Exploring 'Volokolamsk Highway': A tale of Soviet heroism and resilience

By Harsh Thakor*

"Volokolamsk Highway" is a classical war novel by Alexander Bek, first published in Russian in 1944 and translated into English in 1958. Set during WWII on the Eastern Front, it describes critical battles fought by the Soviet Red Army against Nazi forces advancing toward Moscow in October 1941. Republished by Foreign Languages Press in 2023, the novel offers a vivid portrayal of Soviet soldiers' struggles to defeat fascism. It is recommended for those seeking insight into Soviet heroism during World War II.

Drawing from his experience as a war correspondent, Bek follows a Soviet battalion commander tasked with stalling the Nazis on the Volokolamsk Highway, the route to Moscow, at any cost. Based on real events during the Battle of Moscow, the story depicts a single battalion of the 316th Rifle Division defending against German Army Group Center over several days. Known for its realism and practical infantry tactics, "Volokolamsk Highway" became standard reading for junior officers in the Red Army, Soviet Army, and military personnel in countries like Israel and China, as well as socialist and revolutionary movements in the 20th century.

Translated into multiple languages, including English, Hebrew, Spanish, Chinese, and German, "Volokolamsk Highway" has been out of print in English for decades. The novel highlights the resilience of Soviet soldiers, particularly Kazakh officer Bauyrzhan Momysh-Uly, and his interactions with military figure Ivan Panfilov. It reflects the courage, humanism, and commitment of the disciplined Red Army, who sacrificed their lives to save their socialist homeland from fascism amid great adversity.

Bek weaves characters into a plot that blends realism with creativity, exploring historical realism to depict the USSR's near-miraculous victory over the Nazis. "Volokolamsk Highway" illustrates how war against fascism shapes new characters and fosters spiritual transformation. Written in 1942-44, it is formatted in an essay style, narrated from the perspective of Senior Lieutenant Bauyrzhan Momysh-Uly. The battalion, part of a division described by General Panfilov as a militia formed beyond plan, consists of civilians with no prior military experience.

The novel addresses the challenge of turning these untrained soldiers into a cohesive fighting force, emphasizing decentralization as a key factor in the Soviet victory. It explores themes of soldier education, commander responsibility, and the importance of discipline, with the narrative divided into two parts: the first focusing on training, the second on combat. Alexander Bek, born in 1903 in Saratov, joined the Red Army as a volunteer at sixteen during the Russian Civil War, contributing to the army's newspaper.

Bek’s first novel, Kurako, was published in 1934, followed by other socialist realist works in the 1930s. During WWII, he served as a war correspondent, witnessing the Soviet defense of Moscow in 1941, which inspired "Volokolamsk Highway." He later saw Nazi Germany's surrender in Berlin in 1945. The novel faded in popularity among modern Russian readers despite reprints.

"Volokolamsk Highway" explores class struggles and the working class's role in defending the socialist homeland against fascism. It portrays the Red Army as selfless and brave, viewed through a Marxist lens, while depicting the Nazi regime as exploitative and destructive. Adhering to Soviet Socialist Realism, it idealizes the Soviet state but may lack nuance in addressing its contradictions.

Momysh-Uly later disputed Bek's portrayal in "Volokolamsk Highway," claiming inaccuracies and publishing his own books to present his perspective. The novel remains a powerful work of historical fiction, offering perspective on the human toll of war and the role of leadership in conflict. The first edition, co-authored by Bek and Momysh-Uly, has no known English translation, and the two authors had a falling out, with Momysh-Uly accusing Bek of chauvinistic treatment of his Kazakh character, a dispute they never resolved. Harsh Thakor is a freelance journalist, with information drawn from Foreign Languages Press and David Joffe in Top War.

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*Freelance journalist

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