Description

Soviet Order of the Red Banner 2nd award #1892 Reissue Award

Awarded to Colonel (and later General Major) Pavel Nikolaevich Osmolovsky (Павел Николаевич Осмоловский)

For huge successes as one of the best artillery officers in the division. Probably the longest citation we have encountered. A real ‘must read’!

Made of silver and enamels. Measures 37.44 mm in width, 45.38 mm in height and weighs 23.6 gram without its suspension. The mint mark is located above the serial number in one straight line.

This original order is in near mint condition and impossible to upgrade. Even the the higher laying parts like the torch and the centre wreath are virtually without wear. The red and white enamels are absolutely stunning without repairs, dings scratches or chipping. All the gold plating is still present and its reverse shows a nice medium dark toning to the silver.

Reissue awards were given by the Soviet Government to a recipient, as a replacement piece, in exchange for the same order or medal of an earlier type which was no longer authorized for awarding by new regulations. The new reissue piece retains the serial number from the original award piece. Many early suspension or screwback awards were exchanged for the new type of award, particularly during the period immediately following the end of the Great Patriotic War. During the June 1945 Victory Parade in Moscow following the defeat of Germany in World War Two, soldiers participating in the Parade were expected to have the latest type of award on their uniforms and undoubtedly many were exchanged for that parade. These pieces are extremely rare.

A beautiful piece to a real Soviet General with amazing research!

Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:

Colonel OSMOLOVSKY has been serving in the active field forces from the first days of the Patriotic war, first, as the commander of artillery troops of 51 Army, and later as the Chief of Staff of artillery troops of 9 Army. On these positions, he proved himself as a devoted son of the Socialist Motherland, who dedicated all his energy to the destruction of the Hitler’s bandits, who treacherously invaded our Socialist Motherland.

He personally ventured to the most decisive sectors of the front, where he personally commanded the artillery crews, defending against the enemy attacks and destroying the enemy armour, which penetrated into our positions.

On 09.08.1941, the 348 rifle regiment (51 rifle division) was attacked by the enemy armour near the kolkhoz “Vorms” during our retreat to the positions behind the Dniester river. The 348 rifle regiment began retreating in disarray abandoning it’s military equipment. And the supporting 218 artillery regiment also began to retreat. Accompanied by the Chief of Staff, colonel OSMOLOVSKY personally rushed to the forward line. Parts of the infantry troops, anti-tank artillery, and several batteries of 218 artillery regiment were stopped, turned around, and deployed to cover the general retreat of our forces. He personally commanded the gun pieces and managed to repel 3 enemy armour attacks, hitting or destroying 5 tanks. In the evening on the same day, he organised and personally led the evacuation of the artillery pieces of 218 artillery regiment, which were abandoned on the enemy controlled territory. Under the enemy artillery and mortar fire, 5 cannons and 2 field guns were rescued.

On 14.08.1941, during the retreat from the town Nikolaev, the headquarters of 51 rifle division were moving alone having only 1 battery of 45mm guns and 1 AA battery with them. Approaching the khutor Andreevsky, the column was subjected to the enemy tank artillery fire followed by the armour assault (5 tanks).

Colonel OSMOLOVSKY organised defences. Personally commanding one of the batteries (the other battery was led by the Chief of Staff Mj. MALYSHEV), he allowed the enemy to close to 200m and repelled the attack hitting 1 tank and capturing 1 tank in operational condition. This allowed the headquarters of 51 rifle division to escape with minimal losses (except the killed gun crew members).

In the night to 24.09.1941, the 51 rifle division was sent to the settlement Kakhovka with the purpose of liquidating the enemy troops, which crossed the Dnieper river. On 27.09.1941, the division went into offensive near the khutor Kisly, but had no success in the operation. After 4 hours of the battle, the artillery ammunition ran out and the enemy counter-attacked. The enemy walked over our infantry line and their tanks rolled into the flanks and the rear of the 218 artillery regiment positions. Colonel OSMOLOVSKY organised evacuation of the equipment (218 artillery regiment and 3rd squadron of 648 artillery regiment of the Supreme Command Reserve). He ordered one gun piece from 3rd squadron of 648 artillery regiment of the Supreme Command Reserve to remain on an open sights position and cover the retreat, leaving 50 artillery rounds with it.

Personally commanding the gun under the enemy mortar and artillery fire, his direct fire forced 2 enemy tanks to retreat. Then he assumed the command over a sapper company, which was sent as the reinforcement. The defences organised by him, provided cover to the retreating 218 artillery regiment. The enemy was stopped and their thrust seized.

During 06-07.10.1941, the 51 rifle division was engaging the enemy while retreating from the Melitopol area and thus providing cover to the 9 Army forces.

On the night of 07-08.10.1941, the general withdrawal order was received. The divisional headquarters were moving in a separate column being accompanied by 11 guns (of which 9 were operational) of the 218 artillery regiment and 4 anti aircraft guns of the AA battery. The column was being in a semi-encirclement and constantly engaging the enemy armour, which was gaining on our retreating troops (3 enemy tanks were hit). Crossing a creek in a ravine near Andreevka, the column got stuck in the mud and was encircled by the enemy armour and motorcyclists by dawn. From dawn to 13:00, the artillery troops held the enemy, while the evacuation continued. The artillery pieces were divided between the officers: Chief of Staff Mj. MALYSHEV, commander of the divisional artillery Col. SIMONOVICH, and the Colonel OSMOLOVSKY, who personally successfully commanded 4 gun pieces. After having depleted all the ammunition (artillery and firearms) and sustaining sever personnel and materiel losses, Colonel OSMOLOVSKY organised the last run through the enemy armour ring. Of the 7 vehicles, 3 managed to escape. After that, he encountered the retreating 2 regiments of the 263 rifle division and 225 howitzer artillery regiment. Accompanying these units, he crossed the front line into our controlled territory.

As one of the best artillery officers in the division, Colonel OSMOLOVSKY has been promoted to the role of the Chief of Staff of artillery troops of 9 Army. And in this capacity, he acted as a devoted son of the Socialist Motherland. With his everyday meticulous work, he made sure the army artillery headquarters function efficiently. In recognition to his expertise, fearlessness, decisiveness, and bravery, Colonel OSMOLOVSKY has been assigned to the role of the COMMANDER OF ARTILLERY TOOPS OF 38 ARMY.

For exhibited courage and bravery in the struggle against the German invaders, comrade OSMOLOVSKY deserves state award – order “RED BANNER”.

The full translation can be found below:

– register card

– citation

More info on Osmolovsky here

Osmolovsky was highly decorated and next to this Red Banner he received an Order of Lenin, 4(!) other Red Banners (5 in total), Orders of Suvorov, Kutuzov and Bogdan Khmelnitsky, Order of the Patriotic War 1st class and several medals including one from Czechoslovakia

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