Mongolia Private Shirchin Samdan-Khalkhin Gol

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The Award document of Private Shirchin Samdan, a participant of the battle at river Khakha (Khalkhingol) in 1939.

Private Shirchin Samdan was among 31 Mongolian soldiers awarded the Order of Red Banner of Combat Valor on August 10, 1939. The same decree (#50) also bestowed Mongolian orders to Soviet fighter aces including Gritsevetsh, Smuschkevich, Kravchenko, Zabaluev and many others. May be for that reason, the decree and other documents were translated into Russian language. Anyway, private Samdan belonged to the 6th Cavalry Division of the Mongolian Revolutionary Army that held the front lines in May until larger mechanized Soviet Forces were rushed in. The fiercest battles took place on May 28 and ensuing days. As a results of the battles, the Cavalry Division has inflicted heavy loses to Japanese units at the river of Khakhingol. However, the command post of the division located too close to the front line was surrounded and almost annihilated by Japanese. Commander of the Division Sharibuu was killed in action there. Miraculously, the bulk of the division regrouped and preserved its combat capability. After this battle, Lodon Dandar, a regiment commander, was appointed as the division commander. The archival documents, in Mongolian and Russian, indicate that 28 soldiers and officers of the 6th Cavalry Division were recommended for the Order of Red Banner of Combat Valor on June 21, 1939. The decree came to life on August 10, 1939. The excerpt from the award recommendation that pertains to Samdan says "#14. Private Shirchin Samdan. Member of Revolutionary Youth. 1st Company, 17th regiment. Under the command of comrade Gendenbazar, personally killed 3 officers and 6 soldiers. Seized an antitank cannon".

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The photo of comrade Shirchin Samdan taken at the end of 1939.

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A copy of the award decree # 50 listing the ranks and names of soldiers and officers of the 6th Cavalry division who were awarded the orders. Private Shirchin Samdan is among them.

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Here is the award recommendation in Russian:

June 21, 1939.

List of best soldiers, participants of the battle on May 28, recommended for awards by the 6th Cavalry Division named after Sukhbaatar

#1. Commander of Machine-gun company, Lt. Dorjiin Baadai. Member of Revolutionary Youth. Without any shortcomings, he has prepared and trained his unit. His unit annihilated an enemy platoon and forced some to surrender. He was wounded.

#2. Gunner of a light tank Sanjiin Nanzad. Member of Revolutionary Youth. Attached to a tank platoon of the 15th regiment. Destroyed two enemy trucks with 3 shots. He fired at the enemy from its rear and inflicted heave casualties.

[Tsend]

Here is the award recommendation in Russian:

June 21, 1939.

List of best soldiers, participants of the battle on May 28, recommended for awards by the 6th Cavalry Division named after Sukhbaatar

#1. Commander of Machine-gun company, Lt. Dorjiin Baadai. Member of Revolutionary Youth. Without any shortcomings, he has prepared and trained his unit. His unit annihilated an enemy platoon and forced some to surrender. He was wounded.

#2. Gunner of a light tank Sanjiin Nanzad. Member of Revolutionary Youth. Attached to a tank platoon of the 15th regiment. Destroyed two enemy trucks with 3 shots. He fired at the enemy from its rear and inflicted heave casualties.

and here is Samdan's part in English.

[Bob]

Excellent background information - very interesting!

Makes me almost wish I bought more documents and less orders/medals:)