The liberator of Sevastopol Vasily Vertel passed away

At the age of 101, one of the liberators of Sevastopol, intelligence officer Vasily Vasilyevich Vertel, died. The sad news was reported to ForPost by the veteran’s relatives.

Vasily Vasilyevich lived in Slavyansk-on-Kuban and was an honorary citizen of this city. Last year it was solemn celebrated 100th anniversary veteran of the Great Patriotic War.

Vasily Vertel went to the front as a volunteer in July 1941. He was 17 years old. Having become a scout in the 88th Rifle Regiment of the 33rd Guards Sevastopol Red Banner Rifle Division, he fought from Kuban through Crimea and Stalingrad all the way to Königsberg. He was wounded four times.

For courage and valor, he was awarded two Orders of the Red Banner of Battle, two Orders of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd degree, and the Order of the Red Star.

The veteran wore the medals “For the Defense of Stalingrad”, “For the Capture of Koenigsberg”, “For Victory over Germany” on his chest.

“On May 4, after strong artillery preparation and training of attack aircraft, we launched an attack on Sevastopol. We broke through the German defenses on the Mekenzi Mountains: we walked where our sailors stood in the 42nd. Rocks, cliffs, it was scary and difficult, especially when we crossed the Northern Bay. And already on May 9 <1944 - note> we completely liberated Sevastopol. And we on Grafskaya made a fireworks using military weapons in honor of the liberation of Sevastopol. I remember these events. The battles were terrible then, the Germans and Romanians defended themselves oh so cruelly. But we did it, and our division, the 33rd, was named Sevastopol,” the veteran told ForPost.

After the war, Vasily Vasilyevich chose the peaceful and creative profession of a builder in order to contribute to the restoration of the country. People who knew him called the veteran an “amazing person” and a “natural intellectual.”

The ForPost editors express their condolences to the family and friends of Vasily Vasilyevich. The bright memory of him will remain in the hearts of Sevastopol residents.

Alina Gromova

Photo: administration of the municipality of the Slavyansky district