Aurelius

The thing about this group is the dude received 3 combat awards. Not valuable monetarily but just rare for a cook to be receive these. Ya man, maybe this fella was Segal's uncle.

Well, some of you will get it. Thanks Auke! Record card Record card Order booklet nr. 337160 1. Last name: Grubelashvili 2. First name and patronymic: Sergo Aksentovich 3. Military rank: Sergeant 4. Sex: Male 5. Year of birth: 1915 6. Place of birth: City of Tbilisi 7. Party membership (since which year): Member of the Communist Party since 1945 8. Education: Elementary 9. Nationality: Georgian 10. Since which year in the Red Army: From July 23, 1941 to September 25, 1945 11. Place of service (name of the unit) and position at the time of the award: Driver in the 414th Rifle Division 12. Current place of service and position: Driver with the Mandarin-Lemon Trust 13. Home address of the awardee: 30 Montin Street, city of Tbilisi 14. Record of all awards received: Names of the orders and medals Their numbers Numbers of the documents Ground of award Medal for Courage 689160 Temporary certificate nr. A-592101 Order of the 1367th Rifle Regiment nr. 012/N of November 21, 1943 Order of the Red Star 663414 B-838271 Order of the 414th Anapskaya Red Banner Rifle Division nr. 024/N of July 3, 1944 Medal for the Victory over Germany Permanent certificate nr. B-0194294 Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 9, 1945 Medal for the Defense of the Caucasus Permanent certificate nr. K-002444 Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 1, 1944 Signature of the awardee: [signed] I confirm the correctness of the data and the signature of the awardee (position and signature): Military commissar of the Lenin Raion, city of Tbilisi Major [signed] /Baralidze/ December 14, 1946 Order Order Of the 1367th Rifle Regiment, 414th Anapskaya Rifle Division November 21, 1943 – Nr. 012/N – Active Army On behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, I award: The Medal for Courage to: […] 8. Senior Sergeant Sergei Akvsentyevich Grubelashvili, assistant leader of a horseback reconnaissance platoon, for the fact that he, during the fighting with the German invaders at the village of Kurbatskaya on September 23, 1943, carried out his mission in an excellent manner. During this mission, aimed at finding the escape route of the enemy troops, he engaged the enemy in combat and killed 3 enemy soldiers. Born in 1915, Georgian, member of the Komsomol, drafted into the Red Army on June 23, 1941 by the Military Commissariat of the Lenin Raion, city of Tbilisi. Home address: 30 Pavlovskaya Street, Tbilisi, Georgian SSR. Mother: Nina Tedorovna. He has not yet been decorated. […] Commander of the 1367th Rifle Regiment Lieutenant Colonel [signed] /Kantaria/ Chief of staff Major [signed] /Khurtsilava/ Chief of the Personnel Section of the North Caucasian Front Lieutenant Colonel [signed] /Zhdanov/ January 3, 1944 Order [Pencil: “Independent Coastal Army; March 27, 1945”] Secret Copy nr. 2 Order Of the 414th Anapskaya Red Banner Rifle Division July 3, 1944 – Nr. 024/N – Active Army On behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, for the exemplary accomplishment of combat missions in the struggle with the German invaders and the valor and bravery displayed in the process, I award: The Order of the Red Star to: […] 86. Senior Sergeant Sergei Akvsentyevich Grubelashvili, assistant leader of a horseback reconnaissance platoon in the 1367th Sebastopol Rifle Regiment […] Commander of the 414th Anapskaya Red Banner Rifle Division Major General [signed] /Dzabakhidze/ Chief of staff of the 414th Anapskaya Red Banner Rifle Division Lieutenant Colonel [signed] /Khurtsilava/ Chief of the Personnel Section of the 414th Anapskaya Red Banner Rifle Division Captain of Administrative Service [signed] /Latyshev/ Order verified. Chief of the Personnel Section of the 55th Rifle Corps Lieutenant Colonel [signed] September 11, 1944 Chief of the Personnel Section of the Independent Coastal Army Colonel [signed] /Zhdanov/ November 11, 194__ Award sheet Award sheet 1. Last name, first name and patronymic: Grubelashvili, Sergei Akvsentyevich 2. Rank: Senior Sergeant 3. Position and unit: Assistant leader of a horseback reconnaissance platoon in the 1367th Sebastopol Rifle Regiment, 414th Anapskaya Red Banner Rifle Division Nominated for: Order of the Red Star 4. Year of birth: 1915 5. Nationality: Georgian 6. Party affiliation: Member of the Komsomol 7. Participation in the Civil War, the following combat actions for the defense of the USSR and the Patriotic War: Since August 1, 1942 on the North Caucasian Front 8. Wounds and contusions received during the Patriotic War: No 9. Since when in the Red Army: Since 1941 10. Drafted by which military commissariat: Military Commissariat of the Lenin Raion, city of Tbilisi 11. Awarded what, by whom, when, and what for: Medal for Courage by Order of the 1367th Rifle Regiment nr. 012/N of November 21, 1943 12. Permanent home address of the prospective awardee and the address of his family: 30 Pavlovskaya Street, Tbilisi, Georgian SSR. Mother: Nina Tedorovna Short, concrete description of his combat feat or merits: He has been serving at the front during the Patriotic War since the first days of the war, displaying decisiveness, steadfastness in combat, and bravery. During the fighting on the Krim he carried out the tasks assigned to him during repeated reconnaissance operations in a brilliant manner. Heading a group of scouts on May 7, 1944 near Bezymyanny farm, he skillfully organized an ambush, during which he engaged 12 enemy soldiers, of whom 2 were killed and 4 soldiers with enemy machine guns were taken prisoner and delivered to the regimental staff. He deserves the Order of the Red Star. Commander of the 1367th Rifle Regiment Lieutenant Colonel [signed] /Kantaria/ June 11, 1944 I concur. He deserves the Order of the Red Star. Commander of the 414th Anapskaya Red Banner Rifle Division Major General [signed] /Dzabakhidze/ June 22, 1944 By Order of the 414th Anapskaya Red Banner Rifle Division nr. 024/N of July 3, 1944 of July 3, 1944 awarded the Order of the Red Star. Chief of the Personnel Section of the 414th Anapskaya Red Banner Rifle Division Captain [signed] /Latyshev/ July 3, 1944

Thanks Rogi! Maybe a MIG 17? SU 9 or 11?

Ok, for Mr. PR.

Can someone correct me if I am wrong but would it be safe to assume that given his long career, he very likely flew MIGS?

When in Rome, post the service record. Award Card Order Booklet B717503 Last name: Belyakov Name and patrionymic: Grigorii Grigorevich Rank: Captain Gender: Male Birthyear: 1921 Birthplace: Kaluga Oblast, Kaluga Region, village of Staro-Skakovo Party membership: since 4.1947 Education: mid-level Nationality: Russian Time in Red Army: since 5.1941 Place of service at awarding: 161 Fighter Aviation Region – Wing Commander Place of work at present: same Home address: Kaluga Oblast, Kaluga Region, village of Staro-Skakovo Awards: Designation Serial Number Awarding Organization Red Banner 247.055 2 Air Army dated 19.5.1945 Bravery Medal 2.435.851 9 Assault Aviation Division dated 6.4.1945 Patriotic War II 531.968 1 Assault Aviation Corps dated 15.5.1945 Combat Service Medal n/a Edict dated 19.11.1951 Red Star 3.471.381 Edict dated 30.12.1956 Victory over Germany Medal Edict dated 9.5.1945 Capture of Berlin Medal Edict dated 6.9.1945 Liberation of Prague Medal Edict dated 6.9.1945 30th Jubilee of Soviet Army and Navy Medal Edict dated 22.2.1948 Verified by 161 Fighter Aviation Regiment Commander, Guards Lieutenant Colonel Suslov on 30 January 1957 Biography Card 1. Last Name, Name, and Patrionymic: Belyakov, Grigorii Grigorevich, D-241087 2. Born: 31 December 1921 3. Nationality: Russian 4. Knowledge of Foreign Languages: n/a 5. Birthplace: Kaluga Oblast, Kaluga Region, village of Staro-Skakovka 6. Profession before military service: metal worker 7. Party Membership: since 1947 #01904482 8. Education General: seventh grade in 1947 Military: Voroshilovgrad Military Aviation Pilot School 10.5.41-1.6.44 Political: n/a 9. Promotion: Junior Lieutenant 11.5.44, Lieutenant 21.10.47, Senior Lieutenant 5.11.50, Guards Captain 17.10.53, Major 1.8.59, Lieutenant Colonel 8.7.67 10. Participation in the Patriotic War: 141 Guards Assault Aviation Regiment, Ukrainian Front 29.9.44-9.5.45 11. Other Military Operations: n/a 12. Wounds or shell-shock: n/a 13. ID Card: KO 16308 issued 15.8.49 14. Position before service in the Armed Forces: inducted 10 May 1941 as a worker into the Voroshilovgrad Military Aviation Pilot School as a volunteer 15. Service in the Armed Forces: Cadet Voroshilovgrad Military Aviation Pilot School 20.05.41 Flight Staff 50 Reserve Assault Aviation Regiment 1.8.44 Senior Pilot 141 Gds Asslt Avn Regt, 9 Gds AAD, 2 Air Army 26.2.46 Senior Pilot 104 Gds Asslt Avn Regt, same, same 25.9.46 Student 2-month Squadron CDR course, 59 Air Army 12.7.50 Dpty Political CDR 892 Fighter Avn Rgt, 237 Gds Fighter Avn Div, 12.7.50 59 Air Army Same 161 Fighter Avn Rgt, 66 Fighter Avn Div, Indep. 27.12.54 Mechanized Army Air Forces Wing Commander Same 31.10.55 Signed Chief of Staff 161 FAR, Major Maslovets on 15 September 1957 Dpty Sqd CDR, 161 FAR, 66GdsAD, 10 Army 27.12.57 Navigator Released to needs of 48 Air Army Commander 3.5.60 Released to needs of 34 Air Army Commander 26.5.60 SR Nav/Pilot 176 FAR, 283 FAD 9.7.60 Released to needs of 30 FAD 16.8.60 Sqdrn CDR 156 FAR, Air Defense Turkestan Military District 21.10.60 SR Nav/Pilot 156 FAR, 17 Air Defense Division, 30 Ind ADA 26.9.61 Corps Released to needs of 8 Independent Air Defense Army 15.9.62 SR Dep Chief of Tng 19 Air Defense Division 15.10.62 SR Pilot Instructor Same 1.7.65 Duty Officer 8 Independent Army Air Defense HQ 10.3.67 Duty Officer 1085 Command Post, 8 Indep. Army Air Def HQ 19.2.72 16. State awards: Red Banner ’45, OPWII ’45, Bravery Medal ’45, Capture of Berlin ’45, Liberation of Prague ’45, Victory over Germany 1945, 30th Anniversary of Soviet Armed Forces 1948, Combat Service Medal ’52, Red Star ‘56 17. Foreign travel: Romania since 12.1954 18. In Old Army: n/a 19. In White or other foreign armies: n/a 20. POW or encircled: n/a 21. Military trial: n/a 22. Comments: n/a 23. On file: Zhovten Regional Military Commissariat, Kiev 15.06.73 24. Category: 25. Branch of service: 26. Health: 27. Call-ups: 28. Place of service and duty position: 29. Family status: married – wife: Belyakova, Elizaveta Ivanovna b. 1922, Vitalii b. 1952 30. Special remarks: Released into reserves according to Air Defense Commander-in-Chief Order 0234 paragraph 59a dated 30.3.1973 with the right to wear the uniform. On file with the Zhovten Regional Military Commissariat, Kiev.

Paul, Paul, Paul yer makin me work. But ok.lol

I,too, asked the vendors here whether they had Soviet stuff-crashed and burned except for pins. lol Regardless, a very good tip on asking the vendors about the possibility of them selling Soviet items.

Very sound advice and very true-well written Rogi. I gave up attending shows in western Canada for Soviet stuff. Mostly TR, TR,TR, British, Canadian and some American items. Even in the mall flea markets, some granny could have two tables full of china and dollies but within the piles, there would be something TR. Sure looking at these from a historical perspective is ok, but when you want to buy Soviet stuff, these venues are a waste of time. Now in regards to the small amount of Soviet items there, they are WAY overpriced. Word has gotten out that "there's money in Soviet stuff" and the items are priced ridiculously high. One thing though, most being sold are labour or veteran medals

Given the minefield of fakes, etc. in the hobby, I thought it would be good for seasoned vets to share some advice for buying. So here's two from me: 1. Join a forum and buy by word of mouth and reputable dealers. 2. Some really good guys are selling on Ebay but be very very careful.

Thank you Igor and PJS Jr.! Formatting and numbering are off for some reason but what the hell, its the info that is important. Award Sheet Last name, name, and patrionymic: Belyakov, Grigroii Grigorevich Rank: Guards Junior Lieutenant Duty position: Pilot – 141 Guards Sandomir Order of Kutuzov Assault Aviation Regiment, 9 Guards Krasnograd Red Banner Assault Aviation 4. Division, 1 Guards Kirovograd Red Banner Order of Suvorov Assault Aviation Corps Recommendation for the Bravery Medal 5. Born: 1921 6. Nationality: Russian 7. Party membership: Comsomol member since 1938 8. Previous combat: since 23.9.1944 on the 1 Ukrainian Front to present 9. Wounds or shell-shock: n/a 10. Red Army: since May 1941 11. Inducted by: Kaluga Regional Military Commissariat, Tula Oblast 12. Previous awards: n/a 13. Home of record: [trans: entry intentionally obscured] Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment Comrade Belyakov has conducted ten effective combat sorties in his IL-2 aircraft while in the Patriotic War. As a result of his actions of accurate bombing and strafing, he has destroyed two vehicles, one tank, an armored personnel carrier, one air defense gun, and shot as many as 20 Hitlerites. He participated in three dog fights with fighter aircraft. In a group of six IL-2s under the command of Guards Senior Lieutenant Andrianov on 4 March 1945 while during a bombing and ground assault mission against a group of enemy tanks along the Langenels, Welkersdorf, Unter, and Dem Wald*, he descended to the lowest altitude and at close range destroyed enemy personnel and equipment despite intensive resistance from enemy air defense guns. As a result of his ground attack missions he destroyed a tank, as verified by the entire group’s crews and aerial film footage. The effectiveness of all his combat sorties was verified by command observation posts, covering fighter aircraft, aerial film footage, and wingman flight crews. He is a fearless ground-attack pilot. He is educated, cultured, and a self-disciplined officer. He is deserving of the Bravery Medal for conducting ten effective combat sorties and excellent ground attack missions destroying two vehicles, four tanks, an armored personnel carrier, an air defense gun, and twenty Hitlerites, and for displaying valor and courage. Signed Commander, 141 Guards Assault Aviation Regiment, Guards Major Kompaniets on 4 April 1945 Endorsed Commander, 9 Guards Assault Aviation Division, Guards Lieutenant Colonel Donchenko on 5 April 1945 Awarded the Bravery Medal by Order 05/N of the 9 Guards Assault Aviation Division dated 6.4.1945, signed Division Chief of Personnel Guards Major B. Kozlov on 9 April 1945. *Geographic place name is an approximation based off of transliterated Russian from German translated into English Award Sheet Last name, name, and patrionymic: Belyakov, Grigroii Grigorevich 2. Rank: Guards Junior Lieutenant 3. Duty position: Pilot – 141 Guards Sandomir Order of Kutuzov Assault Aviation Regiment, 9 Guards Krasnograd Red Banner Assault Aviation Division, 1 Guards Kirovograd Red Banner Order of Suvorov Assault Aviation Corps Recommendation for the Order of the Patriotic War I Class Born: 1921 5. Nationality: Russian In Red Army: since May 1941 7. Party membership: Comsomol member since 1938 8. Previous combat: since 23.9.1944 on the 1 Ukrainian Front to present 9. Wounds or shell-shock: n/a 10. Previous awards: Bravery Medal by 9 Guards Assault Aviation Division on 6.4.1945 Inducted by: Kaluga Regional Military Commissariat, Tula Oblast 12. Home of record: [trans: entry intentionally obscured] Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment He was awarded the Bravery Medal for valor and courage displayed during ten combat sorties. He accomplished a total of 37 effective combat sorties in an IL-2 aircraft. After being recommended for an award he conducted an additional 27 combat sorties and destroyed five tanks and armored personnel carriers, seven vehicles, four air defense batteries, eight carts, an ammunition depot, caused four explosions and four major fires, and destroyed as many as 70 soldiers and officers. On 26.3.1945 at 13:30 hours the ground situation on left flank of the sector suddenly deteriorated for our ground forces. A group of enemy submachinegunners and machinegunners occupied the northern and north-eastern regions of Hubertusru village and from the advantageous position occupied a position in the flank and rear of our attacking forces. The situation demanded immediate action against the enemy and the enemy was given the mission to blunt the enemy attack and prevent their success. At 13:30 the division commander ordered to assault at the lowest altitude submachinegunners and machinegunners on the northern edge of Hubertusru*. Comrade Belyakov was a member of nine IL-2s under the command of Guards Captain Adrianov to accomplish the mission. Planning an attack angle of 35-40 degrees, Cormade Belyakov descended upon the enemy and fire from his cannons and machineguns, as well as bombs, destroyed enemy personnel on the positions occupied by the enemy. Commander of the 1 Guards Assault Aviation Corps General-Lieutenant of Aviation Ryazanov and Front Commander Marshal of the Soviet Union Comrade Konev observed the group’s work and gave a high evaluation of it. For excellent accomplishment of the combat mission, aviation corps commander General-Lieutenant of Aviation Ryzanov expressed his thanks to the entire group and held them up as exemplary to all the units. Several facts bear witness to the effectiveness of their work over the target. After the ground assault and bombing of personnel on the narrow sector, Hubertusru was occupied by our troops. The effectiveness of all combat sorties was verified by commanders’ observation posts, fighter aviation cover, aerial film footage, wingmen, and ground forces’ command. He is a self-disciplined, education, and cultured officer. He is a fearless assault aviation pilot, accomplishing all his combat missions in an exemplary manner. For 27 effective combat sorties, excellent ground attack and bombing strikes accompanying attacking formations of the 1 Ukrainian Front he destroyed five tanks and armored personnel carriers, seven vehicles, four air defense batteries, eight carts, an ammunitions depot, three explosions, four major fires, and destroying 70 soldiers and officers, as well as displaying bravery, steadfastness, valor, and courage, he is deserving of the Order of the Patriotic War I Class. Signed Commander, 141 Guards Assault Aviation Regiment, Guards Major Kompaniets on 27 April 1945 *Geographic place name is an approximation based off of transliterated Russian from German translated into English Award Sheet Last name, name, and patrionymic: Belyakov, Grigroii Grigorevich Rank: Guards Junior Lieutenant Duty position: Pilot – 141 Guards Sandomir Order of Kutuzov Assault Aviation Regiment, 9 Guards Krasnograd Red Banner Assault Aviation Division, 1 Guards Kirovograd Red Banner Order of Suvorov Assault Aviation Corps Recommendation for the Order of the Red Banner Born: 1921 Nationality: Russian 6. In Red Army: since May 1941 Party membership: Comsomol member since 1938 Previous combat: since 23.9.1944 on the 1 Ukrainian Front to present Wounds or shell-shock: n/a Previous awards: Bravery Medal by 9 Guards Assault Aviation Division on 6.4.1945 Inducted by: Kaluga Regional Military Commissariat, Tula Oblast Home of record: [trans: entry intentionally obscured] Short description of personal combat feat or accomplishment Comrade Belyakov completed 59 successful combat sorties in his IL-2 during the Patriotic War. He was awarded the Bravery Medal for valor and courage displayed during ten combat sorties. For 27 successful combat sorties and powerful assaults and bombing missions against the enemy he was recommended for the Order of the Patriotic War I Class. After recommendation for this award, he accomplished an additional 22 effective combat sorties as part of the First Ukrainian Front while accompanying offensive combat actions surrounding and destroying German forces southwest of Oppeln,* penetrating the heavily reinforced and deeply echeloned German defense along the Neisse river, against the surrounded city of Berlin, destroying enemy pockets around Berlin, and during the capture of the German capitol Berlin. Operating repeatedly under difficult meteorological conditions under heavy enemy ground air defense and aerial fighter resistance, he always operated steadfastly and decisively, accomplishing his combat missions in an excellent manner, delivering heavy blows upon the enemy and ground attacks, then returning to his airfield. As a result of his steadfast and bold bombing and ground strafing activity, he destroyed four tanks, two armored personnel carriers, eight vehicles, two air defense batteries, four carts with military equipment, and caused three major explosions, killing as many as 65 enemy soldiers and officers. He participated in two aerial dogfights with enemy fighters, displaying exemplary courage and assisting his comrades. On 18.4.1945 while accomplishing a ground assault and bombing mission in a group of four IL-2 aircraft led by Guards Senior Lieutenant Blinov against the enemy near Gross Ossing, their activity destroyed two vehicles, two air defense cannons, and set a major fire despite intensive enemy air defense fire. The effectiveness of all combat sorties was verified by commanders’ observation posts, fighter aviation cover, aerial film footage, wingmen, and ground forces’ command. He is a self-disciplined, education, and cultured officer. He is a fearless assault aviation pilot, accomplishing all his combat missions in an exemplary manner. For 22 effective combat sorties, bold and decisive actions in combat, delivering heavy destruction upon enemy personnel and equipment and destroying four tanks, two armored personnel carriers, eight vehicles, two air defense batteries, four carts with military equipment, causing three powerful explosions, and destroying 65 enemy soldiers and officers as part of the First Ukrainian Front offensive operations during the encirclement and destruction of German pockets south-west of Oppeln, along the Neisse, as well as in and around the German capitol of Berlin, and for displaying valor and courage, he is deserving of the Order of the Red Banner. Signed Commander, 141 Guards Assault Aviation Regiment, Guards Major Kompaniets on (?) May 1945 *Geographic place name is an approximation based off of transliterated Russian from German translated into English

Agreed, this is one guy that everyone likely wanted to keep safe.

Thanks again to Auke. This is my most prized group. In case you are wondering, I'm too lazy to post pics. As for authenication, I only buy from repuable sellers after being burnt with fakes years ago. Award sheet 1. Last name, first name and patronymic: Gamkhitashvili, Matvei Grigoryevich 2. Rank: Guards Senior Sergeant 3. Position and unit: Senior cook in the Headquarters Company of the 20th Guards Iaşi Tank Brigade Nominated for: Medal for Courage 4. Year of birth: January 25, 1916 5. Nationality: Georgian 6. Party affiliation: Member of the Communist Party since 1942 7. Participation in the Civil War and the following combat actions for the defense of the USSR (where and when): Has been participating in the Patriotic War since 1941 on the Western, Voronezh, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Ukrainian Front 8. Wounds and contusions received during the Patriotic War: Lightly wounded on June 1, 1941 9. Since when in the Red Army: September 25, 1939 10. Drafted by which military commissariat: Military Commissariat of the Leningor Raion, South Ossetian Oblast 11. Awards received previously (for which merits): Order of the Red Star by Order of the 20th Guards Tank Brigade of October 4, 1944 12. Permanent home address (of theprospective awardee or his family): ______________ Short, concrete description of his combat feat or merits: During the brigade’s combat actions since March 10, 1945, comrade Gamkhitashvili, serving as senior cook, showed a conscientious attitude toward the duties assigned to him. He devoted a lot of efforts to preparing good-quality food for the men. He personally visits the front line to feed the men. On March 23, 1945, near Mesechka, city of Devecser, the enemy fired at the observation post with artillery and mortars, making food deliveries impossible. Comrade Gamkhitashvili took a thermos and with a group of soldiers he found his way to the observation post unharmed using a hidden path, feeding all men in time. For valor and courage he deserves the Medal for Courage. Commander of the Headquarters Company of the 20th Guards Tank Brigade Guards Lieutenant-Technician [signed] /Pichushkin/ March 31, 1945 Award sheet 1. Last name, first name and patronymic: Gamkhitashvili, Matvei Grigoryevich 2. Rank: Guards Sergeant 3. Position and unit: Senior cook in the Technical Support Company of the 20th Guards Tank Brigade Nominated for: Order of the Red Star 4. Year of birth: January 25, 1916 5. Nationality: Georgian 6. Party affiliation: Member of the Communist Party since October 1942 7. Participation in the Civil War and the following combat actions for the defense of the USSR (where and when): Has been participating in the Patriotic War since June 22, 1941 on the Southwestern, Stalingrad, Don, Bryansk, Voronezh, 1st Ukrainian, and 2nd Ukrainian Front 8. Wounds and contusions received during the Patriotic War: No 9. Since when in the Red Army: Since September 25, 1939 10. Drafted by which military commissariat: Military Commissariat of the LeningorRaion, South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast 11. Awards received previously (for which merits): Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad 12. Permanent home address (of the prospective awardee or his family): ______________ Short, concrete description of his combat feat or merits: During the brigade’s period of combat actions during the Great Patriotic War, Guards Sergeant Gamkhitashvili uses all his skills to prepare tasty, high-quality food. Serving as senior cook, he provided all men of the company with hot and tasty food, disregarding the time of day and his fatigue and regardless of the circumstances. For his zealous and conscientious devotion to his duties, Guards Sergeant Gamkhitashvili deserves the Order of the Red Star. Award sheet 1. Last name, first name and patronymic: Gamkhitashvili, Matvei Grigoryevich 2. Rank: Guards Senior Sergeant 3. Position and unit: Senior cook in the Headquarters Company of the 20th Guards Iaşi Red Banner Order of Kutuzov Tank Brigade Nominated for: Order of Glory, 3rd Class 4. Year of birth: 1916 5. Nationality: Georgian 6. Party affiliation: Member of the Communist Party since 1942 7. Participation in the Civil War, the following combat actions for the defense of the USSR and the Patriotic War (where and when): Has been participating in the Patriotic War since July 1941 8. Wounds and contusions received during the Patriotic War: No 9. Since when in the Red Army: Since 1939 10. Drafted by which military commissariat: Military Commissariat of the Leningor Raion, South Ossetian Oblast 11. Awards received previously (for which merits): Order of the Red Star by Order nr. 014/N of October 1, 1944 and Medal for Courage by Order nr. 06/N of April 15, 1945 12. Permanent home address of the prospective awardee and the address of his family: ______________ Short, concrete description of his combat feat or merits: During the period of combat actions against the Japanese invaders since August 9, 1945, comrade Gamkhitashvili was always active among the foremost units. Crossing desolate dry riverbeds, day and night he showed great concern for the men and for the preparation of hot food, regardless of the time of day. During the march he showed personal initiative. He delivered food products to the men near Bolshoi Khshpai. Day and night, regardless of the time of day, he carried out all orders from the commanders. For overcoming all difficulties, comrade Gamkhitashvili deserves the Order of Glory, 3rd Class.

Auke: Very interesting article but a very sad ending. Paul: Hard to say as she was a civilian. ?? not sure man.

Thanks Auke! 1. Last name: Rogulyova 2. First name and patronymic: Lidia Yefimovna 3. Military rank: Civilian employee 4. Sex: Female 5. Year of birth: 1914 6. Place of birth: Village of Vorlamovo, Chelyabinsk Oblast 7. Party membership (since which year): Not a member 8. Education: Secondary 9. Nationality: Russian 10. Since which year in the Red Army: From February 10 to February 12, 1943 11. Place of service (name of the unit) and position at the time of the award: Scout in the 6th Artillery Regiment, 74th Rifle Division 12. Current place of service and position: Teacher at Akhtyrka School for Seven-Year-Olds, Kolpny Raion, Oryol Oblast 13. Home address of the awardee: Village of Akhtyrka, Akhtyrka Rural Municipality, Kolpny Raion, Oryol Oblast 14. Record of all awards received: Medal for Courage 127438 Temporary certificate nr. 303610 Order of the 6th Artillery Regiment nr. 7/N of February 23, 1943 The Medal for Courage to: Lidia Yefimovna Rogulyova, a teacher at Akhtyrka Junior High School, for the fact that she carried out a special task for the command of the 6th Artillery Regiment, 74th Rifle Division. She crossed the front line, infiltrated into the enemy positions in the village of Grechik, Kolpny Raion,Oryol Oblast, and, displaying heroism and courage, determined the enemy’s strength, his firepower, and his types of weaponry. Upon returning she provided the headquarters of the artillery regiment with valuable information about the enemy, right at the time when the division didn’t possess accurate information about the enemy. While at the enemy positions, comrade Rogulyova was wounded, but nonetheless she honorably carried out the task entrusted to her. Born in 1914, not a party member, Russian. Home address: Village of Akhtyrka, Kolpny Raion, Oryol Oblast. Regimental commander Major [signed] /Anisimov/

Complicating matters also is that there are sub archives within the archives. Case in point, I recently received an army RB citation that was not found in Podolsk but rather in the Moscow archvies. Ain't Army..............Army? Have been told that within the KGB archives exist a number of sub archives inc. "Traitors of the Soviet Union" division. We have also seen archival docs for sale on Ebay,ie., the originals. When you think about it, an unscrupulous collector would want a sniper's docs just like award collectors would want the sniper's awards.

Jim: Agreed on it being very speculative. Just for the sake of discussion though. Auke: But you are the Research Guru and da man of research. However, what about all the non researchables that we have had? They all can't be KGB. Rogi: Excellent point. I never thought of that. thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Gentlemen, Many believe that everyone who served during the war and all their citations are in Podvignaroda. This isn't the case. What precentage of citations overall, etc. do you think were destroyed in battles, etc. and were lost forever during and after the war? I'll say 25% of the overall.

Hi Jim, I reckon it is worth a try but would not hold my breath. The worst they could say is no. I think the vast majoirty of research that we see is being condcuted by people there during their breaks or after hours to make some extra money. They do it but it is likely a no no for them to do it offically. I think that if you lived there and knew someone there, the process would be much easier (as well as the price). But for outsiders, it is likely a different story to show up there. I knew/dealt with someone who worked there-a pleasant enough fella but discussing what Russians are paying was a no no and I never got a definitive answer. Due to the fact that my Russian is poor and the cost of sending money over there is a pain in the butt, I have just dealt directly with a forum member here to get research done.

100% correct on many of them (not all) frowning upon us collecting the awards and, for that matter, knowing more about the war than they do. I've experienced this many times. As for awards leaving Russia, etc., I have heard many times from reputable people who receive bundles of awards regularly from the former Soviet bloc.

Cool pics Jim. However, for non citizens of Russia, I have just found out that it is a difficult process involving a great deal of red tape. It is very evident that people who live there know people at the archives thus the greasing of palms commences. I'd just like to know what average Ivan is paying.

Thank you for the input. I was informed last week that KGB/Labour are "shutdown" now. From the onset of the records being available, we were told not to post the research online because it was not sanctioned by the higher ups in these archives. I knew it wouldn't last. The wrong somebody found out resulting in the closure. Don't feel bad if your lousy researcher for the above was located in eastern Europe. Many of us got burned by him, his prices and his bs.

I know that business is real good in all the archives resulting in delays and, unfortunately, complacency. Having said this, it is real nice to get back the stories behind the heros. Agreed, it would be great to hear from the natives. Regardless of how low their cost may be in comparision you what we pay, we will never see those prices here in the west. Plus, the cost of sending the money to Russia is sky high. Ya mean I lost out on your CD? : (

It should be noted that for every 5 research conducted, Ferdinand will provide a CD of him singing Katyusha while playing the banjo. I'm not sure if this was a limited time offer or not. Perhaps he can confirm?

Not sure if this is the appropriate place to post this but perhaps Paul can move it if required. So there we were a few years ago, possessing all kinds of awards but no research available. Then the archives opened up. Suddenly a great joy as we could now research awards. The cost was sky high though but we paid it anyway. Over time, the cost dropped dramtically. Ultimately, middlemen in Russia/Ukraine, were making a huge profit from us dumb westerners. This is a fact and cannot be refuted. Now the cost of research in the Central Archives is less than half of that from years ago. Many thanks to Ferdinand for being the most honest of those who ever offered the service-best prices also. I have had extensive experience in conducting research. It appears that whether army, navy, partisan or KGB, there exists sub archives within all of the archives mentioned. New doors are opening up as time progresses. Good luck though on KGB and labour. : ( I have a question for JapanX and perhaps others who might know. For years in Podolsk, was/is the going rate there $30 or $40 for record card and citation (ie., for those living there)? Anybody else have any research lamantations or experiences that they want to share? A