Soviet Order of the Red Star #1202681

Description

 

 

 

Soviet Order of the Red Star #1202681

 

Source

Awarded to T-34 driver Guards Sr. Sergeant Petr Andreevich Belij (Петр Андреевич Белый)

 

For fending off several enemy attacks, eliminated 15 enemy troops and being the first to rush into the settlement and thus enabling the advance of the other tanks

 

 

Made of silver and enamels. Measures 48.40 mm in width, 46.71 mm in height and weighs 29.6 gram without its screwplate. The serial number is located at the 6 o’clock position and the mint mark on the 12 o’clock position of its reverse.

 

This original order of the Red Star is in a decent, worn condition. Many details on its centre medallion are worn off but the lettering, the silhouette of the soldiers and some facial features are still visible. The enamel is mostly present but shows several dings, some flaking and a larger superficial chip in the 3 o’clock ray of the star. Its reverse is in better condition and shows its serial number and mint mark perfectly well. There have been no repairs and the screw is full length. It comes with its time period and well fitted screwplate.

 

Not in the best possible condition but with interesting research to a driver of the legendary T-34 tank. Scarce as such!

 

 

Short translation of the citation:

“Mechanic-driver Guards Sr. Sergeant BELIJ served in the crew of the tank commander Guards Jr.Lt. MAKSIMOV. He skilfully manoeuvred his tank across the rugged mountainous terrain and was constantly engaged in combat operations for the settlements Rymanów, Tylawa, Ropianka during 08-30 September 1944. In the engagement for the settlement Rymanów, his crew participated in fending off several enemy attack and eliminated 15 enemy troops in the process. In the engagement for the settlement Ropianka, Guards Sr.Sgt. BELIJ’s tank was the first to rush into the settlement and thus enabled the advance of the other tanks. He sustained a contusion in an engagement for the settlement Ropianka on 29 September 1944.

He deserves state award – order “RED STAR”.”

 

This Red Star was awarded for the battle near the Dukla pass. There is a huge open air monument in the area called “The Death Valley” and commemorates the WW2 battles in the Autumn of 1944. No less than 20 tanks are placed around the field to illustrate the armour attack. A video of this area can be viewed here 

 

Next to the ‘standard’ research we have also included a battle map of the area and the combat diary of the 14th Guards tank brigade in the picture gallery

 

 

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