Matvey Blanter

Matvey Isaakovich Blanter (10.2.1903 - 27.9.1990) was a Soviet composer. Blanter accompanied two war correspondents which visited General Vasily Chuikov's Eight Guards Army during the Battle of Berlin. Blanter was present in the room while the two military correspondents interviewed Chuikov, but then suddenly General Hans Krebs arrived nearby. Chuikov, who wished to meet Krebs as soon as possible and hear what he had to say, hastily ordered the journalists (who were dressed in uniform) to wear medals and pretend that they're his staff. Blanter, who was in wearing civilian clothes was

"Hastily shoved into a clothes closet adjoining the meeting room. He stayed there for most of the ensuing conference. Just before the visitors left, he fainted from lack of air and fell into the room, to the utter astonishment of the Germans." (Cornelius Ryan, The Last Battle).

The scene was recreated in Downfall. Blanter is played by actor Boris Schwartzmann.