Russia – Soviet: A Radio Platoon Commander’s Baltic Offensive Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class awarded to Senior Lieutenant Nikolai Matveevich Fomichev, a Radio Platoon Commander, Signals Company, 1185th Rifle Regiment, 356th ‘Kalinkovichi’ Red Banner Rifle Division who was decorated for his work during the liberation of Riga. During the attack in the area of Bata between 24th to 27th October 1944 he replaced a radioman from the 1st Rifle Battalion who had been knocked out of action under intense artillery and mortar fire, maintain reliable radio communications. Fomichev would serve for at least 15 years in the Red Army.
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, flatback reverse, the reverse numbered 374802
Condition: minor contact wear to the enamel, Good Very Fine
Nikolai Matveevich Fomichev was born in the village of Yakovlevo, Tula Oblast in 1915. A Russian national he attained a middle school education and joined the Red Army in 1941 and served on the frontlines from 10th July 1942.
Being the recipient of several awards during the conflict, Fomichev received the first of those by decree of 356th Rifle Division on 15th August 1943, and the second of those an Order of the Red Star on 24th July 1944. This Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class would be his third award and would be issued to him by decree of 80th Rifle Corps on 5th November 1944. At this time he was serving as a Senior Lieutenant and Radio Platoon Commander, Signals Company, 1185th Rifle Regiment, 356th ‘Kalinkovichi’ Red Banner Rifle Division, the recommendation reading:
‘Senior Lieutenant Fomichev has been a participant of the many of the regiment’s battles against the German-Fascist occupiers. He particularly distinguished himself in battles in the area of Bata, Latvian SSr, from the 24th thru 27th October 1944, where Senior Lieutenant Fomichev proved himself a courageous and skilful commander. His platoon successfully provided radio communications for the commander. In battles for the city of Riga, he organised and provided commications for the battalion that was crossing the 2km lake covering the approaches to the city. In challenging conditions, he got the radio operators with their radio stations across and connected the opposing shores. In battles in the area of Bata from the 24th thru the 27th October 1944, under intense enemy artillery and mortar fire, when the radioman for the 1st Rifle Battalion was knocked out of action. Comrade Fomichev took his place, and radio comms operated reliably. He deserves the Government award the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class.’
This stage of the fighting on the Eastern Front covered the end of the Red Army’s summer offensives on the Eastern Front, the capture of Riga and the advance to the Baltic coast which resulted in the forming of the Kurland Pocket. This pocket contained roughly 250,000 troops, the majority of whom remained in the area for the rest of the war thus having little further impact on the conflict.
Fomichev would continue to serve after the war and would be the recipient of a Medal for Combat Merits for 10 years long service in November 1950 and an Order of the Red Star for 15 years long service in the last batch of such awards to be given on 30th December 1956.
His record card in 1946 states that he was employed as a Signals Platoon Commander, Artillery Training Battalion, 396th Artillery Brigade, 39th Guards Rifle Division whilst living on Kalinin Street in the city of Tula.
