Russia – Soviet: A superb Battle of Stalingrad Order of the Red Star awarded to Lieutenant, later Major Leonid Karpovich Zakharchenko, Deputy Artillery Battery Commander, 51st Separate Machine-Gun Artillery Battalion for his part in a well-executed scouting mission against Romanian troops on the southern flank of the German army at Stalingrad, where he destroyed several pillboxes and dozens of troops making his way back to his own lines without loss. He would remain in the army throughout the war and would receive several other decorations including the Order of Alexander Nevsky for his skills and bravery during the final days of the war during the Battle of Berlin.
Order of the Red Star, variant with screw post plate, reverse numbered 95138
Condition: Good Very Fine
Leonid Karpovich Zakharchenko was born in Dnepropetrovsk in 1913. A Ukrainian national, he served in the Red Army from October 1935 until November 1937 and then again from 29th June 1941 until 25th July 1941 as part of the Western Front until he was wounded. He served again on the South-Western Front from 25th July 1941.
This Order of the Red Star would be his first decoration of the Patriotic War, awarded to him by decree of the 57th Army on 16th November 1942 whilst serving as a Lieutenant and Deputy Artillery Battery Commander, 51st Separate Machine-Gun Artillery Battalion as a result of the following recommendation:
‘Comrade Zakharchenko L.K. conducted surveillance and reconnoitred the sector for the upcoming reconnaissance operation. He skilfully prepared, planned, and executed this combat operation. In the night of 27-28th October 1942 he received the combat orders and tactically skilfully led a 7 men reconnaissance squad into an area behind the enemy line. After initial orientation, they crawled towards an enemy stronghold comprised of 6 pillboxes. He ordered a group of 4 men to flank on the left, while he and 3 others began their operation against the Romanian troops on the right flank. The enemy stronghold extended in a sector of 60-70 meters along the front line.
In the first pillbox, they eliminated 15 Romanian troops by an anti-tank HE grenade. In the second and the third pillboxes, about 18 troops including 3 officers were eliminated. His group demolished 3 pillboxes, eliminated 27 troops, and took 1 prisoner back with them back to the base. There appeared a group of 30 enemy soldiers, who were attempting to cut off the retreat route. Realisation of the enemy numerical superiority and the limited available ammunition forced them to liquidate their prisoner and Lt. Zakharchenko personally blew up 1 pillbox eliminating over 10 enemy troops.
The following booty was captured: 2 light machine guns, and a rifle. The reconnaissance squad crossed a lake returning to the home base without any casualties or wounds sustained.
Conclusion: Comrade Zakharchenko conducted an act of bravery and heroism for the motherland, inspired his brave 6 men reconnaissance squad, and fulfilled his mission. He deserves the state award – Red Banner.’
This would subsequently be downgraded to an Order of the Red Star before being awarded to him.
Zakharchenko would continue to serve for the remainder of the war, being decorated with the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class by decree of the 5th Shock Army on 2nd August 1944 as a result of acts carried out during the great Red Army offensives of summer 1944 which brought them to the Vistula river in Poland.
He would be decorated with an Order of the Red Banner by decree of the 5th Shock Army on 25th January 1945 as a result of bravery on 14th-15th January 1945 during the opening days of the Vistula-Oder offensive.
His final wartime award would be an Order of Alexander Nevsky by decree of the 5th Shock Army, this award covers two dates, 29th March 1945 and 28th April 1945 the latter of which covers the intense street fighting in the centre of Berlin just before the collapse of the Nazi regime.
Zakharchenko would be awarded the Medal for the Victory over Germany, the Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw and the Medal for the Capture of Berlin shortly after the end of the war.
Continuing to serve after the war, he would receive a Medal for Combat Merits for 10 years long service on 15th November 1950 and then an Order of the Red Star for 15 years long service on 5th November 1954. He would also receive the Medal for 30 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy in February 1948.
He would still be serving as a Major and Artillery Battery Commander of the 60th Guards Mechanised Regiment, 18th Guards Mechanised Division on 15th December 1954.
