An interview with a veteran.
Not long ago I succeeded in interviewing my grandfather’s friend and colleague Pyotr
Vasilievich. They have a difference of 22 years; however, they used to spend their time
together in their factory’s canteen when Pyotr Vasilievich still had energy for work. There
they spoke about different topics but the main one was war. My grandfather was born in
1947 that’s why he didn’t take part in the Great Patriotic war. Now, when his friend is
retired, they still meet sometimes to chat and share their feelings. Of course, Pyotr
Vasilievich is very old now, but he is a really brave and courageous man, he even does the
morning exercise and likes to walk with his daughter’s dog two or three times a day.
Imagine, he is 89 years old now! He is a real soldier, as I think. So, he story was very
interesting for me and I hope it will touch your hearts.
Pyotr Vasilievich was 16 when the great Patriotic War broke out. He was living in
Moscow and working as an engineer. He wanted to go to the front but he was said to stay
there, in a factory as his knowledge and skills were needed for producing tank equipment,
which started immediately after the beginning of the war. He agreed because he realized
the importance of equipment producing as a real patriot. But he wanted to struggle on the
front and to be there with his friend and relatives shoulder to shoulder and not to let Nazis
move further and capture Russian cities and countries.
Finally, when his wish was noticed he was allowed to leave the plant and go to the
front. It was in 1942. During two year Pyotr Vasilievich had fought for the victory of our
country. There is no mercy during the war and he was also merciless and ruthless to his
enemies. In 1944 he was wounded by a rifle bullet. For the first days he was not able even
to move his hand because of the pain – but he was still fighting. Then a truck with a doctor
came and Pyotr Vasilievich was taken to hospital. He was, as he now says, «sentenced» to
three weeks in bed. But he, being a real patriot, secretly left after 10 days in hospital. He
met the victory not far from Berlin, and that was his most magnificent moment in life. Now
I am really proud that this man is my compatriot as he is a real soldier and real son of his big
and strong Motherland.
Ivan Davydov , Grade 11.