Documented group of an Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #170158, Red Star #569864 and Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #3747522

Description

 

 

 

Soviet Documented group of two Orders of the Patriotic War and a Red Star

 

Awarded to Guards Master Sergeant Mikhail Iosifovich Zasanskij (Михаил Иосифович Засанский)

 

For eliminating 11 soldiers and being the first to lead his men into the enemy trenches and over the Oder River. Recommended for the Order of the Red Banner

 

 

 

This group consists of the following items:

 

Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #170158

Made of solid gold, silver and enamels. Measures 46.05 mm in height, 43.12 mm in width and weighs 29.3 gram.

This order of the Patriotic War 1st class is in excellent condition. The gold base shows almost no dings or scratches on either side. The red and white enamels has several tiny dings and scratches but is free from flaking and repairs. The screw of the order has not been shortened and the order comes with its time period screwplate.

 

Order of the Red Star #569864

Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 47.99 mm in width, 46.78 in height and weighs 27.1 gram.

The order is in worn condition with substantial enamel damage. The silver end of the 7 o’clock ray has been damaged too. The screw has not been shortened and the order comes with its time period silver screwplate. It seems likely the damage to this Red Star was the result Zasanskij’s fierce fighting in the trenches (see the citation below). Especially since his Order of the Patriotic War 1st class is in much better condition.

 

Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #3747522 with its matching document

Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 46.39 mm in height (incl. the eyelet), 44.31 mm in width and weighs 27.0 gram.

This order is in excellent condition with problem free enamels. All details are crisp and it comes with its time period screwplate. The document mentions the matching serial number.

 

Order Booklet mentioning the Order of the Patriotic War 1st class and the Red Star

In excellent condition with all pages present and firmly attached.

 

 

Research of the Order of the Patriotic War 1st class:

“In the engagement for the town Chęciny on 14 January 1945, Guards master sergeant ZASANSKIJ exhibited courage and bravery. He inspired his men for the feats and was one of the first to get through the barbed wire obstacles. Together with a groups of submachine gunners, he rushed into the enemy trenches and engaged in the fight on the outskirts of the settlement. He eliminated 5 enemy soldiers armed with “Faustpatrons” in this engagement.

Guards master sergeant ZASANSKIJ was the first in the following engagements: at the town Burzenin on 20.01.1945 and during forced crossing of the Oder river on 29.01.1945. He and the group of submachine gunners was the first to cross the river, killed 6 enemy troops and thus provided crossing possibility to the whole unit.

For courage and bravery, he is worthy of order “Red Banner”. ”

 

Research of the Order of the Red Star:

As a unit commander he bravely leaded his unit in battle. In all the battles earlier, especially in the forest beyond the city of Gwimalow, he was the first to break into the village and seize the machine gun by detachment and ensure that the forward sub-division breaks through.

Worthy of being awarded the state award of the medal “For Courage”.

 

Below you can find the full translation:

Citation OPWI 170158 ZASANSKIJ

 

 

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