Yefim Fomin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yefim Fomin
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| Born | 15 January 1909 Kolyshki, Russian Empire (now Belarus)
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| Died | 26 June 1941 (aged 32) |
| Cause of death | Execution by shooting |
| Occupation | Political commissar |
| Known for | Defense of Brest Fortress |
Yefim Moiseyevich Fomin (Belarusian: Яўхім Майсеевіч Фамін, romanized: Yaukhim Maisieyevich Famin; Russian: Ефим Моисеевич Фомин; 15 January 1909 – 26 June 1941) was a Soviet political commissar. A political commissar was a leader in the army who helped make sure soldiers followed rules and believed in their country's ideas. Fomin is remembered for his part in the 1941 Defense of Brest Fortress. During this battle, the German Army captured him, and he was shot.
Early Life
Yefim Fomin was born in 1909 in Kolyshki, a place that is now part of Belarus. He came from a Jewish family. Sadly, he lost his parents when he was very young and grew up in orphanages.
In 1924, when Fomin was 15 years old, he joined the Komsomol. This was a youth organization in the Soviet Union. He worked at a shoe factory in Vitebsk. Later, he moved to Pskov. There, he went to a special school to become a professional party worker for the Communist Party. In 1930, at age 21, Fomin became a member of the Soviet Communist Party. After finishing school, he became a propagandist for the Pskov City Committee of the Communist Party. This meant he helped spread the party's ideas.
Army Career
In 1932, the Communist Party sent Fomin to join the Soviet Army. He became a political commissar. This job meant he moved around a lot, living in different places like Pskov, Crimea, Kharkiv, Moscow, and Latvia.
In August 1938, Fomin was made a divisional commissar. He worked with the 23rd Rifle Division. In 1940, he served in Daugavpils, which is in Latvia. However, in March 1941, his rank was lowered. He became a regimental commissar and was sent to the 84th Rifle Regiment. This regiment was part of the 6th Rifle Division and was stationed in Brest, Belarus.
On June 21, 1941, Fomin wanted to travel to Daugavpils to bring his family to Brest. But he could not get a train ticket because there were too many people at the station. The next day, June 22, Fomin was at the Brest Fortress. This was when the German Army started a war against the Soviet Union. This attack was called Operation Barbarossa.
Fomin was the highest-ranking commander present at the Kholm Gate of the fortress. He took charge of the Soviet soldiers who defended that part of the fortress. The battle for the fortress lasted for several days. Fomin moved to the northern part of the fortress's Central Island. He was captured there on June 26, 1941. The German soldiers identified him as a commissar and a Jew. Because of a special order called the Commissar Order, he was shot right away. This likely happened near the Kholm Gate.
Posthumous Honors
In January 1957, Fomin received a special honor after his death. He was given the Order of Lenin for his bravery in defending the Brest Fortress. This is one of the highest awards in the Soviet Union.
In May 1991, veterans from the 6th Rifle Division had a reunion. At this meeting, Fomin's earlier demotion was officially canceled. He was given back his rank of divisional commissar.
