This year marks the 100th anniversary of the national hero of Kazakhstan Rakhymzhan Koshkarbayev. The names of officer Koshkarbayev and Red Army soldier Bulatov became immortal in history thanks to their heroic feat. On April 30, 1945, they crawled from Himmler’s house to the Reichstag, which is only 360 meters, in seven hours and were the first to plant the Victory banner. A book exhibition has been organized in the library of the Bolashaq Academy
Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev – hero’s feat
(1924 – 1988)
Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev was born on October 19, 1924 in the Kyrykkuduk area of Akmola region. At the age of four, he lost his mother, and after his father’s repression in 1937, he ended up in the Taytobinsky orphanage.
After graduating from grades 7 in an orphanage, Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev entered the factory apprenticeship school in the suburb of Balkhash, where he studied not only the working craft, but also the basics of military affairs. He also performed in the school orchestra, played dombra and mandolin.
With the outbreak of World War II, Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev asked to go to the front line, but at that time he was only 16 years old. In 1942, he joined a rifle regiment in Kokshetau, and then was sent to the Tambov General Command Infantry School, evacuated to Bishkek. In 1944, Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev, having graduated with honors, went to the front, where he showed bravery, dedication and courage, defending his Homeland. By the end of the war, Lieutenant Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev was the commander of the 1st infantry platoon of the 150th Infantry division of the Idritsko-Berlin Order of Kutuzov.
On April 30, 1945, Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev broke into the Reichstag and hoisted the Victory banner. For his feat, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner in 1945 and the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd degree in 1985.
After the war, Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayeva was elected a deputy of the Council of People’s Deputies of the city of Alma-Ata. He was a member of the Presidium of the Kazakh branch of the Committee of War Veterans and the Society of Soviet-German Friendship. He wrote two books about his memories of the war: “The Banner of Victory” and the documentary story “Assault: Day 1410”.
Kazakhstan honors its legendary countryman and preserves the memory of his great feat. His name is immortalized in the names of schools, streets and settlements, memorial plaques, monuments and busts are installed in his honor. By decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev was posthumously awarded the highest award of our country – “Halyk Kaharmany” (“National Hero”).
This year, Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev would have turned 100 years old.
