Egorka

It looks like a flower decoration to me, not as a badge/order. What period are we talking about? What were his birth/death years? Any other information?

Well done! Respect!

"Kiznagei"(?) - this is most likely "kaznachei" (казначей), which means a treasurer. "TWO MMMs (and the 80 numbers apart" - well, peculiar but nothing unheard of. The serial number some times are presenting some surprises. Serial numbers can be used to get idea of time and location, but it is also often fails, as one can not simply rely on completely. The first MMM is in May 1945, is one of those awards, which were given after the V-E day. There was a campaign in the Red Army to award the personnel in May 45. That is why the citation is so brief as was mentioned above. Second MMM from 05 Nov 1946 is from "for long service" decree. Belgrade was issued by the same, on 18 December 1946. The ARMY was not at Belgrade... but Gavrilenko HAD been. Gavrilenko was serving in the 13 Guards Mechanised Brigade, 2 Ukrainian Front, which was indeed involved in the Belgrad liberation. Here is the a page from the 13 GvMBR battle journal. Nice group!

With the given picture quality looks OK to me. It is also a good idea to ask for edge photographs, especially at 6 o'clock.

I think this is badge is different to British WW1 wound badge. I think the proportions are off. The design is very similar though... In my analysis I assume almost no distortion on the British wound badge picture (very very small in both horizontal and vertical planes). I the mystery badge photograph some distortion is present, but I assume it is very minimal in the vertical plane. What do you think? IMHO, the difference in ratios I got, cannot be explained by the the distortion due to projection and blurriness.....

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I was just writing exactly the same! It all just MADE UP, you see!

Hello Solsearcher! It would be helpful to show the whole medal bar. Often the composition of the awards gives more information than identity of each award separately.

Hello, maybe this will be useful: Abbreviations used in the First World War medal index cards http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/records/abbreviations-in-world-war-one-medal-index-cards-rank.pdf

And so here is the citations for the Red Banner. Regiment Commander Guards Major MISCHENKO distinguished himself in the fighting around TLUSH, KRUSHE-STARE, TROIANE and main road BELOSTOK-WARSAW. His regiment supporting the Corps's tank brigades was one of the first to cut the main road BELOSTOK-WARSAW, which cut of the main retreat way. In the heat of the battle Mischenko was with his troops and despite the heavy artillery and mortar fire was directing the regiments forces. During the engagement 18 - 22 August 1944 the regiment destroyed: Tanks - 11 Veicles - 8 Artillery and MG positions - 16 Carriages - 10 Enemy troops - 145 For excellent execution of the orders and achieving the given battle goals, and exhibited personal gallantry MISCHENKO is recommended for the ordrer "RED BANNER". 22 Aug 1944 Signed by the commander of the 8 Gu. Tank Corps, Guards Colonel GRETSOV.

301 Gv.SAP belonged to 8 Guards Tank Corps, 2 Shock Army. Here is the tactical sign of the 8 GuTC. The heavy SPGs from 310 Gv.SAP in Danzig (Gdansk) 1945.

Hej, Paul... Could not find time to assemble proper research on the Major Mischenko... But here is some info for you. No, that is not long service order. The order is given for the engagements during 18 - 22 August 1944. The interesting is that Mischenko just took over the 301st SPG regiment days before. So it was his first action in Regiment commande capacity. The previous Regiment commander Gurds Colonel Lieutenant IONIS was killed during the battle of LUBLIN (25 July 1944). This is Mark Ionis portrait. Information in the regiment history that the commande has been killed and buried in LUBLIN, Poland. Lublin operation, 301 Gv.SPG regiment is marked (23 - 27 July 1944).

You are not the one who sold it to me? Just kidding. Thanks for the comment!

Are not these sold by weight on eBay?

Interesting. Good find, Bill! Some extra information could be interesting. It appears ARTEMOVA was wounded second time at the very end of November 1943. she was in the hospital for the next 4 moths until end of March 1944, when she was released with "not fit for active service" verdict. She was a teacher (Secondary school #10, Leningrad), married (to Daniil Ivanovich), and from Leningrad. She volunteered for military service in 1942 in Tambov district, so this means she managed to evacuate from the besieged Leningrad. This is her release form after hospital. Blue crayon is the "not fit for active service" resolution, so it looks like she was not lightely wounded. Also it appears she was wounded back in April 1943 and in October 1943. But we know from citation, that in October she was wounded twice. So she was actually wounded at least 3 times during her service. The locations of actions in October 1943.

One more historical document is soiled by greedy hands... Shameful!

Wanted to say this is another cousin, but got it today and think it is fake one. I took a chance and blew it. What do you think? Magnetic. 3 peice construction But no seam on the edge. And it is a notch, but visibly, thinner than the cross in the oppening post. The core is not perfectly centered. Some paint on the inner rim indicating at least repainting. Also some weird artefacts on the silver rims... Got from a British eBay. There was no direct claim it was original, returns not accepted. Well life experience is priceless isn't it?

Mine sweeper "Т-484", project 254. Mine sweeper "Т-729", project 255. Target ship radio control vessel "Vistrel" (former German radio control vessel "Blitz", before 1932 it was a mine layer). Here it is as a mine layer: And here is the the "Blitz" seen against the target ship. Still German. "Hessen" after after it was converted to target ship, after 1937. SMS "Hessen" as German battleship.

Note 2 distinct stages in the hero's service after graduation in Nov 1941. The first year he was serving in a Naval Rifle Brigade commanding mortar battalion Karelian front. Only later was he relocated to actual naval theatre of operations. Here is the map of positions of 80th Naval Rifle Brigade at Karelain front, 2 Aug 1942. Mortar unit marked.

Rabinovich Sh. S. carrier record: Cadet 1938 Lieutenant, Nov 1941 Sr. Lieutenant , June 1942 Lieutenant-commander, 1942 Subcommander, Aug 1943 Commander, March 1951 Captain, Jan 1959 Discharged with honor Sept 1960. Lived in Sevastopol. Rabinovich Sh. S. service record: Cadet of Black Sea Higher Naval Nakhimov School / 1938 Commander of the detached mortar battalion of 80th Naval Rifle Brigade / Nov 1941 Cadet of Lieutenant courses of Karelian front / Dec 1942 01/Oct/1943 sent to Baltic Fleet. First mate, armour boat / 04 Oct 1943 Armor boat "BK-513" (shipyard designation MBK-568), First mate and later the Captain / Oct 1944 Mine sweeper "Т-484", Captain / Aug 1946 Mine sweeper "Т-729", Captain / Apr 1948 Patrol boat "Berkut", Captain / Jan 1949. Target ship radio control vessel "Vistrel" (former German "Blitz"), Captain / Nov 1950. Target ship radio control vessel "UTs-6" (former German mine layer "T-17"), Captain / Apr 1951. Target hip "Tsel'" (former German battleship "Hessen"), First mate; Simultaneously he is chief of staff of the radio controlled ships of Baltic Fleet/ Dec 1952. From Nov 1954 occupied several different positions in the naval schools of Baltic Fleet. Discharged with honor Sept 1960. Lived in Sevastopol.

Remarkable, Lars! Excellent present! God Jul, Lars!

Commander Rabinovich Sh.S. served on the Armored motorboat MBK-513 (project 161, built June 1944). He later early in 1945 became the Captain of MBK-513 (was dismantled in November 1957). MBK-513 of the project 161 built in 1944 (20 constructed in total; 10 in 1943 and 10 in 1944 with some modifications): Crew 39 men; length 37.5m; draught 1.3m; displacement 163 tons ; speed 13.1 knots; range 330 miles. Weapon system: two 76mm cannons in T-34 turrets, one 37m automatic cannon, two 45mm semiautomatic cannons, two 12,7mm machine-guns.

Citation for Red Banner order 150463 for Moonsund Landing Operation: Executed battle missions during transition from Koivisto islands-Tallinn-Kuressaare and later operations for capture of Saaremaa island. Battles with enemy ships 19, 21, 22 November. Had the role of navigator for the boat detachment and showed exceptional courage and boldness. In high mine threat conducted the armor boat detachment from Koivisto to Kuressaare. Was at all times on the bridge of the leading boat giving navigation directions to the detachment during the operation for liberation of Saaremaa and battles against enemy ships. This allowed for precise and accident free operations. Personally spotted and corrected the main caliber fire in suppressing one heavy artillery battery and two machine gun nests, which assaulted our boats and infantry. Skilfully planned and changed boats course during the battle maximising effectiveness of the fire, at the same time avoiding enemy fire. In all operations presented examples of professionalism, naval skills and personal courage. Worthy of awarding order of "Red Banner". Signed: Captain of the 5th ОМБК БШК БФ (Armored Coastal Boat brigade of the Baltic Fleet), Captain Lieutenant TUNGUSKOV, 22/XI-44.

Hello! And Merry Christmass! Please, meet Captain Rabinovich Shmul-Izek Semenovich (b.1920). In service since 1938, when after graduating school he entered the Black Sea Higher Naval order of the Red Star Nakhimov School (ЧВВМУ). Graduated 15/Nov/1941. Here is the hero in the centre as the Captain of the target ship "Цель" (Target), 1953. The identity is not 100% confirmed though... just 95% confirmed. The Red Banner order awarded to Commander Rabinovich Sh.S. in November 1944. Note, that the order has been customised from medal-ribbon brooch to screw back.This was a common practice among naval personnel, pilots and tank troops. They found it to be more practical.

OK. Point taken.