Alexey Polosin

Alexey Ivanovich Polosin
Native name	Алексей Иванович Полосин
Born	1924 Kazinka village, Sosnovsky District, Tambov Oblast, RSFSR
Died	15 October 1943 Medwin village, Ivankiv Raion, Kiev Oblast, Ukrainian SSR
Allegiance	Soviet Union
Service/branch	Red Army
Years of service	1942–1943
Rank	Junior sergeant
Unit	3rd Guards Airborne Division
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards

Alexey Ivanovich Polosin (Russian: Алексей Иванович Полосин; 1924-15 October 1943) was a Red Army sergeant, who was posthumously a Hero of the Soviet Union. He was posthumously awarded the title for his actions in the Battle of the Dnieper. Polosin was reported to have killed three German officers during a reconnaissance mission and 26 soldiers while repulsing a German counterattack.^[1][2]

Early life

Polosin was born in 1924 in Kazinka village, Sosnovsky District, Tambov Oblast to a peasant family.^[2] In 1932, the family moved to Vishnevka village in Morshansky District. After completing his education, Polosin became an accountant on the kolkhoz. He simultaneously worked as a freelance journalist for the regional newspaper. In April 1941, he was hired by the district printer. At the beginning of World War II, he was transferred to the editorial staff, working as a journalist.^[1]

World War II

In August 1942, Polosin was drafted. He graduated from the school of junior commanders. He fought as a squad leader in the 7th Company of the 2nd Guards Airborne Regiment of the 3rd Guards Airborne Division.^[1][2]

In September 1943, the division crossed the Desna River and advanced to the Dnieper. In the Battle of the Dnieper, the division fought hard to expand the bridgehead on the right bank near Stracholissja. On 2 October 1943, Polosin, as part of the reconnaissance platoon, was reported by his superiors to have broken into the German headquarters, killing a German major and two captains, and capturing documents. Polosin reportedly caused confusion among the German troops, allowing the advance of the division. During the German counterattack, he covered the battalion's flank and reportedly killed 26 German soldiers.^[3] On 15 October, he was killed in battle in the village of Medwin.^[1]

Polosin was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin on 10 January 1944.^[1][2][3]

References

1. "Alexey Polosin". Герои страны ("Heroes of the Country") (in Russian).
2. Shkadov, Ivan, ed. (1987). Герои Советского Союза: Краткий биографический словарь [Heroes of the Soviet Union: A Brief Biographical Dictionary] (in Russian). 1 Abaev-Lubitsch. Moscow: Voenizdat.
3. Hero of the Soviet Union citation, available online at pamyat-naroda.ru