Soviet SU-Awards for combat medics and stretcher bearers during the GPW

[Christian Zulus]

Gentlemen,

the organization and system of medical evacuation and treatment is a crucial point in any war and in any army. Despite the german propaganda and some stories from the Western Allies, the Red Army had a rather perfect and effective medical system, definitly superior to the german one and at least at the same level as US-Forces at WW II. Perfect medical evacuation and treatment had been also a source for the victory of the Red Army against the 3rd Reich.

There had been also special regulations concerning awards for combat medics and stretcher bearers, whose work was accompanied by enormous risk to their own lives.

On 23rd of august 1941 comrade Stalin himself signed the Order No. 281, "Concerning the procedure for recommending combat medics and stretcher bearers for government awards":

"The following recommendations are implemented to encourage the combat efforts of medics and stretcher bearers:

1. Recommend the awarding of the medal "For Combat Service" or "For Valour" for each medic or stretcher bearer who carries fifteen wounded with their rifles or light machine guns fromt the battlefield;

2. .... Red Star .... 25 .... ;

3. .... Red Bannner .... 40 .... ;

4. .... Lenin .... 80 .... ."

In addition to Stalin's Order the regulations of the "Order of Glory" from november 1943 say:

"- while risking their life, rendered aid in the course of a battle to the wounded under enemy fire;"

So, in my opinion the Glory for combat medics was an additional valour award to the above noted for numbers of saved comrades, because the regulations are much stiffer:

- risking life

- during the course of a battle (not after the battle!)

- under enemy fire

Among the 4 female Cavaliers of the Order of Glory there was Sergeant Major M. S. Nosdratsheva, who worked as a instructor-medic and fullfilled the above noted regulations for the Order of Glory at least 3 times.

For example a Red Army comrade, who personally saved 90 comrades and 2 times (1944/45) under very risky conditions would have received:

- Medal for Valour (or Combat Service)

- Red Star

- Red Banner

- Lenin

- Glory 3cl

- Glory 2cl

Best regards

Christian Zulus

[Ed_Haynes]

Interesting, see the solo Order of Glory 3 to First Sergeant A. V. Grebenschchikova.

See: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2329

Her recommendation:

"When fighting against German invaders Guards First Sergeant Grebenschchikova was among the first to cross in the forging of the River Oder [ca. 22 Jan 1945] and under strong machine-gun and artillery fire rendered medical assistance to 75 wounded. She took 63 heavily wounded persons with their personal weapons away from the battlefield.

"The Guards First Sergeant Grebenschchikova deserves a government award, Order of the Red Banner."

While this award was down-graded to an Order of Glory, it was approved 20 March 1945. The medal, however, was not physically awarded until 28 March 1990. The 23 year old nurse got the award for her deeds when she was 70.

[Riley1965]

Christian and Ed,

Thank You for the information about a subject that hits home...Fellow Medics. The award criteria is very interesting!!!

Thank You,

Doc

[Christian Zulus]

Doc,

many thanks for your commentary

Ed,

did comrade Grebenschchikova receive any other medals or orders as listed in Stalin's Order?

Best regards

Christian

[Ed_Haynes]

Ed,

did comrade Grebenschchikova receive any other medals or orders as listed in Stalin's Order?

Best regards

Christian

'

Unless there is some duplicate documentation out there that has eluded research (always possible ), this seems to have been her only medal. What I have is in the linked thread.

[Gerd Becker]

Interesting info, Christian.

Well this is neither a combat medic nor a stretcher bearer, but a Colonel of Medical Service, Commander of Evacuation Hospital 325 in the city of Irkurtsk for the entire war. Here is his Long-Service Order of the Red Banner:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=10295

Gerd

[Christian Zulus]

Lieber Gerd,

in Irkutsk his only chance was a long service award .

O.K., but I assume, that the so called "long-service-awards" had also the function to compensate achievments of the rewarded person through the last years.

I think, that comrade Filenius as the commander of the Evacuation Hospital 325 located in Irkutsk had no other change, than to get his ORB & Lenin via "long-service".

If you are far away from the battle line, than you only have the "long-service-awards" .

I assume, that also the so called "long-service-awards" had their meritorious function in the Soviet system.

Liebe Gr??e aus Wien

Christian

Interesting info, Christian.

Well this is neither a combat medic nor a stretcher bearer, but a Colonel of Medical Service, Commander of Evacuation Hospital 325 in the city of Irkurtsk for the entire war. Here is his Long-Service Order of the Red Banner:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=10295

Gerd