The Serpen Bridgehead memorial complex was opened today to commemorate 12,000 Soviet soldiers fallen in battle here. President Vladimir Voronin of Moldova lit an eternal fire before a vast gathering that included more than 500 Serpen Battle veterans, who had come from all over Moldova, from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other post-Soviet countries.
"In all towns and villages, the multiethnic Moldovan nation is celebrating one of its most glorious red-letter days-the 60th anniversary of its liberation from German nazi occupation. The nation has fully realised that it cannot restore the dignity of its country without restoring sacred faith in staunch friendship between nations," said the President.
One of the biggest strategic Soviet Army advances of 1944, the Jassi-Chisinau operation routed a huge German and Romanian army group. Military historians refer to it as the victory of Cannae re-enacted eighteen centuries after. The operation was notable for a wise appointment of the central thrust direction, on which massive forces concentrated in smooth land, air and naval teamwork. Speedy advance and encirclement brought a brilliant success.
