
Large-scale operation to find and bury the remains of the fallen in World War II Soviet and Japanese soldiers will begin this year on the northern Kuril Islands, on the island. Shumshu. This was announced at a meeting of the regional organizing committee «Victory». «First it was assumed that work will begin in 2015. But regional governor Alexander Horoshavin decided to start looking for the next upcoming summer,» — said in a statement, informs «Pacific Russia».
According to the military archives in the Kuril landing operation in 1945 killed 995 Soviet soldiers, sailors and officers. There are reports that 243 people were buried in three mass graves on the island. Shumshu, especially where there were fierce fights. 22 people buried at sea or drowned and three others buried in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and 448 people missing.
«It turns out that the unburied to be considered about 700 Soviet troops. Therefore, the search operation on Shumshu — one of the most important directions of military-patriotic activities, and this work should be built on a permanent basis», — the press service quoted the words of the minister of culture of the island region of Irina Gonyukovoy.
The total area where during the Second World intense fighting occurred on Shumshu — is relatively small, it is about 26 m. km. So far, the search operation at the site were carried out sporadically and without any results, said the press service. There is evidence and findings on Shumshu remains of Japanese soldiers who have been made by a Japanese expedition in 1995.
«According to reports on the island, killing at least 200 soldiers and officers from Japan. Among them — 94 people whose remains are still in Japanese tanks lined Soviet paratroopers. Perhaps prospecting Representatives of Japan» ..
At a meeting of the organizing committee «Victory» also discussed the sketch of the memorial sign Sakhalin Oblast «In honor of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands», as well as preparations for the celebration of the 69th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
As previously reported Adviser Agency for Culture Sakhalin Region Igor Samarin about. Shumshu — one of the most striking monuments of the Second World War, the island fortress, which was created by Japanese engineers over five years. Construction of fortifications began in 1940. North Kuriles turned into the most northern fortified border of the Japanese Empire.
«Engineering work has been done so that it can just wonder, consists of fortified castle, including several dozen structures. At the end of the Second World War troops landed Shumshu Soviet troops who took the island by storm. Killed more than 700 Soviet and Japanese soldiers. On the island left a lot of old Soviet and Japanese military equipment, which is still located there. If this restore Shumshu become one of the most interesting monuments of the Second World War «, — said I. Samarin.