The Future of Our Country Depends on Our Soldiers: Participant of Great Patriotic War

• 01.28.2018, 20:59
•  Armenia,  No-politics,  Interview

"Armedia" IAA presents an exclusive interview with Mnatsakan Janoyan, who served on the border with Turkey as USSR soldier during the Great Patriotic War. The Border Guard was born in 1925 in Azatan village of Akhuryan region. He is 92 years old. Has three son and two grandchildren.

- Mr. Janoyan, tell us about your participation in the Great Patriotic War.

- When the war broke out, we were still in school, we did not know well what was happening. We thought the war would not come to us. It was 1942 or 1943 if I’m not mistaken, when we were called into the army. I was 17 years old. My parents were old, and my brother was still a little boy. They said that if I had not gone to military training, I could not go to the front. At that time we were young, we wanted to fight, but we did not even know how to use weapon. They took us to Batumi, on the border with Turkey. There were Armenians, as well as Georgians, Russians, Azeris, but we were all from one country and it was not important what kind of nation we were. At first we were learning to fight. The commanders said that the Turks would attack any moment. They said that if we lose Stalingrad battle, the war in the Caucasus would be inevitable and we were waiting for the Turkish attack. I do not know how others treated Turks, but we Armenians did not like them. There were many refugee Armenians who told us about the brutal massacres committed by Turks and we did not love them. I remember, sometimes, that we were taking Turkish spies.

Fortunately, we won in Stalingrad and it was possible to avoid the devastation and bloodshed in the Caucasus. They said that the war got milder, however, a group of us, elderly people, were sent to other places, and I was left at the border with the Turks, where I served for six years.

- What did you do after returning from the military service?

- I graduated with a degree in light industry. I became a technician in light industry. I worked in Leninakan textile and several other factories. At that time it was a very important profession, the laborer was respected. We were always over-fulfilling the plan.

- What was the significance of the Great Patriotic War for us?

- We were presenting a powerful country, a country that faced great danger. It is impossible to imagine what would have happened if fascism won. Europe was devastated and had to fight. If we did not win the war, we would face a serious threat. As a frontier, I can say that the Turks would not think even a second to ruin our small country. The entire Soviet Union would collapse and all the nations living there. The consequences of the war are always severe.

- And what would you like to wish our soldiers?

- You know, when the country is in a state of war, it does not matter whether you are fighting or not. I have not been to the front, but the border on which we were, could have turned into a front at any moment. Thus our soldiers must be very vigilant today, the future of our homeland depends on them. For the soldier, their devotion and courage are more important than their abilities and capabilities. I wish the soldiers health, will and patience. Let everyone go back to their homes safe and sound.