It was the dreadful year of 1942. Military units and crowds of refugees move through Krasnodon in an endless stream. They are retreating. From afar comes the rumble of artillery; villages are burning. The front is drawing ever closer to Krasnodon, and the city is forced to prepare for evacuation. The young men and women of Krasnodon β yesterday's schoolchildren β watch the scene of retreat with heavy hearts. Not so long ago, life had been joyful and bright. They had made happy plans for the future, they had dreams...