For Combat Merits,0178137,Driver,385th Separate Line Communication Battalion,9th Army

[CtahhR]

Here is Medal "For Combat Merits" #178137. This is a completely original set up (with plastic addition) that makes it extremely easy to compare with other Medals in hand to have a greater understanding of what is right and what is wrong.

[CtahhR]

Even though this early Medal was awarded for 1942 actions in January 1943 it is a "complete" group.

[CtahhR]

Prikaz Of Troops Of The Northern Group Of The Transcaucasus Front 24th January 1943.

"For exemplary performance of command assignments at the front against the German invaders and displaying valour and courage"

[CtahhR]

Family, Name And Patronym: Shershov, Georgij Nikolaevich
Military Rank: Red Army Soldier
Position, Unit: Driver, 385th Separate Line Battalion Of Communications
Submitted For Government Award
"Medal For Combat Merits"

1. Year Of Birth: 1914
2. Nationality: Armenian
3. Since when served in Red Army: Since 23.6.41
4. Party Membership: Non-Partisan
5. Participation in battle/ Where, When/. As part of Crimean Front from 6.1.1942 until 20th May 1942. As part of North-Caucasus Front from 20th May 1942 until 14.8.1942. As part of Northern Group Forces Transcaucasus Front from 14.8.1942 until current time.
6. Has been wounded or contused: Wounded in Crimea 25th April 1942.
7. Has been previously award /for which distinction/ Has not been awarded.
8. Current Address: Northern Group Of Forces Transcaucasus Front

Short, Concrete state of personal combat feat or merit.

At the crossing point of the Chuska Spit to Enikale (Ancient Fortress in Kerch), over a distance of 5 kilometres of thin ice, moved line materials and instruments up to 400kgs.
25th April 1942 - Station Ak-Monaj (by Enikale), despite mortar and machine-gun fire drove line material that assisted the combat mission by organising communications.
Working in the role of driver from 23.6.1941 to this time, vehicle kept in an excellent condition.
During the period of construction of telephonic/telegraphic lines of communications - Bezhta-Kidiro in mountainous conditions, without roads, at a distance of 315 Kilometres ensured timely delivery of line material without a single case of damage to motor vehicles.

Comrade Shershov is worthy of the Governmental award "Medal For Combat Merits".

Commander 385th Separate Line Battalion Of Communications Major Lunjakov
3rd December 1942




The original ice-road trucker!

There is a great write-up of the dire situation at Enikale here - Май 1942-го: Ак Монай, Еникале

[PaulR]

There are a lot of signals/communications citations lately. Those guys got a lot of recognition.

[CtahhR]

Without communications or logistics the fighting capability of the Red Army would have been close to non-existent. In situations where communications and logistics fail, the army usually collapses (such as the German invasion of France and the first few weeks of the Great Patriotic War when Stalin was silent and resources were not moved). Lessons were learnt.

In a situation such as holding a bridgehead (in this case the Kerch peninsula) the supplies and orders need to flow in orderly and on time. Run out of supplies, lose the battle (i.e. Stalingrad).

Strangely enough this is to a Military Driver in a Communication unit and today I got a civilian group to a Telephone operator at the Ministry Of Transport.

I'll add photographs after this Medal is framed.

Here are 3 maps.

The first shows his areas listed as part of the Battle Of Kerch Peninsula.
Second is his travels during the Battle For The Caucasus.
Thirdly a contemporary drawing of the Kerch landings.

[CtahhR]

It would seem the report I read on just where Ak-Monaj Station was was incorrect, not a railway station in Kerch but on the Kerch line. Ak-Monaj was renamed Kamenskoe in 1945 and is 100 kilometres west of Kerch. The scene of the "Ak-Monaj Line" after the Feodosija landings. It was retaken by the Germans in their May 1942 offensive. The area is now in ruins.

It would seem this driver was even more mobile than previously thought.
I've also updated the map showing areas of action indicated in the citation.

I was drawn to the name "Ak-Monaj" tonight whilst watching the documentary series Soviet Storm - WWII In The East Series 2 Episode 2 "The Defence Of Sevastopol". I advise this series to anyone.

[CtahhR]

Here is a map of the full landing showing the importance of both Enikale and Ak-Monaj.

Also an extract from the book "Soviet Documents On The Use Of War Experience - Volume 3" that is very useful. Although it does not say how many Communications Battalions crossed. Just a shame the citation doesn't state on which date he made his crossing(s). Unless he was at it every day of the ice bridge.