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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 414

(x) The very fine Russian Order of Bogdan Khmelnytsky 3rd Class awarded to Private S. F. Senchuk, 1323nd Rifle Pinsk Red Banner Regiment, 415th Mozyr Red Banner Division, for his gallantry in action on 19 April 1945 when personally crossing the Alte Oder River at Herrenwiese in an improvised assualt boat to personally repel two enemy counter attacks, killing five enemy soldiers in the act

Russia, Soviet Union, Order of Bogdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class Badge, with screw and back-plate, officially numbered '5984', silver with mint marks to reverse, good very fine

Approved by CO of 61st Army General Belov on 7 May 1945, the original recommendation - for the Order of the Red Star - by Lieutenant-Colonel Sorokin, which was upgraded by Lieutenant-General Konobeev, the Commander of the 415th Division, and further approved up the chain of command states:

'On 19 April 1945, he participated in combat engagements during forced crossing of the Alte Oder River west of the settlement of Herrenwiese (Brandenburg Province). Comrade Senchuk utilised an improvised floating device and crossed to the western river bank under intensive enemy fire.

He participated in repelling of two enemy counter-attacks and eliminated personally five German soldiers by the fire of personal firearms. Comrade Senchuk has not committed any immoral deeds.'

Stepan Fomich Senchuk was born in 1910 and was Belorussian, being born in the Svislochskij District. Illiterate, he joined the Red Army in May 1942 but was not a member of the Communist Party and served in the Great Patriotic War from 26 March 1945. Less than a month after his entry into the campaign into Germany itself, he shared in the epic actions around Herrenwiese. From dawn on 19 April 1945 they made their attack, against an enemy who was well dug in and fought to the last. Around 1700hrs that evening, the assault boats were called up and they made good their push. With men like Senchuk to the fore the position was taken, by small arms and grenade. Having taken his well-earned award, he served until December 1945 and was only further entitled to the Victory over Germany Medal; sold together with full copied citations and extracts with relevant translations.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£1,400 to £1,800

Starting price
£1200