Hill of Glory Memorial Complex

The Hill of Glory was erected by soldiers of the Pechenga Garrison in honour of the liberation of Petsamo. The 14th Army Commander created a big force grouping to capture the town. The 131st Infantry Corps was striking from the east, the 99th Infantry Corps was attacking the town from the south, and the 126th light infantry corps was tasked with blocking the Petsamo-Tarnet road. The 72nd marine infantry brigade of the 126th light infantry corps that blocked the road on 13 October was engaged in especially fierce fighting. To expedite the liberation of Petsamo, a forced entry operation was staged in the Liinahamari port in the evening of 12 October. The Northern Feet seamen were acting quickly. Assault boats took the landing force through the ‘death corridor’ of the Petsamo Bay. The marines’ rapid landing onto the piers of Liinahamari overwhelmed the enemy. By that time, the 14th army and Northern Fleet troops had enveloped Petsamo in the east, south-east, and north. A final decisive strike on that big enemy stronghold was required. To that end, the Army’s Commander V.I. Shcherbakov decided to move the 7th Separate Tank Brigade of the Guards was redeployed in the 99th Infantry Corps’ attack sector. In the early hours of 14 October, after an intense artillery raid, the city was stormed on all sides. On 15 October, Petsamo was recaptured.