Virtual tour Memorial complex “Șerpeni Bridgehead”
The memorial complex embodies humanity’s gratitude and respect towards the war victims who lost their lives during the tragic events from April to August 1944. Construction of the complex began in 1995. Initiated by the President of the Republic of Moldova, Vladimir Voronin, reconstruction efforts began in 2003. The official opening took place on August 22, 2004.
The “Șerpeni Bridgehead” Battle
In April 1944, the troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front crossed the Dniester River, creating several bridgeheads on the right bank, the largest of which was in the Kiczkan area. The Șerpeni-Pugăceni bridgehead, covering a relatively small area of 7-8 km along the front line and 3-4 km deep, became the site of dramatic battles. During the capture and defense of this bridgehead in the spring and summer of 1944, the soldiers of the 5th and 62/8/ Guards Armies, the 57th Army, and the 5th Shock Army fought heroically. The fiercest battles took place near the village of Șerpeni. For one hundred days and nights, this patch of land was valiantly defended by the soldiers of the 295th Rifle Division of the 32nd Corps of the 5th Shock Army under the command of Lieutenant General N.E. Berzarin. On the eve of the Jassy-Kishinev operation, to mislead the enemy and convince them that the main Soviet attack would occur in the Kishinev direction, the Soviet command ordered an offensive by the units stationed on the Șerpeni bridgehead.
On August 18, the artillery of the Soviet troops began an assault on the settlement of Șerpeni. Drawing heavy fire from German artillery, the 10th and 13th assault battalions, along with the special 213th company, entered the battle. Although the settlement was not liberated in the first two days, the operation’s goal was achieved: enemy reserves were tied down, facilitating a breakthrough in the enemy’s defense lines at the main points of attack. At dawn on August 23, 1944, the 32nd Corps of the 5th Shock Army launched a decisive offensive from the Șerpeni bridgehead, resulting in the liberation of the city of Chișinău on August 24, 1944.
According to updated data from the Central Archive of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, more than 11,000 Soviet servicemen were killed or went missing during the battles on the Șerpeni-Pugăceni bridgehead from April to August 1944.
