Sergei Aleshkov
Sergei Aleshkov | |
|---|---|
 Sergei receiving an award for his actions in 1943 | |
| Native name | Сергей Алёшков |
| Born | February 15, 1936 Gryn, Kaluga Oblast (Soviet Union) |
| Died | February 1, 1990 (aged 53) Chelyabinsk (Soviet Union) |
| Allegiance | Soviet Union |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Stalingrad |
Sergei Andreyevich Aleshkov (also Alyoshkov; Russian: Сергей Андреевич Алёшков, 15 February 1936 – 1 February 1990) was a Soviet soldier, adopted "Son of the Regiment", and the youngest to serve in World War II at 6 years old.[1]
Biography
[edit]Before the war, Sergei (Seryozha) lived with his family in the forest village of Gryn (now the Ulyanovsk district of the Kaluga Oblast). Sergei's father died before the war, and his brothers Ivan and Andrei enlisted in the army, leaving Sergei and his brother Peter with their mother.[2]
His mother and brother were executed by the Germans for their links to the partisans, and Sergei was left wandering the woods until he was discovered and taken in by the 142nd Guards Rifle Regiment.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
His future military career was unsuccessful due to his poor health as he had been smoking heavily from a young age, and he eventually died of a heart attack on 1 February 1990, aged 53.[10]
In popular culture
[edit]The film Soldier Boy (2019) depicts Sergei's experiences during the war. Sergei is played by Andrey Andreev.[11][12]
Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief (2022) by Katrina Nannestad's is loosely based on Sergei's experience.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ Budnik, Ruslan (2018-09-06). "The 6-Year-Old Soldier Who Fought At the Battle of Stalingrad". warhistoryonline. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
- ^ a b "The turning point of the Battle of Stalingrad." lincolnism (Russian source in English). Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "Гвардии рядовой Сереженька - самый молодой солдат Великой Отечественной войны (Soldier Serezhenka - the youngest soldier of the Great Patriotic War.)" politikus (in Russian). 3 May 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "Наступательный период сталинградского сражения (19 ноября 1942 года - 2 февраля 1943 года) (The offensive period of the Battle of Stalingrad November 19, 1942 - February 2, 1943)." stalingrad (in Russian). Archived on 4 April 2025.
- ^ Михаил Пинкус (Mikhail Pinkus). " 'Родина' разыскала сводного брата Сережи Алешкова - самого юного творца великой победы на Волге ('Rodina' has found the half-brother of Serezha Aleshkov - the youngest soldier of the great victory on the Volga)." Rodina History (in Russian). 30 February 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "ТУЛЬСКОЕ СУВОРОВСКОЕ ВОЕННОЕ УЧИЛИЩЕ (Tula Suvorov Military School)." ruscadet (in Russian). Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "The Youngest Six-Year-Old Soldier of WWII." Medium. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "Rabbit Soldier Angel Thief." National Geographic Kids. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "Serguei Aleshkov: O soldado de seis anos que participou da Segunda Guerra (Sergei Aleshkov: The Six-Year-Old Soldier Who Fought in World War II)." Aventuras na Historia (in Portuguese). 7 September 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ Egorov, Boris (2020-12-22). "The six-year-old soldier who fought in WWII". Russia Beyond. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
- ^ "В Москве состоится премьера 'Солдатика' (The premiere of 'The Soldier' will take place in Moscow)." unikino.ru (in Russian). 18 February 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "Историю о самом маленьком герое Великой Отечественной войны покажут в кино (The story of the smallest hero of the Great Patriotic War will be shown in cinemas)." Vechernyaya Moskva (in Russian). 21 February 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "Bendigo author's historical fiction tale nominated for children's book award". www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au. 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
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