Twenty-eight Heroes In the autumn of 1941 fascist Germany concentrated strong forces for an offensive against our capital. The first nazi attack on Moscow failed. On the 16th of November the Germans launched the second offensive. During the offensive the 316th Rifle Division held the defense not far from the Volokolamsk Highway. Though the forces of the Germans outnumbered those of the defenders, they could not break through our positions. A platoon of 28 Soviet Army men under Sergeant Dobrobabin and then V. Klochkov, a Company Political Officer, held the position at Dubosekovo. Supporting the attack of two infantry regiments the artillery and mortar batteries opened fire on the position. More than twenty tanks took part in the attack. Soon a second attack began, and then a third one, but all of them were repulsed. The greater part of our men were killed and wounded. Yet, the fearless Russian soldiers decided to fight to the last. Towards the evening a new tank attack was launched. Thirty enemy tanks were advancing on our position when V. Klochkov said to his men: "Great is the land of Russia, but there is nowhere to retreat to. Moscow is behind us". With a grande in his hand the Political Officer went out of the trenches to meet a heavy tank. He destroyed it but at the cost of his life. Under the constant artillery and machine-gun fire one by one the Soviet Army men fell in the unequal battle. Soon all of them were killed except Private Natarov who, badly wounded as he was, managed to crawl away to the forest where he was picked up by our reconnaissance patrol. Before he died he passed on the last message of his comrades-in-arms. "We knew what we were dying for and we performed our duty as soldiers, we checked the advance of the enemy Victory or death Remember that when you go into battle. There is no other way. We died, but we did not surrender". A monument was set up over the graves of the 28 heroes of General Panfilov's Division who gave up their lives for the happiness their Motherland and peace. Questions 1. When did fascist Germany concentrate strong forces for an offensive against Moscow? 2. How many attacks did the Germans launch? 3. Where did the 316th Rifle Division hold the defense? 4. Did the forces of the Germans outnumber those of the defenders? 5. They could not break through our positions, could they? 6. Who (what unit) held the position at Dubosekovo? 7. What units were attacking our position? 8. Were all the enemy attacks repulsed? 9. Did the Germans suffer heavy losses? 10. What did V. Klochkov say addressing his men when a new tank attack began? 11. What was the outcome of that unequal battle? 12. What message did Private Natarov pass on before he died? 13. Was a monument set up to the 28 heroes of the Panfilov Division? Pompey Pompey was one of the greatest Roman soldiers, a talented stab-man and a diplomat. In the 60-ies of the 1st century В. С he played a leading role in the political life of Rome. While the Romans were suffering under the rule of Sulla, he was away in Africa, defeating the enemies of Rome. Six years later Pompey suppressed an uprising of gladiators. Gladiators were people who were given arms and made to fight against each other in the arena for the amusement of the spectators. In later years they were forced to fight for their lives against wild animals. Many of the gladiators were Gauls and barbarians. There were schools in Rome where they were trained. One day a number of men ran from one of the schools and encamped on Mount Vesuvius. Here they were joined by other gladiators and slaves and became a great force. They easily defeated the Roman army which was sent by the Senate to fight against them. It was Pompey who finally put down the revolt: by his order tens of thousands of slaves were captured and put to death. After his victorious campaigns in the East, which led to Roman complete domination over Asia Minor, he returned to Rome and for med the first triumvirate together with Caesar and Crassus. But he had never expected that Caesar would soon become his enemy and defeat him. Questions 1.What was Pompey? 2. What kind of role did he play in the political life of Rome? 3. What was he doing in Africa while the Romans were suffering under Sulla's rule? 4. What is a gladiator? 5. What were they by nationality? 6. Where were they trained? 7. What happened one day in one of the schools? 8. Were they defeated by the Roman army which was sent by the Senate? 9. Who put down the revolt? 10. How was the revolt suppressed? 11. Were Pompey's campaigns in the East victorious? 12. What did they lead to? 13. What coalition did he enter? 14. He had never thought that Caesar would defeat him, had he? At the College I began this academic session as a student of the Teachers' training College. I am in the History Faculty in my first year. It was only a week ago that I took my last examination. It was an English one in which I did very well. So I passed all the exams successfully and was admitted to the college. Many applicants failed and some were admitted to the evening department. When at school, I thought to enter the sciences, but then I changed my mind and decided to take up History. I must say the first day at the college was unforgettable. We gathered in the Assembly Hall where the Rector congratulated us on the beginning of the session and wished us success in our academic life. Then the Dean of the Faculty, Doctor of History took the floor. He spoke about the subjects we were to study and various departments of the faculty. He expressed hope that we should attend all the lectures, tutorials and seminars. Each year we must present a course paper to our scientific adviser (guide) and make reports in class on historical themes. At the end of each term we shall take several examinations and credit-tests. In June, for instance, I will read for my exams in Archaeology, Ancient History, Latin, Russian History (the period of feudalism) and English. As regards English they will teach us not only to read and translate historical documents and literature but to speak English as well. Our English teacher says we must work at the language very hard. After the inside tour of the college which we made, following the meeting, my friends and I went to the hostel. I am sure I'll enjoy my studies at the college. Questions 1. Are you an applicant or an undergraduate? 2. Are you a student of History? 3. Where do you study History? 4. What year are you in? 5. Did you take entry examinations to the college (University)? 6. Did you pass them successfully? 7. Were you admitted to the day department or to the evening department? 8. People say that many applicants failed at the examinations. Is that true? 9. Did you want to enter the Sciences or Humanities when at school? 10. When did you decide to take up History? 11. Do you remember the first day at the college (University)? 12. Where did you gather? 13. Who spoke before you? 14. Must our students attend all the lectures, seminars and tutorials? 15. Each year you must present a course paper and make reports on historical themes. Is it really so? 16. When (at what time of the year) do you take examinations and credit-tests? 17. What exams will you read for in winter (summer)? 18. How many exams will you have at the end of this term? 19. What does your English instructor say about the way you must work at the language? 20. What do we call a room where lectures are delivered? 21. Where do you usually do your homework, at home or in the reading-room? 22. Do you go to the library very often? 23. You spend much time there, don't you? 24. Do you live at home or at the hostel? The history of Tajikistan Tajikistan's history is intertwined with that of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Close to 3 4 of a million Tajiks still live in the Zarafshan valley of Uzbekistan. As many as three million live in Afghanistan, in areas adjacent to Tajikistan. For this reason alone, the past, the preset and future of Tajikistan can be best understood in its geopolitical context. Pre-tsarist History Archeology has yielded rich results in Central Asia. It has proven the existence of small kingdoms which thrived on trade along this branch of the Silk Route. Large parts of settled oasis communities welcomed forms of Zoroastrianism. then Buddhism and later Nestorian Christianity before the slow but thorough adoption of Islam by the 9th century. Since the 11th century all of Central Asia north of the Hindu Kush mountains (of Afghanistan) has been ruled by consecutive Turkic dynasties. After the Mongol interlude, when much of Central Asia was united loosely under Chagatay, the second son Chingis Khan, the myth of Mongol descent and legitimacy was maintained under Timur (Tamerlance) the Lame and his descendents. They ruled the area from their capital at Samarkand. The coming of the Uzbek tribes in the I 6n centun.