There is a site on the Elbe River that is associated with victory and happiness. A film was even made in honor of him, and many old veterans remember it as the place where the long-awaited meeting of the Allies took place 68 years ago. Namely, on April 25, the first Ukrainian front met in the 69th Infantry Division with the 58th Infantry and 1st American on the Elbe. The river was near the German town of Torgau.
The meeting on the Elbe was of historical importance - it split the German troops into 2 parts: northern and southern. Before this event, all the heroes dreamed of the end of the war, and the German army understood that if the warriors found each other, their forces united, then Berlin would fall under the blows of the Red Army. At that time, the Americans agreed with the Russians and refused to help the Germans. They felt that it would be more profitable from any point of view. But the meeting on the Elbe was to take place under any circumstances.
At that time, America was very nice to the Russians and supported them. For the first time, troops met on the eastern bank of the river (the commanders were Albert Kotzebue and Alexander Gardiev). On the same day, the Americans met with the Soviet army under the command of Silvashko.
Today, the meeting on the Elbe is considered a truly historic event. In their interviews, American veterans always said that Russians were and will be world heroes. In the city of Torgau, there is even an exhibition where you can see a picture by the river on which the armies stand, and you can see the destroyed bridge over the Elbe. On April 27, a legendary meeting was officially announced.
After some time, episodes of the meeting were played in the film. “Meeting on the Elbe” is a film that vividly described all the events that occurred in 1945. The plot is based on Soviet and American troops, who warmly shook hands in the last days of World War II. The Russians are trying with all their might to end the war and establish life after the devastation brought by the Nazis. And the Americans meanwhile are hoping to get the secret development of the Red Army. The film was released in 1949, the main roles were played by Vladlen Davydov, Konstantin Nassonov, Boris Andreev, Mikhail Nazvanov and Lyubov Orlova. The film “Meeting on the Elbe” was made in the USSR, cinema in those days was just beginning to develop. It was one of the first Soviet films that the Soviet people would never forget. It recalls the value of life and a peaceful sky above your head, the sacrifice made for the sake of victory. The duration of the film is 104 minutes. The operator was Eduard Tisse, the composer was Dmitry Shostakovich, and the director was Igor Vakar. In 2006, a DVD release was released.
As the scenery, the directors used the post-war ruins of Old Riga. Actions affected the German town of Altenstadt. The film revealed the real life of the Nazis in the territories they occupied. A slight emphasis is placed on how Soviet people treat Germans. Such scenes are always peaceful and friendly. The end of the film is episodic - the Russians reveal the Nazi conspiracy, and the war is gradually coming to an end. Finally, victory!