Russia – Soviet: A good Defence of Leningrad Medal for Bravery, 1st type, post-Kursk Oryol offensive Order of the Red Star and Narew River crossing Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class group awarded to Captain Viktor Ilyich Shagov, Chief of Signals of the 1355th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment, 28th Volkovysk Red Banner Antiaircraft Artillery Division of the High Command Reserve who had seen service from the early days of the war, being wounded in front of Leningrad during the initial stages of the fighting there in September 1941, he would be present during the Russian offensives of the first winter of the war where he successfully maintained communications between the battalion and regimental command posts under heavy fire. He would be wounded again in July 1942 whilst serving on the Volkhov Front to the south-east of Leningrad. Re-assigned after his recovery he would be present during the offensive on the Orel bulge which took place at the climax of the German offensive at Kursk, here he would lay wires under heavy German mortar fire. He would also be present during the Summer 1944 offensives which led to the liberation of Belarus and the advance into eastern Poland. He would be decorated for the final time during the taking of Belostok and the crossing of the Narew River where he was involved in demining passageway and established communications in a timely manner.
Medal for Bravery, 1st type, on rectangular suspender, the reverse numbered 56176
Order of the Red Star, without screwpost plate, with upwards curved 8mm mintmark, the reverse numbered 347772
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, concave reverse made by the Leningrad Mint, the reverse numbered 310393
Mounted group of 3 comprising: Medal for the Defence of Leningrad, Medal for the Victory over Germany, Jubilee Medal for 30 Years of the Red Army and Navy 1918-1948. These mounted on old brass suspension.
Condition: minor enamel chipping to the two Orders, the Medal for Bravery with the Red enamel lettering now absent, the mounted group with some wear, overall Very Fine
Along with the recipients award booklet with only these three awards present indicating that this a complete group.
Viktor Ilyich Shagov was born in Moscow in 1916. A Russian national, he attained a secondary education before joining the Red Army in 1937.
Involved from the early stages of the Great Patriotic War, Shagov would receive a light wound on the Leningrad Front on 25th September 1941. Shagov would be the recipient of three gallantry decorations, the first of which a Medal for Bravery was issued to him by decree of the 59th Army on 23rd May 1942 whilst serving as a Lieutenant and Signal Platoon Leader in the 11th Guards Rifle Regiment, 4th Guards Rifle Division:
‘Comrade V.I. Shagov has been serving in the operational Red Army since July 1941. Ever since this time he has been attached to the battalion, carrying out complex assignments pertaining to maintaining the battalion command post’s communications with the regimental command post and the companies.
In March Comrade Shagov was given orders to ensure communications between the newly set up regimental command post and the battalions and companies. Under heavy enemy fire comrade Shagov and the men of his platoon accomplished this assignment quickly and on schedule.
On April 1942, comrade Shagov quickly repaired damaged telephone cables under heavy enemy artillery, mortar and machine-gun fire.
During his service in the Patriotic War against German fascism comrade Shagov personally performed heroic deeds aimed at destroying fascism and he deserves an award.’
Shagov would then be wounded a second time on 15th July 1942 suffering a contusion whilst serving on the Volkhov Front to the southeast of Leningrad.
Shagov’s next award would be an Order of the Red Star by Order of the 63rd Army on 23rd November 1943, by this time he had transferred unit, most likely re-assigned having recovered from his July 1942 wound, and was serving as a Senior Lieutenant and Chief of Signals of the 1355th Anit-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, 28th Anti-aircraft Artillery Division of the High Command Reserve, the citation for this award, initially a recommendation for the Order of the Red Banner reads:
‘During the month-long offensive on the Oryol axis he showed himself a bold and technically well trained officer who is capable of taking initiative. Under difficult conditions stemming from frequent redeployments, he managed to organise signals during our forces offensive operations in such an efficient manner that he ensured they always functioned without interruptions and were always established within the time frame specified by unit command, accommodating for any and all difficulties. He repeatedly led a team of signallers under enemy mortar fire and through mined areas to lay telephone cables or repair damaged cable sections.
Through his fearlessness and bravery he inspired all signallers to follow his example, overcoming any and all difficulties. By organising signals in an exemplary manner Senior Lieutenant Shagov aided in the successful execution of combat missions. He deserves to be awarded the Order of the Red Banner’
Continuing to serve in the Red Army, he would be awarded his third and final award by decree of the 3rd Army on 24th December 1944, remaining in the same position as Chief of Signals of the 1355th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment the citation reads:
‘He is a brave and audacious officer who possesses a great deal of combat experience, which he skilfully and properly applies in his daily military duties. Serving as Regimental Chief of Signals, he ensures – through his direct supervision – that signals communications between the units run smoothly. His heroic actions enable the execution of complex combat missions assigned to the regiment. Under harsh combat conditions, during which he was subjected to artillery shelling and enemy fire, Captain Shagov, exposing himself to the dangers, teaches the signallers how to establish communications.
He particularly distinguished himself during the capture of the city of Belostok by our forces. Under heavy enemy shelling Captain Shagov personally supervised the establishing of communications with the regiment’s batteries that had entered the city in the wake of the forward infantry units.
During the fighting on the western bank of the Narew River he exhibited bravery and courage as he organised communications with the combat units. He personally demined passageways through minefields and established communications in a timely manner. ‘
He fully deserves to be awarded the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class.
By 1947, Shagov was employed as a Metalworker at the Frunze Factory, and was living at 5 Sopelnikova Road, Kharkov city.
