Description
Soviet Medal for Combat Merit #24619
Awarded to Senior sergeant Ivan Fedorovich Kolov (Иван Федорович Колов)
For moving toward enemy positions with his machine gun and eliminating 20 Germans during operation ‘Fall Blau‘
Made of solid silver and enamels. The medal measures 32.19 mm in diameter, 2.88 mm in thickness and 36.71 mm in height (including the eyelet). The eyelet is 4.97 in width and the medal weighs 22.3 gram without its suspension. The suspension measures 25.20 mm in width at its narrowest point and 30.62 at its widest point.
This medal for Combat Merit is in great, well above average condition with only some small dings and scratches. The details are all present and crisp and the red enamels are flawless. The old and rare suspension is original to the medal and its connection ring has not been cut. The screw is a replacement for the original one which has been broken off. The known serial number range for this first variation is between 9 and 30308.
Sergeant Kolov was reported MIA on July the 7th 1942. This medal could therefore very well be a ‘war trophy’ taken from him shortly after he received the medal. This would explain the pristine enamels and crisp details. It could also explain the missing screw and screwplate if the medal was brutally ripped of Kolov’s uniform. There is no record from Kolov after he was reported MIA.
Interesting research and in excellent condition. Rare as such!
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or accomplishments
“In the engagement for the village Grekovo, the enemy put up a stubborn resistance. The enemy concentrated the machine-guns and mortars in the vilalge and prevented advance of our infantry.
The machine-gun crew commander sergeant comrade KOLOV moved to a forward positions app. 200m distance to the enemy and opened intensive machine-gun fire.
The enemy not being able to withstand the unexpected blow retreated in panic; leaving behind on the battlefield two heavy machine-guns and up to 20 corpses. Comrade KOLOV’s action enabled advance of our infantry battalion.
He deserves a state award – medal “For Bravery”.”
The full translation of the research can be found below:
In the picture gallery scans of a MIA report can be found mentioning sergeant Kolov. Also in the picture gallery is a battle order (for the 487th Rifle Regiment, 143th Rifle Division on the 08 of Feb 1942); a scan of the battle map of Operation Fall Blau and a map of the fighting near the village of Grekovo which is mentioned in the citation.
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