Hero of the Soviet Union Viktor Stepanovich Markov was a tanker. When there was a fierce battle for the village of Staraya Rudnya, his tank was knocked out. But even from the car, surrounded by the Germans and burning, Viktor Markov continued to shoot at the enemies until his last moments.
Biography and personal life
Victor was born in the village of Morozkovo. His mother's name was Evdokia Fedorovna, and his father's name was Stepan Afanasyevich. A husband and wife raised their son and two more children in severity, taught them to work early.
When the mother went to work, she gave the children feasible tasks. Since Victor was the eldest of the children, he could already fix the fence, chop wood, collect wild onions for the winter that grew on the banks of the river.
But Viktor Markov was an obedient and hardworking teenager. He managed to carry out the instructions of his mother, also help his father in the smithy, do his homework and play with his peers.
Victor's parents were illiterate, but they wanted their children to receive a good education. Therefore, they insisted that Victor, after completing the seven-year school in his native village, go to study in the city to finish high school. So the boy settled with relatives and continued his education.
The young man wanted to become a career soldier, so he enjoyed playing sports.
After graduating from the ninth grade, together with a friend, he entered the armored school, since by that time he dreamed of becoming a tanker.
Military career
Before the start of World War II, Viktor Stepanovich graduated from college and was sent to a tank regiment in the city of Slavuta.
On June 22, 1941, a career officer was on the train. German aviation opened fire on its composition, as a result of which Markov was slightly wounded.
And Viktor Stepanovich took his first battle 7 days after the start of the war.
In this battle, the young man knocked out 1 enemy tank, but his gun was jammed. Then he decided to ram the enemy's armored vehicles. But a shell hit Markov's car. The seriously wounded soldier managed to get out of the tank himself. He was brought to the medical battalion with severe burns. Due to severe concussion, Victor even temporarily lost his sight.
After the end of treatment, Markov is sent to a military plant. Here he is involved in checking tanks, which were then sent to the front. So the officer made a great contribution to the approach of Victory, not only on the battlefield, but also by helping to create military armored vehicles.
Feat
In the fall of 1943, already on the front line, together with his comrades, Viktor was able to capture the height called 130, 5. The next step on the way to liberate the territory from the enemy was the village of Staraya Rudnya, captured by the Germans.
Three Soviet tanks got stuck in the swampy area, but Viktor, together with the driver, pulled them out of the bog.
Then these armored vehicles broke into the enemy's camp, firing incessantly.
But one of the shells knocked out Markov's tank. His mechanic was killed, and Viktor Stepanovich shot to the last at the fascists who surrounded his car. He alone was able to repulse 4 attacks, continued to fire even when the Germans set fire to the gas tank of his armored vehicles. This is how Markov Viktor Stepanovich - the famous tanker - died.
He was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, awarded with an order, a medal. To perpetuate the memory of a brave fighter named after V. S. Markov. named several streets, a school, erected memorial plates and stands in honor of the Hero.
