Buynichskoye Pole is a memorial complex located in the territory of the Republic of Belarus near the city of Mogilev. In 1941, these lands were the site of battles that played a significant role in the course of the Great Patriotic War.
Buynich field in history
The history of the agro-town began 5-8 thousand years ago, when ancient people’s camps were located on its territory.
Princes Buinitsky
Yuri Voydatovich Tolochko is considered to be the ancestor of the Buinitsky princes. One of his estates was located south of Mogilev. It was called Bujnitsy. The prince had two sons. Fyodor had no children, and Ivan had an heir, Lev. He became the full owner of the estate. The prince’s son also owned Buynitsy, but left no children, so the lands went to his sisters. There was a protracted litigation between them, as a result of which the estate went to Anna (by her husband Kroshinskaya).
In the middle of the XVI century Buynitsy was given to Polotsk nobleman Barkhulab Korsak as a bride’s dowry. And in 1592 the lands passed into the possession of the husband of his daughter Eva, Prince Bogdan Ivanovich Solomeretsky.
Nalivaiko’s Cossack rebellion
On November 30, 1595 a Cossack revolt began in Mogilev. It was headed by Severin Nalivaiko. 2000 men under his command set fire to the temple, maiming and killing people. Hetman Nikolai Buivid had to oppose them. Nalivaiko and his men were surrounded on the Buynich field. For a long time there was no winner in the battle, but during the night the marauders retreated. However, the hetman’s troops did not let them leave, caught up with them and defeated the detachment.
Legacy of Bohdan Solomeretsky
Bogdan Solomeretsky actively supported the Orthodox Church. He bequeathed to erect a monastery in Baynitsy. His youngest son, who inherited the lands, did not have time to fulfill his father’s will, but bequeathed to his son-in-law and daughter to do so. Those fulfilled the will of their father and grandfather. In 1633, the Monastery of the Holy Spirit became operational.
In 1708, the Swedes stopped near Buinich. Charles XII’s men sacked the monastery. When the king found out what he had done, he not only made him return the stolen goods, but also punished the perpetrators severely.
The monastery was active for about 300 years. At the founding it became a men’s school, but afterward it was re-formed into a women’s school. In 1919 it became the property of the workers’ and peasants’ power. But even then continued his work for a while longer. It was not until 1930 that a granary was built in it.
Buinich’s pre-war fate
The last individual owner of the estate was Anna Radkevich. The village then became part of the BNR in 1918. From January 1, 1919 it was part of the BSSR, and from the middle of the month it passed to the RSFSR. The land became Belarusian again in 1924. At that time the village was divided into 2 parts: Old and New Buynichi. The unification took place a little later, at which time electricity was brought to the former princely estate.
Battles of the Great Patriotic War on Bujnichi Field
Buynich Field became a place of cruelest battles already in the first days of the Great Patriotic War. The situation on the Western Front was dire at the time, with many soldiers surrounded, captured or killed. Therefore, it was decided to create a second Dnieper frontier. Much importance was given to the defense of Mogilev. Twenty-five anti-tank ditches were erected around the city. Fortifications and trenches were actively created to protect the city from the invasion of German equipment.
It was decided to defend Mogilev, to make every effort to save it. The city was not to be taken by the enemy. For 23 days his defense lasted. From July 3 to July 10, the fighting took place on the far approaches to Mogilev. But it was not possible to hold back the enemy, despite all efforts. Then from the 10th to the 20th the battle moved to the near approaches. The city was taken by the Nazis in pincers. On July 12, German tank units attempted to break into the city. But were stopped in the course of the battle on the field.
In the first battle, 39 of the 70 attacking tanks were destroyed. The Germans made 1 more attempt to break into the city, but were again defeated. However, they then captured Chausy. Mogilev was completely surrounded. Soviet soldiers tried to leave the city to their own, but only a few succeeded.
Fyodor Bakunin with 140 fighters managed to escape. They wanted to put him on trial, but the situation was saved by each of the soldiers having a gun. Major General Mikhail Romanov was captured. He died in 1941 in a concentration camp. Almost all of Colonel Kutepov’s regiment was killed. Only a few escaped. The fate of the colonel himself is not exactly known. Later, Konstantin Simonov recreated his image in the person of Serpilin. The character managed to live to see the liberation of the city.
Buinich Field Memorial Complex
The memorial complex is of considerable importance to every resident of the city. This area is considered almost sacred.
History of Creation
The memorial complex was opened on May 9, 1995. Its authors were architects Vladimir Chalenko, Oleg Baranovsky. The decision to design it was made back in 1983, and the construction was approved in 1994. The project that won the 1st prize at the architectural competition was chosen.
Chapel
Constructed in the traditions of Orthodox architecture, the chapel is located in the center of the memorial. Terracotta bricks were used to build the facades. Sheet copper was used in the creation of the dome. It is decorated with frescoes on the inside. Many of them show scenes relating to defense. On the walls there are marble slabs covered with the names of the fallen defenders of Mogilev.
The memorial crypt is located under the chapel. The remains of the city’s defenders killed during the war continue to be delivered here today.
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German and Soviet vehicles on the Bujnichi field
Of the Nazi vehicles it is possible to see the Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf G, a German tank that Soviet soldiers briefly called the T-3. This specimen, recovered from the river bed, took part in the siege of the city. It was placed on the pedestal as if the combat vehicle was bowing to the fallen defenders of Mogilev.
From the Soviet machinery can be seen:
- heavy tank IS-2;
- M-30 122-mm howitzer;
- a T-80 tank;
- a T-72 tank;
- D-44 cannon;
- 100-mm anti-aircraft gun KS-19;
- a Beetle reconnaissance vehicle;
- PT SAU SU-100.
The anti-tank ditch
A section of the anti-tank ditch can be seen within the field. Although German tanks were capable of overcoming such an obstacle, they had to slow down a lot to do so. They climbed slowly, allowing Soviet soldiers to pound the tracks. This allowed most of the enemy vehicles to be destroyed.
Simonov’s Alley and Stone
Konstantin Simonov arrived in Mogilev on July 13, shortly after a 14-hour battle. The war correspondent managed to leave town the next day at the last moment. Until his death he could not forget the hours spent then in Mogilev. Even after the victory he returned many times, held meetings with participants of military operations. He was the first to point out the importance of the city’s defense to the outcome of the war. About the heroism of the defenders, the events that took place, the author told in detail in his work “The Living and the Dead”.
The writer’s ashes were scattered over Buynich Field by relatives, according to the will. But to achieve this was problematic: the Central Committee of the CPSU believed that he should be buried in the Novodevichy cemetery. The urn was buried in a field and later a memorial stone was placed over it. It was brought from the Republican museum of boulders, installed on November 25, 1980. The writer’s autograph is engraved on the stone, a plaque is installed.
Mode of operation and cost of attendance
You can visit the Buinich Field free of charge. You will have to pay 12 Belarusian rubles (approximately 350 rubles in Russian currency) for participation in the thematic lesson. Adults can familiarize themselves with the photo exhibit for 1 bel. rubles (30 rubles), children – for 50 kop. (15 rubles). A tour with a story about the history of the location and local attractions will cost 5 bel. rubles (150 rubles).
The complex is open to the public from April 1 to October 31.
Where is it located and how to get to Bujniczko Polje?
The memorial complex is located 6 km from the highway Mogilev – Bobruisk. You can get there by buses No. 3, 15, 44 or shuttle buses No. 9t, 43t.
