Description
Complete Group of an Order of Glory 3rd class #29500 + Medal for Bravery #593371
Awarded to Guards Sr. Sergeant Nikolaj Pavlovich Afanasiev (Николай Павлович Афанасьев)
For repairing a radio station after regaining consciousness as a result of enemy bombing (and later by an artillery shell explosion). By doing so, the troops were able to scatter 2 enemy companies, 1 enemy mortar battery and 6 other firing positions.
The group consist of the following items mounted to an old medal bar:
Order of Glory #29500
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 46.27 mm in width, 48.07 mm in height and weighs 24.6 gram without its suspension . The serial number is located on top of its reverse.
This early order is in an excellent, above average condition considering its low number. It shows medium wear to the silver and several dings on both sides but most details are still visible. The enamel is fully present without repairs and only shows some superficial flaking only. Its connection ring has not been cut and the order comes with its time period suspension and ribbon.
Medal for Bravery 593371
Made of solid silver. Measures 37.29 mm in width, 42.34 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 27.6 gram without its suspension.
The medals is in decent condition with some of the original red lacquer still present and medium wear to the higher laying parts. Both sides show numerous dings and scratches but its details are mostly present. Its connection ring has not been cut and the order comes with its time period suspension and ribbon.
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements (Order of Glory 3rd class):
“Executing the combat mission assigned to the squadron on 08 April 1944, Guards Sr. Sgt. AFANASIEV was present at the observation post with his radio station (location: village Glyzhino, 2 Baltic front). He was relaying the fire commands to the firing positions. The enemy barraged heavily the observation post area. Comrade AFANASIEV was contused and buried under debris by a nearby shell explosion. The shock wave caused his radio station to malfunction and the antenna was severed by the shell fragments. At the same time, the enemy force was concentrating for a counter attack in the area near the village “Novij Put”. Having regained consciousness, comrade AFANASIEV repaired the radio station and fixed the antenna, despite the still ongoing artillery strike. He relayed the given firing commands to the firing positions in proper time. The squadrons fire frustrated the enemy assault plans: 2 enemy companies were scattered and partially eliminated, 1 enemy mortar battery and 6 other firing positions were suppressed. In return, our troops could advance forward and capture the village Pechanie.
He deserves order “GLORY III CLASS””
The full translation of this citation can be found here
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements (Medal for Bravery):
“Aide to the commander of the headquarters platoon of 375 Guards mortar squadron Guards Sergeant AFANASIEV Nikolaj Pavlovich is bestowed for exhibiting courage and bravery in the engagement on 01 August 1943. He was supervising the telephone line between the observations post and the firing positions. Despite the strong enemy artillery fire and aerial bombardment, he promptly repaired the damages caused to the telephone line. Seeing the enemy aircrafts turning around for a second bomb run, he remained close to the phone line, so he could have it repaired as soon as possible if there was further damage. In this second enemy bomb run, comrade AFANASIEV was contused and lost consciousness. After coming back to senses, he continued repairing the telephone line, even though the enemy aviation was still dropping bombs and strafing the ground with machine-gun fire. This effort effort provided uninterrupted signalling capability between the observation post and the firing positions and enabled the squadron to open fire at a proper moment.”
The full translation of this citation can be found here
The translation of his register card can be read here
More information on Sgt. Afanasiev can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery is a battle map of the towns mentioned in the first citation and a combat diary of the 375th Guards Mortar Squadron on 01 August 1943 and one of the 90th Guards Motar Regiment on 08 April 1944
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