FED 1 - WWII award to Kharkov station engineer

[goamules]

I got this engraved FED 1 around Christmas. The man I bought it from had it since the 70s, and took it to a Soviet embassy once to get the bottom engraving translated. To verify what he said, I asked a Russian friend, and he gave the same translation: "To construction foreman N.G. Solyanik for early completion of railroad buildings of station Kharkov-Balashovsk. July 25th 1941. From N. Yuzhnoy"

As we know, this was awarded immediately before the Germans arrived at Kharkov, where 3 major battles took place. My friend in Moscow also said, "During the first months of the war, the South Railroad played a big role in the transport connection. It was used for supply of the ammo for the Red Army and to evacuate plants and factories to the Siberia. Kharkov was a big transport node of this railroad so I think the construction of the additional buildings was a must. And as the enemy line comes closer very fast the buildings should be constructed in a hurry. Kharkov city was occupied by Germans in the 25th of October, 1941 (three months after construction of these buildings). "

This man must have heroically rushed the completion of the railroad buildings, and was given a very desirable camera made in the same city as a present. How it got to America, no one knows.

Here is a picture of the train station there today. Notice the sign reads the same thing as the camera. http://www.panoramio.com/photo_expl...hoto_id=53508495&order=date_desc&user=5911316

 

[Ronald_H]

Not only a classic camera, but a historic artifact as well! Lovely.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

How nice, and a beautiful history!

could you also show a picture of the front of the camera?

 

[Mikey_Rotten]

Wow! amazing find. congratulations!

 

[goamules]

Here is a picture of the top. It's a NKVD Fed1D, the first with with CCCP engraved as the Ukraine was told they are part of the Union, not separate. If you've never read about how these were built by the orphans in an early work commune, it's fascinating.

 

[Livesteamer]

A powerful piece of history.

America and the world owe a great deal to the Soviet Union and its peoples for the fight they carried on with the Germans and the great suffering they endured. We are rapidly loosing the WW II generation and we need to know their history and remember them well. Joe

 

[johannielscom]

How it got to America, no one knows

Obviously, but one owner was named 'Jackson' according to the accessory shoe.

Great find, a historic piece!

Question, does it have a shutter speed stop after '500'? I used to have a FED-S 'Komandirski' with a top speed of 1000 in the same serial range, also 144xxx!

 

[raphaelaaron]

agreed, an incredible find and great piece of history.

 

[zhenka22]

As somone who was born in Kharkov and was there only a few months ago, this is great to see!

I am also somewhat jealous 🙂

Hopefully it takes great pictures too

 

[goamules]

To answer the above, no, it is only a 500 speed shutter, not the S model. I've shot the 50/2.0 Fed and the 100/6.3 that came on those cameras though.

On our connection with the Soviets, yes, they certainly fought a tough war. 10's of thousands of them were killed in and around Kharkov. I'm sure Zhenka can tell us stories from his relatives. My friend in Moscow's father was on submarines in the cold war, but his grandfather worked on the Douglas A-20. He told me he said it was a good plane and they appreciated the Lend Lease that America did to help them. We sent the Soviets tons of food, ammo, airplanes and such, before D-day.

 

[thawkins]

Another contribution America made to the Soviets was a canned meat product produced by Armand Hammer to help keep the Soviets in the war. It was and is still known as "Spam".

 

[zhenka22]

Yep, Kharkov region suffered the heaviest loses in all of Ukraine, a huge battle took place North of the city.

Everyone was evacuated, my family was temporarily moved to Kazakhstan.

Old weapons and mass graves are still been found in the forest north of Kharkov.
Next time I'm there I might try and check out the Fed factory...

 

[eric rose]

Wow, this is one of the most interesting threads I have read on RFF. But then again I'm a history nut.

 

[Joao]

One wonders how many of these pices of history are still waiting to be found...
Thank you for posting !