SUNKEN PONTOON AS A WITNESS OF FORCING OF THE DNIEPER NEAR THE RAZUMOVKA VILLAGE IN 1943

Abstract

The article is dealt with one of the bloodiest events of World War II — the forcing of the Dnieper River in 1943. In particular, it is told about the front area near the village Razumovka in Zaporizhia district of Zaporizhia region — to the south of Khortytsia island. This operation was described as a standard of overcoming large water barriers by the Soviet historiography. Specific preparation for it was studied after the war at the Central Rifle-tactical Officer Training Courses “Vystrel”. However, scanning the bottom of the Dnieper River gives opportunity significantly revise such point of view. Sonars capture traces of numerous Soviet floatation devices — boats, barges, pontoons, one of which was thoroughly investigated by the Underwater Archaeological Expedition (EPAR) in the frame of the project “Dnieper Crossing” (2012-2017). In the article is described the progress of the researches, findings, peculiarities of the pontoon construction, plans for its raise and reconstruction.

Keywords

• world war ii
• forcing the dnieper
• zaporizhia
• razumovka village
• divers
• underwater archaeological expedition
• pontoon