Sunday 1 March 2015

Unbuttoned

Previously, it was established that Soviet tank commanders were instructed to get inside the tank and shut their hatch when under fire, but as we all know, rules were made to be broken.

"Award order #11949
  1. Name: Bezrukov, Nikolai Grigoryevich
  2. Rank: Major
  3. Position and unit: Commander of the 1st battalion, 150th Tank Brigade
  4. Year of birth: 1918
  5. Nationality: Russian
  6. Party affiliation: VKP(b) member since 1942
  7. Participation in the Civil War or subsequent combat in defense of the USSR: Great Patriotic War since June 27th, 1941
  8. Wounds or concussions: wounded on September 8th, 1943
  9. In RKKA since: 1939.
  10. Commissioned at: already in RKKA.
  11. Prior awards: "For Bravery" medal, Order of the Patriotic War.
Brief and specific summary of heroism:

Comrade Bezrukov fights in the Patriotic war since the very first days. Over two years, his tank destroyed over 400 fascists and many enemy vehicles and armament. He faced death many times, but his bravery, tenacity, courage, and heroism carried him unharmed through heated battles with the enemy. During the war, comrade Bezrukov rose from turret commander to tank battalion commander. Skilfully guiding his battalion during penetration of a defensive line on August 26th, 1943, his tank was the first to tear into enemy fortifications, forming a path for a successful offensive by the main forces, which successfully completed their objective.

In battles for Putivl on September 2nd, 1943, he entered the city first, and secured a river crossing. On September 7th, 1943, during the battles for Buryn, he corrected the fire of battalion tanks from atop his tank. He was heavily wounded while doing this, but did not leave the battlefield until the enemy was defeated. In these battles, comrade Bezrukov's battalion destroyed up to 10 enemy tanks and SPGs, significant amounts of other armament and vehicles, and 300 fascists. 40 soldiers were taken prisoner.

For his skilful and decisive command, tenacity, bravery and heroism, comrade Bezrukov is worth of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the awards of Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal.

Commander of the 150th Tank Brigade, Colonel Ugryumov"

CAMD RF 33-793756-5

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