The institution «Zonal State Archive in Orsha» and the Military History Museum named after Hero of the Soviet Union K.S. Zaslonov prepared and organized an exhibition of archival documents «While the memory is alive…»

On May 8, 2024, as part of events dedicated to the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Republic of Belarus from the Nazi invaders and the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War, the establishment of the «Zonal State Archives in Orsha» and the Military History Museum named after the Hero of the Soviet Union K.S.Zaslonov prepared and organized an exhibition of archival documents «While the memory is alive…». The exhibition is housed in the Military History Museum named after Hero of the Soviet Union K.S.Zaslonov.

The exhibition uses photographs and materials from the photo album «523rd Fighter Aviation Orsha Red Banner Order of Suvorov, Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky Regiment», exhibits of the Military History Museum named after Hero of the Soviet Union K.S.Zaslonov.

The photo album includes 84 photographs reflecting the exploits of defensive pilots during the Great Patriotic War.

The 523rd Fighter Aviation Regiment was formed in September 1941 on the basis of the 3rd Squadron of the 274th Fighter Regiment. It was armed with LaGG-3 fighters.

In preparation for the Belarusian operation, the regiment conducted active continuous reconnaissance of the north-west of Belarus, the regions of Orsha, Vitebsk, and subsequently Minsk. For distinction in the battles for the capture of the city and the operationally important railway junction of Orsha, by Order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the USSR dated 07/06/1944 No. 0182, the 523rd Fighter Aviation Regiment was given the honorary name «Orsha».

On July 23, 1944, for the successful completion of command assignments in battles with German invaders, for the capture of the capital of Soviet Belarus, the city of Minsk, and for the valor and courage shown, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the 523rd Fighter Aviation Regiment was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

In total, during participation in the Great Patriotic War, the regiment’s flight personnel completed 8,325 combat missions. The number of enemy aircraft destroyed was 114 in air battles and 1 at the airfield during an attack. Also, significant damage was caused to enemy ground forces, and important intelligence data was collected.

The exhibition is addressed to a wide range of people: schoolchildren, students, local historians, teachers and everyone interested in the history and culture of the region.