ATTENTION WWII HISTORIAN & MILITARIA COLLECTORS: If you know the iconic, historic photography of the Soviet Victory Banner raised over the German Reichstag in Berlin in May 1945 — this is an incredibly rare, 100% original personal archive of the legendary Colonel who commanded that exact military operation and regiment.
Offered for sale is a unique, museum-grade historical archive belonging to Colonel Fedor Matveevich Zinchenko (1902–1991), a highly decorated Soviet military commander, Hero of the Soviet Union, and the First Soviet Commandant of the captured Reichstag.
🌟 HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
During the Battle of Berlin in 1945, Colonel Zinchenko commanded the 756th Rifle Regiment (of the 150th Rifle Division). His regiment successfully stormed and captured the Reichstag building. Under his direct command and order, Soviet soldiers Alexei Berest, Mikhail Yegorov, and Meliton Kantaria hoisted the famous Victory Banner over the roof of the Reichstag. On April 30, 1945, Colonel Zinchenko was officially appointed as the first commandant of the building.
📦 WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS ARCHIVE:
Official Soviet ID Document (Party Card) — Fully Stamped:
An authentic, lifelong personal document with an original embossed portrait of Lenin on the inner cover. Contains a clear, crisp original portrait photograph of Colonel Zinchenko in his military uniform with a verified stamp of the Cherkasy City Committee.
15 Years of Financial History: The document includes an exceptional, continuous 15-year record (1973–1988) of monthly membership dues. Dozens of unique ink stamps and changing signatures of party secretaries serve as an absolute, irrefutable proof of its authenticity over decades. It reflects his high veteran pension and salary dynamics.
Original Large Vintage Photographs:
A collection of original black-and-white documentary photographs of Colonel Zinchenko:
Official Studio Portraits: High-quality portraits showing the Colonel in his full military dress uniform, proudly wearing his Hero of the Soviet Union Gold Star medal, military ribbons, and commander shoulder boards.
Documentary Veteran Reunions: Rare candid photographs from the 1970s–1980s capturing Zinchenko during official WWII veteran meetings, speaking near historic military banners, and sharing memories on a bench with other highly decorated Soviet officers.
🔍 CONDITION:
Vintage museum-grade condition. The document is intact with minor age wear. Photos range from excellent studio quality to authentic, time-worn documentary prints with creases that emphasize their historical age. Please refer to the high-resolution macro photographs for details. Everything is sold as a single, complete estate archive.
Worldwide shipping with tracking. A crowning piece for any serious WWII European Theater or Soviet Militaria collection!
