The Second World War came to the doorsteps of millions of people, and many people had
their houses destroyed and were thrust into the heart of the deadliest conflict that history
has ever seen.
Lots of people took up arms to fight against their enemies, and many lost their lives for
their country.
Women in the Soviet Union even took up arms, and many became snipers and had large kill
counts.
But in some countries, only the fittest and most able men were able to serve on the front
lines.
As the war turned against Hitler, in the final days of the conflict, many Germans were conscripted
into the Volksturm, the People’s army made up to try and defend key cities such as Berlin
with anything they had.
But there was one Soviet man who must have been one of the oldest soldiers to have been
killed on the battlefield, as at the age of 83 Marvey Kuzmin was killed by a German officer.
But what is his incredible story?
Join us today as we look at the story of the 83 year old peasant that died fighting against
the Germans, and remember to support our channel please make sure to subscribe.
Matvey Kuzmin was born in 1858 inside of the village of Kurakino, in Pskov Oblast.
Throughout his life, he was a self employed farmer who refused to join the collective
farm schemes.
He lived a very simply life, and lived with his grandson and the pair would hunt and fish
on their lands.
However when the Second World War broke out, Kuzmin’s life would be turned upside down.
Initially it did not look like the Soviets and the Nazis would go to war, as they signed
a number of political and economic pacts, and they carved up Poland between each other.
There was also a ceasefire agreement in place, which was meant to guarantee peace between
the two nations, but this would be ended as on the 22nd June 1941, Hitler’s army rampaged
throughout Soviet territory.
The plan for operation Barbarossa had been in place for around a year, and it was the
largest invasion int he history of warfare with almost 4 million axis soldiers storming
across the Soviet Union, across almost a 3000 kilometre front.
They used 600,000 motor vehicles, 600,000 horses, tanks, aircraft and other vehicles
and wrecked havoc in the area.
It opened up the Eastern Front, which became the deadliest theatre of war in history, and
some of the largest battles in history with the most casualties and deaths occured.
Following the seizure of territory by the Wehrmacht, NAzi death squads known as the
Einsatzgruppen would round up civilian populations and massacre them on huge scales.
Barbarossa would initially take the Soviets by surprise, and to begin with they lost thousands
of soldiers and with this turned to anyone almost to join the Red Army.
Kuzmin’s home region was occupied by the Nazis during the Second World War, and in
February 1942 he was forced to help put up and house a German battalion on his farm in
the village of Kurakino.
The German unit he had to house then was ordered to piece through the soviet defences in the
area nearby, and they then were to advance towards Soviet troops who had dug in at Malkino
Heights.
On the 13th February 1942, the German commander then spoke to the 83 year old Matvey Kuzmin,
and asked him as he knew the area to guide the German soldiers towards the Soviet troops.
Kuzmin was offered money, flour a hunting rifle and also kerosene to do this, and he
agreed.
But after consulting with the German forces further, he learned the route that the soldiers
would take, and he then sent his grandson Vasilij, to warn the Red Army soldiers at
Pershing about the route the Germans would take.
After this, the Soviet soldiers then planned an ambush near to the village of Malkino.
So Kuzmin had defied the German soldiers which was very dangerous, and it was likely he’d
have been shot if he was found out.
But under the cover of darkness and during the night, Kuzmin led the German units through
a number of paths, and he arrived with them on the outskirts of Malkino at dawn.
When the German soldiers were there, they were unprepared and were not ready believing
the Soviets were further away.
But suddenly the village defenders and the 2nd battalion of the 31st Cadet Rifle Brigade
of the Kalinin Front attacked heavy.
Machine gun fire littered the air, and there was very intense fighting.
The German battalion was suffering, and lost around 50 of their soldiers, and they also
had 20 captured by the Red Army.
But one German officer realised that Matey Kuzmin had betrayed the Germans, and had planned
the ambush.
With this, the German officer then pulled out his pistol towards Kuzmin, aimed and shot
him twice, with Kuzmin dying in the battle.
His actions were seen as sabotage by the Germans, but for the Soviets he had informed the defenders
what would have happened, and he helped them to protect their lands.
The Germans as mentioned did suffer heavy casualties, but three days after the battle,
Kuzmin’s body was collected from the battlefield, and he was buried with full military honours,
despite being simply a peasant farmer, who tried to help his country gain the advantage
during the Second World War.
After his death, Pravda printed an article on him, and the Soviet Union learned of his
bravery.
A children’s story was written about him, and this is still studied today in Russian
schools.
He was compared with other heroic figures, and he was then after his death declared a
Hero of the Soviet Union, which was the highest accolade any Soviet person could receive.
Statues were named after him also.
But Matvey Kuzmin is remembered today for being an 83 year old man who took up arms
on the battlefield.
He did not really have a place in the war, and did not have to do what he did.
He would have hated having to house German soldiers on his land, but decided to stay
loyal to the Soviet Union.
When he was asked by the Germans to guide them towards the enemy it’s likely that
he did not have an option, but he was ultimately executed by a German officer who knew that
he had tipped off the Soviet soldiers before to plan an ambush.
He is remembered today as the 83 year old peasant who deceived the Germans and fell
on the battlefield.
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