SovPha

30 minutes ago, TracA said:

SovPha,

 

Amazing documents, photographs, and write-up. Thank you for sharing this wonderful information.

 

All the best,

 

Tracy

Hello, Tracy,

Thank you for your interest and time reading my story.

I have several other interesting documents that I will share here as well.

I wish you a wonderful day.

Br, 
SovPha

Hello Community,

As you all know, historical documents and photographs are my true passion. Today, I'd like to share a rare find from my collection. By chance, I acquired a personal military file from a tanker (Kisenko Ivan Afanasyevich) some time ago. The reason it caught my eye was a photograph showing the recipient wearing a medal for the liberation of Belgrade. In addition, the personal files include documents with the SS rune (captured typewriter), maps with handwritten notes, and a Chinese blank paper used for notes.

Service list + award list

Captured SS typewriter (visible SS runes)

Map used for notes

Handwritten reference on a Chinese blank document

Upon examining the file further, I came across a handwritten autobiography with the intriguing sentence: "Since September, I fought on my own T-34-85 tank." This sparked my curiosity, and I delved deeper into researching these files and anything related to personalized tanks during WW2. The Soviet Army had over 70 tanks named during World War 2, a rarity that makes this document and story truly unique.
 

Handwritten sentence from the autobiography "Since September, he fought on his own T-34-85 tank."

The "From Shulga's Father to Kisenko's Son" T-34-85
Another personalized tank, the "From Shulga's Father to Kisenko's Son" T-34-85, holds a particularly touching story. Yakov Shulga, a collective farm chairman from the Dnepropetrovsk region, purchased the tank with his own savings and gifted it to his adopted son, Lieutenant Ivan Kisenko. The tank was presented to the crew at the "Krasnoe Sormovo" plant and fought alongside the 4th Guards Mechanized Corps, participating in the liberation of Shulga's home village. This tank also saw action in Yugoslavia and Hungary.

Lieutenant Kisenko's Crew and the Fate of the Tank
Lieutenant Kisenko's crew first saw combat in October 1944 as part of the 36th Tank Brigade during the liberation of Belgrade in Yugoslavia. Tragedy struck during the battles for Hatvan, Hungary, where the tank was hit, resulting in crew member casualties. Lieutenant Kisenko himself was seriously injured and hospitalized, while the tank underwent major repairs.

After the war, the "Kisenko tank" was sent to the Far East. For nearly 25 years, its whereabouts remained unknown. Remarkably, during a routine equipment check in a Sakhalin tank unit, a sign reading "From Shulga's Father to Kisenko's Son" was discovered on the back of the turret.

The tank was subsequently sent to Lugansk, where it stood as a monument on Oboronnaya Street for decades. In 2013, the tank was restored and participated in the 70th-anniversary celebration of the liberation of the Luhansk region. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of conflict in Donbas, its scheduled appearance in the 2014 Victory Parade was canceled. As of today, the tank remains on display in Lugansk.

From the memoirs of Alexander Ionov:
“Even after the end of all the fighting, I remember this especially vividly, a funeral was held for our dead people. In total, the corps then lost 900 people for Belgrade. They loaded them with 4 coffins per tank. Here are 14 tanks, including the Kisenko tank, which we now see on the pedestal. From that moment on I remembered him well. And Kisenko stands in the tower with a red flag. It’s a pity that I don’t have a photograph of this.”

In 1971, Kisenko’s tank moved under its own power onto its seemingly eternal pedestal. The tank gun, of course, was immediately demilitarized. This is how the combat vehicle stood for decades. Until there were veteran tank crews who, with sheer enthusiasm, took on the restoration of the symbol of Victory.

In 2013, within two months, the tank was thoroughly repaired and painted in its original color. Upon completion of the work, it was put into operation.

On September 3, as part of the celebrations dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Lugansk region from the Nazi invaders, the T-34 drove along the main street of Lugansk - Sovetskaya, after which it was left in the city center near the Pylon of Glory.

Some interesting stories of other famous named tanks

The 10,000th Anniversary T-34-85: "Avengers of Donbas"
In March 1945, a significant milestone was reached – the 10,000th T-34-85 tank rolled off the production line. This special tank was a gift to the Zolotko brothers and their cousin, Boyko, who purchased it with their own funds. The crew named their tank "Avengers of Donbas."

The "Krasnoe Sormovo" Plant and Personalized Tanks
During World War II, the "Krasnoe Sormovo" plant built combat vehicles funded by Soviet citizens. These machines were given unique names, with even schoolchildren contributing to the cause.

"Gorky Pioneer" tank
In September 1941, students from a Gorky school appealed to the region's youth to raise funds for a T-34-76 tank. By January 1942, the completed tank was delivered to the active army. In total, seven tanks were built using funds raised by schoolchildren from the Gorky region.

Related links to the Kisenko's tank and information on named tanks

Lugansk T-34 tank: history and restoration
https://www.jyrnalist.com.ua/luganskiy-tank-t-34.../

Personalized tanks
http://tankfront.ru/ussr/names/imennie_tanki.html

Tanks and tank columns with personal names
https://www.1939.ru/articles/imennie-tanki

Pamyat-Naroda
https://shorturl.at/uxDY6

“From Shulga’s father to Kisenko’s son.” Registered tanks of the Krasnoye Sormovo plant video

https://vestinn.ru/news/society/146447/

I wish you all a great and peaceful Monday.

Br,
SovPha

I do not collect such badges but this is one of the exceptions since it's related to the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. It will perfectly into my Soviet-Afghan war vitrine. This badge was given to members of the Democratic Youth Organisation of Afghanistan.

The Democratic Youth Organisation of Afghanistan (Dari: سازمان دموکراتیک جوانان افغانستان, Sâzmân-e Damukrâtik-e Javânân-e Afghânistân), also known as the People's Youth Organisation of Afghanistan, was the main youth organization in the former Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. It was the youth wing of the ruling People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA). Upon turning seventeen years of age, members of the DYOA would become eligible for membership in the PDPA. By June 1978 the organisation had around 4,000 members.

In the mid-1980s it had around 25,000 members. The DYOA was a member of the World Federation of Democratic Youth.

Br, 
SovPha

Hello, Everybody!

I wish you all a Happy New Year 2024🥂. Health, positive vibes, and lots of new goodies for your collections.

Just got today the following medal "For Participation in the Patriotic War 1944–1945". Awarded to Bulgarian or allied troops for participation in the war against the Axis from 9 September 1944 – 9 May 1945. Around 195,000+ were awarded. This document was awarded to Guards Sergeant Marinich Nikolay Petrovich, who was born in 1918. Nikolay Petrovich was drafted in the Novo-Prazhsky Military District Commissariat (Ukrainian SSR) of the Kirovograd region and served until the end of the war in the 22nd Guards Rifle Regiment, 9th Guards Rifle Division. He was awarded with the Medal "For Courage" on June 1st, 1943, and one Order of the Red Star on October 12th, 1943.

I made a small review of the medal itself. Here is the link to my YouTube channel. 

Br,
SovPha

I agree with you. I wish you a great Christmas. 

Dear Community,

I just got a copy of Andrew Reznik's new book. The new book contains 368 pages. For comparison, the old book from 2020 had only 288 pages. The information was greatly redone, and lots of new details related to award documents and awards were added. Several of my photographs including one Order of the Red Star are being used as references in this book.

Book review on YouTube

I wish you all a great Christmas🎄.

Br,

SovPha

Dear GMIC members, I am looking for anything (photographs, maps, documents, etc.,) related to the 76th Infantry Division, 22nd Infantry Division (22nd Air Landing Division) which participated in the battles in Bessarabia, especially Storm of the Dniester shore near or at the city of Mohyliv-Podilskyi (Ukraine). Also, German documents, photographs including any information about the bunkers, and pillboxes on the outskirts of Mohyliv-Podilskyi itself. Any help is highly appreciated.

Br,
SovPha

1. The first badge is a Czech one "Brigáda SVS 1949", honestly I am not sure for what this badge was given for. 

2. The Yugoslav Navy (Serbo-Croatian: Jugoslavenska Ratna Mornarica, Југословенска Pатна Mорнарица, lit. Yugoslavian War Navy), was the navy of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It was essentially a coastal defense force with the mission of preventing enemy landings along the Yugoslavia's rugged 4,000- kilometer shoreline or coastal islands, and contesting an enemy blockade or control of the strategic Strait of Otranto.

3. Here is some great information about the "Manevar 1971".
https://m.facebook.com/MIRIS.PROSLOSTI.Mandy/photos/vojna-vježba-sloboda-71-manevri-sloboda-71-vunsko-poljebio-je-vojni-manevar-na-t/2813052802096471/?locale=ar_AR\

I hope I could help you a little bit with the provided Information.

I wish you a great weekend.

Br,

SovPha

@hucks216, Thank you very much. I know that its not perfect but I will do my best. I will soon have a review on a Wehrpass Soldbuch for one officer. 

Hello, Everybody!

Just made a little YouTube review on my two Workbooks for foreigners.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA53YBjgzew&t=210s

Check it out.

I wish you all a great Wednesday.

Best regards,
SovPha

Another great postwar Ministry of Defense HQ ID. The ID belonged to Major General of tank troops Suyatinov Alexey Fedorovich, who was born in the Ukrainian SSR, Sumy region, Putivl district, in the village Pocheptsy on June 26th, 1928. He was promoted to a General on April 4th, 1975.

Generals of the tank forces (post-war period) 1946 - 1984

http://tankfront.ru/ussr/persons/gen-tv1945.html.

In addition, I found that Alexey Fedorovich was awarded the "60 years of the Armed Forces of the Mongolian People's Republic" medal by the decree of the Mongolian Mongolia People's Republic from December 29th, 1981.

Another great catch for my photo collection. Cosmonaut Valery Fyodorovich Bykovsky(2 August 1934 – 27 March 2019) and Sigmund Werner Paul Jähn (13 February 1937 – 21 September 2019).
 

❗️❗️❗️SOMETHING MOST OF YOU WERE NOT EVEN AWARE OFF❗️❗️❗️

FACT: Did you know that during the Great Patriotic War 71 Mueller's, 22 Goering's, 45 Bormann's, many Manstein's, Hess's, and even Hitler, not Adolf, but Semyon Konstantinovich Hitler served in the Soviet Army?

Please welcome today's hero Semyon Konstantinovich Hitler, who was born in 1922 in the Ukrainian SSR, Kamyanets-Podolsk region, Orininsky district. Nationality Jewish.

Semyon Konstantinovich served as Heavy machine gunner of the 73rd separate machine gun battalion, Tiraspol Fortified Region, Separate Primorskaya Army.

Interestingly is that the command didn't want to award Hitler with a medal so they changed one letter as seen in the document attached, from Hitler to Hitlev.

"As a heavy machine gunner, Comrade. HITLER, for 8 days, uninterruptedly destroyed hundreds of enemy soldiers with his well-aimed fire. When advancing to a height of 174.5, Comrade. Hitler, with his heavy machine-gun fire, supported the offensive of the rifle platoon, however, the enemy, coming from the rear, surrounded the platoon and shot him. Comrade HITLER, with his machine gun, already wounded, was left alone among the enemy, but he did not lose his head and fired until he used up all the cartridges, and then, at a distance of 10 km, crawling among the enemy, with a machine gun, returned to his unit; the conclusion of higher officials: Comrade HITLER Semyon Konstantinovich, being the gunner of a heavy machine gun, showed exceptional cold blood, fortitude, courage in battle when destroying the enemy. Comrade HITLER Semyon Konstantinovich is a perfectly trained machine gunner and a staunch fighter. Comrade HITLER deserves to be awarded the medal "For Courage".

Semyon Konstantinovich Hitler practiced in the battles of Odesa and Sevastopol. On July 3rd, 1942, he died in battle near the city of Sevastopol. Burial place: unknown.

Eternal Glory and Memory to the Hero-Machine Gunner, Private HITLER SEMYON KONSTANTINOVICH!

Love it))) Nice set up. 

Hello, Eric.
Very nice pieces. Did you research them all? 
Best regrads,
SovPha

A new addition to my Soviet civilian development/restoration campaign medals. The medal "For the Development of Virgin Lands" was instituted on October 20th, 1956, and awarded to 1345520 Soviet workers who helped to cultivate 36000000 hectares of previously uncultivated lands in Kazakhstan, Siberia, The Urals, the Volga area and the northern Caucasus for two solid years from 1954 - 1956.

Very nice set. I love Soviet awards which were awarded to foreigners. Thank you for sharing it. 

Just got this awesome in almost mint condition Collimator sight VK-3L / 1954 from the local flea market.

Hello, everybody!

I would love to share something unique from my collection. This was document was issued to Roberts Miezis in the American zone of Berlin. Mr. Miezis was forced to work in Germany during the war and after a long time, he was able to return back home to Latvia.

Br,
SovPha

Another beautiful and unresearched Type 2, Option 2, Variation 1 Medal "For Courage" #3066020.
 

A new addition to my GSVG / Group of Soviet Forces in Germany. Here something nice and not often seen. A Komandirskie (Commander / Chistopol) wristwatch which was ordered by the DOD of the Soviet Union. The reverse has an Interesting engraving: To Lieutenant Colonel Bublik V. I. from the commander of the GSVG - Group of Soviet Forces in Germany. 1971.
 

Good evening, everybody!

A new addition to my collection. A mint Medal "For the Tapping of the Subsoil and Expansion of the Petrochemical Complex of Western Siberia" / July 28th, 1978 / ca 38000 pieces.

Best regards,
SovPha

Good evening, everybody!

A new addition to my collection. A super mint Medal "For Transforming the Non-Black Earth of the RSFSR" / 30th September 1977 / ca 25000 pieces.

Best regards,
SovPha

Good evening, everybody!

I was able to save this unique East German banner given to a Soviet unit. 180 x 115. Patronage of the Soviet Army from the party veterans of the city Wesenberg.

A nice review about the banner on my YouTube channel.

Br,
SovPha

I wanna share my latest addition to the collection. It is a temporary award document for an Order of the Red Star, awarded to Tzeva Mikhail Semenovich.

I was not able to find anything of pamyat nor podwig naroda. Since he served in the organs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, his records wouldn't be accessible on both websites mentioned before.  

Translation: By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council USSR from April 30th 1946, for long and excellent service in the organs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Red Army you're being award with the Order of the Red Star.  

Deputy Head of the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Chernihiv Region. Skoryk  

Wish you all a great Sunday. 

Best regards,
SovPha