This is a neat uniform that "recently came from a closed museum" in Latvia. I can't confirm the story, but I figured I'd buy it for the research aspect of it! The Gold Star is a "wearers copy" of course (the seller knocked off $125 from the price when I told him I didn't want it!) and I don't know if the Guards badge is original to the uniform or not. Still, everything else (to me, at least) looks original. Any thoughts? I'd eventually like to pin down who it belonged to.
And here's a picture of the inside of the coat. Looks like the holes for the Gold Star are for real, and the ribbons have been "updated" quite a few times.
Spent a few hours today (much to the chagrin of my wife!) digging into the Heros of the USSR book and found out who it belonged to!
The general's name was Viktor Timofeevich Obukhov. He was born 03 April 1898 near Nikolskoya (today Orenburgskovo raion) in Orenburgskovo oblast. Joined the Communist Party and Soviet Army in 1918. Fought in the Civil War, attended the cavalry academy in 1924 and went to the Frunze Academy in 1934. Fought at Khalkin-Gol in 1939. Served on the front of the Patriotic War from June 1941. Commanded the 3rd Guards Mechanized Corps (3rd Belorussian Front) as a General Lieutenant. Looks like he was awarded the HSU for (defending?) Vitebsk, Orsha, pushed another 100 km, and liberated Lepel on 28 June 1944 and then crossing the Berezina river. Was awarded the title of HSU on 4 July 1944. After the War, stayed in the Army and in 1952 attended the General Staff Academy. Retired as a General Colonel of the Armored Forces in 1965 and lived in Moscow. Was awarded 3 Orders of Lenin, 3 Orders of the Red Banner (the only one that doesn't match) Orer of Suvorov 1st Class, Red Banner of Labor, Red Star and medals. Died on 26 November 1975 (I was a month old...)
That's a very imperfect translation... If anyone can help out with that, I'd appreciate it!
In Shishkov/Musalvski's list, there are only 18 General-Colonels.
Amongst them, Viktor Timofeevich Obukhov seems to be the best one, as nearly all his orders are matching (except the number of Orders of the Red Banner).
DougD Wrote:I really like it! these ID'd uniforms, even postwar, are really cool. How sure are you of the ID? any other even possible matches?
DD
Doug-
I compared all those officers on Shishov's and Muzalevsky's list against the Heroes of the USSR book series. Of those officers who ranked Colonel General or below, that weren't awarded the Suvorov 2 or more times, or the Suvorov 1st and another 1st Class award (or 2), there was actually a pretty small list. Those were the ones I compared against the Heroes of the USSR books. Nearly every other officer (surprisingly, I think) was awarded the Suvorov 1st plus another "big" order - e.g. Khmelnitsky, Kutuzov, or 2nd Class Suvorovs. None of the ones I saw had a Red Banner of Labor. The single Red Star, and the lack of a Patriotic War was pretty uncommon as well. I'd say that there's probably a 98% chance (probably higher) that it was his. I'd bet money on it. ;)
----------------------------
Obukhov
Viktor T., Lieutenant-General
(1898-1975)
1941 General Officer Commanding 26th Tank Division
1943 General Officer Commanding III Guards Mechanized Corps
1943 - 1944General Officer Commanding III Guards Mechanized Corps
