10–11 September — “Tankers’ Day”

 

Starts at 11:00.

On 10–11 September, the Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex, with the support of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus and Wargaming, will hold a Tankers’ Day event marking the 70th anniversary of the tank forces’ professional holiday and the centenary of tank production.

Over the two days, the complex will host three military-historical reenactments dedicated to heroic events of the Great Patriotic War and the war in Afghanistan.
 
More than a dozen interactive entertainment and recreation areas will be open to visitors. Guests will be able to test their skills in a virtual World of Tanks battle, at the Tank Crew School and by painting a tank, or take on the many challenges of the “Operation” quest. Visitors with children can enjoy a dedicated children’s room, an inflatable trampoline, a photo area and the Stalin Line cinema. The most active competition participants will receive certificates and valuable prizes, as well as rides in military vehicles.
 
For the first time, Stalin Line will present its visitors with an exceptionally rare exhibit: the legendary Soviet KV-1. Fragments of the vehicle were found by volunteer search teams, with the direct involvement of the Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex and the Republican Special-Purpose Unit of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, in marshland south-east of the town of Senno in the Vitebsk Region. The tank was reconstructed by the Stalin Line restoration team to mark the 75th anniversary of Zinovy Kolobanov’s feat on 20 August 2016.
 
Detailed information about the search and the reconstruction of the KV-1 heavy tank is available in the following materials  KV-1 — The Forgotten Legend, Reconstruction of the KV-1 Tank, Progress of the Restoration Work.
 
Warm weather is expected on Tankers’ Day, with possible rain and temperatures of +18 to +21 °C. We recommend that visitors dress warmly and bring waterproof footwear. 
 

Historical Background — Tankers’ Day

Tankers’ Day is the professional holiday of tank crews and tank manufacturers, celebrated annually on the second Sunday in September.
It was established by a Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated 1 July 1946 to commemorate the outstanding contribution of the armoured and mechanised forces to defeating the enemy during the Great Patriotic War, as well as the contribution of tank manufacturers to equipping the country’s Armed Forces with armoured vehicles. Until 1980, it was celebrated on 11 September, as Soviet troops had achieved major successes during the Eastern Carpathian Offensive on that date in 1944. In 1980, a Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR established the current date of observance. 
The professional holiday of Tankers’ Day is one of the most highly regarded celebrations in the armed forces. For a time, from the 1940s to the 1950s, major cities even marked Tankers’ Day with ceremonial tank columns proceeding through the streets and a gun salute.

Historical Background: KV-1

KV-1 tanks were last used extensively during the summer campaign of 1943. By then, these were predominantly KV-1S tanks. For example, the 6th Guards Breakthrough Tank Regiment operated as part of the North Caucasian Front in May and June 1943. Several regiments also took part in the Battle of Kursk. There were 70 KV tanks on the Central Front and 105 on the Voronezh Front, representing just 5% of the total number of tanks serving on these two fronts. Together with the T-34, which was produced in large numbers, the KV made its own contribution to victory over the enemy.

Historical Background: The Centenary of Tank Production This year marks the centenary of tank production. In the summer of 1916, at the height of the First World War, tanks built by the British in strict secrecy were transported by rail to a port under tarpaulins. To mislead German spies, British railway workers were told that the shipment consisted of tanks made for the... Russian army! To make the deception more convincing, the ‘tanks’ themselves were marked ‘Caution: Petrograd’. The ruse worked, and when tanks first entered battle during the Battle of the Somme on 15 September 1916, their appearance came as a complete surprise to the German infantry. Despite their many shortcomings, the British achieved significant successes with the tanks. Armoured vehicles subsequently took part in every major offensive operation. At first, tank armour was impervious to all types of small-arms fire, while field artillery did not yet have armour-piercing shells. It took the Germans some time to discover that the armour of British tanks could be breached only by a direct hit from a shrapnel shell case. Special armour-piercing bullets for small arms were developed somewhat later, followed by anti-tank rifles.

 
Provisional Programme for 10 September*
 
Minsk Time
09:00 First buses depart from Kamennaya Gorka metro station
 
11:00 Event begins. Guided-tour and interactive zones open to visitors
  • “Stalin Line” Guided Tour Route  
  • Photo Area 
  • Stalin Line Cinema
  • Children’s Room
  • Tank Painting
  • Pedalo and Boat Rides
  • PT-76, BTR-40 and MT-LB Rides
  • Trampoline and Water Roller
  • Quad Bike Rides
  • Laser Tag
  • Sword Fighting
  • “Cannon Firing” Demonstration
  • “Operation” Quest
  • Virtual World of Tanks Battle
Description of the “Operation” Quest
You can experience the role of Red Army soldiers entrusted with an important combat mission: delivering valuable cargo to the base despite every obstacle along the way. The challenges include receiving a radio message, firing airsoft weapons at targets, throwing a grenade and helping a wounded soldier. 
 
11:30 Interactive Learning Zones Open
  • Tank Crew School: “Basic Training”
  • Exhibition of Military Vehicles and Weapons from the Great Patriotic War and the War in Afghanistan
 
11:30 Opening of the Stalin Line Ready for Labour and Defence (GTO) Competition Area 
 

Ready for Labour and Defence (GTO) Zone

The Ready for Labour and Defence (GTO) fitness standards area at Stalin Line is now in its second year. Visitor interest in this activity continues to grow, with ever more people taking part. 
The most active visitors aged over seven who win a prize in the interactive Ready for Labour and Defence (GTO) zone will have the opportunity to ride in a military vehicle.
The results of all registered participants will subsequently be displayed at the information centre, where the winners will be awarded diplomas and prizes.
 
GTO Marksmanship
  • Grenade Throwing
  • Airgun Shooting
  • Ring Toss
  • Bayonet Fighting
GTO Physical Training
  • 50-Metre Race
  • Sack Race
  • Partner Wheelbarrow Race
  • Tug of War
  • Three-Legged Race 
  • Pull-Ups
  • Press-Ups 
  • Abdominal Exercises
GTO Knowledge
  • Assembly and Disassembly of Deactivated Weapons
  • “Tankers’ Day” Quiz
  • “First Aid — Red Cross”
 
12:00 World of Tanks Gaming Zone Opens
13:00 Easy Dizzy Performance
14:00 Great Patriotic War Battle Reenactment Featuring the KV-1
14:30–18:00 Soldiers of Victory Club Interactive Zone Opens
15:00 — Khamil and Zmey Performance
15:00–17:00 KV-1 Tank Presentation
16:00 Demonstration by the Belarusian Tank Biathlon Team Featuring a T-72 Tank
17:30 Awards and presentation of certificates
19:00 Interactive Zones Close
19:00 Afghan War Battle Reenactment Featuring Equipment of the Belarusian Ministry of Defence
20:00 Complex Closes
 
*the organisers reserve the right to make changes to the programme
 
Provisional Event Programme for 11 September*
 
Minsk Time
09:00 First buses depart from Kamennaya Gorka metro station
 
11:00 Event begins. Guided-tour and interactive zones open to visitors
  • “Stalin Line” Guided Tour Route  
  • Photo Area 
  • Stalin Line Cinema
  • Children’s Room
  • Tank Painting
  • Pedalo and Boat Rides
  • PT-76, BTR-40 and MT-LB Rides
  • Trampoline and Water Roller
  • Quad Bike Rides
  • Laser Tag
  • Sword Fighting
  • “Cannon Firing” Demonstration
  • “Operation” Quest
  • Virtual World of Tanks Battle
11:30 Interactive Learning Zones Open
  • Tank Crew School: “Basic Training”
  • Exhibition of Military Vehicles and Weapons from the Great Patriotic War and the War in Afghanistan
 
11:30 Opening of the Stalin Line Ready for Labour and Defence (GTO) Competition Area
12:00 World of Tanks Gaming Zone Opens
13:00 Easy Dizzy Performance
14:00 Great Patriotic War Battle Reenactment Featuring the KV-1
14:30–17:30 Soldiers of Victory Club Interactive Zone Opens
15:00 — Trubetskoy Band Performance
15:00–17:00 KV-1 Tank Presentation
16:00 Demonstration by the Belarusian Tank Biathlon Team Featuring a T-72 Tank
17:00 Interactive areas close
17:30 Awards and presentation of certificates
18:00 Complex Closes
 
*the organisers reserve the right to make changes to the programme
 
 

How to Get Here

The Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex is located at kilometre 31 of the P28 road (Minsk–Molodechno), 20 km from the Minsk Ring Road.
Visitors without their own transport can take a Minsk–Molodechno shared minibus from the Druzhnaya terminus. Services depart every 20 minutes; passengers paying the full fare can travel to the Stalin Line stop.
 
Free buses will be provided for visitors on 10 September from 9:00 to 21:00 and on 11 September from 9:00 to 18:00. They will run every 20 minutes between Kamennaya Gorka metro station and Stalin Line in both directions.
The last bus from Stalin Line will depart at 20:50 on 10 September and at 17:20 on 11 September.
 
Two purpose-built car parks with 800 spaces are available for visitors arriving by car.
 
Directions to the Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex are available here.
 
Special Offer! Discounted Transfer to Stalin Line
Transfers are provided by the complex’s partner, Taxi Gold, from anywhere in Minsk and back. One-way fare 23 roubles (230,000).
Up to 6 passengers.
Book a transfer:
1. Short number: 7585
2. Velcom: +375445533618
3. Book online free of charge at taxigold7585.by
4. Via the 1000taxi app on Google Play
 
Where can I buy a ticket?
Admission tickets are available to everyone on the website or from the complex ticket offices on the day of the event.
Children aged 6 and under do not require a ticket and may attend the event free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Children aged 7 to 18 require a child admission ticket.
 
Tickets purchased through the website by 9 September inclusive: adults 13 roubles, children 7 roubles
Tickets purchased through the website on 10–11 September or from the complex ticket offices on the day of the event: adults 15 roubles, children 7 roubles
 
Each ticket purchased through the website is valid for admission to the complex on either 10 or 11 September.
 
 
 
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