DEVÄŤ ZLATÝCH HVIEZD. HRDINOVIA ALEBO NÁHODNÝ VÝBER PROPAGANDY? TANKOVÁ ČATA PODPORUČÍKA DEPUTATOVA V OBRANE HRONSKÉHO PREDMOSTIA

On February 17, 1945 units of the German Wehrmacht launched its last successful tank offensive on the eastern front. This operation was named Südwind. Its goal was an elimination of the 2nd Soviet Ukrainian front bridgehead on the lower Hron. The progress of this operation is well documented in the military-historical literature. We know exactly the units, their activity, even the losses on both sides. There is lack of information concerning the human dimension of this operation. Article focuses on three crews of second lieutenant Deputatov, who held their positions in lost battle until last moment and after it, they were celebrated as heroes. Were they really exceptional heroes or randomly selected examples to serve as a mean of strengthening the morale and motivate the others for such deeds?