Patriotic War II,0738452,76mm Gunner,215th Rifle Division,East Prussia,Posthumous

[Tommy]

Award Card
1. Last name: Shulga
2. Name: Fedor
3. Patrionymic Terentevich
4. Birthyear: 1916
5. Nationality: Ukrainian
6. Party membership: N/A
7. Joined the Red Army: 1944

Awards

Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class No 738452 074/N 30.04.45
72nd Rifle Regiment Private
???? Battery
707 Rifle Rifle Regiment,
215 Rifle Division

Presented to
Shulga Anastasiya Aksentevna – Wife
Kiev Oblast
Petrovsky Region
Village of Orlovets

27.11.45, Booklet Number 847298

[Tommy]

Posthumous

Award Sheet

1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Shulga, Fedor Terentevich
2. Rank: Private
3. Duty position: Gunner in the 76mm Gun battery, 707 Neman Rifle Regiment, 215 “Smolensk” Red Banner, Order of Suvorov Rifle Division.
Recommendation for the Order of the Patriotic War II Class
4. Born: 1916
5. Nationality: Ukrainian
6. Party membership: Not a member
7. Previous combat: Western & 3rd Belorussian Fronts since 11.4.44
8. Wounds or shell-shock: Killed 15.3.45
9. In Red Army: Since 25.3.44
10. Inducted by: Petrovsky Military Commisarat, Kiev Oblast
11. Previous awards: Medal “ For Bravery” by order of the 707 Neman Rifle Regiment No 02/N on 8.12.44
12. Home address of the prospective awardee and their family: [trans: entry intentionally obscured]
13. Place of Birth: The same

Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment

In the battle for the village of Gros-Klinbek in East Prussia on 11.04.45, comrade Shulga’s accurate aiming of his weapon successfully supported the attacking infantry units. Primarily acting from an open firing position he ensured the quick suppression and the destruction of enemy firing positions.

During the fighting six enemy firing positions were suppressed and 20 enemy soldiers killed.

In this battle comrade Shulga died a heroic death.

He deserves the governmental award, Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class.
Commander of the 707 Rifle Regiment
Major/signed/Chumburilze
26 April 1945

Deserving of the award, ORDER:
Patriotic War 2nd class
Commander of the 215 Smolensk, Red Banner, Order of Suvorov Rifle Division.
Hero of the Soviet Union
General Major/signed/Kazaryan
28th April 1945


Order of the 72nd Infantry Corps no74 dated April 30, 1945
Awarded the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class - posthumous (handwritten)
Head of Personnel/signed/Major Karpenko
20th June 1945

[Tommy]

An incredibly defaced example.

Thankfully it'll now come to no more harm.

Tom

[CtahhR]

It is amazing to think that most would disregard this heavily harvested and abused award. Then when the back story comes through and we find out that the recipient gave his life in the action that earned it, due to exposing himself during the destruction of enemy positions, it gives it a totally different light.

A lot more than a chunk of silver.

[Auke]

I'm wondering if it was his wife who rid the award of all military and political symbols, for they reminded her of her husband's sacrifice. In any case, this remains a curious and poignant award.

[Tommy]

I had though that myself Auke.

I’ve searched the Memorial site and found all his KIA notices & documents which is where I found his wife’s name and address. It’d be nice to know where he was buried though.

I believe the action in his ciatation probably took place during/slightly after the encirclement of Konneigsberg?

[Tommy]

Heres some interesting info about the 72nd Rifle Corps to which the 215 were attached.

Borrowed from Dave S' For Valour site.

In June 1944, in preparation for the Vitebsk Orsha Operation, the 72nd was moved to the command of the 5th Army, where it would serve as the breakthrough unit for the army.The operation began on 23 June, and lasted until 29 August. 

The fighting involved 168 Divisions in 12 Corps, over a front 1,100km wide, fighting against units of the German Army Group Center. By 29 August, the Soviets had advanced 600km, and had destroyed 17 German divisions and three brigades, and over 50 German divisions lost half their strength. 

This paved the way for the Soviet troops through Latvia, Lithuania and into Poland.  July 1944 found the Corps south of Kaunas, on the Neman river, 75km from the border of Eastern Prussia.

They continued their push through Lithuania, and by the end of October, they had entered Eastern Prussia, and were due east of Koeningsburg.  The defenders fought back every step of the way, and forward movement slowed greatly. 

In January, the 72nd participated in the East Prussian Operation, which began on 13 January and lasted 103 days- to 25 April. 

During this operation the Soviets took over Eastern Prussia, destroying 25 enemy divisions, and causing heavy casualties to a further 12 divisions. They likewise captured nearly every German naval base.  The 72nd, on the northern side of the operation, headed south west, taking Insterberg, and pushing through to the southern edge of Koeningsburg as the initial assault formation. 

They surrounded the garrison there, and destroyed them in April 1945.  However, this was not without severe casualties on the Soviet side- each of the Divisions attached to the 72nd could muster less than 50% of their original strength at the beginning of the operation. With three Divisions (63rd, 215th and 277th) attached to the 72nd Corps they mustered less than 9000 men- from an original count of nearly 20,000.   

[Tommy]

Heres the closure to this research adventure.



Thankfully I was able to trace his last moments and have found his final resting place and the monument honoring his sacrifice.

This award has been a rewarding research experience and I hope ive done justice to the soldier.

Tom