Orphans during WWII
Not so long ago we’ve interviewed Lydia Nazarenko. She was an orphan since her early childhood.
She told us many unbelievable and shocking things about orphans’ life during the WWII.
When she was 6 she moved to Yman’s orphanage. When she asked where they are going, she got an answer: “We are going where it is necessary!” She said that she left alive only because she wasn’t Jewish. Jewish children were marked with yellow fabric on their shoulders and once all of them were shot. Lydia also said that Germans weren’t severe with Ukrainian children. But they always were hungry. Only partisans brought some bread every night.
Lydia said that after the WWII everything seemed to be alright. But the year 1947 brought an awful famine. “We had to eat grass and to fry rats. It was the only way to leave alive.”
When all horrors were ended Lydia got an Education degree and began to work on “Artem’s military plant” in Kiev. She was working there for about 40 years. But surprises weren’t ended. At the age of 70 she learned that her backbone is broken. “Doctors said that my backbone was broken almost all my life. But I had no feelings. Maybe I’m lucky.”
The most insulting thing is that Lydia left alone. And American church is the only place where she feels good and not alone.
Lilya Litvyak-”The White Rose of Stalingrad”
Lilya was born in Moscow in August 18, 1921. Lilya was her nickname, her real name was Lidiya. She got her first 2 air victories in September 13, 1943.
On February 17, 1943, she was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. Two days later she was promoted to Junior Lieutenat and soon after yo Senior Lieutenant.
On each side of her YaK-1’s cockpit she painted a white lily, often confused for a rose-hence the nickname. The white rose on the fuselage became famous among the Germans and when they noticed her they tried to escape.
Litvyak was injured 3 times during her combat tour. The first time was on March, she shot down a Junkers Ju-88 bomber and was injured by Me-109s, but she continued to fly and bagged another Ju-88. She managed to land at her base. Another two times when she was injured shw landed in German-ocuppied territory, but got back to base on foot the first time, and was rescued by another fighter pilot who landed after her the second. But she was finally killed in action over Orel, it took 8 Messerschmitt Me 109’s to shot down “The White Rose of Stalingrad”.
Litvyak had completed 168 missions, and had 3 shared victories in addition to her personal twelve. She was 22 years old when she died.
