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 Khalil Mamedov (1916-1989) - fought against the German fascism, was awarded the highest title in the former USSR, the hero of the Soviet Union.
Khalil Mamedov was born in Shusha in 1916. When Germans attacked the Soviet Union in 1941 he was serving in Ukraine. During 1941-1943 he fought in the Ukrainian front, was wounded several times and each time returned to the battlefield after recovery. In 1943-1944 Mamedov commanded a tank battalion in the 3rd Ukrainian Front. He and his battalion fought heavy battles in Ukraine, when liberating the Ukrainian towns and villages, especially was distinguished in the famous "Korsun-Shevchenko" battles.
Mamedov's name became popular throughout the front during the battles for Romania. He played a key role when liberating a heavily-defended town of Mergus. During the battle for the town Mamedov was ordered to break through the enemy lines with only 5 of his tanks to and to explode a strategic bridge in the enemy rear. The operation was daring and dangerous.
Mamedov's tanks broke through the German lines and exploded the bridge, thus cutting out the enemy's way for retreat. Despite being wounded and being encircled deep in the fascist rear, Mamedov went even further and turned his tanks right to the enemy's central position and seized it. Fighting in the town continued for 10 hours, but the fate of the battle was already predetermined. In the evening, the main Soviet armed forces entered the town.
In this battle Mamedov with only 5 of his tanks destroyed 4 enemy tanks, 2 motorized cannons, 191 automobiles, 64 cannons, 105 machine-guns and 1375 fascist soldiers and officers. For his courage and brilliant fulfillment of this operation Khalil Mamedov was awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union.
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