Letters From The Front.

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Here is a set of 4 letters from the front dating from 1943-1944. They are from "Sigal, S. M." to G. S. Radutska in Zelenodol'sk, Tartar ASSR.

At face value they are the oh so common wartime correspondences that are usually rather overlooked but with a little research they become so much more.

The first one was written on 13th January 1943 in Moscow and reached Zelenodol'sk 6 days later (whilst the Battle Of Stalingrad was still ongoing). Looks to be written on pages from an exercise book.

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This next one was written on 20th June 1943 from Field Post 01005 (713th Rifle Regiment) and arrived in the TASSR on 5th July. A rather plain postcard.

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This postcard written on 18th July 1943, arriving 28th July has the propaganda slogan "Fighter Of The Red Army, Rescue!" and has the great line written on it - "Beat the Fritz at Stalingrad".

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This last one has a great design, written 10th September 1944 and was sent from Field Post 03445 (can not find unit).

The damage occurring when the letter was originally opened.

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So from the information presented in the letters we know we are looking for a S. M. Sigal who was active in the 713th Rifle Regiment. Looking on "the site" by surname Sigal there are only two results with the initials "S. M.". A sergeant and a major - no-one in 1985 surprisingly. The Major was awarded a Medal "For Combat Merits" and Orders Red Star and Patriotic War II and was also the Primary Secretary of Party Organisation for the 713th Rifle Regiment in 1943 - we have a winner. Major Samuil Moisееvich Sigal, born in 1904 in Samgorodok, originating from Kiev, Jewish and serving in the Army from 1931. His Army service had seen him in "Western Ukraine" 1939, Finland 1940 and Patriotic War from day one. Wounded on 28th June 1941, 7th September 1941, 8th December 1941 and 3rd October 1942.

This Citation for a 23rd May 1943 awarded Medal "For Combat Merits" (Downgraded from Red Star) indicates Sigal in action on 6th and 7th February only weeks after the first letter.

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This 28th August 1943 awarded Red Star citation shows him in combat from 21st to 27th July - the exact same time the third postcard was in the post.

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A 14th May 1945 awarded Patriotic War II. Strangely this is all that is currently available.

A story soon opens up with a little bit of looking around.

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Here is an undated, quickly scribble update on the situation of an unknown writer - not all of these pieces open up greater insights.

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Here is a 22nd October 1945 "Triangle" to the Tatar ASSR from A. I. Ajzenberg in Zhitomir. Victory allowing for a hopeful outlook.