Russia – Soviet: An unusual 2nd Baltic Front Artillery Scout’s posthumous Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class awarded to Efreitor Grigory Danilovich Khaltashkin, 289th ‘Novosokolniki’ Mortar Regiment, 13th Independent ‘Riga’ Red Banner Mortar Brigade of the Reserve of the Supreme High Command for his correcting the artillery battery’s fire resulting in the destruction of 2 heavy and 2 light machine guns as well as suppressing a company of 81mm mortars on 21st December 1944. The following day while repelling an enemy counterattack in spite of heavy machine gun fire close to him, he did not leave his post and died a hero’s death.
Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class, type 2, the reverse numbered 120318
Condition: a couple of small superficial chips to enamel work, but overall Good Very Fine
Grigory Danilovich Khaltashkin was born in 1924. Of Buryat Nationality he joined the Red Army on 23rd August 1942 and saw service on the frontlines from May 1943 with the Bryansk Front and then later with the 2nd Baltic Front. He would be awarded a Medal for Bravery by decree of the Regimental Commander of 9th August 1944 and then an Order of the Red Star by decree of the Commander of the 13th Independent ‘Riga’ Red Banner Mortar Brigade of the Reserve of the Supreme High Command.
This Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class was issued posthumously by the Commander of the Artillery of the 2nd Baltic Front on 15th February 1945 whilst employed as an Efreitor and Battery Scout, 289th ‘Novosokolniki’ Mortar Regiment, 13th Independent ‘Riga’ Red Banner Mortar Brigade of the Reserve of the Supreme High Command., the citation reads:
‘In battles with the German invaders during the offensive on 21-22.12.1944, he proved himself a courageous, brave and enterprising soldier-scout. Situated in the forward trenches with the infantry, he corrected the battery’s fire, as a result of which on 21.12.1944 alone, the battery destroyed 2 heavy and 2 light machine guns and suppressed a company of 81mm mortars, which gave the ability to support the advance of the rifle company with small losses. On 22.12.1944, correcting fire while repelling an enemy counterattack, in spite of heavy machine gun fire close to him, Comrade Khaltashkin did not leave his post and died a hero’s death.’
As a posthumous award the decoration would have been sent to his family. The Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class being one of the few awards that were so issued.
