Russia – Soviet: A Battle of Stalingrad Mamayev Kurgan Wire Repairman’s Order of the Red Star and later Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class to Captain Ivan Aleksandrovich Bondar, the Commander of the 700th Independent Overhead Line Company, who previously having been awarded a Medal for Combat Merit during the defence of the approaches to Stalingrad would be awarded an Order of the Red Star for his bravery in maintaining communications on Mamayev Kurgan, the central height of the city of Stalingrad, he would subsequently be awarded an Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class and then finally an Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class for his part in the fighting in Poznan fortress and in the streets of Berlin.
Pair: Order of the Red Star, type 2, with baseplate post, the reverse numbered 99717; Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, starback reverse, reverse numbered 103391 Condition: Good Very Fine Along with award booklet without passphoto listing 5 awards.
Ivan Aleksandrovich Bondar was a Ukrainian born in the village of Sheludkovo, Kharkov Oblast in 1910, he joined the Red Army in 1935 and became a member of the Communist Party in 1942. His papers indicate involvement in the campaign in Eastern Poland in 1939 and during the Winter War of 1939-40.
Having seen frontline action in the Great Patriotic War since 1941, Bondar was caught up in the Defence of Stalingrad, having been given a Medal for Combat Merit by Order of the 62nd Army on 13th October 1942 for his part in the defence of the approaches to Stalingrad (citation at bottom), issued on the back of the following citation:
‘He provided communication lines during the engagements near the settlements Kalach and Kamyshi and proved himself as a capable in combat officer. Honourably and willing accepts and executes the combat assignments. During the Battle for Stalingrad, his courageous and energetic effort as a commander ensured uninterrupted communications in the sector services by his company. The signalling lines between the command post and comrade Gorokhov’s group worked fine near the settlement Sadovaya. He personally participated in the assignment under the enemy fire.’
Having clearly been heavily involved in the fighting in central Stalingrad he was then awarded this Order of the Red Star on 6th February 1943 with the following citation:
‘Commanding an overhead line company during the army’s period of combat in the course of the defence of Stalingrad, comrade Bondar showed himself an energetic, strong-willed and brave commander. Carrying out tasks often in the most important and dangerous sectors, the company showed itself ready for battle and accomplished its missions well. Personally leading the activities of the company, comrade Bondar always striving to be in the most important and dangerous sectors. Often risking his life comrade Bondar took the correct decisions during his missions. Comrade Bondar displayed particular merits while carrying out tasks related to communications near the Tsaritsa Gorge, height 102.0 (Mamayev Kurgan) and the right shore of the Volga River, where work was carried out in exceptionally difficult circumstances.’
Bondar’s next award was this Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class on 6th April 1944 by Order of 8th Guards Army with the following citation:
‘As the officer in charge of and ensuring the communications in the 29th Guards Rifle Corps sector, Captain Bondar showed himself an energetic and efficient officer. Fully aware of his responsibilities comrade Bondar organised the activities and his men to accomplish their assigned tasks in such a manner, that despite the exceptionally difficult circumstances, he managed to ensure uninterrupted communications in his sector. On particular difficult moments comrade Bondar drove out to the sectors and through his personal leadership contributed to the quick resolution of the tasks.
The personnel of Captain Bondar’s company, following their commander’s example, conscientiously, and at times in a self-sacrificing manner accomplished the missions assigned to the company.’
Bondar’s final wartime award was an Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class awarded for his role in the fighting in Poznan and the streets of Berlin, issued on the back of the following citation:
‘Comrade Bondar has been managing the communications links between the Army HQ and the 29th Guards Rifle Corps. Exhibiting initiative, he skilfully arranged his unit and provided reliable and uninterrupted wireline communication. In the street fighting during the Battle of Poznan town and the fortress, comrade Bondar personally led his platoons and drew the wirelines to every newly captured building. Thanks to his effort, the signalling capability was reliable and uninterrupted, despite intensive enemy fire.
During the enemy defence breakthrough on the Oder River, during the assault on the Kustrin fortress, and in the street fighting in Berlin, comrade Bondar was prompt and precise in elution of all of his given objectives. He ensured reliable communications links, which assisted success in the operations.’
Bondar was to receive a Medal for Combat Merit for 10 years long service on 6th November 1945 as well as Medals for the Defence of Stalingrad and the Capture of Berlin
