Egorka

Yes, thanks, Marcel. There is some doubts about the picture being of exactly the OAN recipient GREKHOV... I thought the face is the same, but there is doubt about it... Maybe the diver on the photo doesn't look like he is 35... but even in the worst case, it is a related photo as I doubt there were any other divers than GREKHOV's coworkers.

Hello, Is there a rectangular stamp on the other side of the document?

You might have seen a somewhat iconic photo with Reichstag on the background and a diver being bestowed by rear admiral KRYLOV in (May?) 1945 for mine clearing of the river Spree. Now you can find the name of the diver and see the award he received on the photo. Diver’s name is GREKHOV Aleksander Dmitrievich 1910 born in town Tyumen’, USSR. He graduated from school in 1927. In 1932, he served as an electrician in 2 submarine brigade. 20 October 1935, he became a cadet of the diver school of EPRON in town Balaklava, Crimea. EPRON – “Special Expedition for Underwater Works” —Special-Purpose Underwater Rescue Party, was a government agency of the USSR to salvage valuable cargo and equipment from sunken ships and submarines. From September 1936, GREKHOV is in reserve and back to civilian life. He was married and had already one child. He lived in Moscow until he was drifted back to service on 27 May 1942 and was assigned to the Moscow branch of EPRON for river underwater technical operations (he got his “Moscow defence medal” in 1946). He served as a diver team leader in a river salvage and rescue units. In June 1943, his unit seems to had been reassigned to Volga Flotilla most likely for raising sunken ships after Stalingrad battle. In November 1943, team leader chief warrant officer GREKHOV was bestowed with order “Red Star”: Chief warrant officer diver GREKHOV has raised from under water 19 ships. His team, despite the lack of equipment and supplies, disregarding harsh weather – rain, slush, and frost – worked uninterruptedly. 19 ships were salvaged ahead of scheduled time. He fully deserves to be bestowed with order “RED STAR”. On 27 November 1944, GREKHOV is promoted to the rank of Junior Lieutenant. GREKHOV seem to had been specialising in underwater gas torch metal cutting as part of the salvage operations, as from August 1945, he is acting engineer for underwater gas torch metal cutting in his unit (12th team of the main river military directorate). But otherwise the description of the photograph, is that the bestowal was done for mine clearing of the river Spree. As a divers team leader and officer, GREKHOV was bestowed with order “Aleksander Nevsky” (a little unusual award for such circumstances). His unit was stationed in occupied Germany, when GREKHOV‘s Victory medal was handed to him on 12 December 1945. GREKHOV continued his service in various units responsible for salvaging operations in the rivers of the western area of USSR. He was discharged from the service in the rank of Lt. Captain according to the article 59″a” (due to age) on April 1955. Lived in Leningrad, had 4 children. Such an unusual and notable award: Naval award for the Berlin battle and for diving operations… Another diver, GREKHOV’s mate, bestowed on the occasion by rear admiral KRYLOV.

The first document is for medal For participation in the European war 1915-1918 (Медал за участие в Европейската война 1915-1918). The second document is for "Голям офицерски кръст", i.e. "Grand Officer Cross" of the Order "For Military Merit". So, it is 2nd class then. Date was mentioned before: 26 June 1938.

It was very often the case that people would get in hand their awards moths or even years after they were officially bestowed. Her FCM is from 27.11.1944. ORS from 14.06.1945. It is a bit of a stretch, but it in theory possible she didn't actually get her awards until sometime in 1946... Regarding the rank of Jr.Lt. of Police... it is the first officer rank... I am guessing here, but MAYBE there was a similar system in the Police like in the army, that the female medics would get sergeant rank for the purpose of outranking formally their male co-servicemen. May there was a similar system , so that she got the entry officer rank. Ok. so it not a direct confirmation, but neither is a direct contradiction that these 2 items a related.

331 fighter aviation regiment was his unit in 1946, i.e. post-war. There was a lot of reshuffling and downsizing in the soviet Army after 1945. People were moved around a lot. It should be the same guy.

Yes, right south of Jaunpils. I can mail, no problem. But you can see here. The bridge was raised across the river going through the forest.

The veteran.

Hello, Tom. OK, so you are not sure the photo is of the same recipient... On the photo, she has victory medal and Warsaw liberation medal. Presence of a Warsaw medal indicates she was present in the sector during second half of 1944 - beginning 1945... Now about the document. Mind, that it is from July 1946. By that time general demobilisation was already conducted and women were among the first to be dismissed. Now, there was a signals servicewoman with the same full name, who incidentally also had Warsaw medal too (but she also had ORS, FCM and Berlin medals). So, on one hand it is not too far fetched, that it is the same woman, who by July 1946 ended up in Izmail serving in the police... On the other hand, I am not 100% sure she would get Jr. Lieutenant rank so quickly...

No need to walk 130 km, mate. Here is Pilsaty.

Our colleague chechaco1 means it was the highest ranking medal, then there were orders with the higher rank. Though, I would argue, that - the Gold Star of the Hero of Soviet Union - the Gold Star of the Hero of Socialist Labour - the Gold Star of the Mother Heroine. were all medals, not orders.

Any time! I meant a specific award - medal “FOR BRAVERY” or “FOR COURAGE”, depending on translation. The links you posted are to the same man mentioned in the document. Just different entries in different databases.

красноармеец Романов Владимир Николаевич 1911 private ROMANOV Vladimir Nikolaevich 1911 He was born in the village Nizovka, Chernigov region, Ukraine. The Victory medal was issued to him in 1947 by his local military commissariat in the town Shchors district (it existed during 1935-2016. Before and after the town name was/is Snovsk). It appears the veteran served in the 162 rifle division and was bestowed with Bravery Medal in January 1944 (unfortunately, the citation is not available online). Pitty. He also got his jubilee OPW1 in 1985.

Please, meet bombardier Master Sgt. GUBIN Nikolaj Denisovich 1922. His remarkable and dramatic story, although with a happy ending, is a fascinating facet of the WW2 history. GUBIN served in the Polar region in the 668 night tactical bomber aviation regiment, 258 all purpose aviation division, Karelian front. He was a bombardier in a 2 men crew flying R-5 aircraft (the ground assault version R-5CCC). The pilot occupied the forward cockpit. Bombardier sat behind him in the second cockpit. The second cockpit was wired for aircraft control, but to a limited degree (f.ex. fuel tanks could only be controlled by the pilot). In September 1942, GUBIN was bestowed with a “RED BANNER” order for a night air strike mission against the airfield in Luostari, which seems to had been utilised by the Jagdgeschwader 5 unit of the Luftwaffe. Now, see that happened during the mission… CITATION: On the night of 28.09.1942, comrade GUBIN (in the crew with the pilot Lt. BASHKIROV) flew a mission against the enemy airfield in Luostari. In the hurricane of the enemy AA fire, the crew went into the bomb run and released the bomb load precisely. At the moment of the bomb release, comrade GUBIN was wounded by a large shrapnel fragment of an AA shell. The pilot Lt. BASHKIROV was hit in the head and killed. The uncontrollable aircraft fell into a spin dive and was about to crash on the enemy airfield. Master Sergeant GUBIN quickly realised the situation and assumed aircraft control from his cockpit. He managed to recover the aircraft from the spin dive at 300 meters altitude and utilising evasive manoeuvres diverted from the target. Now, comrade GUBIN – a freshman bombardier, who had no piloting, nor landing training – had to singlehandedly take the aircraft in the difficult night conditions along 150km route to the home base and land it. Master Sergeant GUBIN exercised his strength of character and heroism. He excellently managed and achieved, impossible for him, task. After successfully arriving to his home airfield, he made three landing attempts and finally successfully landed the aircraft. Despite the fact, that the avionic controls were jammed by the body of the killed pilot, comrade GUBIN managed to land such, that the aircraft only received some insignificant damages, which were easily reparable in the field conditions by the local regiment technical team. During the course of his combat service since 15.01.1942, comrade GUBIN has made 44 successful night combat missions with confirmed results on a R-5 aircraft (total flying time 70h 20min). He executes all his missions perfectly and is eager to go to combat missions. He is an exemplary serviceman in his area of expertise. For excellent execution of the combat missions assigned by the command with the aim of destroying the enemy ground forces, for heroism exhibited on 28 September 1944 during a combat mission and saving his life and aircraft, for bringing home the body of his heroically fallen commander, Master Sergeant GUBIN deserves state award – order “LENIN”. Signed by the commander of 668 night tactical bomber aviation regiment Major ARKHIPENKO. 30 September 1942" For this feat GUBIN was promoted to Jr.Lieutenant, bestowed with Red Banner order, and sent to a pilot school. Karelian front dispatch №0153 on 12.10.1942 and a plan of a similar strike on GUBIN's unit (258 aviation division) against Luostari airfield on 25.03.1943. BASHKIROV’s and GUBIN’s mission was specifically mentioned in the dispatch №0153 on 12.10.1942: DECREE №0153, Karelian front. RESUME: On the landing of R-5 aircraft in difficult conditions by the pilot-observer M.Sgt. GUBIN. On the night of 27-28.09.1942, the aircraft crew (pilot Lt. BASHKIROV, pilot-observer M.Sgt. GUBIN) of 668 night tactical bomber aviation regiment was on a night bomb mission against the enemy airfield in Luostari and was subjected to AA fire. As the result of the enemy fire during the bomb run, the pilot Lt. BASHKIROV was killed instantly in the head by a shell fragment. The aircraft fell into a spin dive. Quickly accessing the situation, the pilot-observer GUBIN acted resourcefully and switched the controls to the second cockpit. He went around for the second bomb run, released the two remaining bombs at the target, and flew the aircraft back to the regiment home base. This was accomplished, even though GUBIN had no pilot training, neither during the day nor the night conditions. During the night landing, the aircraft was damaged insignificantly. Comrade GUBIN is unharmed. I COMMAND : 1. On behalf of the Supreme Soviet USSR, GUBIN is to be bestowed with order “RED BANNER” for excellent execution of the combat mission, for exhibited determination and cool conduct in a difficult air mission, for landing safely in night time the R-5 aircraft at his regiment home base. 2. Master Sergeant GUBIN is to be promoted to the rank “Junior Lieutenant” and sent to a pilot school. 3. This dispatch is to be announced to all the personnel. Commander of the Karelian front Lt.Gen. FROLOV Three month after his mission, on 20 December 1942, an article written by the renowned Soviet writer K.SIMONOV was published in the “Red Star” newspaper – “In the Polar night”. The article illuminates on some other details of GUBIN faithful mission. Apart from describing how the strange the situation looked like from the ground during GUBIN’s landing (3 attempts), it also mentions, that the aircraft nosed over came to a halt standing tail up. It also mentions, that GUBIN “had” pilot training. Well, his pilot BASHKIROV encouraged him and allowed him to steer the R-5 during straight level flights. Those witty lessons proved to be indispensable for GUBIN on 28.09.1942. Having finished his pilot training in 1944, GUBIN returned to the front line as a Lend-Lease Mitchell B-25 pilot in the 890 heavy bomber aviation regiment, 45 long range bomber aviation division, 18 Airforce. Among other missions, the 890th regiment supported the Berlin offensive with the targets around Tiergarten. GUBIN survived the war, having made 111 combat missions by March 1945. Plus an unknown additional number of missions in the remaining war time. GUBIN Nikolaj Denisovich 1922 – 1991 In the post war era, he had a fruitful career as a test pilot. 1945-1955, he served in the unit stationed in the city Kazan. 1955-1961, he was a test pilot attached to the military quality control commission at the Kazan aircraft plant №22. 1961 – 1972, GUBIN is the senior test pilot of of the same quality commission. He participated in the test of the aircrafts: Tu-16, Tu-104, Tu-22, IL-62. In 1971, the test pilot 1 class GUBIN was discharged to the reserve and began his civil carrier still linked to aviation. During 1972 – 1979, GUBIN is the senior flight operation controller at the Kazan aircraft plant №22. During 1979 – 1981, he works as a radio engineer at the flight test centre. 1981 – 1988, he is an electro-mechanic of the landing lights signalling systems. 1988 – 1990, he is an electro-mechanic of the in flight lights signalling systems. GUBIN retired in September 1990 and lived in Kazan city. GUBIN is mentioned several times in the interview by test pilot NIKONOV printed in the May 2020 issue of “Aviation and Cosmonautics” magazine. GUBIN passed away in May 1991 and was buried in Kazan city... There is another remarkable feat in the WW2, which is very appropriate to mention here. The feat of the RAF Aircraftman 1st Class later Sergeant A.A. MEADOWS, who “assumed control of the aircraft, and showing great determination and ability flew it to Sidi Barrani and landed it safely.“ The recommendation for MEADOWS’ award was officially detailed in an RAF Middle East Command letter of 8th July 1940: “On the return of an aircraft of No.113 Squadron from a bombing attack on M.T. concentration south of Bardia at 1820 hours on 5th July 1940, the aircraft piloted by Flight Lieutenant A.M. Bentley, and in which 612422 A.C.1. MEADOWS, A.A., was air gunner, passed over the north end of the Bardia defences and received a burst of machine gun fire which killed the observer and wound the pilot in the arm, rendering him inoperative. A.C.1. MEADOWS, the air gunner, came forward in the machine and applied a tourniquet to the pilot’s arm. Although the aircraft was damaged and A.C.1. Meadows had not been trained as a pilot, he assumed control of the aircraft, and showing great determination and ability flew it to Sidi Barrani and landed it safely. By his cool and gallant conduct he undoubtedly saved the machine.“

ORB # 136619 is very likely to be bestowed to a Belorussian partisan in August 1944. OPW1 # 294533 is most likely NKVD range and unresearchable (at least the chances are small). OGIII # 115895 was awarded app. mid 1944.

ALESHIN's long service ORB number is 201253 , isn't it? But could not really find anything relevant... Would be nice to see his award register card, as it may have some clues.

I support Auke on this.

Interesting... I don't see any invasion into the number... The question is it a mistake (such are known) on the Jubilee OPW2 1985 or it is a reissue of the war time award but on the Jubilee type... IT is more likely a mistake... but I am not sure if any of the two theories can proved definitively.

A bit special OAN # 27795, bestowed to Lt. Col. BALASHOV, the commander of 144 mortar regiment of the Supreme Command reserve, for the action in MArch 1945 near Ostrava (Moravia). The special about this OAN is that the cavalier was bestowed in total with THREE orders of Aleksander Nevsky. There were only 5 men like him ever. Citation: "He provided fire support to 315 Guards rifle regiment, 128 Guards rifle division in the operation for enemy defence breakthrough north-west of Ostrava (Moravia) and commanded the infantry artillery support group. He arranged for efficient operation of the artillery support group and the coordination with the supported rifle units. As the result of this effort, the fire delivered by the support group on 14 April 1945 completely disabled the enemy firing positions on the first line and in to the close depth of the enemy defence: destroyed 10 machine-guns, 2 mortar batteries, 2 guns on open sight positions, suppressed 105mm artillery battery, annihilated 50m of trenches. Our rifle units took control of the settlement Gorzyce practically without any losses, and later on crossed the river Olza. He acted bravely and courageously during the engagement. He was severely wounded while being present at his commander post in immediate vicinity of our rifle combat formations. He deserves a state award - order “RED BANNER”." The initial recommendation for ORB was changed to OAN. He was bestowed by the decree on 04 June 1945 by 4 Ukrainian front.

It is possible Bill. Jubilee 1985 OPW are researchable with a hit rate similar to the war time awards. Are you sure? Could you show it? Otherwise there exists a small number of awards with a mistake in the numbers, like one digit less or one digit more.

Hello! What is the number, 288867 ? Can't clearly see it.... If so, then it is likely was issue on the 1 Belorussian front at the end of the war in Europe. For research, I can recommend my self. ? BTW, I just opened my site last week: ResearchSovietOrders.com I also added database feature to my site. Currently, you can search some info for free, and some info you can request. But later, the database will be expanded for possibility to add any number for being added to searching (f.ex. to reunite a group, f.ex.).

Hello and welcome!

Any news on researching these items? I am especially curious about the OGIII.

Hello Andrew, I have the following numbers, all of which are documented either with a register card or a handout protocol (mostly with protocols). I am sure you have already many of these, but here it goes. Maybe we could exchange some info. ================ Khmelnitsky 2: 297 ; 508 ; 537 ; 589 ; 590 ; 593 ; 744 ; 956 ; 957 ; 958 ; 966 ; 971 ; 972 ; 978 ; 979 ; 985 ; 1023 ; 1150 ; 1470 ; Khmelnitsky 3: 260 ; 290 ; 312 ; 386 ; 508 ; 684 ; 980 ; 999 ; 1260 ; 1306 ; 1307 ; 1364 ; 1411 ; 1412 ; 1413 ; 1415 ; 1435 ; 1451 ; 1453 ; 1466 ; 1469 ; 1474 ; 1495 ; 1496 ; 1497 ; 2010 ; 2028 ; 2029 ; 2030 ; 2062 ; 2086 ; 2103 ; 2125 ; 2130 ; 2135 ; 2140 ; 2155 ; 2163 ; 2180 ; 2182 ; 2186 ; 2187 ; 2195 ; 2417 ; 2419 ; 2420 ; 2421 ; 2422 ; 2423 ; 2438 ; 2439 ; 2441 ; 2442 ; 2443 ; 2452 ; 2453 ; 2455 ; 2460 ; 2462 ; 2463 ; 2471 ; 2472 ; 2473 ; 2474 ; 2476 ; 2487 ; 2488 ; 2492 ; 2495 ; 2748 ; 2749 ; 2751 ; 2754 ; 2755 ; 2756 ; 2760 ; 2762 ; 2784 ; 2789 ; 4201 ; 4202 ; 4203 ; 4203 ; 4204 ; 4207 ; 4208 ; 4209 ; 4210 ; 4211 ; 4212 ; 4213 ; 4214 ; 4215 ; 4216 ; 4231 ; 4234 ; 4235 ; 4236 ; 4237 ; 4284 ; 4285 ; 4286 ; 4287 ; 4291 ; 4292 ; 4383 ; 4456 ; 4488 ; 4701 ; 4702 ; 4703 ; 4704 ; 4710 ; 4725 ; 4762 ; 4763 ; 4799 ; 4804 ; 4805 ; 4840 ; 4841 ; 4842 ; 5001 ; 5002 ; 5003 ; 5004 ; 5006 ; 5012 ; 5016 ; 5017 ; 5018 ; 5019 ; 5020 ; 5021 ; 5022 ; 5023 ; 5024 ; 5030 ; 5032 ; 5033 ; 5034 ; 5035 ; 5153 ; 5154 ; 5155 ; 5329 ; 9687 ; 9813 ; ================ Kutuzov 1: 214 ; 322 ; 332 ; 336 ; 399 ; 486 ; 500 ; 508 ; 648 ; 650 ; Kutuzov 2: 8 ; 103 ; 424 ; 554 ; 1127 ; 1164 ; 1359 ; 1361 ; 1404 ; 1405 ; 1406 ; 1409 ; 1413 ; 1420 ; 1421 ; 1422 ; 1423 ; 1424 ; 1429 ; 1436 ; 1441 ; 1446 ; 1509 ; 1564 ; 1814 ; 1815 ; 1820 ; 1916 ; 1917 ; 1925 ; 1926 ; 1927 ; 1928 ; 1929 ; 1930 ; 1931 ; 1932 ; 1933 ; 1934 ; 1935 ; 1937 ; 1945 ; 1947 ; 1958 ; 1959 ; 1976 ; 1977 ; 1981 ; 1982 ; 1983 ; 2392 ; 2454 ; 2507 ; 2639 ; 2905 ; 2916 ; 2977 ; 3072 ; 3363 ; 6968 ; 6969 ; 7077 ; 7728 ; 9244 ; Kutuzov 3: 796 ; 981 ; 982 ; 985 ; 1111 ; 1126 ; 1127 ; 1319 ; 1361 ; 1372 ; 1373 ; 1379 ; 1380 ; 1381 ; 1382 ; 1383 ; 1384 ; 1392 ; 1403 ; 1404 ; 1405 ; 1406 ; 1409 ; 1413 ; 1429 ; 1436 ; 1441 ; 1446 ; 1455 ; 1459 ; 1460 ; 2454 ; 3908 ; 3909 ; 3916 ; 3920 ; 3955 ; 3956 ; 3957 ; 3958 ; 3961 ; 3976 ; 3981 ; 3982 ; 6775 ; 6968 ; 6969 ; 7077 ; 7622 ; 7647 ; 7728 ; 7740 ; 7742 ; ================ Suvorov 2: 24 ; 68 ; 252 ; 519 ; 607 ; 615 ; 744 ; 1079 ; 1081 ; 1122 ; 1180 ; 1184 ; 1185 ; 1198 ; 1199 ; 1200 ; 1201 ; 1213 ; 1263 ; 1295 ; 1324 ; 1379 ; 1380 ; 1410 ; 1413 ; 1414 ; 1415 ; 1417 ; 1419 ; 1420 ; 1427 ; 1434 ; 1764 ; 1852 ; 1856 ; 1871 ; 1884 ; 1885 ; 1886 ; 1887 ; 1889 ; 1890 ; 1891 ; 1892 ; 1894 ; 1895 ; 1896 ; 1897 ; 1901 ; 1902 ; 1903 ; 1904 ; 1921 ; 1922 ; 1926 ; 2216 ; 2384 ; 2408 ; 2446 ; Suvorov 3: 224 ; 445 ; 2397 ; 2557 ; 2729 ; 2855 ; 2873 ; 2874 ; 2875 ; 2876 ; 2877 ; 2878 ; 2880 ; 2883 ; 2888 ; 2891 ; 2892 ; 2894 ; 2895 ; 2917 ; 2918 ; 2934 ; 2943 ; 2945 ; 2946 ; 2947 ; 2951 ; 2968 ; 2969 ; 2970 ; 3165 ; 3317 ; 3357 ; 3358 ; 3359 ; 3372 ; 8007 ; 8009 ; 8018 ; 8019 ; 8073 ; 8365 ; 8420 ; 8469 ; 8470 ; 8471 ; 8473 ; 8474 ; 8497 ; 8526 ; 8530 ; 8538 ; 8539 ; 8540 ; 8542 ; 8600 ; 8635 ; 8643 ; 8644 ; 8928 ; 9153 ; 9201 ; 9207 ; 9208 ; 9209 ; 9210 ; 9211 ; 9226 ; 9235 ; 9237 ; 9238 ; 9253 ; 9264 ; 9266 ; 9603 ; 9999 ; 10223 ; 10227 ; 10231 ; 10233 ; 10246 ; 10258 ; 10259 ; 10275 ; 10404 ; 10405 ; 10410 ; 10411 ; 10415 ; 10428 ; 10432 ; 10433 ; 10434 ; 10435 ; 10436 ; 10440 ; 10441 ; 10442 ; 10448 ; 10450 ; 10452 ; 10453 ; 10464 ; 10465 ; 10467 ; 10473 ; 10483 ; 10489 ; 10490 ; 10498 ; 12178

I want to share my present reality... I discovered an OGII awarded to the full cavalier. But the post service lost it... So my present day reality bites.