The Second World War... It brought a lot of grief and disaster, claimed the lives of more than 50 million people, made thousands of children orphans, and forced parents to experience the bitterness of separation. This war became a tragedy of the 20th century.

According to the head of the Information Service of Uzarchive Agency Anvarjon Aliyev, letters from soldiers sent by Uzbeks from the front during the Second World War have also been carefully preserved in the form of a collection for almost eighty years in the state archives of the agency, along with unique manuscripts, legal documents relating to various historical periods of Uzbekistan, as well as many documents created in the course of the activities of national organizations, institutions and enterprises.

As noted, these letters contain sincere expressions and good wishes to parents, relatives, and friends. They vividly reflected such feelings as the belief of the Uzbek soldiers in victory, courage and heroism on the battlefield, anger and hatred of the enemy. Since the authors of the letters saw and experienced the events of the war with their own eyes, these letters are an extremely valuable historical source for studying the Second World War.

In information, correspondence and reports, one can feel the breath of war, reminiscent of how many young lives were lost, how many babies and children died without seeing the light of day.

“Most importantly, none of the more than 5,000 soldiers’ letters kept in the state archives contains a single word about fear of death or complaints about difficulties”, says Ulugbek Yusupov, Director of the Uzarchive Agency. – Each line is written only about victory, blocking the path of the enemy, even at the cost of one’s life, and securing peace. This war brought endless hardships to many nations. But even though the people themselves were hungry, they did not stop working and sending help to the soldiers at the front.

“If I had wings, I would certainly fly to you!”

“This is your son Bakhrom ...” – this is how one of the letters begins. “Give my best regards to my caring friends. I am alive and well. I am in a good mood, it only upsets me that I miss you very much and see you only in a dream. Unfortunately, I cannot write to you often. I get discouraged when I think about my sick brother and grandmother. I am sending you three photographs of myself with this letter.

Give one photo to my mother, the second to my brother, and the third to Malokhat. I am very grateful to you, my brother, for your concern. In turn, I do not take offense at my older brother. Because he needs love and does not feel well. I am not offended by my grandmother, who did not write to me. I feel that my brother is writing down the words of my grandmother. If I had wings, I would certainly fly to you. You are always before my eyes, in my thoughts. My dear ones, very soon I will defeat the enemy and return to you with victory. There is very little left. God bless, I will be alive, and we will meet. If there is news, write...”

According to archival data, in the first days of the war, the city and district military commissariats of Uzbekistan received more than 14,000 applications.

According to the decree of the Head of state of September 20, 2019, it is planned, together with the State Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to take measures to declassify, in the prescribed manner, archival documents of the historical period (until 1917) stored in state archives. At the same time, an initiative was put forward to declassify archival documents related to the Second World War.

According to experts, based on the archival documents of 1941-1945, which are still kept in secrecy, there is information reflecting the process of evacuating the population from the battlefields, relocating industrial enterprises, military, scientific, cultural institutions, orphanages, hospitals and other types of organizations in Uzbekistan during these years. There is also data on the work of our compatriots in the rear during the war years and the contribution of the people of Uzbekistan to the victory, including by sending weapons, food and textiles to the front.

Our compatriots who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country’s freedom and victory are real heroes. In life, one cannot count all the benefits created for a person. However, the most priceless are peace and tranquility, freedom and independence.

Mukhayyo Toshqorayeva, UzA