Description
Complete Group of Soviet awards to a woman
Awarded to Captain Raisa Efimovna Azbel (Раиса Ефимовна Азбель)
For repeatedly risking her life to rescue wounded soldiers carrying them directly from the Stalingrad battlefield, providing them with immediate medical care under fire. She led medical efforts with tireless dedication and skill, returning countless soldiers to duty
This group consists of the following items:
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #586130
Made of gold, silver and enamels. Measures 48.57 mm in height, 45.83 mm in width and weighs 26.9 grams without its screwplate.
This order is in pristine condition. The silver shows few dings or scratches on either side and the beautiful red and white enamels are problem free without repairs or chipping. The long screw has not been shortened and the order comes with its original, well fitting screwplate.
Order of the Red Star #2089376
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 48.81 mm in width, 47.11 in height and weighs 30.6 grams without its screwplate.
In excellent condition with most details visible and light to medium wear to the soldier. Both sides show relatively few dings and scratches and the enamels are very well preserved without repairs. Its screw has not been shortened and the order comes with its time period screwplate.
Medal for Combat Merit #110410
Made of solid silver and lacquer. Measures 32.35 mm in diameter and 2.95 mm in thickness. The height of the medal measures 37.02 mm (including its eyelet) and it weighs 23.1 grams without its suspension. The suspension measures 25.82 mm in width at its narrowest part and 33.24 at its widest point.
In excellent, well above average condition considering it is an early wartime medal. Its details are still perfectly visible. Much of the original red lacquer filling the letters CCCP is still present and without repairs. Its brass suspension is original as is the brass screw, the nut, the plate holding the red ribbon and the screw plate tightening it all up. Its connection ring has not been cut.
Order of the Badge of Honor #148088
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 33.29 mm in width, 50.39 in height and weighs 35.5 grams without its suspension.
The order is in superb condition with full gold plating. Its details are still crisp and the order shows virtually no traces of wear. The separately soldered lettering ‘CCCP’ is authentic to the award and the enamels are beautiful without repairs or chipping. The order comes with its time period double layer suspension and its connection ring has not been cut.
Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad
Made of brass. Measures 32.18 mm in diameter, 37.30 mm in height including its eyelet and it weighs 15.7 grams without its suspension.
In decent, worn condition but most details are still visible. Its reverse shows a corrosion spot and several small dings and scratches. Its connection ring has not been cut and the medal comes with its time period suspension.
Order Booklet
In excellent condition with all pages firmly attached to its cover. It mentions the four numbered awards in this lot.
Research to the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class:
Comrade Azbel R.E. worked in the hospital from January 1943. She carried wounded across rivers on her back under enemy fire, pulled them out of burning and collapsing buildings, evacuating the severely wounded to a safer location. Even when she was weakened by illness, she continued to work selflessly. She gave all her knowledge and strength to the cause of restoring the health of Red Army soldiers and officers.
Comrade Azbel personally performed numerous return-to-duty treatments. Since October 1944, she has worked as the head of the therapeutic department of the mobile field hospital of the 2710th hospital, and in this responsible role she demonstrated excellent organizational ability.
Comrade Azbel led the work of the department with complete dedication. She inspired the team with the ideas of the great Lenin-Stalin Party.
For her selfless work and success in restoring the health of soldiers and officers, she deserves to be awarded the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class.
Research to the Order of the Red Star:
Comrade Azbel R.E. has been in the ranks of the Red Army since its first days. She has been working in evacuation hospitals since December 1942. She worked in Kalinin and on the Stalingrad Front, where under the hardest conditions of frontline hospital work, she displayed exceptional dedication, knowledge, and skills in treating the wounded. She gave all her strength and energy to the recovery of soldiers and commanders of the Red Army.
As head of a department of the therapeutic field hospital, she set up the medical work excellently. Despite the overload of patients and the severe working conditions, she organized the workflow so that the medical treatment and recovery process was not delayed. Thanks to this, most wounded were returned to duty.
She works tirelessly, with great energy, showing initiative and love for her work. She treats patients with great care and attention. She enjoys authority and respect among the wounded and the hospital team.
Comrade Azbel is disciplined, strictly dedicated to her duty, and persistently fights for high medical performance and for the preservation of Red Army soldiers’ lives.
Comrade Azbel is deserving of a governmental award – the Order of the Red Star.
Research to the Medal for Combat Merit:
In the process of forming the division, comrade Azbel R.E. worked as head of the sanitary platoon of the medical battalion and displayed exceptional dedication and a conscientious attitude toward her duties. From the first day she has worked as the head of the hospital platoon. In her work she has shown herself to be a good medical technician and organizer of hospital work.
During combat operations, she capably organized the reception of the wounded. Under difficult conditions, she personally carried wounded from the battlefield, rendering them high-quality medical help, and quickly evacuating them to the rear.
In her work, comrade Azbel, during combat, worked selflessly at the forward medical-aid post. Her work is characterized by tireless effort, skill, and courage. She has shown herself to be a brave and dedicated medical worker.
More information on Captain Azbel can be found here, here, here and here
About the 214th Rifle Division:
In December 1942, during the Battle of Stalingrad, the 214th Rifle Division, attached to the 64th Army, was engaged in the Soviet counteroffensive that followed Operation Uranus. This broader offensive aimed to encircle and ultimately defeat the German 6th Army entrenched in Stalingrad.
Operating on the southern flank, the 64th Army played a critical role in holding the encirclement and repelling German attempts to break out. The 214th Rifle Division took part in intense combat during this period, contributing to the Soviet efforts to maintain and tighten the encirclement.
The 364th Separate Medical-Sanitary Battalion, attached to the division, provided medical support under difficult battlefield conditions. Medical units established aid stations near the front lines, administered first aid, conducted surgeries, and managed the evacuation of the wounded, often under fire and in severe winter weather.
While the exact daily movements of the 214th Rifle Division during December 1942 are not fully documented, available sources confirm the division’s active participation in the operations that led to the encirclement and eventual surrender of German forces at Stalingrad.
Unique grouping to a brave woman containing both civil and military awards. Rare as such!
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