Families in Kazakhstan Search for Clues About Missing Soldiers from WWII
Kazakhstan families are seeking answers about 270,000 soldiers missing from WWII. Nazym Arzimbetova shares her uncle’s story, who disappeared in the war at age 20. Despite an extensive search, details remain scarce. This mirrors the experiences of many others grappling with unresolved losses from the conflict and the emotional burden endured by families throughout the nation.
Families in Kazakhstan are now seeking to uncover the fates of around 270,000 soldiers who went missing during World War II while serving in the Soviet Army. For many, the pain of lost relatives lingers through generations, forming part of the national memory. One such story is that of Nazym Arzimbetova, who recently shared the heart-wrenching tale of her uncle.
Arzimbetova spoke with emotion about Rashit Temirjanovich Saguindykov, her mother’s older brother conscripted in May 1942. At a mere 20 years old, he left their hometown of Balkhash, situated on the shores of a large lake in central Kazakhstan, never to return. Eight decades have passed since World War II ended, yet his family remains in the dark about his ultimate fate.
“My grandmother died of grief after her only son disappeared,” Arzimbetova, a therapist living in Almaty, reflected. “All her life, she hoped at least to recover his body, so she could give him a proper burial.” Such sentiments resonate with countless families across Kazakhstan, where the search for answers has turned into a long, arduous journey.
In a bid to discover more about her uncle’s whereabouts, Arzimbetova invested 1 million tenges, approximately €1,750, hiring a private investigator in Russia. The investigator delved into military archives housed in Podolsk, about 40 kilometers from Moscow, and unearthed a glimmer of hope. In August 1942, Saguindykov was identified as training with the 6th Reserve Communications Battalion at a camp in Bashkiria, Russia, but unfortunately, the file held no further information.
This ordeal is far from uncommon in Kazakhstan, where many families are desperately searching for their own missing soldiers. The emotional scars of World War II have not healed for these families, many of whom continue to grieve a loss that remains unresolved. As stories like Arzimbetova’s emerge, they shed light on the broader struggle of Kazakh families trying to reconnect with their past and obtain closure in the face of historical silences.
The search for missing soldiers from World War II continues to resonate deeply within Kazakh families. Their stories reflect ongoing grief and a determined quest for closure, even decades later. The emotional weight these families carry underscores the importance of documenting and remembering the sacrifices made during the war, as they strive to reclaim their histories and honor their lost loved ones.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
