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Ignat ArtyomenkoVeteran of the Great Patriotic War
Date of Birth: 28.07.1926
Country:  Belarus |
Content:
Early Life and Partisan Activities
Ignat Artemenko was born on June 28, 1926, in the village of Vilkhovka, Belarus, and falsified his birth year to 1928 to be eligible for frontline service in World War II. He began assisting partisans by collecting and safeguarding weapons in his garden. In 1942, he was interrogated by German authorities but refused to betray the partisans. After escaping custody, he joined the forest partisans for several months.
Military Service
From December 1943 to February 1944, Artemenko served in the 810th Partisan Detachment of the Belarusian Partisan Movement. Upon encountering regular troops in 1944, he was discharged and returned home to assist with mine clearance. In December 1944, he was officially drafted into the Red Army and served in the 251st Reserve Infantry Regiment.
In March 1945, Artemenko became a scout in the 114th Guards Rifle Regiment of the 37th Guards Rifle Division. During the Battle of Oder, he crossed the river with a group of scouts and came under heavy fire, sustaining severe injuries to his leg and spine. He underwent surgery for the leg wound, but two fragments remained in his spine.
Post-War Service
After recovering in the hospital, Artemenko served in the 86th Sanitary-Epidemiological Detachment and later in the 320th Mobile Tractor Repair Base. In 1950, he was stationed in Germany with the 653rd Aviation Base. In 1952, he was transferred to the Zhukovsky Air Engineering Academy in Moscow, where he became a senior aide in 1955.
Retirement and Legacy
Artemenko remained in the Armed Forces until December 1982. His exceptional service and sacrifices during World War II earned him the respect and admiration of his comrades and countrymen. He stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit and patriotism of those who fought in the Great Patriotic War.
