We should thank a very specific branch of the military for the fact that our country has not yet been occupied and disappeared from the face of the Earth - namely, the Strategic Missile Forces. It is their presence and constant combat readiness that guarantees reliable protection of the Russian Federation from aggression by any of the world powers. Every day, thousands of military personnel - soldiers and officers - take up mandatory combat duty in missile silos and mobile complexes. It would be strange if such a power, capable of destroying all life on the planet, but standing exclusively guarding the world, would remain without its own memorable date.
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Today, the status of this memorable day is regulated in accordance with a presidential decree establishing a list of military holidays, issued in 2006. But the history of this date is much older. It was chosen for a very specific reason - precisely on December 17, but back in 1959, the Rocket Forces, which had a strategic purpose, were first created.
Over the past years, they have repeatedly:
- reformed;
- resubordinated;
- merged with other branches of the military and separated with them.
However, the tasks facing the Strategic Missile Forces did not change.
The first holiday of the Strategic Missile Forces (not to be confused with the Day of Artillery and Missile Forces) was established in 1995 by presidential decree dated December 10th. And the Decree of 2006 canceled the previous one, downgrading the status of the holiday to an ordinary memorable date, since the Strategic Missile Forces turned out of armed forces to the branch of the army. However, such a decrease did not affect the scale of the celebration.
Traditions
- those who sit at the launch consoles;
- all military personnel ensuring the combat readiness of the Strategic Missile Forces;
- civilian specialists;
- support staff;
- scientists from their own research institutes, available in the structure of the Strategic Missile Forces, higher educational institutions, factories that produce equipment for this type of troops, training grounds, etc.
This date is celebrated not only by those who served or are currently working in the Missile Forces, but also by civilian and military retirees who were involved in the Strategic Missile Forces in the past.
The scale of the event is evidenced by the fact of the annual reception in the Kremlin, organized on December 17. In all military units and institutions of the branch of the military, ceremonial formations and meetings are held, awards are presented and conferred next ranks. There are also traditions associated with the church - many divisional churches are given icons of St. Elijah of Murom, who is the heavenly patron of the Strategic Missile Forces.
FavOne of greatest battles history - the counter-offensive of Soviet troops near Stalingrad - destroyed the sixth army of Field Marshal Paulus and turned to dust last hopes Reich for victory. Among other things, this operation demonstrated for the first time the growing capabilities of Soviet artillery, which deservedly earned the nickname “God of War.”
Two years later, on October 21, 1944, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR will issue a decree establishing “Artillery Day” on November 19 in honor of the victory in the Battle of Stalingrad. Another 20 years later, due to the growing role of missile weapons in the conditions Cold War, the holiday will be renamed “Rocket Forces and Artillery Day” - which it remains to this day.
This holiday is appreciated not only by gunners and operators of Grads, Smerchs and Iskanders. The servants of the new chthonic God of War - the Strategic Missile Forces - also consider him partly theirs; and air defense fighters who “don’t fly themselves and don’t let others fly.”
The funny thing is that the Russian military for the most part is not very aware: the most terrible manifestation of Russian military power for possible foreign “partners” is not the stamina and ferocity of the infantry, not the power of tanks and not the swiftness of aviation - but rather the merciless severity of artillery strikes.
It all started in the distant and terrible era of the Mongol invasion of Rus'. To stop the elusive boyar Evpatiy Kolovrat and his rebels, who were taking revenge on the troops of Khan Batu for the death of his native Ryazan, the army of the Mongol Empire “inflicted many vices on him, and began to beat him with countless vices, and barely killed him.” It is unlikely that siege stone throwers were useful to the Mongols in the field battle against Kolovrat’s army... but Chinese guns could have played a critical role in the death of the brave rebels.
The presence of artillery among the Mongols during Batu’s campaign against Rus' is still not confirmed by sources, although in time it was already possible. Therefore, what did the chronicler mean by “vices” - siege weapons (catapults, ballistae), arrow-throwing machines, or, indeed, fire bombards, common for those times early period- I can’t understand now.
In 1382, Muscovites, defending the city walls from the armies of Khan Tokhtamysh, for the first time in Russian history, massively used cannons that fired at the khan’s troops from the city walls. The capital was eventually taken by deception, but the Russian princes and governors appreciated the power of artillery fire. Another hundred years later, the Cannon Yard was founded in Moscow, where centralized production of cannons began different types and calibers.
During the famous stand on the Ugra River, the presence of artillery in the army of Ivan III significantly cooled the ardor of the Horde of Khan Akhmat, who ultimately chose to retreat. The sovereign's son, Vasily III, brought 300 guns, including heavy siege guns, to the walls of Smolensk, and recaptured the city from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The winner Russian army near Orsha, the great Lithuanian hetman Konstantin Ostrozhsky, who did not have even a shadow of the artillery power of Moscow with his advanced army of the Renaissance, only looked at the walls of Smolensk from afar and was forced to leave.
Let us clarify that the city fell on the third attempt, and the siege of one of the most important Lithuanian fortresses at that time was not an easy task. But the artillery, which was established in the Russian troops by a German specialist - Master Stefan - really played a key role in this campaign.
The gunners brought many victories to Ivan IV “the Terrible”, collapsing the walls of Kazan, as well as the cities of Livonia and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, rescuing the sovereign’s soldiers on the fields of Molodi and on the walls of Pskov. IN Time of Troubles they forced King Sigismund III, instead of a victorious march to Moscow, to spend the entire military budget under the walls of Smolensk. Russian state The 16th–17th centuries had a huge fleet of artillery of all calibers, and Russian engineers enthusiastically experimented with long-barreled, breech-loading and even rifled artillery.
Pavel Sokolov-Skalia, “The capture of the Livonian fortress Kokkenhausen by Ivan the Terrible”
Alas, all the wealth of the old Russian artillery was lost in the fields of Narva, where the Swedes taught the young sovereign Peter Alekseevich an object lesson in modern European warfare. This lesson has been learned. New artillery of the nascent Russian Empire created by Yakov Vilimovich Bruce, a descendant of Scottish kings, a great Russian alchemist and naturalist. Cast from requisitioned monastery bells, the guns of the “sorcerer from the Sukharev Tower” Bruce destroyed the Swedish army of Charles XII near Poltava and ushered in a new era of Russian artillery power - which would say many loud words on the fields of Kunersdorf, Borodin, Crimea and Manchuria.
I note that the bells, of course, were not removed from the bell towers - stored and unused samples were requisitioned. It soon became clear that bell alloy was not very suitable for artillery, and monasteries and temples were abandoned.
In the USSR, artillery was given no less attention, having created a number of advanced models even before the Great Patriotic War, many of which are still fighting today. “Karelian sculptors” B-4 will break through the Mannerheim line, “Katyusha” BM-13 will strike terror into the best divisions of the Third Reich, and the artillery of the reserve of the Supreme High Command will become the very crowbar against which the best strategists of Germany, the heirs of von Clausewitz and von Schlieffen, will not find a way.
Now rocket troops and artillery Russian Federation constitute one of the most important branches of the ground forces. Their regiments and brigades are armed with thousands of various artillery pieces and missile systems, which are constantly being replenished with the latest models. From the first “mattresses” and arquebuses to tactical missile systems and heavy MLRS, a long and glorious path has been passed, and the modern descendants of the gunners Voivode Shein, Field Marshal Bruce and Marshal Nedelin are unlikely to disgrace the artillery glory of their ancestors.
Almost every military unit has its own holiday: Missile Defense Day, Airborne Forces Day, Air Force Day. The Day of Missile Forces and Artillery was no exception. On this day, artillerymen receive special attention; they demonstrate the capabilities of modern Russian artillery and, of course, mark the anniversary of the start of the counteroffensive Battle of Stalingrad, which marked the beginning of a new period of the Second World War. Rocket Forces and Artillery Day is an important date not only for representatives of these troops, but also for the entire Russian history.
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The beginning of the war was very difficult for the Soviet army: there was not enough ammunition, new equipment, talented commanders were repressed, so there were problems with the command staff. German troops marched through the territory of Belarus and Ukraine, with the conquered Baltic, Moldova and Estonia already behind them. The Soviet Union lost a huge number of industrial centers, which caused problems with supplying troops. In 1942, the situation changed: the battle for Moscow allowed the Nazis to be driven back from the capital of the Soviet Union, and the defense of Crimea continued. The Red Army troops planned and carried out a number of successful military operations, which dealt a significant blow to Germany, which simply did not have time to make up for the losses of equipment and soldiers.
Stalingrad was one of the most important strategic points - its owner received not only a huge number of industrial enterprises, but also access to railway, leading to the Caucasus and Transcaucasia. This is why the capture of the city was so important for Germany. The Soviet government understood that the loss of the city on the banks of the Volga would be a heavy blow for the military forces of the USSR. On July 17, 1942, the defense of Stalingrad began, which dragged on for eight long months. By the end of August, most of the residents were evacuated, and in September German troops broke into the city. For each block destroyed by bombing, a difficult struggle was waged, huge losses Both the Wehrmacht and the Soviet army suffered, but no one was going to give up.
On November 19, 1942, a counteroffensive began, which made it possible to cut off one of the German armies, keeping the city from supply channels. It was this day that later began to be celebrated as the Day of the USSR Missile Forces and Artillery. The successful military operation was the beginning of a series of victories that led to the liberation of Stalingrad and a turning point in the course of the war.
Establishment of the holiday
In 1944, the key role of artillerymen in the Battle of Stalingrad was celebrated by the establishment of Artillery Day, which twenty years later was renamed Rocket Forces and Artillery Day. The celebration has been preserved to this day. True, it has been renamed again: now November 19 is the Day of the Russian Missile Forces and Artillery.
The current position of artillery and missile forces in Russia
Currently, a huge number of artillery weapons are in service. Today, all artillery is divided into missile, rocket and artillery brigades themselves, the main tasks of which are not only the capture and defense of strategically important objects, but also reconnaissance and damage to command and control systems.
Rocket Forces and Artillery Day is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the latest weapons. Today, the Msta-SM howitzers are being modernized, the Tornado-G jet and Khrizantema-S anti-tank missile systems, and the famous Iskander-M and Topol-M missile systems are being put into use.
The Day of Missile Forces and Artillery - November 19 - is celebrated with demonstrations of troops, shooting practice and military parades; commemorative events and laying of flowers at memorials are held in many cities.
Don't be confused!
Very often, the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery is confused with another military event - the Day of Strategic Missile Forces. In fact, the difference between these holidays is colossal. Still, November 19 is more of a holiday for artillerymen, and December 17 (the date of the second holiday) is for soldiers of the missile forces. For military personnel, congratulating them on the “wrong” day can even become a reason for resentment, so you definitely need to remember: Rocket Forces and Artillery Day is November 19th.
Celebration in schools
When is Rocket Forces and Artillery Day? Not every adult can answer this question, let alone modern schoolchildren who, in principle, are not particularly interested in the army. But at the same time, some schools hold special events that talk not only about the troops themselves, but also about their role in military affairs. The main goal of such meetings is to instill patriotism in the younger generation and familiarize them with the latest models of military equipment. Often events are held as part of military training lessons.
Celebration on a national scale
The Day of Missile Forces and Artillery in Russia is usually celebrated on a grand scale. In Stalingrad itself, which is now called Volgograd, rallies and military parades are held. Military equipment, driving through the streets of a huge city, looks really impressive. Of course, we cannot do without festive concerts, at which songs of the war years are usually performed, and the laying of flowers at monuments dedicated to the defense of the city and military commanders who participated in the liberation of the city. In 2012, on the anniversary of the seventieth anniversary of the famous counter-offensive, the holiday was celebrated not only in Volgograd, but also in other major cities Russia: Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Voronezh and many others. In addition to traditional rallies, there was a demonstration of weapons from the Second World War, where everyone could try the dishes of real field cuisine.
Conclusion
When is Rocket Forces and Artillery Day? On the day when the first counteroffensive of the Battle of Stalingrad began, during which the troops Soviet Union were able not only to inflict significant damage on the troops of Nazi Germany, but also to completely change the position of power. On that day, when desperate soldiers and talented commanders were able to do something that no one before them could do in Europe, which surrendered almost without a fight. On the day when Soviet people showed what he is capable of when something so dear and important is at stake.
The Battle of Stalingrad is the largest land battle in the history of mankind, and we, descendants, must not forget those who fell for the defense of the city on the Volga. The artillery troops are a unit without which the command would hardly have been able to achieve a turning point in the war, so their holiday is a truly significant event.
November 19 is the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery in Russia. In the calendar of holiday dates, the date November 19 was chosen due to the fact that in 1942 it was on this day that the first phase of the Red Army’s counteroffensive near Stalingrad began. From July to November 1942, a defensive operation continued, which extinguished the enemy’s offensive impulses, exhausted him and made it possible Soviet troops in difficult conditions, still prepare for the decisive blow. The most important role The use of artillery against Nazi troops played a role in the counteroffensive operation, which in the future served as the basis for the introduction of a new holiday into the calendar of military dates.
The plan for the counteroffensive of the Red Army near Stalingrad, called “Uranus,” was developed by the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command and the General Staff since September 1942. The development of the operation plan was led by G.K. Zhukov and A.M. Vasilevsky. On November 13, Uranus was approved. Maintaining the secrecy of the plan made it possible to ensure the surprise of the counteroffensive and, due to the transfer of forces from areas that were not identified as strategically important, a significant superiority in both manpower and equipment was ensured in the attack axes.
Success in the Stalingrad operation actually provided a radical change in the Great Patriotic War, and from the defeat on the banks of the Volga, Hitler’s army, in fact, was never able to fully recover.
In 1944, November 19 became an important military date - Artillery Day. An addition to this holiday in the form of missile troops appeared, for obvious reasons, later - in 1964.
However, speaking about missile forces and artillery, one certainly cannot ignore the earlier historical periods. The first mention of the use of guns in our country, generally speaking, refers to the battle against the Horde Khan Tokhtamysh in 1382. During the defense of Moscow, fire was fired from the so-called mattresses (presumably from the Turkish “tyufenk” - gun and the Persian “tufang” - pipe).
This firearm was originally used as a means of defense against city walls. In the same battle, chroniclers (in particular, talking about the Nikon Chronicle) provide materials about the first use of classical cannons, which, according to historians, were mostly of foreign origin.
From the chronicle of 1389:
In the summer of 6879 (1389) the Germans brought armata and fiery guns from the Germans to Rus', and from that hour they learned to shoot with them.
For a long time, by the way, in historical literature the term “from German” (in fact, from abroad) was omitted, which clearly did not add historical authenticity.
And about today...
What are the Russian missile forces and artillery in our time? This is an integral part Ground Forces, consisting of missile, rocket, artillery brigades, including high-power artillery divisions, rocket artillery regiments, separate reconnaissance divisions and artillery formations of combined arms brigades and military bases.
As part of re-equipment and modernization Russian army enters the troops new technology, which simultaneously changes the appearance of missile forces and artillery (RV and A). Totally agree Lately The troops were replenished with hundreds of weapons, including 152-mm Msta-SM self-propelled howitzers and 9K51M Tornado-G MLRS. The Tornado-G salvo time with 40 guides is 20 s. This ensures effective destruction of targets across areas with a declared firing range of up to 60 km (some sources report that 60 km is not the limit for a modernized MLRS model).
RV and A receive anti-tank weapons, including Khrizantema-S missile systems. This is an all-weather multi-purpose missile system designed to destroy not only those tanks that are already in service with a potential enemy, but also their promising versions. "Chrysanthemum-S" is effective against low-flying air targets and small surface vessels. With its help, the enemy’s defenses, including those located in shelters, can be overcome. The complex has high degree protection against various radio interference. The maximum firing range is 6 km, the minimum is 400 m. Carryable ammunition is 15 rounds of ammunition. Automatic charging implemented.
On the eve of the holiday, the head of the Missile Forces and Artillery, Lieutenant General Mikhail Matveevsky, noted that the plans include the transfer of missiles and missiles from the Tochka-U complexes to the Iskander OTRK by 2020. RIA cites a statement from Mikhail Matveevsky:
Currently, all units of the Central Military District are completely rearmed. In addition, rearmament has been completed in the Southern and Eastern Military Districts.
It is worth noting that a feature of the Iskander-M OTRK, which is actively entering service with the troops, is its equipment with automation equipment not only for preparation for launch, but also for the missile launch itself. The developers guarantee that the Iskander-M missile hits the target with a probable deviation of no more than 15 m. At the same time, active work is underway to equip the Iskander missiles with all-weather homing heads.
On this day, Military Review congratulates all military personnel and veterans of the Missile Forces and Artillery on the holiday. To the troops themselves - systematic development and improvement!
The Day of Missile Forces and Artillery has become one of the most memorable days in the history of the Armed Forces and is celebrated on November 19. The calendar day date was chosen because it coincides with a significant historical event the victorious liberation of Stalingrad from the German invaders, which began with the counter-offensive of Russian troops. On this day, artillery soldiers are congratulated with special honor.
The turning point and such a significant battle for the outcome of the war was successful thanks to one of the key roles played by the artillerymen. In 1964, the holiday received a new name - Day of Missile Forces and Artillery. The Russian people sacredly honor and preserve the examples of unbending steadfastness, heroism, and courage of all the soldiers participating in this war, the heroes of thousands of battles who repelled enemy forces.
The entire experience of using artillery and missile forces in armed conflicts proves the enormous role of their maneuverability, efficiency and firepower. Heroic traditions are worthily continued by modern generations of military missile and artillery troops of the Russian Armed Forces. They fulfill their military duty with honor and nobility, master the latest weapons and equipment, improve their combat skills, the high level of which guarantees the completion of the necessary tasks in a wide variety of combat conditions. To celebrate this holiday, demonstration shooting, exercises, and parades are held.
Happy Rocket Forces Day!
I only wish the best.
Not knowing attacks and defeats,
More personal achievements.
Awards, medals, orders,
Have calm peaceful days and dreams.
May your sky be clear
And the look is cheerful and radiant.
And in personal life let everything be -
Wife, family, relatives,
Car, cottage and apartment.
I wish you happiness and peace!
I'm rocket troops
I recognize from afar -
By intelligence and dexterity,
Excellent preparation.
Well done, artillerymen!
Everyone is fit, broad-shouldered,
Wait to argue with them,
Don't put your finger in your mouth.
So that everyone knows the deer,
What troops day is it today?
For the soul and in honor
Fireworks!
On Missile Forces Day, I sincerely wish you good health, peaceful skies and unearthly happiness! May your life be filled with colorful events, sincere love and reliable friendship! I wish you every success, fulfillment of all goals and good spirits!
Happy Missile Forces and Artillery Day
I want to congratulate you from the bottom of my heart,
Wish you great luck,
Send a big bouquet of kind words.
Let only joys happen in life,
Every day brings pleasure
All intended targets are hit,
And the reward is coming to you!
You hold the rank of artilleryman,
And here, undoubtedly, there is a reason for pride.
I wish you to be agile and fast in life,
And have no excuses for sadness.
I wish you happiness, joy, success,
Health, strong friendship and good luck.
So that you can only see bursts of laughter,
I'm proud of you, you're a real macho!
Happy Rocket Forces and Artillery Day to you!
Please accept my congratulations.
Let peace and warmth warm your soul.
Let there be no doubts in life.
Let all battles end
Only by your victory.
Let health flow over the edge,
May summer always shine in your heart.
Congratulations from the bottom of our hearts
Those who were artillerymen
Who served in the missile forces,
Thank you for the clear sky!
And we want to tell you:
“There is no one more courageous in the world,
May we not see war
And our children grow up in peace.”
There is no stronger force yet,
Than rocket troops
The artillery is coming
He doesn't lag behind either.
Well, happy holiday to you all,
Success awaits you ahead.
You are brave for the country,
For Russia, they are so needed!
Be happy, cheerful,
Very happy on holiday
And let there be health,
And sadness will go away!
On the day of artillery and rocket troops,
I wish not to meet with evil,
I wish you strength and noticeable joys,
So that everything around is surrounded by goodness.
Success comes from many achievements,
And also happiness and great respect.
Congratulations to you, rocket scientists.
On a special day I want
About all your successes
Today I will not remain silent.
Thank you all for your service,
Happiness and health to you,
Rainbow and bright life,
Without frustration, troubles and dramas.
Congratulations with a rocket
We send for you:
Let's launch... With this date -
Rocket Forces Day - now
We are glad to congratulate you again.
Artillery troops
We will forever honor and glorify!
Oh, it's not an easy task...
No matter how difficult
... service days for cool guys,
The borders of your country
We wish you to be protected.
Congratulations: 135 in verse, 20 in prose.
Picture on Missile Forces Day
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