A Child's Letter to Stalin: The WWII Story That Moved a Nation

During the Great Patriotic War, a first-grader from Belarus, Lenocha Ozalenkova, wrote a letter to Stalin in 1942. In her letter, she donated her savings of 110 rubles to purchase a new aircraft, seeking revenge for her family's losses. Her father, a squadron commander, died in combat, and her mother perished during an evacuation. The letter deeply touched Stalin, who ordered its publication in the magazine Ogonyok. This act inspired many children across the Soviet Union to donate their savings for the war effort. One teacher recounted, "The children gave everything they had to ensure victory." The donations funded the creation of a tank named "Combat Girlfriend" and a new Il-2 attack aircraft inscribed with "From Lenocha, for Papa." Lenocha's simple act of courage and the collective response from children across the country became a symbol of resilience and national unity during a dark period in history. This story serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by ordinary citizens during times of war.