The glorious 29th separate, Order of the Red Star reconnaissance battalion celebrates its 67th anniversary

Today, personnel, veterans of the 29th separate reconnaissance battalion celebrate 67 years from unit’s creation day. Its heroic path began during the Great Patriotic War
 

The battalion counts its years from January 10, 1943, when the 78th separate motorcycle battalion was assembled from the 14th separate training motorcycle regiment, 46th separate training armoured regiment. Completely formed on 22 January, 1943, the battalion incorporated two motorcycle companies, armoured vehicle company, motorized rifle platoon, mortar platoon, support platoon, staff platoon, administrative squad, and medical unit.

78th separate motorcycle battalion was then associated with the 18th tank corps, in its turn assigned to the 5th Guards Tank Army (5 GTA) operating on Voronezh Front, previously part of the Steppe Front. This took place on July 5, 1943, when Germans’ Kursk offensive began. The Army has been reassigned in order to concentrate efforts for  counterattack on the German troops near Prokhorovka. Battalion’s personnel demonstrated outstanding courage, heroism during the Kursk battle.

Kursk battle (July 5 – August 23, 1943) stands among key battles of the Great Patriotic War due to its scale, troops and resources employed, intensity, results, and military, political consequences. Historians divide the battle into 3 operations: Kursk defensive (July 5 – 12), Orel offensive (July 12 – August 18), and Belgorod-Kharkov offensive (August 3 – 23).

On July 24, 1944, Major General V. Polozkov, Commander of the 18th tank corps presented the battalion its combat banner.

On April 5, 1945, the 78th separate motorcycle battalion was awarded the Order of the Red Star and special certificate of merit form the Supreme Council for excellent execution of command’s orders fighting the German troops over Budapest and courage, heroism demonstrated in combat.
  

  The Order was presented on April 9, 1945, and the unit’s Day was established on that occasion.
 
On July 1, 1954, the 78th separate, Order of the Red Star motorcycle reconnaissance battalion was renamed into the 78th separate, Order of the Red Star reconnaissance battalion.

On May 15, 1957, the 78th separate, Order of the Red Star reconnaissance battalion was re-organized into the 99th separate reconnaissance company within the 24th Samara-Ulyanovsk “Iron” motorized rifle division, twice decorated with the Order of the Red Banner, Orders of Suvorov and Bohdan Khmelnitsky.

In May, 1962, the 29th separate, Order of the Red Star reconnaissance battalion was formed from the 99th separate, Order of Red Star reconnaissance company. It became part of the 24th motor rifle division, 13th Army, Carpathian military district.

Over the period of 1967 – 1992, the battalion repeatedly participated in various military exercises and was distinguished by the higher command, including the USSR Minister of Defence.

In December, 1988, a composite company organized from the battalion personnel took part in the relief and police operation after the earthquake in Armenia. Over 10 men have been awarded for their courage demonstrated during the Armenia mission.

When Ukraine regained its independence, the battalion was re-subordinated to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine in accordance with the directive from Commander-in-Chief of the CIS Armed Forces on January 3, 1992.

Under the resolution from the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, unit’s personnel swore allegiance to the Ukrainian people on January 14, 1992. Since that day, the battalion took part in numerous exercises, being distinguished by the higher command. In particular, the 29th separate reconnaissance battalion participated in the “Autumn - 98” comprehensive strategic command-and-staff training exercise supervised by the President of Ukraine – Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

  
Noteworthy is the battalion personnel’s active participation in the peacekeeping operations conducted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces from 1992 up until now. Over 300 personnel of the 29th separate reconnaissance battalion served peace in Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East. Battalion’s personnel, commander gained significant combat experience during Iraq mission. Unit’s representatives are repeatedly awarded by Ukrainian leadership for their devoted service, high professionalism during the performance of peace-keeping tasks.

The 29th separate, Order of the Red Star reconnaissance battalion has been several times declared the best unit among separate battalions of the army corps, Armed Forces of Ukraine over the recent years.