Pictured: Colonel General V.I. Chuikov with Major General M.G. Vainrub (right). For more on Chuikov's relationship with Vainrub, see this link.
Soviet war correspondent and poet Evgeny Dolmatovsky kept a wartime diary which was published in the Smena journal at the end of the war. Alongside accounts of strategy and destruction, Dolmatovsky’s journal highlights the heroism and personal connections that defined these soldiers, focusing particularly on Major General Matvey Vainrub, a young Soviet Jew and celebrated figure within the tank divisions.
Known for his remarkable bravery, Vainrub was already legendary from the Battle of Stalingrad, his courage earning him deep admiration across all ranks. Dolmatovsky’s reflections on Vainrub and his bond with General Chuikov offer a moving portrayal of wartime brotherhood, resilience, and sacrifice, spotlighting the complex, diverse stories of those whose actions would soon bring an end to the war. In his entry on 26 April 1945, Dolmatovsky wrote the following:
“I spent all these days in Berlin, in the troops of General Chuikov – I made this entry in my notebook and remembered another entry from the time of the end of the Battle of Stalingrad: I spent all these days in Stalingrad in the troops of General Chuikov.
There are many old acquaintances here. Hero of the Soviet Union, Major General of Tank Troops Matvey Vainrub [also translated as Weinrub – M.K.] is one of the youngest generals: he is barely over thirty. Legends of his bravery have been circulating since Stalingrad. Everyone loves him for his bravery, from the driver to the commander.
During the battles for Küstrin, Vainrub was seriously wounded for the fifth time. Chuikov himself brought him to the hospital and, when the doctors hesitated to meet him, shouted at them: ‘Why are you hesitating?! My Vainrub is bleeding!’ He said it as if Vainrub were an inseparable part of himself.
Now the young general walks with a cane, limping, sometimes wincing slightly from pain. His tanks are fighting in the city, and he, despite the fact that he has not yet recovered from his injury, constantly goes out to them along the broken and brick-strewn streets.”
Pictured: (from right to left) Major General Matvey Vainrub, writer Konstantin Simonov, cameraman Ilya Arons at the Reichstag building in Berlin, May 1945.
In this entry, Dolmatovsky not only captures the intensity of the final days of World War II in Berlin but also introduces Major General Matvey Vainrub as a striking example of bravery and resilience. Vainrub, a Soviet Jew, stands out not only for his youth—one of the youngest generals at just over thirty—but also for his legendary courage, a quality that has earned him admiration from all ranks, from drivers to commanders. His identity as a Soviet Jew is significant, reflecting the Soviet Union's complex relationship with its Jewish population, where loyalty to the state and acts of heroism were often held in high regard despite underlying societal challenges.
The mention of Vainrub’s multiple injuries during the war underscores the brutal sacrifices made by Soviet soldiers. His fifth wounding at Küstrin, followed by Chuikov’s impassioned response, reveals the close bonds formed in combat. Vasily Ivanovich’s exclamation, “My Vainrub is bleeding!” as he brought Vainrub to the hospital, evokes a sense of personal pride and protectiveness over his comrade, almost as if they were family. This deep connection shows the unity that transcended individual backgrounds, as well as the respect Vainrub had earned among his fellow soldiers, including his commanders.
Despite his injuries, Vainrub’s return to the battlefield on crutches exemplifies his determination and sense of duty. His visible limp and occasional winces from pain did not deter him from walking Berlin’s rubble-strewn streets to stand beside his tanks, symbolizing the relentless spirit of the Soviet forces. As a Soviet Jew, his defiance and commitment carry an additional layer of significance, challenging stereotypes and standing as a testament to the diverse contributions of Soviet citizens in the fight against fascism.
Dolmatovsky’s entry thus captures not only the strategic achievements of the Soviet army but the personal stories of resilience, unity, and sacrifice. It is a reminder of the multifaceted humanity of those who fought, with figures like Vainrub embodying courage and dedication amid one of history’s most defining moments.