Description
Set of Soviet awards: Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class and a Medal for Bravery
Awarded to Lt. Colonel Alexander Mikhailovich Shchapin (Готлиб Моисеевич Дубинский)
For uninterrupted artillery supply under combat conditions, organizing timely delivery of ammunition, fuel, and supplies during rapid offensives near Grottkau and southwest of Breslau. He also ensured flawless artillery fire, and personally led resupply convoys, repelling an enemy attack near Valuyki
This set consists of the following items:
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #442165
Made of solid silver, gold and enamels. The order weighs 24.6 grams without its screwplate and measures 45.91 mm in width and 47.50 mm in height.
In decent condition with most details intact and a medium patina to the silver on both sides. The enamels are well preserved without flaking or repairs and show some dings and scratches only. The gold hammer and sickle has been replaced with a brass version from a cap badge, a not uncommon practice. The order includes its original, well-fitted screwplate, and the screw remains unshortened.
Medal for Bravery #252564
Made of solid silver. Measures 37.27 mm in diameter and 2.68 mm in thickness. The height of the medal is 42.12 mm including its eyelet and it weighs 26.0 grams without its suspension. Its eyelet is 5.41 mm wide.
The medal is worn, with almost all of the red lacquer in the lettering worn off. Both sides show multiple dings and scratches, but the raised details such as the rivets on the side of the tank and the cannons remain clearly visible. The original rectangular suspension was replaced with a pentagonal one to comply with post-1943 regulations, without cutting the connecting ring.
Research of the Order of the Patriotic War:
Comrade Tsapin, during the period of combat operations of the corps from 12 January 1945 to the present, working under difficult combat conditions, shortage of fuel, cross-country movement, mud, shelling, in the area of Grottkau and south-west of Breslau, despite the rapid advance of corps units and high maneuverability, continuously ensured the supply of combat units with ammunition, fuel, food, and spare parts. He clearly and promptly fulfilled the combat supply tasks assigned to the corps, and also excellently organized the repair of weapons and equipment, the collection and delivery of expended shell casings and damaged equipment.
He behaves well, is disciplined, and is attentive to combat supply and armament.
For uninterrupted supply of combat units and excellent organization of repair of armament, and collection of shell casings and damaged equipment, he is worthy of a government award – the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class.
Research of the Medal for Bravery:
Comrade Tsapin, during the period of preparation for the offensive in the Middle Don area, carried out extensive work in the 8th Artillery Division to bring ammunition into proper order. Comrade Tsapin conducted training in each unit on preparing personnel for battery supply and on the preparation of propellant charges. He also carried out extensive work in the 8th Artillery Division during preparation for the January offensive of the Voronezh Front. Thanks to the work carried out, artillery fire in all units proceeded well at all times. There was not a single case of incorrect preparation of charges, although at the time of arrival of these units the personnel did not have clear knowledge of the structure and preparation of charges.
During the offensive, Comrade Tsapin transported ammunition by motor transport to units operating on breakthrough sectors and always completed assignments on time. On one of these trips, in the area of the town of Valuyki, his column was subjected to an attack by an enemy group. Thanks to the measures he took, the attack was repelled. For all the work performed, Comrade Tsapin is worthy of being awarded the medal “For Bravery”
More information on Lt. Col. Shchapin can be found here
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