DAR - The Cauldron Of Fire

[Cole]

Turn 8 morning


Medal "for Valor" #333298 was delivered to the family of Guards Red Army Lieutenant Desinovich, Ivan Afanasievich, on 21.08.1943, temporary certificate #884995, under the 884th Guards infantry regiment, 2nd Airborne Division Decree #019/n issued 03.08.1943.

Citation: "Desinovich, Ivan Afanasievich, Guards Red Army Lieutenant, born 1913, Russian, drafted by Krasnogvardeisky City Military Command, Lenningrad, home address: Leningrad Provice, Strugo-Krasnensky region, Gostida village. Lieutenant Desinovich brought great credit upon himself and the Worker's and Peasants Red Army. In combat on 5.07.1943 Comrade Lieutenant Desinovich organized the defense of Buzulik village, Ponyri rayon, Kursk oblast against overwhelming Fascist forces. Through his steadfastness and inspiration to his troops he delayed the Hitlerite advance that allowed time for 13th Army to react and send reinforcements. Even in the face of unrelenting and direct high explosive attack from enemy armor and with his command out of ammunition Comrade Desinovich continued resistance to the invader by calling in continuous artillery fire.

Even with the annihilation of Desinovich's platoon, 3rd Platoon under the direction of Senior Sergeant Bagirli managed to survive the night. They conducted a fighting withdrawal through the wheat fields, always pursued by the monster Elefants unleashing high explosive at any sign of movement in the twilight. The tattered remainders of the platoon where still in an exposed position, at least a half kilometer away from the cover of the woods when it was bright enough for the fugitives to receive fire from the west.

A battered section made it to the woods but they had lost their last radio set during the last desperate sprint to safety and could no longer call in avenging fire.