Alfred

Here is a short summary of the russian text: The battalion had the order to secure a (river-) dam in the area of the little town Podkostelje. Senior Sargent Zagorodsky was appointed as a dispatcher and brought important news to his commander and was wounded. He refused to leave the battlefield. Sadly, I was not able to find the town in a map. I only found the town Podkostrze. Maybe the names changed?

No, only the Order of Glory and the Bravery medal are mentioned in the award card. Bravery Medal S/N: 1.737.508 was awarded to Senior Sargent Zagorodsky 27.09.1944

this could be his gun in action.

Today I got the research for the bravery medal to Senior Sargent Zagorodsky s/n: 1.737.508. In a few days I will have the translation of the text. As what I understand was the bravery medal for a fight near Podkostelie village. He was nominated for a Order of Glory, but it was downgraded in the chain of command to a bravery medal. This would have been his second Order of Glory :-(

I would send it to Alexei for authentification. Is there a dot on the blade of the right sabre? What is the exact weight of the Order and the measurements? regards Andreas

I think the left one is a school for materials research and the right one is for merits in standardisation of products. regards Andreas

Great find with documents. The first one is awarded to an German soldier. regards Andreas

They look okay to me. regards Andreas

Great picture !!

Interesting book, I have one copy too. I have heared that reprints of the book are on the market! Not all books are from 1945. regards Andreas

Hi Dan, to me the bar looks like put together. The suspension is made out of aluminium and looks brand new, although the newest medal is from 1945. As I am on holiday, I have no eccess to my pictures according to the labour medal with number. But compare the upper tip of the red star with orıginal photos. The peak must touch the rim of the medal and compare the position of the letters P and B in the word SATPYDOBYJ with the two ends of the star. regards Andreas

Great Group regards Andreas

Yes !

Are they made out of brass or aluminium? regards Andreas

What I found is, that the 347 Rifle Division was before April 1944 part of the 51 Army and in April 1944 it was trasfered to the 2. Guards Amry. regards Andreas

Yes, you kann ask ..... In the other bible of research: The Red Army Order of Battle in the Great Patriotric War Robert G. Poirier and Albert Z. Conner 1985 regards Andreas P.S. Sometimes you find a copy to sell try google with the title

Here are some information about the 347 Rifle Division: Units: 1175, 1177, 1179 Rifle Regiments 907 Artillery Regiment Raised at Krasnodar, North Caucasus Military District Sept. 1941 RVGK in North Caucasus w/56 Independent Army Oct. 1941 Caucasus Sep. 1942 Mozdok w/44 Army Jan 1943 Melitopol Operation Oct. 1943 South Ukraine w/55 Rifle Corps, 51. Army Jan 1944 Crimea w/ 1 Guards Rifle Corps, 51. Army Apr 1944 Memel w/10 Rifle Corps Oct 1944 347 Rifle Division - "Melitopol" Order of Red Banner, Suvorov

Looks like one of these veteran badges. regards Andreas

Both look good. Both have a document. Yes 100 $ for the oil badge is a good price. regards Andreas

Doc, this is an "Excellent MVD firefighter" badge. Yous looks a little bit disturbed. Normally the two tools are fixed in the lower part of the badge. By the way, this badge is heavily faked. here is an example in the last part of the page http://home.netcom.com/%7Emerezhko/fakes.html regards Andreas P.S. There are two variations a NKVD and an MVD badge. But both look a little bit different to yours. Both have an axe and an gaspipe pliers in the lower part.

Thanks, I have two other dates in my serial number data base. 1.101 - 29.07.1982 1.275 - 04.07.1985 regards Andreas

Pluribus, what is the number and when was it awarded? regards Andreas

In my oppinion they are okay. The fist one is a LMD - displaced ring production and rare the second one is a KMD starback production. nice pieces. best regards Andreas

Nice story regards Andreas

Ed, I have no clue if they are widely faked, in the last years I saw no other badge "For March to England" for sale on german e-bay. But I saw a lot of other faked rare and not so rare badges on ebay. regards Andreas