Photographs Of Recipients Of Soviet Awards/Service Personnel.

[desantnik]

These guys deported people (both entire groups, i.e. Chechens and Crimean Tatars, as well as individuals to work camps) and/or sent German POWs into exile deep in the Union to work off their real and imagined "war crimes" for reconstruction.

[slava1stclass]

Originally Posted by desantnik

These guys deported people (both entire groups, i.e. Chechens and Crimean Tatars, as well as individuals to work camps) and/or sent German POWs into exile deep in the Union to work off their real and imagined "war crimes" for reconstruction.

desantnik,

Thank you for the explantion - I had no idea.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[desantnik]

Echoes of War p. 126 has a Red Star awarded to one such individual.

[Simon]

Though it may not have been their official mission, NKVD convoy units fought bravely on front lines. The most famous example is 132nd Separate Convoy NKVD Battalion that took part in defense of Brest fortress. The note "I am dying but not surrendering. Farewell, Motherland. 2 July 1941", scratched onto the fortress wall, known to every Soviet child, was found at disposition of the battalion. The monument in honor of this unit was built with a word "convoy" omitted from the inscription.

[slava1stclass]

Gents,

A nice image on many counts.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[RichieC]

Most likely wearing her husband's/boyfriend's/brother's garments. This was a very popular photo op during those times...

[CtahhR]

It didn't go down well doing it the other way! Just ask Jamie Farr!

[desantnik]

Originally Posted by Simon

The monument in honor of this unit was built with a word "convoy" omitted from the inscription.

No doubt for their "less than positive" reputation.

[Al-muell]

Both her Cherkeska and the thing she wears underneath (not sureif it can be classified as beshmet) look more likea folk costume than a regulation uniform for cossack units. The dagger is also rather decoratice and non-regulation,the empty TT holster was not designed to be worn on the cucasian belt - I belive the cossacs wore holsters on a separate shoulder strap before they started to use standard army belts (could be wrong).
Even though her black karakul headwear has a star, it looks more like papakha than kubanka, and thus it's either for Don Cossacks (who were not issued Cherkeski) or even for Militia colonels (tough the badge doesn't fit).
Maybe it's a costume that the photographer had in his studio?

[slava1stclass]

Gents,

M. K. Kabylbekov was a school director in Kazakhstan. He also wears the badge for an "Otlichnik of People's Education."

Regards,

slava1stclass