Description

Soviet Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 3rd class #4024

Фадеев Николай Васильевич

Awarded to Guards Jr. Lieutenant Nikolaj Vasilevich Fadeev (Николай Васильевич Фадеев)

For his skillful command which enabled uninhibited advance of the rifle company towards the settlement of Neu Trakehnen (East Prussia). His flanking machine-gun fire allowed to push the enemy out and quickly seize this important enemy stronghold in the area

Made of solid silver. It measures 45.99 mm in height; 44.95 mm in width and weighs 29.8 grams. The serial number and the mint mark Monetni Dvor are located at the 6 o’clock position on the reverse. The minimum know serial number is 3203 and the maximum number is 9890. At the top right of the screwpost an ‘7’ is stamped, often referred to as a ‘makers mark’

This original order is in excellent, well above average condition with most details still visible. Even the higher layer parts show light wear only. The order shows a light patina on both sides and relatively few dings and scratches. There have been no repairs and the screw is full length. The order comes with its time period and well fitted silver screwplate.

A scarce piece with extensive research!

Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:

“Comrade FADEEV N.V. skilfully commanded his platoon and deployed his machine-gun crews in the offensive operation near the settlement Neu Trakehnen (East Prussia) on 13 January 1945. His skillful command enabled uninhibited advance of our rifle company towards the settlement. Also, his flanking machine-gun fire allowed to push the enemy out and quickly seize this important enemy stronghold in the area.

For exhibiting personal initiative in the combat mission and assisting to the success in the operation, he deserves state award – order “BOGDAN KHMELNITSKY III CLASS””

Below you can find the full translation of the research:

– register card

– citation

More information on Lt. Fadeev can be found here

Additional research:

The citation states clearly the place (Neu Trakehnen or otherwise called Alt Kattenau) and time (13/01/1945) of the engagement, in which FADEEV distinguished himself. The veteran served in the 295GuRR, 96GuRD, 28 Army. In January 1945, the 28th army was located near the East Prussian town Stallupönen.

Stallupönen (renamed to Ebenrode in 1938) was one of the first German East Prussian towns to be captured by the Red Army on 25 October 1944. The front line stabilized until 13 January 1945, when the 3 Belorussian front, including the 28 army, commenced the East Prussia offensive. Until the 07th January, the sector just West of Stallupönen was occupied by the 157 rifle division, which was replaced by the 96GuRD on the night 7-8 January 1945. This was the furthest right flank position of the 28 army. The rifle troops of 96GuRD were comprised of 291, 293, and 295 Guards rifle regiments.

The opposing German force, according to the Soviet intelligence, was 1099 infantry regiment, 549 infantry division supported by 10 tanks and artillery.

The first day objectives given to the rifle units and brief description of the action can be found in the 293GuRR combat journal. Note, it isn’t FADDEV’s 295th rifle regiment. But the combat diary is available only for the 293rd, and the actions and objectives were very similar as the regiment operated in the same sector.

The immediate/primary objective was to reach the line: stand alone houses 0.6km West of Kiaulacken – Noruszuppen, i.e. app 1km advance. The secondary follow up objective was to reach the line Kattenau – Neu Trakehnen, i.e. 6km advance. The end of the day objective was to reach the settlement Karmohnen, 11km advance.

13 January at 03:00, the 96GuRD began concentration of forces in the first trench lines. This must have been noticed by Germans, as there were delivered 4 artillery barrages (amounting to 150 heavy caliber shells) on the Soviet forward trench lines. The offensive began after a 2-hour long artillery barrage of the German positions. The rifle regiments spearheaded with 2 battalions, keeping the third battalion immediately behind in case an emergency reinforcement would be required. They were supported by tanks and field artillery. The first German trench line was rushed at 10:50 and overran after a brief hand to hand fight. Keeping the pace, and just after 20 minutes interval, the battalions rushed the second trench line, following the artillery rolling barrage wall. By 13:00, the Western side of Wilkinnen was reached, thus completing the primary objective – breaking through the prime enemy defence line. The units had a brief pause for resupply and to allow field artillery to catch up. Here, they were again subjected to a heavy German Nebelwerfer strikes from the firing positions West of Kattenau.

After massive artillery strike aimed at the Eastern side of Kattenau, which was the local German stronghold, the division continued the attack later during the day, meeting growing enemy resistance. After breaking through the German trench line surrounding Kattenau, the riflemen rushed the town and engaged in street fighting. The day ended with Red Army taking over Kattenau after inflicting the enemy heavy losses and capturing 13 Nebelwerfer launchers, which had previously harassed them by massive fire opposition during the whole day of assault.

As a result of the first day offensive, the 96GuRD, together with the 54GuRD, broke through the enemy’s defences to a depth of 6 km thus achieving the greatest success in the 28 army. Secondary objective, Kattenau – Neu Trakehnen, was also reached. It is here, on the approaches to Neu Trakehnen, FADDEV distinguished himself on the first day of the East Prussia offensive.

Also included in the picture gallery are:

map of the objectives of day 1 for the 295th Guards Rifle Regiment (295GuRR), 96th Guards Rifle Division (96GuRD)
map 96GuRD near Shalluponen
picture of the view toward German positions seen from 96GuRD
scan of a picture of Lt. Fadeev
combat journal 293GuRR on 13 January 1945