An ordinary four-story residential building during the Battle of Stalingrad turned into an impregnable fortress, in which a group of Soviet soldiers held the defense for 58 days. This house is known all over the world as Pavlov's house, by the name of the senior sergeant who took over command. Why this feat became possible - in the author's column of the journalist and former policeman Sergei Lyutykh especially for Gazyty.Ru. Pavlov's House has become a household name, which many denote the feat of one person or group of people, performed in spite of what others are doing.

I also heard how the phrase Pavlov's house was used in relation to a country cottage, which differs from the neighboring ones by the height of the fences and the barbed wire on top of them.

These are incorrect images, because the recipe for the special resilience of the Pavlov house is not in its unique individual properties laid down by the architect, or in the difference between the people defending in it from the rest, supposedly not so courageous and strong.

The strength of Pavlov's house was in its deep connection with other positions of the Soviet troops, in its involvement in the general defense scheme.

This stronghold survived not only thanks to a handful of soldiers who courageously and skillfully fought, led by Sergeant Ivan Pavlov, but also to the merits of other people, from the commander of the 7th rifle company of the 42nd Guards Rifle Regiment Naumov, ending with the commander of the 13th Guards Division of the Guards Colonel Rodimtsev. These officers also visited Pavlov's house during the days of his defense, and Naumov repeatedly fought off German attacks there along with other soldiers.

In the design of the house itself, contrary to popular belief, there were no features that predetermined its special durability.

Pavlov's house by the beginning of the Battle of Stalingrad was still practically a new building. It was erected in the mid-30s from ordinary brick and wood. The house housed apartments for party leaders and important industrial specialists. A twin house was built nearby, in which Sovkontrol was located.

During street battles in the fall of 1942, the 42nd Guards Rifle Regiment of the 13th Guards Division fought on Lenin Square (then 9 January Square), where these buildings represented favorable positions for defense.

It was the regiment commander who gave the command to occupy both houses and create strong points there. However, one of these buildings was soon completely destroyed by the Germans. The soldiers who defended it, led by Lieutenant Zabolotny, died a heroic death under the rubble.

The group of Sergeant Pavlov and his three Red Army men were more fortunate, although, as it turned out, they risked not only their lives, but also the lives of civilians who took refuge in the basements of the house.

A few days later, reinforcements of 17 soldiers came to Pavlov, led by senior lieutenant Afanasyev, who took his group under his command. The soldiers brought with them a heavy machine gun and anti-tank rifles. A few days later, two company mortars appeared in Pavlov's house.

With all the desire, it was impossible to attach a meter-thick fortification walls with narrow loopholes to a peaceful residential building. But this was not required. The defense was organized in accordance with the use of all then available technical and tactical means.

The building was surrounded by barbed wire. The approaches to it were mined. They dug a tunnel for the delivery of ammunition. A telephone line was laid underground. But the main thing was that the approaches to Pavlov's house were shot from three directions from other positions of the regiment. And also the fact that several sheltered firing points were taken outside the building.

They could work in the mode of so-called secrets, that is, join the hostilities only when the enemy forces pass by and leave them in the rear.

Many elements of the defense of the Pavlov house were then applied during more modern conflicts. Most of them are still relevant now.

Of course, all this does not take away the glory from Pavlov himself and those daredevils who fought with him shoulder to shoulder. Only superheroes could withstand the German attacks, which were carried out several times a day. Sometimes the Germans occupied the first floor of the house and had to knock them out again.

Surprisingly, out of 31 soldiers who defended this main Stalingrad fortress, only three died in a two-month meat grinder. Afanasyev, who first took command from Pavlov, and then handed it back due to injury, lived to see Victory, like Pavlov himself.

The feat of these soldiers is immortalized, but, as it seems to me, not completely. I would like to convey to contemporaries that if you want your house to become an impregnable fortress capable of withstanding a long struggle against a superior enemy, as happened with Pavlov's house, then you cannot be a proud individual farmer. Personal courage is great, but you need to be able to establish and maintain contact with those close to you who can cover you, you need to be able to act on command or respect the law when it comes to peacetime. You also need to be aware of yourself as a part of something greater than the house. Otherwise, you will not survive.

The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board of Gazeta.Ru .

Author biography:

Sergei Lyutykh, journalist, retired police captain, worked as a district policeman, investigated criminal cases in the inquiry, solved crimes, being an operative in the Moscow Criminal Investigation Department at 38 Petrovka Street.

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