Bob Posted November 24, 2009 Posted November 24, 2009 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
Bob Posted November 24, 2009 Author Posted November 24, 2009 http://vienna-pyongyang.blogspot.com/2008/09/khabarovsk-khasan-border-russiadprk.html reverse border crossing... everythings been done before of course!
RedMaestro Posted November 24, 2009 Posted November 24, 2009 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
RedMaestro Posted November 24, 2009 Posted November 24, 2009 http://vienna-pyongy...russiadprk.html reverse border crossing... everythings been done before of course! 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! -Alex
paul wood Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 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! -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
Bob Posted May 10, 2015 Author Posted May 10, 2015 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 faralso, in a school, there is a 1 room khasan museum
Paul R Posted May 12, 2015 Posted May 12, 2015 Thank you for posting these amazing photos. That armored vehicle looks like it was in pretty rough shape. Is the bad look cosmetic or is it coming apart?
Bob Posted May 13, 2015 Author Posted May 13, 2015 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.
JapanX Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 (edited) 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 Edited May 14, 2015 by JapanX
JapanX Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 It was developed in the middle of 20s.See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-18_tank
Chuck In Oregon Posted June 29, 2015 Posted June 29, 2015 A very interesting post. Thank you. However, my enthusiasm for a visit has now been quenched.Chuck
Bob Posted December 23, 2020 Author Posted December 23, 2020 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]__
Bob Posted December 23, 2020 Author Posted December 23, 2020 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)
Bob Posted December 23, 2020 Author Posted December 23, 2020 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 pics His younger pic shows him wearing a Red Banner and Patriotic War order
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now