Description

Researched Soviet Order of Alexander Nevsky #4772

Awarded to Guards Major Vasilii Vasilevich Ignatenko (Василий Васильевич Игнатенко)

For tremendous successes at the town of Nevel in 1943

Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 49.85 mm in height, 48.61 mm in width and weighs 44.3 gram. The serial number is located at the 5 o’clock position on its reverse.

This order of Nevsky has been converted from a suspension type to a screwback using the original parts of its suspension. Most likely done by the awardee to comply with the new 1943 regulations. Despite being converted, the orde is in relative good condition considering it is an early type. Most enamel has been lost but the details on its center medallion are crisp and much gold plating is still present.

A rare piece with very interesting research and lots of character!

Short Description of his feat of arms or achievements:

“Commanding the regiment during fighting for Nevel, he fully accomplished his assigned combat missions. Despite having accomplished two combat missions including penetrating an enemy defensive line while attached to the 28 Rifle Division then developing the division’s success, all Guards Major Ignatenko’s subordinate battalions occupied their fighting positions in a timely manner due to the his initiative, energy, and heroism.

While accompanying the division’s units during their movement to the Koshelevo line the roads turned out to be impassable. As regimental commander he made the bold move to bypass the roads, moving through (fields?) and extricated them to (?) despite being towed by horses, the result of which the regiment’s artillery batteries advanced into the city with the lead motorized infantry units and tanks. During combat engagements the artillery small units operated in combined arms fashion with the infantry forces.

On 8.10.43 when the enemy penetrated into Zemskaya Boev(?), the regimental commander deployed the first battalion into a direct fire position, repelled the attack, and brought the situation under control. During fighting for the city of Nevel the regiment destroyed five medium tanks, three artillery batteries, six mortar batteries, 24 machineguns, eight vehicles loaded with infantry, six carts and crews, three bunkers with machineguns, two observation posts and suppressed four 105mm artillery batteries, three 81.4mm mortar batteries, and eight machineguns. As many as 600 enemy soldiers and officers were killed. During fighting for the city as many as 30 infantry and armoured enemy counterattacks were repelled.

For displayed bravery and valor, as well as capably managed fire support and maneuver, he is deserving of the State decoration of the Order of Alexander Nevsky.”

Below the full translation:

Translation Ignatenko