The exhibition titled “The Feat of the Army” includes the portrait of Nikolai Erastovich Berzarin, a famous Soviet military commander. He participated in many crucial battles of the Great Patriotic War, including the Battle of Berlin. The portrait was created by the talented military painter Nikolai Bednenko who experienced the war with its difficulties firsthand, also reached Berlin, and was awarded orders and numerous medals.
Nikolai Berzarin was born into a family of a worker in Saint Petersburg on April 1, 1904. In 1918, he enlisted in the Red Army and fought against the White Guard and the Allied troops on the Northern Front. He also participated in the suppression of the Kronstadt rebellion. In 1925, Berzarin attended the “Vystrel” machine gun course, and in 1927 — a command course at the Siberian Military District. He advanced through the ranks from a regiment leader to an army commander. He also fought in the Battle of Lake Khasan.
On May 28, 1941, Berzarin was appointed commander of the 27th Army of the Baltic Special Military District. He participated in the Great Patriotic War from the very first day — June 22, 1941. Berzarin fought in the Baltic region and commanded armies in various areas of the front. In March 1943, he was badly wounded near Vyazma.
In May 1944, Berzarin was appointed commander of the 5th Shock Army which he headed until the end of the war. During the Battle of Berlin, the 5th Shock Army led the attack together with the 8th Guards Army, and the 1st and 2nd Guards Tank Armies. Berzarin’s Army and the 2nd Guards Tank Army were the main targets of the counteroffensives of Hitler’s reserve forces. The enemy’s fierce resistance prevented the Soviet troops from storming the city faster.
Nikolai Berzarin became the first commandant of Berlin. He signed order No. 1 “On the complete transfer of power to the Soviet occupying forces”. The famous general was posthumously awarded honorary citizenship of East Berlin for his contribution to the post-war reconstruction of the city.
Nikolai Berzarin was killed in a motorcycle accident in Berlin-Friedrichsfelde and buried in the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.
Nikolai Berzarin was born into a family of a worker in Saint Petersburg on April 1, 1904. In 1918, he enlisted in the Red Army and fought against the White Guard and the Allied troops on the Northern Front. He also participated in the suppression of the Kronstadt rebellion. In 1925, Berzarin attended the “Vystrel” machine gun course, and in 1927 — a command course at the Siberian Military District. He advanced through the ranks from a regiment leader to an army commander. He also fought in the Battle of Lake Khasan.
On May 28, 1941, Berzarin was appointed commander of the 27th Army of the Baltic Special Military District. He participated in the Great Patriotic War from the very first day — June 22, 1941. Berzarin fought in the Baltic region and commanded armies in various areas of the front. In March 1943, he was badly wounded near Vyazma.
In May 1944, Berzarin was appointed commander of the 5th Shock Army which he headed until the end of the war. During the Battle of Berlin, the 5th Shock Army led the attack together with the 8th Guards Army, and the 1st and 2nd Guards Tank Armies. Berzarin’s Army and the 2nd Guards Tank Army were the main targets of the counteroffensives of Hitler’s reserve forces. The enemy’s fierce resistance prevented the Soviet troops from storming the city faster.
Nikolai Berzarin became the first commandant of Berlin. He signed order No. 1 “On the complete transfer of power to the Soviet occupying forces”. The famous general was posthumously awarded honorary citizenship of East Berlin for his contribution to the post-war reconstruction of the city.
Nikolai Berzarin was killed in a motorcycle accident in Berlin-Friedrichsfelde and buried in the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.
