Description
Order of Alexander Nevsky #19162
Awarded to Major Nikolaj Afanasievich Klimovsky (Николай Афанасьевич Климовский)
For distinguishing himself during the Dnieper crossing, where he was first in his regiment to reach the right bank under heavy fire fighting for 3 days straight. His squadron destroyed over 400 enemy troops, suppressed multiple firing positions, knocked out several tanks including Tigers, and personally repelled seven counterattacks on 9 October 1943
He later became a Hero of the Soviet Union and was wounded at Stalingrad in 1942
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 50.73 mm in height, 49.79 mm in width and weighs 45.1 grams without its screwplate. The serial number and the mint mark Monetni Dvor are located at the 6 o’clock position underneath the screw.
In nice condition with most details visible and much of the original gold plating still present. The raised areas on its obverse show light to medium wear and the well preserved red enamels are free from chipping or repairs and show some dings and contact marks only. Its screw has been shortened by a few millimeters for more comfortable wear and the order comes with a well fitted screwplate.
Nice example with impressive research to a HSU
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
Comrade KLIMOVSKY has been serving as an artillery squadron commander since September 1943. In this period of his service, he managed to organise his subordinate into a cohesive combat unit, which acts efficiently during combat operations.
Fighting on the Kharkov and Poltava sectors, Major KLIMOVSKY utilised his unit efficiently, set up proper coordination with the rifle units they were assigned to provide artillery support to. Leading by personal example of courage and bravery, he assisted the division in successfully achieving its combat objectives.
When his unit reached the Dnieper river, he and artillery squadron were the first among his regiment to cross the river to the right bank, which was done under intensive enemy artillery-mortar fire opposition and without any specialised river crossing equipment. In tight coordination with a rifle unit during defence and enlargement of the bridgehead, comrade KLIMOVSKY was in the combat field formation of his squadron for 3 days straight. In this period, his artillery squadron eliminated over 400 enemy troops, suppressed up to 10 firing positions , which inhibited advance of our troops, hit 2 enemy tanks of “Tiger” type and 1 APC carrying ammunitions.
09 October 1943, disregarding personal safety, comrade KLIMOVSKY went to the firing positions of his cannons and led personally the defence, repelling 7 large enemy counter-attacks supported by armour. In this combat engagement, his unit eliminated up to a company of enemy troops, hit 1 “Tiger” tank, and 2 medium tanks.
As the result of courage and bravery exhibited by the personnel of his artillery squadron and personally by comrade KLIMOVSKY, during the whole time of the battle for forced crossing, defence, and enlargement of the bridgehead on the Dnieper right bank, he assisted significantly to the achievement of the combat objectives assigned to our division.
He deserves state award order “RED BANNER”. [later changed to Nevsky]
The full translation can be read below:
More info about Major Klimovsky can be found here, here and here
Also included in the picture gallery are:
- Several pictures of Klimovsky we found online
Please contact us with questions
