 |
Aniela KrzywonAutomatic machine gunner of a women's company, Hero of the Soviet Union
Date of Birth: 27.05.1925
Country:  Poland |
Content:
- Biography of Anelia Kzhivon
- Deportation and Work in Kansk
- Joining the Polish Division and Heroic Death
- Posthumous Honors
Biography of Anelia Kzhivon
Anelia Kzhivon was born in a small village near Sadovoe in the Buchach County of the Tarnopol Voivodeship in Poland. Her father, Tadeusz, served in the legions of Józef Piłsudski and later participated in the Soviet-Polish War of 1919-1920. In 1939, this territory became part of the Monastyryskiy District of the Ternopil Oblast in Ukraine.
Deportation and Work in Kansk
In the early 1940s, Anelia's family, along with other Polish families, was deported to the village of Yakutino in the Shitkinsky District of the Irkutsk Oblast, and later transferred to Kansk in the Krasnoyarsk Krai. In Kansk, Anelia worked at a woodworking plant.
Joining the Polish Division and Heroic Death
On May 29, 1943, Anelia volunteered to join the newly forming Polish division named after Tadeusz Kościuszko. She was assigned to the 2nd platoon of female machine gunners in the 1st separate Kobetski Battalion named after Emilia Plater. On October 12, 1943, the division engaged in its first battle near the village of Lenino in the Goretsky District of the Mogilev Oblast in Belarus. On the same day, Anelia was assigned to accompany a vehicle carrying headquarters documents and wounded soldiers. During the journey, their convoy was attacked by Luftwaffe bombers. While trying to save the burning documents and the injured soldiers, Anelia Kzhivon perished in the fire.
Posthumous Honors
By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on November 11, 1943, Anelia Kzhivon was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. She is the only foreigner to have received this prestigious title. In addition, she was awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of Virtuti Militari, 5th class. A bust of the heroine was erected in Kansk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, on the City Alley of Glory. There is also a street named after her in the city of Kansk.
