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    Battle of Lake Khasan


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    I am planning to travel to DPRK next year and tour the country. Intention is to enter via train from Beijing and exit (via train or car) directly into Russia in the north east corner. This would allow me to visit the Khasan battle site and travel onwards to Vladivostok.

    Has anybody visited Khasan? Is there anything to see there related to the battle? Wikipedia indicates the village has 700 people living there so I guess I shouldn't be expectinng too much

    Only thing I've found so far is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Khasan_Memorial.jpg

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    Here's a wikipedia article about Khasan itself:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khasan

    It's mostly about the state of the railway lines in the area connecting Russia and North Korea, very little about the town itself. If you go on google earth you can get a great view of the town. There really isn't much at all: some little houses and a few soviet-style apartment buildings. There are a lot of user-posted pictures of the surrounding area.

    -Alex

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    Ah, you posted just a minute before I did. The pictures on this site are all those from google earth and more.

    Even though it's a long way off yet, I hope your trip goes well and you come back safe! cheers.gif

    -Alex

    If you google images on lake Khasan there is a pretty incredible monument memorial which according to the picture has several Mongolians sitting around having a smoke. The memorial has fraternal greetings of Russian and Mongolian troops with fallen Japanese behind. Sounds like a good place to visit (and scrounge a smoke).

    Paul

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    • 5 years later...

    It took me a few years longer than expected, but finally visited...

    4 hour drive from vladivostok to get there, on a bad road with some stretches, various little monuments on the way, key is visiting the rail way station (i can tell more about that offline)

    it is possible to get close to the DPRK border where there is a small wooden hut where Kim Jong Il would meet high ranking Russians for negotiations as he did not like traveling too far

    also, in a school, there is a 1 room khasan museum2015-04-30_07.06.20.thumb.jpg.f0e804d4162015-04-30_09.33.46.thumb.jpg.711d4908782015-04-30_09.59.41.thumb.jpg.b25392afa22015-04-30_09.59.51.thumb.jpg.76bd3cd7722015-04-30_10.00.18.thumb.jpg.7fe9f121352015-04-30_10.00.18.thumb.jpg.7fe9f121352015-04-30_10.00.47.thumb.jpg.335af3e5552015-04-30_10.00.59.thumb.jpg.de731ebf742015-04-30_10.01.03.thumb.jpg.a172f49cb72015-04-30_10.36.33.thumb.jpg.0d3f15d4ec2015-04-30_10.41.22.thumb.jpg.a35da2786d2015-04-30_10.45.47.thumb.jpg.98a33104bf2015-04-30_10.54.03.thumb.jpg.8fc9cdc7fc2015-04-30_10.55.18.thumb.jpg.d23b0cb5f32015-04-30_10.55.21.thumb.jpg.9382ce1b722015-04-30_10.57.50.thumb.jpg.d8f20d6e9d2015-04-30_10.57.55.thumb.jpg.187da827752015-04-30_10.58.00.thumb.jpg.3606d82b622015-04-30_11.03.46.thumb.jpg.5467335b372015-04-30_11.15.41.thumb.jpg.0aa2868ed92015-04-30_11.21.13.thumb.jpg.b31f9e5f322015-04-30_11.21.49.thumb.jpg.4bdd1636482015-04-30_11.23.48.thumb.jpg.8cd788f8ea2015-04-30_11.24.59.thumb.jpg.2efd7d2aed2015-04-30_11.25.06.thumb.jpg.5c0e6ece742015-04-30_11.26.16.thumb.jpg.87786e25642015-04-30_11.29.29.thumb.jpg.18529628642015-04-30_11.29.52.thumb.jpg.f77a9117722015-04-30_11.35.36.thumb.jpg.6f9fb7b5112015-04-30_11.41.22.thumb.jpg.a0e1317d3e2015-04-30_11.47.17.thumb.jpg.678762e04c2015-04-30_11.48.04.thumb.jpg.d42cbe68f02015-04-30_12.02.00.thumb.jpg.4d8c4486582015-04-30_13.50.05.thumb.jpg.5d6e2b77892015-04-30_14.12.33.thumb.jpg.f474402a52

    2015-04-30 09.32.40.jpg

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    The armored vehicle (apparently a French one, go figure) was not in horrible condition - could use a paint job though.

    I was surprised how 'understated' the Khasan Battle is in terms of lack of monuments, museums, and general communication (e.g. to tourists visiting Vladivostok). You really have to be motivated and go out of your way to visit the place - a day trip (with lots of driving) would be fine.

    By the way, the picture of the bridge is the bridge in Khasan village from Russia to DPRK. The little wood house for high officials to meet is right in front of that bridge. I was surprised to see almost no guards there... but was told that there are many 'eyes' watching nonetheless.

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    The armored vehicle (apparently a French one, go figure) was not in horrible condition - could use a paint job though.

     

    ​Bob, this is russian T-18/MC-1

    c1_t18_m1930_orel_tank_school_31.thumb.j

    reno_18.thumb.jpg.1bf505d9a120de8c04616d

     

    Edited by JapanX
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    • 1 month later...
    • 5 years later...

    Suddenly 2 groups appeared on the market for veterans of the Battle of Lake Khasan and - showing great lack of discipline on my part - I could not help but jump on to them and get them in my decreasingly focused collection.

    First up, a small group to Balduk Yakov Artamonovich, a pilot at the battle of Lake Khasan. Consists of an award booklet (including a picture) and 3 red stars:

    - 4592 (Mondvor red star)

    - 189104

    - 2692863

    I am a little bit confused how this is reflected in the research which I will also attach. It makes reference to an Order of the Red Banner while mentioning only one Order of the Red Star.

    Service Records
    https://pamyat-naroda.ru/heroes/kld-card_polit305359
    https://pamyat-naroda.ru/heroes/kld-card_uchet_officer2489893
    https://pamyat-naroda.ru/heroes/kld-card_uchet_officer3158381 

    Service Record With Portrait (which matches the pic in the booklet)
    https://pamyat-naroda.ru/heroes/kld-card_uchet_officer3158380

     

    Citation

    [Order of the Red Star, 1943]

     

    Last Name, First Name and Patronymic:  Balduk Yakov Artamonovich

    Military Rank:  Major

    Position, Unit:   Squadron Commander, Signals Directorate of the Airborne Forces of the Red Army

    Recommended for: the Order of the Red Star

    1.      Year of Birth:  1907

    2.      Nationality:  Ukrainian

    3.      In the Red Army Since:   since 1930

    4.      Party Membership:  Member of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks since 1931

    5.      Participation in Combat (where and when):  Participant of the battles in the area of Lake Hasan in 1938

    6.      Any wounds or concussions:    none

    7.      Previously awarded (for which merits):   with the Order of the Red Star in 1938

    8.      Conscripted by which District Military Commissariat:  career officer

    9.      Home Address (of the recommendee or his family):  [censored per archive policy]

     

    I. Concise, concrete description of the personal military deed or merit

     

                Commanding the signals squadron, Comrade Balduk prepared its flight personnel not only for regular flights in challenging flight conditions, but also for work in supporting communications with airborne forces.

                In the squadron, there have been no instances of disruptions or mission failures in communications or in transporting commanders of the staff of the Airborne Forces of the Red Army to unit locations.

                From September 1, 1942 to February 1, 1943, the squadron flew 466 hours – of which 11 were at night – accident-free, completing 905 sorties in its mission.

     

     

    [Page 2]

     

     

                3,853 paratroopers were dropped.

     

                He deserves awarding of the Order of the Red Star.

     

    Chief of Aviation for the Airborne Forces of the Red Army

    Major-General of Aviation Shcherbakov [signed]

     

    9 February, 1943

     

    [Page 3]

     

     

    III.   Conclusion of the Military Council of the Airborne Forces of the Red Army

     

    Deserves awarding of the Order of the Red Star

     

    Commander of Airborne Forces of the Red Army

    Major-General Glazunov [signed]

     

    Member of the Military Council of the Airborne Forces of the Red Army

    Major-General Gromov [signed]

     

    27 February, 1943

     

     

    _____________________________________________________________________________________

     

     

    Decree

     

    Of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR

     

    On awarding the command, rank-and-file, and volunteer personnel of the Red Army orders and medals.

     

                For exemplary performance of mission from Command in the formation and preparation of units of the Airborne Forces, award:

     

     

    With the Order of the Red Star

     

    2.  Major BALDUK Yakov Artamonovich

     

     

    Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR

    M. Kalinin

     

    Secretary of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR

    A. Gorkin

     

    Moscow, Kremlin

     

    19.06.1943

     

    _____________________________________________________________________________________

     

     

    Citation

    [Order of the Red Banner]

     

     

    1.      Last Name, First Name and Patronymic:  Balduk Yakov Artamonovich

    2.      Rank:  Major

    3.      Position, Unit:  Commander-trainee, 955th Assault Aviation Regiment, 305th Pavlograd Red-Banner Assault Aviation Division

                Recommended for: the Order of the Red Banner

    4.      Year of Birth:  1907

    5.      Nationality:  Ukrainian

    6.      Party Membership:  Member of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks since 1938

    7.      Participation in the Civil War and in Subsequent Military Actions in Defense of the USSR, and the Patriotic War (where, when):  Kalinin Front 1943, 3rd Ukrainian Front from May to July 1944, and 3rd Baltic Front from the month of July 1944

    8.      Any wounds or concussions in the Patriotic War:   None

    9.      In the Red Army Since:   From 1929

    10.   Conscripted by which District Military Commissariat:  Career RKKA

    11.   Previously Awarded (awarded for which merits and when):   with the Order of the Red Star by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 01.11.1938 for participation in battles on Lake Hasan. The Order of the Red Star by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 10.06.1943 for command of a regiment on the Kalinin Front

    12.   Home Address of the Award Recommendee and the Address of His Family :  [censored per archive policy]

     

    I.   Concise, concrete description of the personal military deed or merit

     

                Recommended for a government award for completing 10 successful combat flights. He has participated in the battle with the German occupiers on the 3rd Baltic Front since the month of July 1944. During this period, he completed 10 successful combat flights to strafe enemy troops and equipment on the Ostrov-Pskov axis. As a result of strafing and bombing attacks, he personal destroyed: 2 tanks, 9 vehicles with troops and cargoes, 14 horse-drawn wagons with cargoes, 2 anti-aircraft positions, 5 field guns, 4 bunkers, 6 machine-gun positions, and scattered and partially destroyed up to a platoon of enemy soldiers and officers. As the leader of a group of 6-7 aircraft, he led the group without losses and, with accurate targeting, carried out Command’s missions with excellence. He greatly aided Command with management of the regiment’s combat operations and by his personal example of bravery inspired the flight staff to combat exploits. In battle for the liberation of Ostrov and Pskov he showed himself to be a bold and courageous commander-leader. For excellent performance of mission from Command, he has received 5 letters of thanks.

                Through his combat deeds, courage, and bravery, he has proven his loyalty to the cause of the Party of Lenin and Stalin and the Socialist Motherland.

                For courage, bravery, and selflessness, displayed in battle with the German invaders and for skillful management of combat operations, he deserves the government award the Order of the Red Banner.

     

    Commander of the 955th Assault Aviation Regiment

    Guards Major Simonov [signed & stamped]

    10.08.1944

     

     

     

    [Page 2]

     

     

    Conclusion of Superiors

     

    Deserves the government award the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class.

     

    Commander of the 305th Pavlograd Red-Banner Assault Aviation Division

    Colonel Polushko [signed & stamped]

     

    15 August, 1944

     

     

    Award with the Order of the Red Banner

     

    Commander of the 14th Air Army

    Lieutenant-General of Aviation Zhuravlyov

     

    26 August, 1944

     

     

    Awarded the Order of the Red Banner

    Order of the 14th Air Army 046-N of 28.08.1944

     

    Captain of the Administrative Service __[illegible signature]__

     

    0FB8A549-CCC9-493F-BAA4-8EE9FE18ED34.thumb.jpeg.ff0ffa68830d2eb5e84a640806baed45.jpeg3C80E872-63CE-4270-98B0-9FAD2733E0CD.thumb.jpeg.e098949e711bd9583f375f5b891cb94a.jpeg90CCA4ED-1C03-46E8-ADC4-6D00E2063CFE.thumb.jpeg.db33df0f2c14c1d57ca53b34a50ea2b3.jpegC7D71F22-3F90-47C3-8640-34F62E6F60AC.thumb.jpeg.c7ab702e16560c4428788fb8087eb6e1.jpegBC48782D-3ABD-4026-A037-0AD9CD755613.thumb.jpeg.73a7ea5bb21a323b53080cc13ac0e07c.jpeg48E2A826-BC18-4834-9F00-279485FC3502.thumb.jpeg.33407328c875c4fea3a0ae542b81557a.jpeg367A7B99-5B42-4B09-BABA-AC397B5814AF.thumb.jpeg.8e43f2fb84f41a97b62d2d82dbb9ef3f.jpeg

    ECC4764E-864C-43A0-ACCC-C3469E7F813E.jpeg.27b33fa5f0bdbc8b3c773178114a3f6d.jpeg50AE1E66-C695-43DB-ACA4-297DD94B9073.thumb.jpeg.49368d0275de3ea63459eee53582b10d.jpeg92F135DC-16D6-4B28-8BB4-BFB16B86FEDF.thumb.jpeg.266cb39d36f2875411c75fd411ea5197.jpeg62315647-8DFE-46BB-99E4-D0CCDB53EF72.thumb.jpeg.b061165821843fe8b600804016e34754.jpeg6FEB1E5A-E96B-47DD-84D9-65D6B77C1127.thumb.jpeg.a9345515d0b7986cc851cb3bfd8d32da.jpegEBA3E619-C941-4387-AB47-9F84F9D6CB0A.thumb.jpeg.98f934f44fdb765f22acb410f23f4a47.jpegD93A599A-20DB-49FE-B367-CFC8404D0C8C.thumb.jpeg.d8dd1f477801d49ff74c68ba49155957.jpegCA913F4F-8D79-404C-A53F-E3810DCE1D80.thumb.jpeg.25a3e04ea2745117f0052123df62cb07.jpegB0A7EDA7-B18A-4F2B-A6C3-5B25679467F2.thumb.jpeg.f046e12a677ffa73248bd57c3f73f36e.jpeg

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    To add to the Balduk group, after digging in my emails, from the 1938 Hasan decree: 

    "FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE OF COMBAT MISSIONS, FOR THE VALUE AND COURAGE EXPRESSED DURING THE DEFENSE OF THE KHASAN LAKE AREA, AWARD

    ORDER "RED STAR":

    244. Lieutenant Balduk Yakov Artamonovich.

    Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR M. KALININ.

    Secretary of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR A. GORKIN.

    Moscow Kremlin. October 25, 1938"

    So that confirms the Mondvor Red Star was for Hasan as per the Lake Hasan awarding, decree of Oct. 25, 1938, and in his orders book the privileges are authorized from Nov. 1, 1938. Also note that at Hasan he was already a Lieutenant.

    Plus, apparently, he lived long enough to receive jubilee Pat. War 2nd class in 1985

    And another pic of Balduk can be found here: Балдук Яков Артамонович / Наш полк / Наш полк. Победа. Одна на всех (inter.ua)

     

    A962C4E0-02C9-41B1-B250-EDEEBD7266AB.jpeg.c24cf8c9d56213447eb674a4a06e3d0c.jpeg

    02F3AD08-4D44-4FAB-B751-4E6FB1A7E101.jpeg.e439085b93245c829a5de76746625307.jpeg

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    Next up, another Khasan group and again to a pilot.

    Nikolai Petrovich Shvachkov - it comes with the orders book (incl. photo) and includes

    - early 'mirror' reverse order of Red Banner 5370

    - order of Patriotic War 1st class 216832

    - order of Red Star 2747830

    The orders book also lists the medal for Combat Service, which is missing. Nr 2163108

    Awarding of the Red Banner confirmed through the Hasan decree of Oct. 26, 1938, specifically for courage and bravery during defense of Lake Hasan area which does list Shvachkov:

    "On awarding orders and medals of the USSR to command and control personnel, Red Army men of the Workers 'and Peasants' Army and the Border Guard, family members of command personnel, employees of hospitals and the merchant fleet.

    FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE OF COMBAT MISSIONS, FOR THE VALUE AND COURAGE EXPRESSED DURING THE DEFENSE OF THE KHASAN LAKE AREA TO REWARD:

     

    ORDER "RED BANNER":

    1310. Junior commander Nikolai Petrovich Shvachkov.

    Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR G. PETROVSKY

    Secretary of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR A. GORKIN.

    Moscow Kremlin. October 26, 1938"
     

    Here’s his Citation for Patriotic War 1st class:

    http://podvignaroda.ru/?#id=38671533&tab=navDetailManAward

    And listing of all his awards, confirming (important!) that the 1938 Red Banner was in fact issued by decree of 10.26.1938.

    http://podvignaroda.ru/?#id=1108517627&tab=navDetailManCard

    The research generated the following citations:

    - confirms an additional later red banner

    - but does not mention the red star

     

    Awarded the Order of the patriotic War 1st Class

    order of the 10th Air Army of 16.09.1945

     

    Citation

     

     

     

    1.      Last Name, First Name and Patronymic:  Shvachko Nikolai Petrovich

    2.      Rank:  Captain

    3.      Position, Unit:  Squadron Commander, 903rd Long-Range Bomber Aviation Regiment, 128th Aviation Division, 10th Air Army, 2nd Far Eastern Front

                Recommended for: the Order of the Red Banner

    4.      Year of Birth:  1912

    5.      Nationality:  Ukrainian

    6.      Party Membership:  Member of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks since 1942

    7.      Participation in the Civil War and in Subsequent Military Actions in Defense of the USSR, and the Patriotic War (where, when):  participant of the repulsing actions in the area of Lake Hasan in 1938

    8.      Any wounds or concussions in the Patriotic War:   None

    9.      In the Red Army Since:   Since 25 November 1934

    10.   Conscripted by which District Military Commissariat:  Kharkov City Military Commissariat, Kharkov Oblast

    11.   Previously Awarded (awarded for which merits and when):   awarded: the Order of the Red Banner for participation in the repulsing actions in the area of Lake Hasan in 1938, the Medal for Combat Merits for long service in the Red Army in 1944.

    12.   Home Address of the Award Recommendee and the Address of His Family :  [censored per archive policy]

     

    I.   Concise, concrete description of the personal military deed or merit

     

                During combat actions, Captain Shvachko conducted 14 combat reconnoissance flights on the B-25. Through his work, he provided the division’s command with reconnoissance results. In challenging meteorological conditions, he flew daily over enemy territory and accurately carried out the mission assigned.

     

                He deserves to be awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

     

     

    Commander of the 903rd Long-Range Bomber Aviation Regiment

    Major Shapovalov [signed & stamped]

    27 August, 1945

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    [Page 2]

     

     

    II. Conclusion of Superiors

     

    Deserves the government award the Order of the Red Banner

     

    Commander of the 128th Aviation Division

    Lieutenant-Colonel Eryomin [signed & stamped]

     

    30 August, 1944

     

    III. Conclusion of the Army Military Council

     

    Deserves to be awarded the government award the Order of the Red Banner

     

    Commander of the Kamchatka Defensive District

    Major-General A. Gnechko [signed & stamped]

     

    3 September, 1945

     

     

    _____________________________________________________________________________________

     

     

    SECRET

    Order

     

    to the 10th Air Army, 2nd Far Eastern Front

     

    16 September, 1945                                           010/n                                        city of Khabarovsk

     

                In the name of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, for exemplary performance of missions from Command on the front of the battle with the Japanese aggressors, and for valor and courage displayed therein, award:

     

    With the Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class

     

     

    6.  Captain SHVACHKO Nikolai Petrovich.   b. 1912

    Squadron Commander, 903rd Long-Range Bomber Aviation Regiment, 128th Aviation Division

     

     

    Commander of the 10th Air Army

    Colonel-General of Aviation Zhigarev [signed & stamped]

     

    Chief of Staff of the 10th Air Army

    Major-General of Aviation Lavrik [signed]

     

    The online sources also provide additional pics of a younger and older Shvachkov

    http://podvignaroda.mil.ru/?#id=38671533&tab=navDetailManAward
    https://pamyat-naroda.ru/heroes/isp-chelovek_spisok4821290
    https://pamyat-naroda.ru/heroes/kld-card_uchet_officer404088
    https://pamyat-naroda.ru/heroes/kld-card_uchet_officer9338811/

    And here the Shvachkov pics892168BD-81B7-4CBD-9FC4-BD323E8B48C2.thumb.jpeg.c879cc4b394e9ba104b1123327322df6.jpegAA360459-6AC4-4998-84BE-99ED8642F3C6.thumb.jpeg.c44f7dd3c42b49bca435805f79d6fd7a.jpeg2214D26F-DDA9-4A01-8005-8DD6134CD48C.thumb.jpeg.f6aee00e8b68557c7dfdd2638d8761e3.jpeg561B6873-FB8F-4AC1-AF26-566B6518091E.thumb.jpeg.9c531e9d717499216e25a5aeef60842f.jpegE0C10E4F-A2FE-46D4-A3F1-6C6B6695A408.thumb.jpeg.ef2ed05b14ddc49c3c98b34b7fa328f9.jpegFCF53030-8CF8-4FC3-8698-9477F14C9AEB.thumb.jpeg.b12c4e6fbb1d2df3627ab4a123501a9b.jpeg7A277FC2-8C41-4E98-8F2F-265868F6043C.thumb.jpeg.cab89c346f1a9354cb44d462f725658c.jpeg

    His younger pic shows him wearing a Red Banner and Patriotic War orderD9A6535F-BA9D-4A58-963C-C9DE1B167DE6.thumb.jpeg.4ba3d38e47a73b5ddd8085c80d563458.jpegA793931B-4951-4EC2-9619-E8C509C983B0.thumb.jpeg.77e8e96ebcf0048e5273c905c0e68661.jpeg57807399-A347-42B6-A0DB-23B419310F5B.thumb.jpeg.838f21527ad53c5cd9ce66e50932b840.jpegE2C5E470-8049-47EC-828C-8D95BE68AC47.thumb.jpeg.e27a42c2339fc5ae765482132bfbe4be.jpeg411BA486-7AD4-4C28-B22A-DB2562B77305.jpeg.3c60ff89f21d6b1de51872ab800f0ea7.jpegB6FF5ACB-CE83-45E8-B9FD-AB7BF52A68F5.jpeg.075790c81dddb8abcf1f0f3443e3d36d.jpeg

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