Lieutenant Colonel Konstantin Ivanovich Chopenko was born in the Ukraine in 1910. He was drafted into the Red Army in 1932, and was commissioned in 1938 while serving in combat against the Finns.
At the outbreak of War in June 1941, he was stationed in the Far East as a Machine Gun Company Commander in the 108th Rifle Regiment, 66th Rifle Division.
From September 1941 through June of 1942, he attended the Frunze Military Academy in Tashkent, which prepared him to be sent to the Front.
In June 1942, as a Senior Lieutenant, he was sent to the Kalinin Front, as Chief of Staff of the 909th Rifle Regiment, 247th Rifle Division, 31st Army.
A little less than two months later, he was awarded his first order, the Order of the Red Star. Its citation reads as follows:
"In the period of offensive battles from 4 August 1942 through 16 August 1942, Lieutenant Chopenko demonstrated good organizational skill. He personally visited each subunit, and assisted battalion commanders in the organization of offensive operations. This assistance could especially be seen in the battle for the village of Skvorushko, where Comrade Chopenko greatly aided the battalion commander.
"During all offensive operations, Comrade Chopenko has organized actions and evenly distributed mission tasking. He was able to ensure the timely execution of taking in the battles against the German invaders, demonstrating his abilities as a fearless commander with excellent organizational skill."
In August 1942, the Division was transferred to the Western Front, taking part in the fighting for the Rzhev Salient. They would remain on this Front, which was later renamed the 1st Belorussian Front, until the end of the War.
In March 1943, the 247th was transferred to the 10th Army, and began participating in the bloody battles of attrition forcing the Germans to the Dnepr River. Not even properly documented, these slow-moving battles took an alarming toll on the men and materiel of the units involved. By December 1943, the 247th had lost 3,150 men, well over half the Division’s allotted strength, with no replacements. The Rifle Regiments had been reduced even greater percentages, each mustering approximately 550 men, a number equivalent to the normal size of a battalion!
By March 1944, the Division had been so severely devastated by losses, they were placed in STAVKA reserves and were reinforced.
In May 1944, they were attached to the 61st Rifle Corps of the 69th Army, and continued in the advance of the 1st Belorussian Front.
Continual heavy combat once again took its toll
on the Division, and in August 1944, now Major Chopenko was wounded while
leading his men on the frontlines.
He was evaluated and sent to the rear, and spent the next two months recovering
in Field Hospital 1674. Upon his complete recovery, he was returned to his unit,
and that month was awarded the medal "For Military Merit" with the
following citation:
"Major Chopenko has taken part in the difficult battles against the German invaders. He is an example of courage and bravery. In combat, he skillfully manages his subunits. He takes his job seriously, and successfully fulfills the orders from his commander. He is disciplined and efficient. He deserves the governmental award, the Medal "For Military Merit".
Taking the fight to the Germans, the 247th Rifle Division crossed through Eastern Europe, fighting through Poland, taking Warsaw and continuing into Germany through the winter of 1945. In February 1945, he was awarded his third award, the Order of the Red Banner:
"Major Chopenko has demonstrated exceptional courage and bravery in the battles extending the beachhead on the western bank of the Oder River near Lebus from 10 February 1945 to 14 February 1945.
"On 11 February 1945, the enemy, supported by tanks and self-propelled artillery, attacked our positions numerous times. Despite the heavy enemy fire, Comrade Chopenko was on the front line. His bravery and courageous actions inspired the soldiers and officers to fight heroically. His skillful organization of our defenses caused the enemy great losses of soldiers and materiel.
"In this battle, they exterminated up to 100 enemy soldiers and officers, destroyed one self-propelled gun, and one armored troop carrier.
"During the battles on 12 and 13 February, Major Chopenko coordinated subunit actions while under fire on the front line. Under these difficult circumstances, he was also able to coordinate with the unit Headquarters.
"From 8 February 1945 to 11 February 1945, under heavy enemy artillery fire, he personally coordinated and directed the crossing of the Oder River. This mission was fulfilled successfully.
"He deserves the governmental award: Order of the Patriotic War Second Class."
Continuing their drive to Berlin, the 247th Rifle Division was met by desperate German counterattacks. For leading his unit through these attacks, he was awarded his final award, the Order of Kutuzov, Third Class:
"On 16 April 1945, during the offensive battles for the western bank of the Oder River, near Lebus, Lieutenant Colonel Chopenko managed the headquarters units, and provided timely and accurate information. Assisting the commander of the Regiment in leading the battle, he organized cooperation between the infantry, communications and signal troops with utmost precision.
"In this exceptionally intense battle, he demonstrated excellent organizational skill and initiative, personally coordinating ammunition supply to the forward units. He personally went to the frontline, coordinated the execution of the commander’s orders, greatly assisting the commander of the Regiment in conducting the battle.
"As a result of his skillful leadership, the Regiment brother through the enemy’s defensive line near Lebus on the Oder River, and pursued the retreating enemy forces from 16 through 29 April.
"On 29 April 1945, south of Berlin, the Regiment surrounded the retreating Germans, and destroyed them. Over 1000 enemy soldiers and officers were exterminated.
"Additionally, 750 German soldiers and officers were taken as prisoners of war, over 1000 vehicles and much other military equipment was captured.
"Comrade Chopenko is disciplined. He deserves the governmental award: "Order of Lenin"."
With the end of the War, Lieutenant Colonel Chopenko remained on occupation duties as a member of the Soviet Military Administration in Germany, serving as the "Military Commandant of Grossenheim District, Soviet Administration of the Saxon Lands"
Additional photos of Chopenko's Group
