9D fighter at Tula, the expanded regiment rejoined front line operations for its second campaign. The unit's second campaign took place around Doubrovka (in Russia) and Gross-Kalweitchen (in East Prussia, Germany) until November 27th, 1944. On July 21st, 1944 Joseph Stalin awarded the regiment the name Nieman, (thus becoming Normandie-Niemen) in recognition of its participation in the battles to liberate the Neman River. Giving Soviet units the battle honour names of places they had conquered was common. On October 16th, the first day of a new offensive against East Prussia, the regiment's pilots claimed 29 enemy aircraft destroyed without loss. By the following month the regiment found itself based in German territory. By the end of the year, Pouyade was released from command of the regiment and he, along with other veteran pilots, returned to France. He was replaced by Commandant Louis Delfino. By the end of 1944, 201 kills were claimed. On the 16th and 17th of October, Normandie, engaged in operation Gumbinnen dreadful offensive on Oriental-Prussia beat a record by beating down 41 German aircraft without losses. At the end of November 1944, colonel Pierre Pouyade gave the order to repaint on the Yaks the emblems of Normandie-Niemen by adding the White Thunder which was the emblem of 303rd Aerial Division to which the Regiment Normandie-Niemen belonged to. The aviators of Normandie-Niémen were the first French unit to enter militarily into Germany. Retrieved from the front at the approach winter, the regiment went to Moscow to accompany the diplomatic visit of général de Gaulle to Stalin, and accordingly received the respective medals and rendered honors. A quarter of the pilots received a break in France, reducing the Group to three escadrille.

On January 14th, 1945 saw the Normandie-Niemen start its third campaign (from Dopenen to Heiligenbeil), concentrating in the East Prussian part of the German Reich. From January to May 1945 (V-E Day), Normandie participated to the invasion of East Prussia and to the siege of Kaliningrad. It was decided in December to transform the regiment Normandie in an Aerial Division France by the reinforcement of a Fighter Group known as "Aquitaine", as well as a Bombardiers Group, however, the end of the war put a term on this project. Beginning June 1945, a decree by Stalin accorded a legal right to the concerned combatants to return with their arms. He gave a sort of gift to each of his Yak-3 at a personal title. This point gave lieu to contestations. On June 20th, 1945, the French aviators went back to France while landing at Bourget, where they were welcomed like heroes. At the end of the war, the regiment had claimed 273 enemy aircraft shot down, 37 probables, and lost 87 aircraft and 52 pilots in return. Some 5,240 sorties were flown and the unit took part in 869 dogfights. The unit also destroyed 27 trains, 22 locomotives, two E-boats, 132 trucks, and 24 staff cars. Forty-two of the squadron's pilots were killed and 30 reached ace status. Four of its pilots, Marcel Albert, Marcel Lefèvre, Jacques André and Roland de La Poype, became Heroes of the Soviet Union. Its battle honours included such names such as Bryansk, Orel 1943, Ielnia, Smolensk 1943, Orsha 1944, Berezina 1944, Niemen 1944, Insterburg (later renamed Chernyakhovsk by the Soviets) 1945, Königsberg (later renamed Kaliningrad ), and Pillau (now Baltiysk ) 1945. It received the following decorations: from France, the Légion d'Honneur, the Croix de la Libération, the Médaille Militaire, the Croix de guerre with six palmes; from the USSR, it received the Order of the Red Banner and the Order of Alexander Nevsky, with eleven citations between the two orders. The actions of this French unit with the Soviets against the Germans, even if it had a symbolic part, earned it great fame. Its combat accomplishments were so grand that the Escadrille rapidly gained much esteem among the Russians. The gesture has never been forgotten.

After a posting at Bourget then Toussus-le-Noble, in 1947 the Normandie-Niémen Fighter Regiment was assigned to Rabat-Salé air base in Morocco. During the Indochina War (1949–1951), the regiment was stationed at Saigon. Then, the Regiment returned to North Africa, in Algeria. In 1953, the regiment was split in two: one of the two adopted the designation of Escadron de Chasse 2/6 Normandie-Niémen. Following the dissolution of the 6e Escadre de Chasse, the Escadron was attached to the 30e Escadre de Chasse, and it became the Escadron de Chasse 2/30 Normandie-Niémen. In 1994, the Escadron participated in Opération Turquoise in Rwanda, and Opération Crécerelle in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On May 9th, 1995, the 50th anniversary of Victory Day, the 18th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment of the Russian Air Force ("Vitebsk twice Red Banner Order of Suvorov") was also awarded the title Normandiya-Neman. On October 10th, 2007, Presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Vladimir Putin inaugurated a monument, sculpted by Russian artist Andrey Kovalchuk, for the memory of the French Escadrille Normandie-Niemen at Moscow, in Lefortovo Park. Veterans of the Escadron as well as French contingent from the unit participated the Victory Day Parade on Red Square in Moscow in May 2010.

[litttlesilkworm]

Some facts about General Pikalov (1924-2003) from Vladimir Maleev’s book, “Heroes of the Unknown War. A Memory Regained.”

We all remember Vladimir Pikalov as a soft-spoken General from the HBO series, who chooses to risk his own health over the health of his soldiers’. Here, I summarized some facts from the biography of this valorous man, including those that inspired his portrayal in the show. Photos are from the book as well. Enjoy!

Vladimir Karpovich Pikalov was born in the family of Cossaks in the town of Armavir in the south of Russia. When Hitler's army invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, Pikalov had just graduated ninth grade. Together with ten of his classmates, Pikalov begged to be sent to the front, but the army wouldn’t take such youngsters. Instead, he was sent to an artillery school in Rostov-on-Don.

In February 1942, seventeen year-old Pikalov joined the ranks of his compatriots at the front as an anti-tank artillery platoon commander. From 1942 to 1945, he took part in the liberation of Kursk, Minsk and Poznan’. Pikalov fought in the battle of Berlin and was severely wounded there.

To recuperate, Pikalov was sent to a military hospital in Sochi. There, he met several veterans who served in the chemical defense forces. Hearing their stories had impressed Pikalov so much that he decided to continue his service in this branch of the military. In 1951, he graduated from the Military Academy of Chemical Defense, and began his service in chemical forces. By 1959, he was already appointed to lead the Chemical Defense Forces division of the Baltic region, and in 1969, became a commander of the entire Chemical Defense branch of the Soviet military.

Before Chernobyl, Pikalov has led numerous successful liquidation and prevention efforts, including:

1 - safe destruction of a wartime cache of German chemical weapons near Riga;

2 - safe removal and destruction of rusty drums filled with chlorine gas left over from the WWI-era, which lay forgotten in the basement of the Radioelectronics Institute in Moscow, just steps from the Kremlin;

3 - disinfection of the city of Havana, Cuba during the Dengue virus epidemic;

4 - cleanup of a chlorine spill following a derailment of a train carrying cisterns filled with chlorine gas near Neman river, with minimal damage to the environment.

On April 26th, 1986 Pikalov was called to Chernobyl. He arrived at the site of  accident by car. As they approached the danger zone, Pikalov ordered his driver to stop and instructed him to leave the vehicle, saying to the young soldier: “Stay here, son, you are still to become a father.” Pikalov then drove himself around the station, surveying the damage.

Later that night, Pikalov headed to the the ruins of reactor #4 in an armored vehicle. Yet again, he instructed another young soldier driving him to get out and wait in a safe place, and drove the vehicle himself. The gate was closed, so he rammed the car through it. 

The following passages I am translating directly: 

“The blackened walls had a crimson-orange glow around them. From time to time, the light coming out of the reactor was accompanied by cracking noises and sparks. The site exuded an uncanny, horrifying feeling. It seemed like hell itself opened up among these ruins, which looked like a terrible monster in the darkness. It was a frightening picture.”

“Yes, I took risks and was aware that I overstepped the medically allowable radiation doses. But such risks were justified for the sake of other people, and first and foremost, young soldiers, who had to carry out the difficult deactivation efforts.”

“We had to deal with radioactive fallout coming directly out of the active zone, therefore, a very difficult form of radioactive contamination. And not only the surrounding land, but the air, too. To add to this, this was a radioisotopic contamination with a broad family of radionuclides, which has never happened before in practice anywhere.”

Pikalov stayed at the ChNPP for two months, resting for only 2-3 hours every 24 hours. He directed multiple operations, including: (1) an extensive mapping of the radionuclide contamination of the air, land, water and plants; (2) locating the fuel rods, which were thrown out of the reactor during the explosion, using aerial photography; (3) rapid cleanup of the territory immediately to the west of the reactor #4, which allowed the engineer corps to organize the removal of water from the bubbler pools to eliminate the threat of a massive steam explosion; (4) extraction of the KGB surveillance equipment from a building immediately next to the exploded reactor. The surveillance equipment included recordings that later allowed to shed light on the reasons behind the accident. This operation took several hours and had to be conducted in very high radiation fields.

In early May, 1986, Pikalov requested Moscow State Technical University to design two remote-controlled robots to assist with the cleanup efforts - “MOBOT-4-HV-1” and “MOBOT-4-HV-2” (on the picture below is Pikalov himself testing one of the robots). Only one robot survived the high levels of radiation.

For his work in Chernobyl, Pikalov was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union award on January 14th, 1987: