Description
Order of Glory 3rd class #569730
Awarded to anti-aircraft artillery scout Leonid Stepanovich Sodel (Леонид Степанович Содель)
For shooting down several aircraft with his battery and killing 20 soldiers and officers
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 46.06 in width, 48.67 mm in height and it weighs 21.5 grams (not including its suspension).
In nice overall condition with the details of higher laying parts like the clock in the tower still perfectly visible. The enamels are problem free without chipping or repairs and show some dings and contact marks only. The order comes with a brass suspension and its silver connection ring has been cut.
Short translation of the citation:
“Acting as commander of the reconnaissance section in recent battles, he distinguished himself by skill, courage and bravery.
On January 18, 1945, in the area of the village of “Tvarda”, during the march, a group of German machine gunners with two machine guns was in ambush and immediately reported to the battery commander. The guns turned around, opened fire and destroyed 20 soldiers and officers and two machine guns of the enemy.
On January 29, 1945, near the village of Schwarnitz, German fighters tried to storm a column of horse guards. Comrade Sodel spotted the planes in a timely manner and quickly gave the target designations to the gun crews. The battery repulsed the attacks of the vultures and shot down one enemy plane.
On January 30, 1945, in the area of the crossing over the Oder River, the battery repulsed the continuous attacks of enemy fighters. Sodel, despite the machine-gun and cannon fire, quickly and correctly gave the target designation to the gun. The battery in this battle shot down 4 German aircraft.
Worthy of the governmental award of the Order “Glory III. class””
More information on Sodel can be read here
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