Russia – Soviet: A Breakthrough of the Seelow Heights and subsequent Berlin Street-fighting Order of the Red Star to Guards Private P.A. Pogan, the Driver of a 120mm Mortar Crew, 137th Guards ‘Gniezno’ Red Banner, Order of Suvorov Rifle Regiment, 47th Guards ‘Nizhnedneprovsk’ Red Banner, Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Rifle Division for defeating a group of enemy submachine gunners, and then acting as a loader under heavy fire in the streets of Berlin.
Order of the Red Star, type 6, reverse numbered 1626009
Condition: Good very fine
Pyotr Andreevich Pogan was born in 1914, and served in the Red Army from February 1944, seeing frontline military service from the following month.
This Order of the Red Star was issued to Pogan by decree of the 47th Guards Rifle Division on 22nd July 1945 for service as a Guards Private and as a Driver in a 120mm battery, 137th Guards ‘Guards ‘Gniezno’ Red Banner, Order of Suvorov Rifle Regiment, 47th Guards ‘Nizhnedneprovsk’ Red Banner, Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Rifle Division. The award was as a result of the following recommendation:
‘As driver for the mortar crew, Guards Private Pogan, in battles to breach the German defenses on the western bank of the river Oder and on the approaches to Berlin, showed the exemplar of steadfastness, boldness and courage in fulfilling his duties.
In spite of enemy’s intense resistance, he delivered the mortar and ammunition in a timely fashion to new firing positions, ensuring that fire was opened on the enemy promptly. While storming the Seelow Heights, the crew was attacked by a group of enemy sub machine gunners who had infiltrated the regiment’s battle lines. The enemy group was liquidated as a result of the crew’s decisive actions. Comrade Pagan distinguished himself in battle, destroying two Germans. The mortar was delivered to the firing position on time. During street battles in Berlin, he fulfilled his duties as a loader. Under heavy enemy fire he successfully fulfilled his duties. For successfully fulfilling orders from Command, Guards Private Pogan deserves awarding of the Order of the Red Star.’
Pogan would also receive a Medal for Bravery for the fighting in Berlin on 30th July 1945
‘In the course of battles on the Berlin axis he courageously fulfilled his duty as a loader, ensuring the uninterrupted work of his crew. While repulsing enemy counterattacks in the area of Trebnits he killed a German submachine-gunner.’
47th Guards Rifle Division would go on to take part in the fighting in the centre of Berlin, and was involved in capturing Moabit Prison amongst other localities. It was also the unit that accepted the surrender of the Commander of the Berlin Defences General Weidling.
After the war it is unknown what happed to Pogan, although as he is listed as a recipient of the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class issued in 1985, it is clear he survived
