Mongolia and Great Patriotic War of Soviet Union

Today is the eve of the Victory day of Great Patriotic War celebrated on 9 May, every year. Many people today don’t know that Mongolian People’s Republic was the only ally of Soviet Union when Nazi Germany attacked it on June 22, 1941.
Since first day of the war, Mongolian Government announced its intention to support war effort of the Soviets and mobilized all resources for this end. Millions of warm animal skin clothes, horses were sent to the Front. Mongolian herders donated their best horses for the Soviet cavalry. One herder woman of Uvs province was named “Front” Badam as she donated more than half of her meager sized herds for the war. Soviets formed tank brigade “Revolutionary Mongolia” with the fund of Mongolia.
In 1942, Mongolian representatives first time visited Soviet troops on frontlines. Mongolian cadets studying in Soviet military schools joined the Soviet troops and demonstrated bravery and were received honorary medals. Thousands of ethnic Mongolians, residents of Buryat, Tuva, Kalmyk Republics and Siberia fought as snipers in the Red army using their sharpshooting skills. Whole battalions of Red Army comprised of ethnic Mongolian soldiers fought so brave and wildly, Germans feared to confront them in battles.
Mongolian faces can be seen in many war time photos of the Soviet troops. Mongolian assistance to the Soviets continued until the war was over in 1945. After the war, Stalin sent official letter to Mongolian government thanking for its war-time effort.
Mongolia remains one of the few countries of former communist bloc countries where historical monuments for Soviets soldiers remains untouched and respected dearly. It was Red army detachments that helped Mongolian nationalists to liberate the country from Chinese warlords and Russian White Guards in 1921. It was Red Army that beat back Japanese militarists that attempted to invade Mongolia in 1939 in Khalkhin-Gol.

Eternal Glory to the millions of fallen Red Army soldiers which crushed the Nazi Germany. We, Mongolians are proud that Mongolia contributed its share to the fight against the Evil. Congratulations to the Russian people and millions of war veterans on the occasions of the celebration of Great Patriotic War.

By Ganbat, editor of MonInfo News service