Soviet Red Banner Researched

[rboomsma]

One of my First researches of a Politicial Military Deputy Commander

Sorry translation is most likley not perfect but close enough.

Order of Red Banner # 37094

Order Book No 813422

Major Leigenkov, Semen Ivanovich

Born in 1908

Place of Birth: Villiage of Shup in Smolensk Region

Member of party since 1932

Education High School

Nationality Russian

In Red Army from August 1939 till May 1947

Position at time of Award: 972 Artillery Regiment, 113 th Infantry Division

Deputy Commander of Artillery Division, for Political Section.

Occupation at present time of document: unemployed

Address: City of Minsk, Belarus 4th Byelorussia Alley 8-1

AWARDS GIVEN

1. Red Banner #37094 Doc # 124200 Date: 17 September 1942

2. Red Star #1490109 Doc#337776 Date: 28 October 1944

3. OPW 2nd class #127704 Doc#J520155 Date: 3 November 1944

4. Combat Service #2636769 Doc#193657 Date: 6 May 1946

Document signed 14 June 1947

Citation

Leigenkov, Semen Ivanovich

Head Political Leader

Military Party Committee #1 Unit 129OSE / 113SD

To be awarded Red Banner

For duties in Villages of Boltomdovo, Semenovo, Nazaria, and Matreshno

From 13 to 20th of August 1942

Was not wounded or shell shock

No other awards given before this one.

Recruitment area: Saratovsk City

His Address: Saratov. Malosolenniya Street 9 No24 Apartment No1

Award Reason:

Comrade Leigenkov was in battle from 13 to 20th of August and displayed his bravery and strength as a fighting man against German occupation. In fighting with villages of Boltomdovo, Semenovo, Nazaria, and Matreshno, his personal example inspired other soldiers to fight. He solves his task with excellence.

Six other soldiers without a Commander as he was wounded, under Leigenkov direction held their position for 24hrs under heavy attacks of the fascists. This battalion is one of the best in battle in all of the regiment.

Signed by Commander Alehin Signed by Political Military Commissar

Dated 27 August 1942 Shevchenko

Also noted is Red Star Awarded by General Lieutenant Hozin

Dated 31 August 1942

By Order of the Western Front Military

Order N 01005 on 17 September 1942

Edited May 7, 2006 by rboomsma

[Guest Rick Research]

A great early Red Banner... none of the longwinded text of later ones--

"Six other soldiers without a Commander as he was wounded, under Leigenkov direction held their position for 24hrs under heavy attacks of the fascists."

suggests the seven of them (and how many were still alive at the END of that?) were surrounded or cut off and held out against all odds, stopping an advance.

Every so often-- like here-- we get to see a real FRONTLINE, fighting Commissar who did more damage to the Germans than threatening his own men to go forward "or else!"

Was this a loose anonymous ORB or did you get the rest of his group? From his service times all the other awards were for something rather than long service.

[rboomsma]

I got this order by itself from a dealer.

I find it interesting also that a political officer was out there fighting also instead at the back waiting to shot any who retreated.

A great early Red Banner... none of the longwinded text of later ones--

"Six other soldiers without a Commander as he was wounded, under Leigenkov direction held their position for 24hrs under heavy attacks of the fascists."

suggests the seven of them (and how many were still alive at the END of that?) were surrounded or cut off and held out against all odds, stopping an advance.

Every so often-- like here-- we get to see a real FRONTLINE, fighting Commissar who did more damage to the Germans than threatening his own men to go forward "or else!"

Was this a loose anonymous ORB or did you get the rest of his group? From his service times all the other awards were for something rather than long service.