Description
Documented Group of an Order of Suvorov 3rd class, 3 Red Banners, Red Star and Medals
Awarded to (Lt.) Colonel Mihail Nikolaevich Zhirnov (Михаил Николаевич Жирнов)
For personally commanding his regiment on the battlefield. As a result of his bravery and skillful military command the enemy lost hundreds of troops and dozens of vehicles and tanks
This group consists of the following items:
- Order of Suvorov 3rd class #8863
- Order of the Red Banner #85491
- Order of the Red Banner #206915
- Order of the Red Banner #206972
- Order of the Red Star #2914513
- Medal for for Combat Merit #2912438
- Medal for the Defence of the Caucasus
- Medal for the Capture of Berlin
- Medal for the Victory over Germany
- Jubilee Medals
- All documents of the awards above
- Temporary award certificate to the Order of Suvorov
- Gramota containing images
Order of Suvorov 3rd class #8863 with its temporary award certificate
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 49.59 mm in width, 48.04 in height and weighs 25.6 grams without its screwplate.
in an excellent, problem free condition with light to medium wear on its higher laying parts. The enamels are flawless without repairs and most details are still visible. Both sides show several dings and scratches but nothing distracting from its overall appeal. There have been no repairs and the extremely long screwpost has not been shortened. The order comes with its original and well fitted silver screwplate.
The order comes with its temporary award certificate stating he was bestowed with the Order of Suvorov by decree on 03 March 1944, but has not got his award yet as of 25 April 1944. Normally the document would be seized once the award was handed over. In this case this did not happen and therefor is extremely rare to have such a document next to the award.
Order of the Red Banner #85491
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 44.25 mm in height, 36.52 in width and weighs 23.6 grams.
In above average condition considering its a wartime and early suspension piece. Its details are perfectly crisp and even the higher laying parts like the center wreath and torch show light wear only. Apart from the enamel loss on the 9 o’clock ray of the center the red star both the red and white enamels are beautiful and without flaking or repairs. Much of the original gold plating is still present and both sides show an appealing toning to the silver.
Order of the Red Banner #206915
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 45.15 mm in height, 37.40 in width and weighs 26.9 grams.
In well above average condition with its details still perfectly visible and light overall wear. The red and white enamels are fully present and original and show one minuscule superficial chip on it top left only.Both sides show a medium patina to the silver.
Order of the Red Banner #206972
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 44.89 mm in height, 37.46 in width and weighs 25.9 grams.
In above average condition with its details all present light wear to the silver base only. Apart from the enamel loss on the 9 o’clock ray of the center the red star both the red and white enamels are beautiful and without flaking or repairs. The patina resembles that of the Red Banners described above.
Order of the Red Star #2914513
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 46.12 mm in height, 47.83 in width and weighs 29.7 grams without its screwplate.
In superb condition with flawless enamels and crisp details. The order comes with its original and well fitted screwplate.
Medal for Combat Merit #2912438
Made of solid silver and red lacquer. It measures 37.55 mm in height including its eyelet, 32.18 in diameter and weighs 18.7 grams.
In excellent condition with crisp details and almost all of the red lacquer still present.
Medal for the Defence of the Caucasus with document
Made of gold plated brass.It measures 37.94 mm in height including its eyelet, 32.24 in diameter and weighs 16.7 grams.
In nice condition with all details visible and a fair amount of gold plating still present.
Its accompanying document is in in good condition and is dated 19 September 1944 and numbered Н 011933
Medal for the Capture of Berlin with document
Made of gold plated brass.It measures 37.15 mm in height including its eyelet, 32.09 in diameter and weighs 17.2 grams.
In nice condition with all details visible and a fair amount of gold plating still present.
Its accompanying document is in in good condition and is dated 25 December 1945 and numbered А 354296
Medal for the Victory over Germany with document
Made of gold plated brass.It measures 37.37 mm in height including its eyelet, 32.17 in diameter and weighs 16.9 grams.
In nice condition with all details visible and a fair amount of gold plating still present.
Its accompanying document is in in good condition and is dated 22 September 1945 and numbered З 0197326
Jubilee Medal with their documents
All in average or better condition
2 Order Booklets
Both in problem free condition with all pages firmly attached to their cover. They mention all numbered awards above plus 2 awards which are missing. One of the order booklets contains an original picture of Col. Zhirnov
Gramota
This gratitude was issued to the division troops internally by the division command in connection to the fact that the division was bestowed with the Order of Suvorov in January 1944.
It was given by initiative of the division commanders to those who served since 1941 in the division. It is in nice condition and shows two pictures; one of Stalin and one of Col. Zhirnov
An amazing and rare grouping!
Citation for the Order of Suvorov:
During the preparation for the offensive, Lt. Colonel ZHIRNOV properly organised and trained his officer and enlisted men staff, and achieved proper military discipline.
During the offensive operation since 24.12.1943, comrade ZHIRNOV personally commanded his regiment on the battlefield. He was always informed of the combat situation, was aware of the enemy intent and the enemy’s weaknesses.
On 05.01.1944, comrade ZHIRNOV organised and conducted by the local means river crossing over the river Gnilopyat. Then advancing swiftly, he cut off the railway line and the main road from Shepetovka, cutting off the enemy retreat route. As the result of this strike, over 200 enemy troops and much of the enemy military equipment was destroyed.
In the combat engagement near the settlement Radzivilovka, he conducted a flanking manoeuvre, destroying 3 tanks, 2 armoured personnel carriers, 1 self-propelled gun, and other materiel. He also captured: 1 tank, 60 rifles, captured 25 Hitlerites.
During the offensive operation, comrade ZHIRNOV was all the time on the enemy pursuit overcoming and destroying the enemy block posts.
For good combat organisation and initiative, for the skill of swift attack and destruction of the enemy forces, comrade ZHIRNOV deserves state award order “SUVOROV III CLASS”.
Citation for the Order of the Red Banner 206915:
During the offensive operation since 20.04.1945, colonel ZHIRNOV exhibited exceptional courage and military skill in conducting offensives and defending against intensive enemy attacks. The regiment was engaged in the combat actions, especially defending and extending the bridgehead on the western bank of the river Neisse, as well as in the elimination of the enemy pocket in the vicinity of the village Kausche (west of the town Spremberg).
In the fight against this enemy pocket, colonel ZHIRNOV had the objective to destroy the encircled enemy force. Rolling out the regimental artillery on open sight positions, he suppressed the enemy firing points located in the forest 1km north of Kausche. He personally commanded the artillery units in the field.
In this battle, colonel ZHIRNOV utilised all sorts of military tactics: such that 723 rifle regiment fought against the enemy force of up to 2 regiments supported by 15 heavy tanks and SPGs, which were trying to break through to the north. The regiment also engaged a group of enemy troops up to 1000 men with armour and APCs support, which was attempting to advance in the eastern direction into Petershain and later join the enemy in the forest north of Kausche. Having made a plan for a flanking strike, colonel ZHIRNOV deceived the enemy by demonstrating activity along the frontline by 2 companies. The rest of the regiment flanked the enemy and with a swift attack completely overcame and destroyed the encircled enemy force.
In this battle, the enemy sustained the following losses: 1500 troops as killed and wounded, over 860 enemy troops captured. On top of that, 43 APCs, 11 self-propelled guns, 18 pieces of 203 mm artillery, 46 guns of other calibers, 8 tanks, 28 machine-guns, 800 rifles, 200 submachine guns were destroyed.
In constant offensive operations, colonel ZHIRNOV acted many times courageously inspiring his troops offensive spirit.
For personal bravery exhibited in combat, for skilful military command of his regiment, he deserves state award order “RED BANNER”.
The full translation of the citations can be found below:
– citation Suvorov 3rd class #8863
– citation Order of the Red Banner #206915
More info on Col. Zhirnov can be found here
Further research and translation services are available on request
Please contact us with questions
