Battle scenes from Stalingrad
The recent black and white photography exhibition at the Russian Centre for Science and Culture is indeed a stirring one. A few coloured posters are also included. The display is to mark the victory of the Russians over the invading Germans in the Battle of Stalingrad (17 July 1942-2 February 1943), the most crucial battle of World War II for the Russians.
Although some of the pictures are grey with age, yet the bravery, suffering and constant battle of the people against the marauders are apparent. The snow, cold, hunger and anguish of the people in siege are obvious. Seen in the images are not only the armed soldiers with their winter gear, but also the average Russians, gallantly working away to stave off the hunger and need of the time. Some of the pictures are from Moscow and the others are gathered from the internet.
Photographs portraying the havoc caused by the invading forces, the struggle of the defending soldiers and the average Russians, and the ultimate surrender of Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus are all included in the show. The aim of the marauding forces was to disrupt the oil supplies coming from the city of Baku on the Caspain Sea, as well as the food supplies from southern Russia.
The shattered buildings, the massing of weapons, the look of despair, the fluttering of flags evoke memories of Victory Day, 1971 among the local viewers. Dhaka and its far-flung districts have similarly witnessed hunger, suffering, fear and anguish during the Liberation War. The bayonets, the helmets, the chugging lorries full of soldiers and arms are reminiscent of our troubled times.
Most of Stalingrad had been captured by the invading army while the Red troops are seen in some of the shots -- spread out on a thin stretch of land along the Volga River. “The assault of infantry units” depicts details of the boots, belts and caps of the Russian soldiers.
Nikita Kruschev is seen in a photo with Lt. General Andrey Andreimenko. The tension, concern and anxiety are marked on their faces. The photographs also depict heavy fighting in every street in Stalingrad, with soldiers guarding the houses with scarred walls and barren trees in the backdrop. Wounded soldiers are shown defending their country despite their own suffering and pain. The captured troops are also included in the battle saga of the valiant Russians.
The exhibition drew viewers with interest in history.
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