Page 25 - Excerpts from the diary

also the course of defensive works. Suddenly I heard noise and hurried to approach that place from where it
proceeded. When I already was nearby, voices reached me: «The companion the first lieutenant for what you beat
me?» And another: «And you know that I deputy battalion commander? I deputy battalion commander! Go down
in a trench! Deep trouble to you! I will shoot you! Will you still be me to the platoon commander of a message?!
In a trench!».
Fight was started. The fighters who were present at the same time tell that at this time the first lieutenant seized
the fighter for a rifle and began to pull in a trench. The rifle was on a sear notch. When I already ran up close,
shouted «What are you doing? Stop!» and at this time the shot was distributed, reached me loud «Ooh!». People
became agitated with a circle, ran. The fighter approached me and with tears in the eyes asked: «Companion
lieutenant, tie up the person!» And then, «The rifle was loaded as it turned out... He pulled... I will be taken away,
but I am not guilty...»
The hospital attendant came and tied up the wounded. And to be present [...]
People told me meanwhile about everything that occurred before my arrival. Toloknov's fightersmachine gunners
moved to the old place stolen from them by fighters again arrived to defense 88 Guards pages of. Meanwhile [...]

04.06.1944

Dear Pasha Ivanovna!
With a heavy regret I report to you about the death on the battlefield of your
brother Grigory Ivanovich Marchenko. He died this night, being on an action station at the manual machine gun.
The stray bullet pierced to him in the left temple and came to light through right.
I divide with you the grief which comprehended you so suddenly. Your brother Grigory was one of the best
fighters and active avengers to the German monsters. All loved him from fighters to commanders. As the platoon
commander, I am deeply burdened by death of the fighting friend and companion [...]
[...] dear sister of our fellow soldier the memory of Marchenko will never die in our hearts. We will
revenge Hitlerites for his death!
Strong I shake a hand.
Guards of lt of the Vl. Gelfand.

07.29.1944

NP the observer. Boringly. Intolerable heat. Ahead magnificent picture of the Dniester landscape: iron the rivers,
greens of coast and terrestrial open spaces. Behind Grigoriopol, and in NP flies, flies, flies jamming as jackals
small. They before now became impudent that they are not afraid when drive away them, climb directly in hands,
in a mouth, in boots and everywhere where it is only possible to make the way with their tiny little body. You
take them for legs, for wings they flounder in hands. You will let off do not depart until you violently banish.
Pack flash before eyes, buzz, to a stupor disturb.
The finger irritates too. Its red, without nail the end irritates a look and though at all pain is not felt, but some
melancholy creeps in soul with one feeling of the mutilated finger.
The opponent methodically fires Grigoriopol. Already shells 20 he released, but continues to throw shells with
animal dullness. Ahead any is not shown. The fieldglass does not see Germans too. In general, the place for
observation very inconvenient: the earth pours from blindage walls, area of observation is narrow.
Yesterday on the city the enemy aircraft flew and abandoned small bombs. Wounded a military paramedic. The
good guy was the joker, and he had an interesting book 'Notes of the Prostitute'.