AERODROME CONSTRUCTION IN THE MARI ASSR DURING THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR

Abstract

Relevance. Certain aspects of the history of the regions during the Great Patriotic War do not lose their relevance to this day. One of the little-studied issues is the construction of airfields in the rear regions. The purpose of the study is to study the state of airfield construction in the Mari ASSR and the degree of its completion. Materials and methods. The basis of the study was the analysis of documents from the funds of the State Archives of Mari El. The country’s air force was in dire need of new sites for basing rear units. Special construction was entrusted to the NKVD of the USSR, where the General Directorate of Aerodrome Construction and the relevant local authorities were created. Research results. The first decree of the State Defense Committee of the USSR on the construction of deep operational airfields and runways was adopted on July 15, 1941. Two operational airfields (No. 602 and 636) were built in the Mari ASSR. Workers for special construction were recruited on a labor conscription basis. As a result, on September 22, 1941, the government commission accepted completed objects No. 602 and 636. Also, the State Defense Committee decree of March 8, 1942 provided for the construction of operational airfields on the territory of the deployment of the 75th aviation-based area of 75th the Moscow Military District. On the territory of the Mari ASSR, it was necessary to complete the previously built winter airfields in the villages of Kuzhener, Sernur, Novy Toryal, as well as the construction of an operational airfield from the Tatar ASSR (object No. 1280) postponed in the summer of 1942. One of the important points was the maintenance of airfields in the autumn-winter period. To carry out the work, the districts attached separate collective farms to each airfield. Findings. In the conditions of the initial period of the war, the issues of building operational airfields in a short time gained special significance. A network of airfields was created on the territory of the rear regions, including in the neighboring Chuvash and Mordovian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics. In the Mari Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, turfed airfields were formed using inexpensive local materials and in a short time. Airfields performed not only reserve functions, but also training ones.