HEROIC BATTLE OF THE COMPANY

Tells company commander, Senior Lieutenant Artyom Nalbandyan

– My company, which carried out combat duty, took the blow of superior enemy forces the first. On the night of April 2 at about 1:00am we received a telephone message about the expected invasion of sabotage-reconnaissance group. At 4am the enemy mobilized his artillery. I saw that they entered the territory between the positions, reached the top of Lala-Ilyag and occupying a favorable position, fired machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades “Mukha” in our direction. They were supported by artillery. Personnel went to the ring defense. Conscript Adam Sahakyan led the battle with courage and skill of an experienced military.

I am delighted with my soldiers! They were excited, their eyes emitted sparks.

Through telephone connection I was told that the aid group of five officers of the military unit is hurrying to us: Lieutenant Colonels Alexan Arakelyan, Onik Grigoryan, Roman Poghosyan, Major Suren Melkumyan and Senior Lieutenant Maxim Grigoryan. We were inspired. Thanks to the clear fire of Sasha Galstyan’s machine gun of “Utyos” type their arrival was secured. However, his life could not be saved…

I wanted to return to the position, but Senior Lieutenant Maxim Grigoryan through communication said that all of my guys of the position died. But I went up there, where I  met Lieutenant Colonel Onik Grigorian. We decided to join in the battle with the enemy, who was approaching. However, Onik was wounded, and he slid down into the gorge. I was left alone with five bullets. I killed three soldiers, but I was wounded, and I also rolled into the gorge. I took my wounded friend and ran 30m. But he asked to stop and said: “Tell my son Hovik, that now he is responsible of family and home.”

I arrived at the command post and told the guys of the other position to retreat, but the foreman of the position Gurgen said: “Mr. Commander, we will not give up our position.” They retreated only after 6 hours, when there was no sense to stay there. Today, these guys are on combat duty at another important point.

As for the fighting position N on the other side of the height, the platoon commander, Senior Lieutenant Ashot Shahbazyan through communications reported that all were killed, and they are two to continue to fight. Unfortunately, a few hours later he died and the wounded soldier barely reached the battalion command post.

In my memory, the guys will remain as they were during the battle – bold, persistent, with arms in their hands. They were confident in their abilities and did not retreat. We went into battle with the battalion, whose members were acting under the influence of drugs, and they were all experienced soldiers. I can not say that the tactics of the enemy was wrong. The enemy only one left out – that young men will have so much resistance.

Now I want only one thing, to encourage the guys of my company who have survived, make them heroes. They have made more of their forces, they are the real heroes!

Shoushan Stepanyan