[Кирилл Сызранский]

on the eve of Stalingrad took a lot of refugees from Ukraine, neighboring regions and even from Leningrad. It was believed that the city of Stalin - a reliable fortress, its like, and Moscow would not give. According to some reports, the town is approximately 700 000 citizens.
A bomb shelter was scarce. Yes, and they are intended for different staffs, committees. And the evacuation of up to 23rd forbidden even to speak.
Many years later, the deputy director of the Museum of Defense Andrei Borodin Chuyanova asked: "Why do you people do not save?" That it even waved his hands, "What do you even say a word about the evacuation was impossible." And he told how to call Stalin and demanded to take all measures to prevent the evacuation. "Evacuation - is panic," - said Stalin.
At this point there are memoirs of Nikita Khrushchev, at that time a member of the Military Council of the Stalingrad front. "Call me Stalin suddenly and rather nervously, rudely asked," What is it you have started to evacuate the city? "And he began to dramatically express their disapproval. Answer:" Comrade Stalin, who reported to you? No evacuation of the city is not, and nothing is being done ... "I thought, who could tell him the filth and threw it to me personally? .. It was a" test "an invention of Stalin - apparently for prevention. Nobody thought about the evacuation, and no one did anything for her ... "
No one and nothing ...
At 15 hours 18 minutes 23 August in the city was given a siren. Here's how to write about the future Alex Chuyanov:
"And right over the central part of the city there are hundreds of heavy bombers Nazis. One wave after another. Our fighters bravely into the battle, but they are too few. Antiaircraft batteries suppressed. Germans methodically shed a fiery, heavy high-explosive bombs. Hell. Smoke of fires obscures the midday sun. Explosions rocked the awesome power of the air. burning neighborhoods, crumbling as card, school buildings were converted into hospitals, cultural and community facilities. everywhere hear moans, screams of the wounded. reeks of death of people in apartments, basements, shops, work in the streets. survivors, seeking refuge in the crevices. And the sky blackened by the smoke continued to pour bombs. All of the main communications - water, electricity, telegraph and telephone lines out of service. "
In this hell died, according to various estimates, between forty and forty-six thousand. The next day will be organized delayed evacuation.

First Secretary of the Regional Party Committee, Comrade Stalingrad. Chuyanov: