Alexander Pavlovich Chekalin

Alexander Pavlovich Chekalin was born on March 25, 1925 in the Tula area of Russia. Following Hitler’s invasion, he became involved in partisan activities. These activities included burning warehouses and derailing trains, ‘Shura’ also notably took part in an ambush of German vehicles during the early days of November 1941 and destroyed one vehicle with a hand grenade.

Unfortunately, he then became ill and an unknown informant gave away his location to the Germans.
German soldiers broke into the house where he was staying at night. Alexander threw a grenade at his enemies but it failed to go off. He was then taken away and subjected to torture, although he did not give away any information, he was hanged in the central square on 6 November 1941. His body remained hanging for twenty days and only taken down when the area was liberated.

He was posthumously made a Hero of the Soviet Union on February 4, 1942. The town was renamed after him in 1944 and a monument has been erected in his name. A postage stamp was also issued in his honour and he also posthumously received the Order of Lenin.

Monument in the town formerly known as Likhvin.

Stamp that shows Chekalin confronting his captors.
Stamp price: 30k