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    Posted

    Please, meet Pvt. KORSUNOV Ivan Semyonovich 1919, artillery spotter of 430 high caliber howitzer artillery regiment of the Supreme Command Reserve. Bestowed with ORS for holding against a reconnaissance raid of the Spanish volunteer division Azul (250 Inf.Div) on the nigh 05-06 April 1942. Later, after being wounded, served in a reconnaissance on foot platoon of 151 rifle regiment (earned FCM, BM and ORS).

     

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    The action took place on the night 05-06 April 1942, when the Spanish conducted a reconnaissance operation along the whole division front. The river Volhov was still covered with 20cm of ice and could be crossed. 

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    ORS 42359 citation: 

        Under the cover of darkness of the night 05-06 April 1942, after an intensive mortar and MG barrage, enemy submachine-gunners detachment 25-30 strong from the Spanish 250 Infantry Division crossed the river Volkhov and attacked the observation post of the 7th artillery battery, which was located in the village Pakhotnaya Gorka. The enemy detachment consisted of German and Spanish troops. Like feral beasts and screaming, the enemy charged our observation post. Having spotted the enemy approach, Pvt. KORSUNOV, who manned the post, opened rifle fire and continued until all his ammunitions were depleted. Having ran out of rounds, comrade KORSUNOV trew two hand grenades at the bestial Fascists. Then he ran along the trench towards the neighbouring observation post of the 9th battery. The German invaders also now charged the same way. Together with the head of the artillery reconnaissance of the 3rd artillery squadron Sr.Lt. DYVAN, he bravely and skilfully defended agains the enemy.

          As the result of this effort, 5 killed and 1 wounded Fascist remained lying on our territory near the observation post. Among the killed, there was 1 officer, and 1 officer was severely wounded. Having lost their officer, the enemy soldiers began retreating. The enemy offensive was repelled. with large casualties among the Fascists. The retreating Fascists carried away the other killed and wounded from area away from the observation post. The next morning, it was visible, that the Germans were burying their dead and drove away the wounded to the rear in vehicles. Comrade KORSUNOV has been the best artillery spotter and an exemplary soldier during his whole front line service.

    Recommended for order "RED BANNER" by Col. POSPELOV, the commander of 430 high caliber howitzer artillery regiment of the Supreme Command Reserve.

     

    Next I will compare the combat diaries of the Spanish and the Soviet union for the same night.

     

    Posted

    Combat diary of division Azul (250 Inf.Div) for the night recon mission on 06 April 1945. The bold part about 10th company is the actual action described above in KORSUNOV's citation. 

     

    OPERATIONS DIARY OF THE SPANISH VOLUNTEER DIVISION (DEV) (XXXII) – APRIL 1-6, 1942
    DIARIO DE OPERACIONES DE LA DIVISIÓN ESPAÑOLA DE VOLUNTARIOS (DEV) (XXXII)
    -----------------------
    Day 6 , April 1942

    Nighttime offensive reconnaissance was conducted east of the WOLCHOW along the Division's entire front.

    Three groups from the 10/269 crossed the river south of the SLUTKAS [Слутка] observatory, flanking and assaulting three fortified enemy houses. Close combat ensued, and the enemy was expelled from their positions. Captured equipment included one light machine gun and eight rifles. Our losses: 5 killed, 6 wounded.

    A patrol from the I/262, led by an officer, advanced 2 km into enemy territory near USCHERKO [Ушерская ?]. After being discovered by superior forces, the patrol withdrew, destroying an enemy outpost and killing two soldiers without incurring losses.

    A group from the 263rd Regiment conducted reconnaissance on enemy positions south of SLUTKA, finding them deserted. One resisting enemy soldier was killed, and a rifle was recovered.

    Another group from the II Battalion of the same regiment advanced on the enemy position "Hill of Mysteries" between VADACHOWO and MOLINO ROJO. Two fortified enemy posts, each manned by approximately 15 soldiers, were destroyed. The patrol returned with one light machine gun and three rifles. Our losses: 2 killed, 4 wounded.

    Enemy artillery fired on their own abandoned positions in the 269th Infantry Regiment’s sector. An enemy anti-tank gun fired intensely from southeast of KOWALUWO. Our forces concentrated fire on XXXXXX.

    At 22:00, a reconnaissance patrol from the Exploration Group made contact with the enemy east of the WOLCHOW, completing their harassment mission and returning without incident by 01:00.

    Enemy and friendly aviation activity was normal.

    Reorganization:
    Forces previously under the 126th Division's command ceased their dependence on it and were redeployed to:

    II Battalion, 269th Infantry Regiment: NOWGOROD.
    Two anti-tank guns, 14/269: WODSSKOWA.
    9th Company, 263rd Infantry Regiment: WITKA.
    River and Lake Status:
    The WOLCHOW flows freely in the 262nd Regiment's sector. In the 263rd Regiment's sector, the ice layer remains 15 cm thick. In the 269th Regiment's sector, the thickness is slightly greater. Ice on Lake ILMEN exceeds 30 cm in thickness.

    Casualties among personnel and livestock:

    Personnel:
    262nd Regiment: 1 killed.
    263rd Regiment: 2 killed, 4 wounded (troops).
    269th Regiment: 5 killed, 6 wounded.
    Artillery Regiment: Captain Manuel Gabeiras Montero, hospitalized.
    Livestock: No incidents reported.

     

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