Description

Soviet Order of the Red Banner #137526

Awarded to Sergeant Pavel Egorovich Mokretsov (Павел Егорович Макрецов)

For exceptional resilience and courage while fighting in Poland where he personally killed 30(!) enemy soldiers at 50 meters to point-blank range. When his machine gun was put out of action by hand grenades, he did not leave the line of defence and continued fighting with his personal weapons

This Red Banner can be considered to be a complete group for it was the only numbered award Mokretsov recieved

Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 45.42 mm in height, 36.88 mm in width and it weighs 25.3 gram without its suspension. The serial number and mint mark are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse.

This Order of the Red Banner is in decent condition with medium wear on the higher laying parts but most details still visible. The white enamel is flawless and the red enamel shows some flaking around the edges and a chip on the bottom of the top banner. Two of the 3 rays of the center star have lost most of their red enamels. Its connection ring has not been cut and the order comes with its time period double layer steel suspension and old ribbon.

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

In battle, he is a brave, resolute and resourceful gun commander. Excellently knowing his special business. In the battles for the Socialist Homeland, he showed exceptional resilience and courage in the fight against the German invaders. In the battle for the height 252.0 near Gazdava on 08/12/1944 with his gun during the day four times repulsed attacks of superior enemy forces. Comrade MAKREZOV allowed the fascist submachine gunners to 50 meters and at point-blank shot the fire of his gun. Comrade MAKREZOV himself was shooting from the heavy machine gun. When the cannon was put out of action, Comrade MAKREZOV with his crew continued to repel attacks from personal weapons. Even when the gun was thrown by hand grenades and set ablaze, Comrade MAKREZOV also continued to repel the submachine gunners and did not abandon his line. The important height was held. MAKREZOV personally killed 30 enemy soldiers in this battle.”

He is worthy of the government award, the Order “RED BANNER”

More info on Sgt. Mokretsov can be found here

Also included in the picture gallery are 3 scans of relevant combat maps

Please contact us with questions