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Nikolay MasalovIt was this Russian soldier who saved a German girl on the Seelow Heights.
Date of Birth: 10.12.1922
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- The Saviour of the German Girl at Zeelow Heights
- The Bravest of the Brave
- The Perilous Rescue
- The Artillery Barrage
- The Monumental Legacy
- The Abandoned Tribute
- The Forgotten Hero
- A Symbol of Courage and Humanity
The Saviour of the German Girl at Zeelow Heights
Prelude to the Battle of BerlinIn 1945, as the Battle of Berlin raged, a heroic act of compassion unfolded amidst the devastation. On April 26th, Soviet Sergeant Nikolai Ivanovich Masalov risked his life to rescue a three-year-old German girl from the horrors of war.
The Bravest of the Brave
According to the testimony of Marshal Vasily Chuikov, Masalov was the inspiration behind the iconic monument in Treptower Park, featuring a bronze warrior holding a child. The true story behind this act of selflessness began when Masalov heard a desperate cry for help as his regiment prepared to storm Tempelhof Airfield.
The Perilous Rescue
Despite the intense enemy fire, Masalov determinedly crawled towards the source of the cry. He risked his life traversing a treacherous area filled with mines and machine gun fire. Reaching a concrete wall by the Landwehr Canal, he heard the child's voice once more.
Rising to his full height, Masalov became a formidable target. However, his courage and determination propelled him forward. He scaled the canal barrier and located the child hiding beneath the Gorbaty Bridge. The girl's mother had been killed by SS troops as she tried to flee.
The Artillery Barrage
As Masalov emerged from the dangerous zone with the child in his arms, the Soviet artillery barrage commenced. The thunderous explosions provided cover for Masalov and the girl as they made their way back to safety.
The Monumental Legacy
Despite the sergeant's heroic act, the monument in Treptower Park depicts a slightly different scene. The soldier holds a girl, but it was actually Masalov's fellow soldier, Viktor Mikhailovich Gunaz, who posed for the sculptor, Evgeny Vuchetich.
Gunaz's meeting with Vuchetich occurred in Austria in May 1945. The sculptor, inspired by Gunaz's physique and bearing, convinced him to pose with a wooden sword and a child, initially envisioned as a boy.
The Abandoned Tribute
For over four decades, the monument was revered by both Soviet and German citizens. However, the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 led to a reassessment of its significance. The honorary guard was removed in 1990, and the monument now stands as a bittersweet reminder of the sacrifices made during the war.
The Forgotten Hero
Nikolai Ivanovich Masalov lived out his life in his hometown of Tyazhin, Siberia. Despite his status as an honorary citizen of Berlin, he declined offers to relocate to Germany. His later years were marked by health issues stemming from his wartime injuries. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 78.
A Symbol of Courage and Humanity
The story of Masalov's heroic rescue serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit and compassion of the human heart. While the monument in Treptower Park may not fully represent the actual event, it stands as a powerful symbol of the sacrifices made by countless soldiers during the liberation of Europe.
