Russia – Soviet: An unusual repairing guns under fire Order of the Red Star awarded to Senior Technical Lieutenant Ilyin, the Chief of a Repair Depot of the 1472nd Army Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment.
Order of the Red Star, type 2, without screwpost plate and with flared edges, numbered 1394875
Condition: Good very fine
Stepan Ivanovich Ilyin was born in the Maly Amurchik District in the city of Nikolayevsk-on-Amur in 1917. Attaining an elementary education he joined the Red Army in 1939 and saw frontline service from the first day of the Great Patriotic War.
Ilyin’s first award was a Medal for Combat Merit by Order of the 34th Motorised and Mechanised Brigade on 16th January 1943. His next award was this Order of the Red Star issued to him by Order of the Artillery Commander of the 22nd Army on 5th April 1945 with the following citation:
‘While serving as chief of the regiment’s ordnance repair depot he was faced with a lack of means to perform repairs, but he was able to ensure that the regiment’s entire arsenal was in good working order.
In April 1944, during the fighting for Pushkinskiye Gory, he repaired 2 guns, which had been taken out of action and required factory repairs, in the shortest possible time while subjected to enemy fire.
When the guns were firing over open sights near Kaugores, he quickly and skillfully repaired damaged and malfunctioning parts of 3 guns under enemy fire. Between February 2 and 4, 1945 these guns destroyed up to a company of infantry and 2 machine guns and suppressed an enemy wooden bunker.
For his selfless efforts, which ensured the guns were constantly ready and in good working order, he deserves the Order of the Red Star.’
Signed by the Commander of the 1472nd Army Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Rastvorov.
Ilyin would go on to receive a Medal for the Victory over Germany, and a Medal for Combat Merit, presumably for long service on 30th December 1956. Post-war he was a resident of 52 Shkolnaya (School) Street, city of Nikolayevsk-On-Amur.
