Red Star,1032964,Chemical Officer,813th Rifle Regiment

[Tommy]

Abbreviated Award Card Summary

Card indicates Red Star #1.032.964 awarded to ethnic Ukrainian Senior Lieutenant Vasilii Ivanovich Kaplun (b.1905) awarded to 4 Shock Army, 239 Rifle Division, 813 Rifle Regiment Chemical Officer according to Order 0666 dated 3.11.44 for “combat against the German invaders.” He was bestowed the decoration on 27.1.45 on temporary certificate D-205503.

[Tommy]

Award Sheet

1. Last name, name, and patrionymic: Kaplun, Vasilii Ivanovich
2. Rank: Senior Lieutenant
3. Duty position: Chemical Service Chief – 813 Rifle Regiment, 239 Rifle Division, 4 Shock Army
Recommendation for the Order of the Red Star
4. Born: 1905
5. Nationality: Ukrainian
6. Party membership: since 1930
7. Previous combat: did not participate in Civil War. In Patriotic War since 1942 on South Western Front
8. Wounds or shell-shock: n/a
9. In Red Army: since 1942
10. Inducted by: Pemenezhskii Regional Military Commissariat, Kharkov Oblast
11. Previous awards: n/a
12. Home of record: [trans: entry intentionally obscured]

Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment


During offensive fighting beginning 8 July 1944, officer Kaplun has continuously accomplished the Command’s special tasks in checking military orders to subordinate units. While developing success since 15 September 1944 near the village of Mezhmartivi (Vetsaul Principality, Vauskii District, Latvian SSR) he raised soldiers among the rifle companies to the attack.
On 17 September 1944 near the village of Zemgali (same area) on the Command’s mission, while in a rifle company he participated in repelling an enemy counterattack.
Under his leadership the chemical defense platoon mastered its responsibilities. Anti-chemical equipment was always in necessary order and full combat preparedness.
For conscientious accomplishment of tasks and exceptionally honest work, I am recommending Comrade Kaplun for the Order of the Red Star.


Signed Regimental Commander Major Chuprin on 29 September 1944

[Tommy]

I never saw anything like this before.

Does anyone have any more info about these troops?





Cheers,

Tom

[CtahhR]

Wasn't the "Chemical Defence" handing out gas masks? such as seen on the Badges "Ready For Chemical Defence". Everyone thought gas was a very viable threat during the Second Great War but after the Italians deployed it against the Ethiopians it was rather taken from use. All forces on all fronts were consistently awaiting a gas attack that never came.

Always have to "be prepared" though.

[Al-muell]

Chem defence troops were also responsible for other tasks - like deploying large-scale smoke covers to hide attacking troops.

[CtahhR]

I also forget about the flamethrowers too. Ensuring the flamethrowers were fuelled and deployed to the correct offensive or defensive positions would certainly be a game changer.

[Al-muell]

also: http://soviet-awards.com/forum/soviet-mi...post217644

Chem. def. troops were also in chrge of all the chemical warehouses - including e.g. pharmaceutical warehouses.

[Tommy]

Excellent, thanks guys :)

Another thing, was the gentleman of a rank whereby I will be able to request his Service Record?

I'm still waiting for an award with a picture of the recipient, dammit!

Cheers,

Tom

[CtahhR]

Good things come to those who wait!
It is a great thing to be able to put a face to a recipient but it doesn't always work out.

If it doesn't work this time it may next.....

[Bill Garvy]

Another thing, was the gentleman of a rank whereby I will be able to request his Service Record?

Yes, the documents indicate he was a Lieutenant so you should be able to request his Service Record. That being said, I think it is another matter entirely if his picture is affixed, but you never know unless and until you ask.