Egorka

Sometimes casual search brings back some pearls... Document for the Medal Defense of the Caucasus dated April 21st, 1945. Signed by the commander of 43 Fighter Aviation "Sevastopol" Red Banner Regiment (43IAP) Lt. Colonel DOROSHENKOV. The medal and the document were issued to Captain KOCHETOV Aleksander Vasilievich. KOCHETOV was awarded with HSU title on 13 April 1944. Squadron commander HSU KOCHETOV (1919-1994) achieved at least 31 victories (20 personal + 11 in a group) in 120 aerial engagements, conducted over 450 combat sorties during WW2. The certificate and the handout protocol with matching document number. Interestingly, it seems there was a glitch in documentation process and the pilots of the 43IAP were handed out 2 Caucasus medals. There exist second handout protocol from November 1945. KOCHETOV has only one medal though on his postwar pictures. So, I guess, the mistake was corrected promptly. KOCHETOV in 1943. And a news paper article, Jan 1945, where 34 victories are mentioned. Different period photos: With his wife. Both before the war and in eternity.

Stunning piece of history!!!

The 1st class St. George crosses in this range should be in gold (600/1000 proof). I think, the change from gold to “yellow metal” happened between 31000 and 36000. Also the ring, the letter «ж», and the serial number looks weird...

Well, to know what kind of copy it is, one would need to have some information from the manufacturer. I have no idea what it could be located. If it is MEZHNUMIZMATIKA, then I already gave you info, that it produced some copies for sale in the western countries. But, as I know, they were producing quite high quality copies, often in precious metals. The quality of your copy seems to be on a lower side. Here is a reverse of an original VICTORY order.

Thank you. I don’t know what else to say except it is a copy. I am 99,9% sure of that. The remaining 0,01% ... well, lets keep the dream alive!

Hello, Could you, please, show the reverse of the order. MEZHNUMIZMATIKA produced copies during Soviet times (1980s) for sale in the West.

Gregoo, hello. This one is original, but the red star was lost and replaced with something else.

Hello, I guess, because of the symbolism. Victory having the wings resembling the famed Polish hussars wings.

Great stuff! I am very glad this historical artefact could be preserved!

Award recommendation for the OPWII order: Comrade VOROSCHENKO has been on the front line of Patriotic war since July 1941 and participated in liberation of Caucasus and Crimea. Being in the ranks of 1177 rifle regiment, 347 rifle "Melitopol" division, comrade VOROSCHENKO revealed himself as a courageous warrior. Personally participated in recognisance missions. Comrade VOROSCHENKO has received commendations for his exemplary execution of the orders on the front of struggle against the German invaders: from the commanders of 347 rifle "Melitopol" division and 1177 rifle regiment. On 01.03.1944, while assisting a wounded soldier under enemy fire, Sr. Lt. VOROSCHENKO sustained severe through and through chest wound. Personally eliminated 10 Hitlerites during the war. The recommendation was written on 06 June 1944, when VOROSCHENKO was in the reserve officer regiment after recovering from this last wound. In fact this was not his fist wound during the war. The first one (light wound) he received on 02 August 1941 when he served in a cavalry unit on the position of chemist. After recovery he was sent to a foot rifle unit - 271 rifle division (1st assembly). By March 1944 in the 347 rifle division (see above). After his recovery from the severe chest wound, he was assigned as a company commander to the 896 rifle regiment, 211 rifle division. His unit participated in the Battle of the Dukla Pass in the Autumn 1944 at the borderland between Poland and Slovakia. The Soviet army and Czechoslovak 1st Army Corps engaged in fierce fighting in mountainous terrain, where initial objective of "Five days to Prešov" turned into fifty days to town Svidník alone with over 70,000 casualties on both sides. Sr.Lt. VOROSCHENKO was one of the fallen. He was killed on 30 October 1944 on the hill side near the Slovakian village Svidnička. Three officers: 2 company and 1 platoon commander was killed on this day in 896RR. I suspect they fell victim of an artillery strike (the combat journals mention German superiority and constant artillery barrages). VOROSCHENKO's initial burial site was one of the 2 in village Svidnička. Here they are on the map. I visited this village this Summer and tried to locate them. After looking up and talking the locals, it was clear that no graves remained in Svidnička. It is almost certain, they have been relocated to the war memorial in near by town Svidnik in 1950s. But, unfortunately, some names had been lost during the process. In Svidnik there are 450 known and 18000 unknown soldiers of the Soviet army and Czechoslovak 1st Army Corps. We visited a few places, but not all... Me and one of my sons at the tank monument in Svidnička. And the memorial plaque at the villages community center. In fact the whole valley is declared a huge memorial complex called "Udolie smrti" - "Death Valley" - with numerous monuments and sites. See the text in English: Take a look at some photo and behold the monuments complex at the village Kapisova - a reconstruction of an armoured assault. See the photo and try counting the tanks installed. This is the place where the vetran's 896 rifle regiment was stationed on the day he was killed. I went up the hill and into the forested creek. Had no metal detecter with me (regretted), but found some barbed wire in the forest. Not 100% sure it is war time, but looks like German made... The panoramic view down the hill from the positions held by the veteran's unit on the day he was killed in action:

I beg to differ. If I punch in «Михаил Михайлович Петров», I get 358 different documents. Of these, at least 21 entries for different prople for the Victory medal.

There are 12 people with this name which were awarded OGIII during WW2. It is a common name. I actually think this particular citation is not on the website because it is from 1970s. The database covers documnets until 1946 (?). Not sure exactly unril what specific date, but abround 1946.

Yes, exactly, the decree of 17 Feb 1972 was one of the decres “for wounds”, or disability obtained due to war wounds as it was mentioned here.

No really... HE was shot down on 12 Feb 1953. I can try to see if can get some info on the actions on this day. Regarding his possible survival and subsequent transfer to USSR, I think there are people working on such cases: U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIA Affairs (USRJC) https://sofrep.com/97178/renewed-us-russia-talks-focus-pow-mia-issues/ The Commission is organized into four working groups, each representing a key area of investigation. These groups encompass World War II; the Korean War; the Vietnam War; and the Cold War. "U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs" official page with minutes of meeting: http://www.dpaa.mil/Resources/Fact-Sheets/Article-View/Article/569603/us-russia-joint-commission-on-powmias/

Hello, From what I know the overall MIG-15 and pilot losses of the Reds were: Soviets (64 air corps): 335 MIGs and 120 pilots killed (almost complete name and circumstance list exists). Chinese and North Coreans: 231 MIGs and 126 pilots killed. So the total of MIGa downed were 566 MIGs. Closer to the claimed 823, but still short of it. The point, that the gunners of the 19 Bomb Group could had shot either a Chinese or a N.Corean MIG is a good one, but I am not sure it's valid. From what I can see, on the 12 April, 1951, only the Soviet flew MIGs in that known interception mission. I am not 100% sure though. But so far all the account I have seen say so.

And the page for ISAF air-to-air claims:

Hello, Before we can assess the situation with those 3 particular MIG-15 kills by aerial gunners mentioned in the document above, let’s see the total KW stats. Having benefit of passed time we can look back. Let’s see how many MIG-15 were claimed by ASAF and then how many were lost by the Soviets (64 air corps). Claims: According tho the page 20 of USAF stat digest 1953, there were claimed 823 MIGs in air-to-air during the whole war. Plus 145 probable, which we can disregard for now. Link: http://media.defense.gov/2011/Apr/05/2001329931/-1/-1/0/AFD-110405-030.pdf Soviet reports: The total losses of MIG-15 during the whole KW amounted to app. 335 MIGs. The data comes from 64 air corps reports, which is presented in the book “Red Devils Over the Yalu: A Chronicle of Soviet Aerial Operations in the Korean War 1950-53” by Igor Seidov. See, this overall stat alone means that there got to be overclaim, which is not unusual at all on any side. I read and translate Soviet WW2 citations and perfectly aware of this fenomena. Regarding these 3 claims on 12 April 1951, which is known as “ black Thursday”, I can repeat, that ZERO MIGs were lost beteen 9 and 22 of April. Now, a number of MIGs were indeed damaged, but not lost. But the citation from 19 bomber groups states clearly, that all three claimed MIGs crushed in flames. None the less, very interesting action, award and the veteran!!!

Let’s do it! 50001

Great group! Great veteran!

Interesting. Though there were no MIG-15 lost on 12 April 1951. The closest losses were on 9 and 22 of April 1951. Both downed by F-86.

Hello! Please, meet sr.lt. VOROSCHENKO Maksim Ivanovich, 1916, former company commander 1177 rifle regiment, 377 rifle "Melitopol" division. After sustaining severe through and through chest wound in March 1944 moved to the reserve officer regiment of 4 Ukrainian front. The OPWII is awarded after his wound . Citation is signed in June 1944. By October 1944 , he is back in line as a company commander of 896 rifle regiment, 211 rifle division. Note the condition on the photos. More details are to follow...

During his service from February 1944, NAZARENKO was bestowed medal "For Combat Merits", medal "For Bravery", and the last one - Order of Glory III class. Recommendation for OGIII was signed 12 January 1945. Though it is not mentioned directly, the described events took place on app. 20 October 1944. "Comrade NAZARENKO, being a horse wagon driver of the supply platoon, has exhibited courage and valour in the fight against the Germano-Fascist invaders. Risking his life under enemy fire, he timely delivered ammunition to the rifle companies on the first line. When during the assault on the village Syurte, Chzechoslovakia, occurred lack of ammunition, he hand carried and successfully delivered cartridges to the rifle company, while being under enemy rifle-MG fire. Having been resupplied, the company continued the assault and comrade NAZARENKO steadfastly went with the company into the attack. In the village Kisteglas, the enemy suddenly opened fire from inside a house. Comrade NAZARENKO secretly following a ditch approached the house and fired the windows. Confusion struck the enemy and they started running out of the door, where they were met NAZARENKO’s well placed shots. In this engagement, he killed 6 Hungarians and 2 captured prisoner. For exhibited courage and valour he is worthy of order Glory III class." You can see the position of the 7 Guards paratrooper rifle regiment on 20 October 1944 , just South of Kesteglash (green marker). Small town Syurte is located half way between towns Uzhgorod and Chop. In the citation these historically Hungarian settlements are named as located in Czechoslovakia. That was correct for the period 1920 - 1945. But today they are both located just East of the Ukrainian state border. In Sommer 1945, Stalin insisted on the local railway junction Chop with it's area (250 square km) being exchanged with Czechoslovakia for another piece of land.

Please, meet Guards private first class NAZARENKO PETR EMELIANOVICH, who served as a horse carriage driver of 3 battalion, 7 Guards paratrooper rifle regiment, 2 Guards paratrooper "Proskurov" division. Awarded OGIII #248777 for an action near settlements SYURTE and KISTEGLAS on 20 November 1944. The veterans birth year is recorded as 1928 in the citations, but as 1930 in the awards register card signed after the war. NAZARENKO's status is described as "volunteer: pupil" in his 2 first award recommendations. Such was the designation used during the war time for what later became known as "regiments son/daughter". The name "regiments son" was popularised from 1945 by the novel "Regiments son" written by Valentin Kataev. This means, that NAZARENKO added up 2 years to his age to get accepted to the regiment. I am quite sure, that he was infact born in 1930 and thus was barely 14 y.o. in 1944 (he joined the army in February 1944). According to the official data, there were app. 3500 of such regiments sons and daughters. The description of NAZARENKO's feats will come in the next post.

The brass plaque is a kind of award. It reads: "For Warsaw 25th and 26th August / year 1831"

As always brilliant material. Thank you for sharing!!! N.B. Driven by both inspiration and jealousy I too will open a thread on Soviet POW awards soon. Not as extensive as your but still...