Just got this in the mail today. I'll get this one researched after a couple other orders.
Awarded early 1944.
Just got this in the mail today. I'll get this one researched after a couple other orders.
Awarded early 1944.
Last edited by Aleksander P; 03-16-2017 at 05:14 PM.
I recently got this researched. Very interesting citation and recipient. Looks like the awardee's plane was shot down on 22.6.1944 over the river Svir, I believe. Makes it even more special since my great-uncle served at the river Svir and his units war diary describes ground-attack aircraft harassing their battalion on that day.
Thanks to Egorka for the research and translation work.
1. Surname, first and middle name: AVDONIN IVAN VASIL’EVICH
2. Rank: Jr. Sergeant
3. Position and unit: Senior aerial gunner, 828 Air Assault Regiment
recommended for order “Red Star”
4. Birthyear: 1920
5. Nationality: Russian
6. Party membership: VLKSM - 1940
7. Participation in the civil war and other military actions in defence of USSR (where, when): In Patriotic war on Karelian front
since June 1941
8. Wounds and contusions during the Patriotic war: none
9. In Red Army service since: since 1940
10. Drafted by which induction station: Luhansky RVK, Ivanovo region
11. Previous awards: none
12. Permanent home address of the prospective awardee or his family: intentionally obscured
I. Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
Comrade AVDONIN has been serving on the fronts of Patriotic war since
June 1941. In the regiment since February 1943. During this period he mastered
the weapon system and became proficient in the theory of inflight shooting. He
showed himself as courageous and steadfast aerial combatant. In the course of
Patriotic war he conducted 20 successful combat bombing and ground assault
missions, of which 7 were against enemy airfields. He participated in 6
engagements against enemy fighters, where he revealed his skill and gallantry,
having on his account 2 downed enemy planes (one personally and one in a
group). Comrade AVDONIN especially distinguished himself in the massive strike
against enemy airfield at Tungozero. on 14.01.1944, where he in a group shot
down enemy aircraft ME-109. On 02.04.1944 during massive air strike on airfield
at Tungozero, in uneven struggle against enemy fighter planes, deflected 5 enemy
attacks on his aircraft. When another pilot Sr.Lt.TSUKANOV was in trouble with
wounded gunner in the back, comrade AVDONIN rushed to the rescue and
repelled 2 attacks and personally shot down one FW-190. All the results are
confirmed by the assault and fighter crews.
For excellent execution of combat orders in the fight against German
fascism and exhibited gallantry and courage, comrade AVDONIN is worthy of order
“Red Star”.
Commander of 828 Assault Air Regiment
Guards Lieutenant Colonel signature /KRASNOLUTSKY/
“ 13 ” April 1944
Hey!
Where was your great-uncle stationed when they were harassed by the ground-attack plane?
The paperwork on AVDONIN might have a small error... It is possible that his plane was shot down on 23/July, not 22nd as in the MIA report. It happened most likely on 23/June.
This man flew with AVDONIN...
The IL-2 pilot HSU Gregory Ryabushko flew with AVDONIN. But on 23 of June 1944 he did not fly due to wounds. So AVDONIN flew with another pilot. They were shot down by AA near OLONETS and crash landed wounded but alive behind the line. They got separated in the dark during the return trip. The pilot made it back. But AVDONIN was captured and spent in captivity the rest of the war. He lived long life - was awarded OPW I class in April 1985.
I have more on this research...
Last edited by Egorka; 03-23-2017 at 12:51 PM.
Amazing, thank you Igor! This awards story is ideal to me.
My great-uncles battalion was stationed in Uslanka, near Podporozhe. They had to retreat that day. Not exactly close to Olonets, but not far either. I'm happy that Avdonin was able to survive the war and captivity. Did they fly IL-2's?
Last edited by Aleksander P; 03-23-2017 at 03:21 AM.
I asked from the National Archives and none of the information about Soviet POW's has been digitized, but I'll look into this eventually. Some POW's were used as labor in Finnish farms, my grandmother remembers how they used to have a Russian prisoner working at their farm, so the information should be interesting.
Last edited by Aleksander P; 03-29-2017 at 05:56 PM.
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