It is with great pleasure that we continue our cycle dedicated to the military history museums and collections of our country.
This time, thanks to the help of one of our readers, we ended up in a place that made a lasting impression on us.
So, the city of Mtsensk, Oryol region. We were met by Alexander Kossov, the head of the Oryol frontier search unit of the city of Mtsensk. We made a very exciting tour of the city, with an inspection of everything that interested us. Naturally, I was interested in everything that had to do with the events of the Great Patriotic War. All the information we received will go to the "Unknown War" cycle, and our today's story will be about the detachment's museum.
The museum is very remarkable. In general, this is not even a museum, but a small historical and patriotic center for the younger generations. But let's go in order.
The museum is located in a building provided by the city authorities. No, really, heating, so in winter (and during our visit) it is cool there. But the search engines do not take any payment for the premises. This is also an important aspect in our time.
Before you most of the exposition of the museum.
Complete set of German mortar.
High-explosive flamethrower. Was fully functional when found.
Pomegranates. Naturally, they are now deactivated.
Remains of the Goliath self-propelled mine. "Goliaths" were first used here.
Candlestick from the church.
Personal items of soldiers. As Alexander said, behind every spoon, behind every mug - a soldier's story.
A ladle made from a can of American stew. By the way, the manufacturer is still alive today.
Pomegranates, discs, bottles of liquid KS.
German corner. There are brown cases next to the flasks. I tried to translate it - a remedy for fleas. He opened one and sniffed. It is still in effect today, probably.
Cases for interchangeable barrels.
Shop from 37-mm anti-aircraft guns.
Telephone operator coil.
There are a lot of printed publications and documents of that time.
Exhibition of small arms. All the exhibits on display are demilitarized, but in full working order. Alexander demonstrated the performance of the PTR. Works despite age. You can watch the video.
Englishman. It has drifted … Compared to the DP, it is very heavy and uncomfortable.
Workers of the war: "Mosinka", "Svetka" and two Mauser carbines. With a brown bed - MMG, with a yellow bed - dug up. Comparing, they were surprised. The excavated 98k works more smoothly and clearly.
Alexander Kossov, commander of the Oryol Rune detachment.
Photo chronicle of the club at the stand.
Recognition of merit. Everything did not fit into the frame.
And these are handicrafts made by members of the club from "grazing material". This is the first time we've seen this.
The famous "frog" mine.
Cartridge containers for machine gun belts.
Machine gun guards.
The documents. I saw a medical card for the first time too.
Another great thing. It belonged to the Lithuanian Gujunis from the 16th Infantry Division and miraculously survived to this day. World atlas, pocket. Apparently, with his help, officer Gujunis conducted some classes with the soldiers. On the pages of the atlas there are translations from Russian into Lithuanian.
There is a small shooting gallery next to the exposition of things found by the search engines. For one person. The fact is that, in agreement with the district authorities, schoolchildren from all over the district are brought to this museum. And here is another originality of the exhibition. ALL exhibits can be touched by hands (except for some documents). From everything that is shooting, you can (and, as Alexander says, you need to) shoot. And after examining the exhibits and listening to the stories of the guide, you can try to hit the target. Nobody refuses, of course.
The beginning of a new exhibition. Afghanistan.
In general, in terms of quantity and quality, the museum is simply excellent. It is beautiful, informative, and it is especially great that schoolchildren from the Mtsensk region are taken to it on excursions.
But that is not all.
Expansion of the exhibition is planned in the near future. The fact is that the detachment has one more exposition. Unfortunately, today it is located in the open air, on the territory of a roadside cafe. But the owner of the cafe has changed, and the exhibition does not interest him. Well, business comes first. Nothing can be done with such people in our time.
The city and regional authorities decided to help the detachment and allocate space and equipment in order to relocate the exhibition. See for yourself how wonderful it is.
Many exhibits just get wet in the rain and snow. They are still holding on.
Engines from Ila, Yak, La … We hope that soon they will find a more convenient place, next to the museum. It would be great.
On our own behalf, we wish success to the Mtsensk search engines from the "Orlovsky Rune" detachment, we will be glad to join their search in the fall, "when everything will be removed from the fields." We gladly accepted the invitation.
Special thanks to Alexander Kossov for the excursions around the museum and the city and to Stanislav Sopov, who provided invaluable assistance in organizing this expedition.
This is the first, but far from the last, our report from the places where the keepers of our memory live and work.
