Kirkenes is a little town up in the most northern part of Norway, in East Finnmark, not far from the Russian border.In this town you will find this sculpture of a Red Army soldier, a memorial to the Red Army liberating this part of Norway towards the end of World War Two.
The Germans had given the order to the Norwegian population to evacuate this part of Norway and leave it a waste land.
But 23000 Norwegians had defied the order and had hidden in the wilderness under extreme conditions.
For these persons, the 15000 Soviet soldiers chasing the Germans away, became liberators.
"For the courageous Soviet soldiers" says the text on the statue.
East Finnmark was liberated by the Red Army in October 1944.
2200 Soviet soldiers fell in the battles up there in September-October 1944.
For these persons, the 15000 Soviet soldiers chasing the Germans away, became liberators.
"For the courageous Soviet soldiers" says the text on the statue.
East Finnmark was liberated by the Red Army in October 1944.
2200 Soviet soldiers fell in the battles up there in September-October 1944.
The Soviet troops stayed in Southern Varanger for a year - till September 1945.
Based on an article in the biggest Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten.
No comments:
Post a Comment