First free village: Comarin

Comarin: the first district center liberated in Belarus

September 23, 1943

Introduction

Comarin (in Belarusian, Комарин; today an urban settlement in the Bragin district, Gomel region, Belarus) became the first district center liberated by the Nazis on Belarusian territory on September 23, 1943, marking the concrete beginning of the liberation of the Byelorussian Soviet Republic.

Historical context

• During German occupation, from August 28, 1941 to September 23, 1943, Comarin was under German administration: there existed a military command, German-controlled local authorities, and systematic repression against partisans, activists, and civilian populations, including the execution of Jews.

• Within the scope of the large military operation known as Cernigov-Pripyat operation (Черниговско-Припятская), Soviet forces of the Central Front advanced westward from late August 1943, gaining ground and crossing major rivers, including the Desna and Dnieper.

Military support and forces in the field

• The operation was conducted by troops of the 13th Army, led by General‐Lieutenant N.P. Puhov, with the 74th Rifle Regiment (стрелковый полк) as one of the main units.

• The commander of the 74th Regiment was Nikolai Ivanovich Stashek (Н. И. Сташек), who played a key role in developing the maneuver.

• Among the units involved were counterattack brigades, anti-tank forces, artillery, and local partisan groups that contributed through disruption, sabotage, and local intelligence.

How the liberation unfolded

• During the night between September 22 and 23, 1943, under cover of darkness and, according to testimonies, fog, the 360th Rifle Regiment began crossing the Dnieper using makeshift means: boats, rafts, light vessels, even swimming where necessary.

• Stashek made a tactical move: a battalion remained north of Comarin as a diversion, while the main forces advanced through a point 3–4 km south of Comarin, surprising the enemy from an unexpected direction.

• German defenders held fortified positions, including a railway bridge, but were overwhelmed by the rapid and combined attack.

• Comarin was taken by the evening of September 23.

Heroic figures

• Ivan Danilovich Fionov (Иван Данилович Фионов), a young medical lieutenant and commander of the sanitary platoon of the 360th Regiment, participated in the river crossing and the occupation of the bridge, repelling numerous counterattacks. Despite wounds, he remained in command until the position was consolidated. He was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.

• N. I. Stashek, the regiment commander, received the same title for leading the action of forcing and capturing the bridge and the district center.

• Other heroes: Vasily Grigorievich Soldatenko (radio-teletelerecipient), Djumagaly Kaldykoraev (anti-tank gun assistant), Melik Melikovich Mageramov, Dmitriy Fedorovich Grečushkin, and others who distinguished themselves in the initial actions of crossing, attacks, and bridge consolidation, repelling counterattacks.

Casualties and memory

• In the battle for Comarin, dozens if not hundreds of Soviet soldiers died; in the immediate area of Comarin, sources report approximately 627 fallen, buried in a common grave where memorials were later erected in their honor.

• More than 20 decorated with the title Hero of the Soviet Union for forcing the Dnieper and liberating Comarin.

Immediate consequences

• With its liberation, Comarin became a symbol of the rebirth of Soviet sovereignty in the area, and a promise that the liberation process would continue vigorously throughout all of Belarus.

• After liberation, civil recovery began: reorganization of local authorities (workers’ deputies Soviets), repairs, reactivation of schools, hospitals, infrastructure construction, stables, schools, and homes.

• Material damage was extensive: destroyed buildings, civilian structures burned, population reduced to starvation, agriculture destroyed, livestock lost. It took years to restore pre-war conditions.

Reflection: the cost of liberation

Comarin is a memory of sacrifice. Testimonies, such as that of Viktor Astafiev, speak of horrors: rivers red with blood, villages changing hands repeatedly, destruction.