The memorial complex "the Island Ludnikov" in Volgograd, you'll be near the Lower village of the plant "Barricades". Place under the memorial was chosen not incidentally, it was here in 1942, he held the line 138 red banner rifle division under the command of Colonel I. I. Ludnikov.

In October 1942 the German 6th army went on the offensive, using more than one thousand military aircraft of the 4th air fleet of the Luftwaffe, two armored and three infantry divisions. The main blow was aimed at the plant "Barricades" and a tractor factory. To support the Soviet troops who were defending in the area of the plant "Barricades" and of the village, on the right Bank of the Volga river ferried 138-th infantry division of Colonel I. Ludnikov. In October 1942 the division was ferried across the Volga, where it took the defense of the village.

On 11 November, German forces captured the southern part of the plant and the area width of about 500 m broke through to the Volga. Our soldiers for 40 days he fought against superior forces of the enemy, holding the beachhead area 700 x 400 m. In December 1942, the blockade of the South was eliminated.

Today "the Island Ludnikov" is a memorial complex, which consists of several separate memorial signs and monuments. In 1955, there is a stele with a bronze memorial plaque. Also as a memorable sign are preserved the ruins of the house in which he lived, the Director of the plant "Barricades". It was here at the time, was placed in command the division. In 1948 on a wall mounted plaque, and in 1975 in front of the ruins was erected a memorial. On the banks of the Volga river there is a monument erected in honor of signallers 138th rifle division.

About the fierce battles that took place in the area of the "Island Ludnikov", about courage and heroism of the defenders of the bridgehead resemble three mass graves. Here were buried the soldiers of the 138th rifle division. In one of the mass graves are buried more than 1,000 dead soldiers.