The sculptural portrait of twice named Hero of the Soviet Union Vasily Stepanovich Petrov was created in 1951 by the People’s Artist of the RSFSR, winner of the Lenin Prize and USSR State Prize, full member of the USSR Academy of Arts, and sculptor Lev Yefimovich Kerbel (1917–2003).
For the “Portrait of Vasily Stepanovich Petrov, Twice Named Hero of the Soviet Union”, the artist identified the individual features of his model and created an expressive image of a defender and warrior. The sculptor managed to truly convey the appearance of Petrov, emphasizing the spirituality in his fine features.
Throughout the Great Patriotic War, Vasily Petrov accomplished many feats. On September 14, 1943, near the village of Cheberyaky, Captain Petrov managed to organize a quick and safe crossing of the Sula River for three companies despite the intense air bombardment and artillery fire. Two hours after the crossing, the companies were exposed to an unexpected counterattack by 13 tanks and a German infantry battalion. Captain Petrov made a quick assessment of the situation and designed the strategy: the enemy tanks and infantry were allowed to come up as close as 500–600 meters, then the whole company opened fire and swiftly put seven tanks out of action and shot approximately two companies of the enemy infantry. The German attack was repelled. Meanwhile, up to 150 German submachine gunners approached the rear of the companies, using the forest on the right to perform a flanking maneuver, and opened fire, trying to surround the companies and take prisoners. Captain Petrov ignored the Germans shouting “Surrender, Russians” and directed 6 guns at the German submachine gunners, opening fire with canister shots. At the same time, Petrov organized a group of machine gunners from the headquarters platoon and those without weapons, and with an answer “Fighters do not surrender” launched an attack on the German submachine gunners.
Vasily Stepanovich Petrov was gravely injured at the front and taken for treatment to one of the Tambov hospitals. The doctors did everything in their power to save his life. They had to amputate both his arms, but after long-term treatment, Vasily Petrov was able to resume his duties as the captain of an anti-tank artillery regiment. He was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his heroic deeds during the assault crossing of the Dnieper and his high command skills in defending the lodgement on the Oder River.
For the “Portrait of Vasily Stepanovich Petrov, Twice Named Hero of the Soviet Union”, the artist identified the individual features of his model and created an expressive image of a defender and warrior. The sculptor managed to truly convey the appearance of Petrov, emphasizing the spirituality in his fine features.
Throughout the Great Patriotic War, Vasily Petrov accomplished many feats. On September 14, 1943, near the village of Cheberyaky, Captain Petrov managed to organize a quick and safe crossing of the Sula River for three companies despite the intense air bombardment and artillery fire. Two hours after the crossing, the companies were exposed to an unexpected counterattack by 13 tanks and a German infantry battalion. Captain Petrov made a quick assessment of the situation and designed the strategy: the enemy tanks and infantry were allowed to come up as close as 500–600 meters, then the whole company opened fire and swiftly put seven tanks out of action and shot approximately two companies of the enemy infantry. The German attack was repelled. Meanwhile, up to 150 German submachine gunners approached the rear of the companies, using the forest on the right to perform a flanking maneuver, and opened fire, trying to surround the companies and take prisoners. Captain Petrov ignored the Germans shouting “Surrender, Russians” and directed 6 guns at the German submachine gunners, opening fire with canister shots. At the same time, Petrov organized a group of machine gunners from the headquarters platoon and those without weapons, and with an answer “Fighters do not surrender” launched an attack on the German submachine gunners.
Vasily Stepanovich Petrov was gravely injured at the front and taken for treatment to one of the Tambov hospitals. The doctors did everything in their power to save his life. They had to amputate both his arms, but after long-term treatment, Vasily Petrov was able to resume his duties as the captain of an anti-tank artillery regiment. He was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his heroic deeds during the assault crossing of the Dnieper and his high command skills in defending the lodgement on the Oder River.
