This Northern Fleet units was the only naval infantry brigade that formed and fought in the Arctic. It was formed on 10 September 1941 at Arkhangelsk. It began life with three consecutively numbered rifle battalions. Before the end of the month it was transferred via 6 naval transports, 2 patrol boats and 3 trawlers to Kandalaksha at the front. In early October two more rifle battalions were added and its total strength was 5822 men.
I spent most of the war manning the defensive lines on the Ryabachiy Peninsula in the extreme north of the Kola Peninsula where its main mission was to defend Murmansk from possible overland invasion by German forces in northern Norway. It also conducted light amphibious raids into the German rear at strengths ranging from platoon up to complete brigade.
On 21 April 1942, the brigade made an amphibious landing near Pikushev on the Arctic Coast with 6065 men.
It is likely that your guy got the award for just such a raid. For many more details you MUST get the US Army’s Leavenworth Papers study from the 1980s entitled The Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation. I have it in storage in Canada but not with me. It is a few hundred pages devoted to this area.
There is also a memoir of a guy who served, I think in this unit, named Leonov and called Blood on the Shores. It is a paperback book.
Shawn..
Wow...thanks for the outstanding post! I will take you up on your suggestions for further research!!
I agree, Col Savchenko may have gotten an award for the amphib. ops you mentioned. When I purchased this group, it caught me eye because it contained several photos of the Col, and in addition to the early screwback Red Banner I mentioned, he was also awarded an early A. Nevsky and a Red Star.
No problem. I love doing this stuff. In addition to this relatively small scale stuff which I love to share with other members, I have also done large scale projects (for a small fee - although this is not meant as a plug) tracking an entire unit history. I am just finishing one for a tank corps for the guy who has their unit banner which will be around 25 typed pages long. It was a lucky case where there was lots known about the unit.
I would add to Munroe's request - even if I hate him for having summer now as most of us begin to freeze ;). I would love to see a photo of the good colonel. Also, if you have his history, especially unit he served in, translated it would be great to see.
Finally, let me know if ou have problems finding either book I mentioned. If my memory serves me correctly they will be so closely related to this unit and your guy (who may even be mentioned) that they could form part of your collection/display.
10-23-2002, 08:49 PM (This post was last modified: 09-28-2012, 08:20 AM by CtahhR.)
Shawn and Munroe,
Thanks for the interest. Unfortunately, I don't have all the orig. copies of research or photos with me, because I travel extensively and therefore my collection resides with family.
However, I have two pics (scans of scans) that I will attach, and a poor picture of the group.
The group was missing a long service Lenin, and his campaign medals. Curiously, research only mentions that he was auth. or wear the Defense of Leningrad and Victory over Germany medals.
Because I don't have research with me, I can't recall all the units he served with. I do know that he fought Basmachi partisans in central asia from Dec 1926 until May 1927.
His screwback Red Banner was awarded while a Battalion CDR of the 12th Special Brigade (1941).
He retired in 1953, serving as Regimental Commander of the 1273rd Rifle Regt, Naval Infantry from 51 to 53.
The Nevsky is nice... a type 2 with serial #9139. I wish I could get my hands on the citations..
I just picked up this group to a Navy Engineer-Lieutenant (retired as a Captain, 2nd Rank) Nothing really special, however, he did end up with the "Defense of the Polar Regions", "Defense of Leningrad" (both awarded in 1987!) "Defense of the Cacuses", AND Victory Over Japan! As well as veterans badges as a veteran of the Northern Fleet, Black Sea Fleet and Pacific Fleet!
Anyway, I was wondering if:
1) Anyone could decipher exactly what these unit stamps are, esp. the acronyms (I know that one is from the 'monitor' Sun-Yat-Sen, the other is from the 1st Brigade River Patrol) and what the acronym of the Commanders title means.
and
2) Does anyone know a good reference to look up and research the river-patrol units of the various fleet commands?
I'm trying to track down info on the 42nd Special Brigade. I have yet to find their order of battle, though I know they were at Stalingrad in the 62nd Army under Chuikov. Yet, no one covers what they did, or any specific actions.
