Description
Soviet Order of Alexander Nevsky #41137
Awarded to the Azerbaijani Sr. Lieutenant Pasha Guseynovich Mekhbaliev (Паша Гусейнович Мехбалиев)
For inflicting extensive casualties to the enemy despite intensive enemy return fire; his battery destroyed 1 anti-tank canon, 5 machine-guns, up to a company of enemy troops and an enemy ammunition depot
Only 92 Azerbaijani were bestowed the Order of Alexander Nevsky
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 51.21 mm in height, 49.75 mm in width and weighs 39.5 grams without its screwplate. The serial number and the mint mark Monetni Dvor are located at the 6 o’clock position underneath the screw.
This original order of Alexander Nevsky is in great condition with most details crisp and a fair amount of gold plating still present. The higher laying silver parts show light wear and few microscopic dings and contact marks only. The enamels are all present without repairs but have some scratches on the arms. Its screw has not been shortened and the order comes with its time period and well fitted screwplate.
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
“On 14.04.1945, during the battle for the town Moravska Ostrava, Sr.Lt. MEKHBALIEV’s battery was placed on a position to fire with open sights near the settlement Czyżowice (south-west of Loslau) with the objective to support the assault at a strong enemy defence line. During the day, Sr.Lt. MEKHBALIEV and his battery artillery reconnaissance officers were conducting observation of the enemy forward line as well as the enemy positions in the rear. They spotted the enemy firing positions, contacted the supported rifle units commanders, coordinated with them and developed a plan for the whole operation.
On 15.04.1945, the battery opened rapid fire at the previously designated targets. Suppressing the enemy firing positions, the battery assisted the attacking rifle units in taking quick control of the enemy trenches. Despite intensive enemy return fire at the battery emplacement, Sr.Lt. MEKHBALIEV bravely continued to command his unit in the field and inflicted extensive casualties to the enemy. His battery continued to provide fire support to the rifle units also in the depth of the enemy defences and fulfilled all their support requests.
In total during the whole period of this combat engagement, the battery destroyed 1 anti-tank canon, 5 machine-gun emplacements, up to a company of enemy troops, set ablaze an enemy ammunitions depot.
For his skilful command of the battery and enabling successful advance of our infantry with low casualties, he deserves state award order “ALEKSANDER NEVSKY”.”
The full translation can be read below:
More info about Lt. Mekhbaliev can be found here
Lt. Mekhbaliev is mentioned extensively in “Azerbaijan 1941-1942. Cavaliers of the Order of Alexander Nevsky” by Huseynov A.A. and Mirzaeva G.I. (link). The relevant translation can be read here
Also included in the picture gallery is a movement chart of the 1368th Anti Aircraft Artillery Regiment of May 1945
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