Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War Soviet Medal for Bravery pair awarded to Senior Sergeant I. G. Khimochka, 59th Independent Engineer Sapper Brigade

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Medal for Bravery, 2nd type, silver, lacking enamel, reverse officially numbered ‘475108’; Victory over Germany Medal 1941-45, each individually mounted Russian style as worn, very fine and better (2) £60-£80

The Medal for Bravery, number ‘475108’ was awarded to Senior Sergeant Ivan Grigoryevich Khimochka, a Combat Engineer Platoon Leader in the 44th Engineer Sappar Battalion, 59th Independent Engineer Sapper Brigade of the Reserve of the High Command, 1st Ukrainian Front. Awarded by Order dated, 4 October 1943.

A translation of his citation reads, ‘On 5 September 1943, units of the 132nd Riffle Division crossed the Seim River, advancing on the city of Konotop. Retreating under pressure by our forces, the enemy blew up the bridges across the Seim River, which impeded the advance of the heavy cargo trucks. The battalion then received orders to restore a crossing across the Seim River in the shortest possible time and to enable the tanks and artillery to cross by 6:00 p.m. on 6 September 1943. Comrade Khimochka’s squad was instructed to install the checked supports. Working for 35 hours on end in the water without any breaks and under systematic bombardment and fire by enemy aircraft, his squad accomplished its assignments 3 hours ahead of schedule. Having thus crossed the Seim River across the newly constructed bridge, the forces 77th Rifle Corps and the 9th Tank Corps successfully renewed their offensive, seized the cities of Konotop and Bakhmach, and started advancing on the city of Nezhin.
For skilfully commanding his squad and for his personal example of courage and bravery, Senior Sergeant Khimochka deserves the Medal for Bravery.’

Ivan Grigoryevich Khimochka was born in 1904 in the village of Rossypalovka, Kobelyaki Region, Poltava Oblast, Ukraine. He served in the Red Army from 15 September 1941, and was awarded the Medal for Bravery for his courage on the Soviet Central Front. He was severely wounded in March 1944, and was discharged from the Red Army shortly afterwards.

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