Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #600026

Description

 

 

 

Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #600026

 

Awarded to Jr. Lieutenant Petr Ivanovich Bolshakov (Петр Иванович Большаков)

 

For being the first to rush into the enemy trenches, personally eliminating 10 Hitlerites, saving a tank and not leaving the battlefield while being wounded

 

Scarce small ‘Fish Eye’ variation

 

 

Made of solid silver, gold and enamels. The order weighs 23.4 gram without its screwplate and measures 42.51 mm in width and 44.63 mm in height.

This original order of the Patriotic War 2nd class is in decent condition with all details crisp. The enamel shows several scratches, contact marks and dings but is without repairs. The order comes with its original, time period and well fitted screwplate and its screw has not been shortened.

‘Fish Eye’ variations were produced by the Leningrad Mint and are significant smaller than the other wartime orders of the Patriotic War. This relatively small variation is highly sought by collectors for its very distinctive look and relative rarity. The lowest known number in this range of this variation is #580061 and the highest known number is #617896.

 

Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits

In the combat engagements against the German invaders near the settlement Rubanij Most on 24 February 1944, Jr. Lieutenant BOLSHAKOV and his platoon was the first to reach and rush the enemy trenches. Accompanying the company commander, he personally eliminated 10 Hitlerites by the fire of his submachine-gun. Jr. Lieutenant BOLSHAKOV and his platoon was assigned to escort a tank and protect it from the enemy attacks. He was wounded in this mission, but remained on the battlefield until after the tank brigade commander had arrived with the reinforcement. This heroic feat saved our tank from destruction.

Junior Lieutenant BOLSHAKOV deserves state award order “PATRIOTIC WAR II CLASS”

 

The full translation can be found below:

– register card

– citation

 

More information on Lt. Bolshakov can be read here

 

Also included in the picture gallery are scans of a map of Rubanij Most and a combat diary of the 104th Rifle Corps on 27 Feb 1944

 

 

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