Memory of Russia: "A Soldier of 1812" exhibition in Smolensk

"A Soldier of 1812" exhibition, dedicated to an ordinary soldier - the main hero of the events of World War II - takes place in the "Smolensk - a Shield of Russia" Museum (Gromovaya Tower). Bit by bit, basing on found on the battlefields elements of uniforms, weapons and ammunition, and on the archives materials, works of art, memoirs of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, the organizers have tried to recreate an image of the participants of the great battles.

The exhibition presents a reconstruction of the costumes of a private soldier of Moscow Grenadier and a private soldier of the 2nd Pioneer regiments in their winter season form, the ammunition pouch’s number plates, shako rhombs of various regiments, medallions, amulets, belonging to Russian and French officers swords, Russian artillery cores, enabling to learn under which standards troops of that period were equipped. These collections contain some unique exhibits - a nominal St. George Cross, handmade partisan pistol, a large amount of ammunition and weapons of Russian, French, British and others involved in the war parties.

The uniqueness of this exhibition owns to an origin of its exhibits, which were kindly provided to the museum by private collectors, and which are introduced to the audience for the first time. Dedicated to the soldiers of 1812 watercolors by Smolensk artist V. V. Taratorin successfully complement the exhibition.