ANZAC

Try these couple. I have no idea what the reverse says on these three pics though. Brendan

Thanks Ed :cheers:

Sweet group Ed can you tell me what the award is bottom row 3rd from right (cross) Brendan

Thanks Bryan yes it's a bit of rust....but.... do you have to spoil my fantasy of him laying waste to the enemy hordes with a knife in one hand and a entrenching tool in the other while wearing his awards :rolleyes:

Sweet collection Particularly like your Soviet medals. What's the number of your type 1 Bravery Medal? Brendan

Yes I picked up on that to. He would have been around 35 in 1991, so, on the borderline for combat operations in a special unit. But 45 in 2001 leading a special unit? Could be true but I have never heard of such in recent times. If it is true, there's a real story to be told there! Brendan

Christian looks like 476369 to me. the first number is a 4 with the second digit (7) being carved poorly and close to the 4. Don't forget that there were many hundreds of engravers and not all numbers are perfect. Brendan

Original Booklet....

3rd Ukrainian front Decree Secret 949th Rifle Regiment 259th Artemovskoi Rifle Division September 1944 No. 025/n Front line Army From distinguished Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR award: Medal "For Military Merit" Senior Sergeant of Rifle Company Nikolai Ivanovich Shcherbakov for hardship endured moving through marshland while under enemy fire, delivering ammunition and other items to his unit leading to the successful completion of his companies combat mission. Birth date 1919, non party member, Russian, inducted in RKKA by Sergovskim RVK, Voroshilovgradskoi oblast. Permanent address: Voroshilovgradskaya oblast, Sergovskii raion, City of Irmino. Commander 949th Rifle Regiment Lieutenant Colonel ( signed ) Pankov Chief of Staff 949th Rifle Regiment Major ( signed ) Shapovalov

AWARD CITATION Last, first and middle name Shcherbakov Nikolai Ivanovich Rank Senior Sergeant Position, unit Assistant platoon commander 2nd Rifle Battalion , 949th Rifle Regiment , 259th Artemovskoi Rifle Division Is recommended for the order " Glory 3rd class" Year of birth 1919 Nationality Russian Party membership Not party member Participation in the civil war and other military actions aimed at the defense of the USSR (where and when) Southwest front 22.6.41 ? 15.07.42 ; 3.01.43 ? 17.06.43 ; 4th Ukrainian front 15.12.43 ? 8.02.44 ; 3rd Ukrainian front 8.02.44 Wounds or contusions received during the Patriotic War Wounded 15.07.42 and 17.06.43 Southwest front In the Red Army Since 1939 Drafted by what district military commissariat Sergovskim RVK Voroshilovgradskoi oblast Previous awards No previous awards Permanent home address (of the prospective awardee or his/her family) Voroshilovgradskoi oblast , Sergovskii raion , City of Irmino I. Brief description of personal feat or merits During the forced crossing of the Dniester River on the night of the 13-14.04.44 assistant platoon commander Senior Sergeant Shcherbakov, was first with his platoon to cross the right bank of the river and captured 54 armed Romanian soldiers and a heavy machine gun.On 15.04.44 in the village of Karkmaya Comrade Shcherbakov led the platoon in an attack himself as an example of steadfastness and courage. In this battle Comrade Shcherbakov personally killed 3 enemy soldiers. Senior Sergeant Shcherbakov deserves state award- order Glory 3rd class Commander 949th Rifle Regiment Lieutenant Colonel ( signed ) Pankov 21 April 1944 Award: Order "Glory 3rd class" Commander 259th Artemovskoi Rifle Division Major General ( signed ) Vlasenko 2 May 1944

Here is recently received research and kindly translated by Rick (koopyetz) for a Glory III and Military Merit Medal. Brendan 1. Last name: Shcherbakov 2. First, middle names: Nikolai Ivanovich 3. Military rank: Senior Sergeant 4. Sex: Male 5. Year of birth: 1919 6. Place of birth: City of Irmino , Voroshilovgradskoi oblast 7. Party membership : member VKP (b) since 1945 8. Education: lower 9. Nationality: Russian 10. In the Red Army : 39.10 - 46.8 11. Place of service (name of the unit) and position occupied when awarded: 259th Rifle Division , 949th Rifle Regiment- Company Senior Sergeant 12. Current place of service and position: Irmino- Locomotive driver 13. Home address of the awardee: Voroshilovgradskoi oblast , Irmino- Lenina 2 14. Record of previous awards Names of orders, medals Their numbers Document numbers Ground for award Checked Glory 3rd class 63809 For Military Merit 1303033 259th Rifle Division 16/n 8.5.44 949th Rifle Regiment 25/n 5.9.44 Signature of awardee (signed) ________________________ Data correctness and signature of awardee attested by: Guard Lieutenant Colonel ( signed ) Position and signature 16 August 1948

That would be correct Alex Your up next....

Thanks Dan Ok so I'll have a go as well. Lets try this one: The German-held Kuban bridgehead, situated along the Taman peninsula, was an area of extreme importance to both the German and Soviet sides. The Germans saw the region as essential to protecting the eastern approaches to the Crimea , whereas the Soviets viewed the bridgehead as a launch-point for another possible German offensive into the northern Caucasus . Unlike Stalingrad and Kursk the campaign is almost unknown due to the fact that there were no real breakthroughs on the ground, no encirclements, no capitulation of German armies. The question is what was the name of the German defensive line that the Soviets smashed through? The time frame starts in April 1943? Good Luck Brendan

I'll have a go at this one. It was the first fighter with a toilet in it and was designed to deliver high-precision strikes at heavily guarded targets in any weather conditions making it one of the Russians most potent fighter bombers??? Brendan

Much appreciated! Thanks Bryan Brendan

Hi Andreas, I only just received the medal and a brief description via email. Full documents are forthcoming and I'll post as soon as they come in. Brendan :cheers:

and the back....

Here is an interesting veteran made adjustment. Instead of the regular rectangle suspension, the veteran has changed it to the heavier 'Znachok' suspension. Cool citation as well; Junior LT as recon platoon leader who with his platoon recon'd an approach to a forward enemy position and took it out destroying 9 bunkers, 5 MG, captured valuable info, etc etc.... Enjoy Brendan

Yes Paul, I framed them myself. My wife being into scrapbooking I can use some of her crafty stuff to get the look right. Cheers Brendan

Thankyou all for your kind comments! I attach the award by pinning it through the backing card at the back. The award hangs freely in the frame but is held firmly when the glass is placed on the front. A bigger wall for my collection...LOL, I could do the whole house1 I have over 100 Glories and about 30 researched whith about 15 of those framed. I think my wife would have somethign to say if I started putting awards all over the house Brendan :cheers:

Last pic Brendan

I decided to take a couple of photos of one side of 'MY WALL'. The other side is being rearranged but will look similar, though it is a bigger wall!! Enjoy Brendan