Shelepin, Anatolij Aleksandrovich, Senior Sailor, Anti-Aircraft Gunner, Kronstadt

[CtahhR]

Well according to the stamp we have 84 Maloka - Art. Division.

[Tommy]

малокалиберная -Small bore?

84th Small bore Anti aircraft division? Small bore doesnt flow well though. ..

[CtahhR]

Other examples of the stamp really don't help.

[Auke]

84th Small-Caliber Antiaircraft Battalion (divizion, not divizia) I'd say.

[CtahhR]

For Z in this case would be Zenith?

Small-Calibre Zenith Artillery Battery? (This is where "Division" means a sub-section). So the "division" of the forces at Kronstadt used for anti-aircraft defence rather than a "Division" of an Army.

[Tommy]

The ZA is Зенитная артиллерия, meaning antiaircraft artillery.

If I understand correctly.

[CtahhR]

Here is an example of just what the "small" Calibre Zenith Artillery will be. This picture was taken in Kronstadt in 1941 so he may be in the photograph or have used this weapon.

I have a 37mm case from 1943 which looks to be the calibre in use here. Certainly effective at close to medium range.

[Tommy]

Nice picture.

Exciting that he could have fired that particular weapon. They probably had a fair few though!

I wounder what gun they captured?

[Tommy]

Award sheet


Commander of the 835th Anti-Aircraft Battery, 84th Small-Caliber Antiaircraft Battalion, Kronstadt naval base

Red Navy Man Shelepin, Anatoly Aleksandrovich

Medal for Combat Service [crossed out and replaced with] Order “Patriotic War 2nd Class”


1. Year of Birth: 1920
2. Nationality: Russian
3. Social Origin: Labourer
4. Party Membership: Not a member
5. Since when in the Red Army: 1940
6. Participation in the Civil War: Did not partake
7. Wounds and contusions received: In 1943 was severely wounded and contused
8. Prior award recommendations, when and why: None
9. Awards received previously: None
10. Service in White or other bourgeois armies, captivity: Didn’t serve
11. Permanent home address of the prospective awardee and the address of her family: -

Short, concrete description of his feat of arms or merits:

During the period of the Patriotic War for the Soviet motherland against fascist Germany, he participated in the battles in the northern fleet, where he was shot and wounded. In the battles he behaved bravely, decisively and heroically.

Upon arrival at the Kronstadt naval base he has proved himself a capable and able sailor. Having received captured materiel, he mastered it in a short time, which he put into service to defend the base and he assisted the other seamen in mastering the technology.
In practical shooting along the cone of dispersion, his technique worked "perfectly", where he completed the task "excellently" and "very well".

He is personally disciplined, does not have any disciplinary violations and helps his commander to strengthen military discipline. He exercises vigilance on the battery, due to them being abroad.

Comrade Shelepin, Anatoly Aleksandrovich is deserving of the governmental award the Medal for Combat Service.

Commander of the 84th 84th Small-Caliber Antiaircraft Battalion
Major / [signed] / Zenin

May 21st, 1945