Description
Order of Alexander Nevsky #21741
Awarded to Guards Jr. Lieutenant Yakov Kuzmich Sannikov (Яков Кузьмич Санников)
For displaying incredible bravery at Bryansk in July 1943 where he seized a hill capturing enemy weapons and eliminating 50 Germans. In Yartsevo, he was the first to storm enemy trenches, taking out 10 enemies and capturing 5 prisoners. Later, he and his platoon silently infiltrated an enemy artillery battery, eliminating 3 sentries, capturing an MG-34 machine-gun, and staging a daring attack on a house occupied by sleeping Germans before returning unscathed
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 50.75 mm in height, 49.71 mm in width and weighs 42.7 grams. The serial number and the mint mark Monetni Dvor are located at the 6 o’clock position underneath the screw.
In excellent condition with most details visible and much of the original gold plating still present. The higher laying parts on the obverse show light to medium wear only and the beautiful red enamels are free from chipping or repairs and show some dings and contact marks only. Its screw has not been shortened and the order comes with its time period and well fitted screwplate.
Nice example with impressive research
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
In the combat engagement near Bryansk on 26 July 1943, he assaulted the hill 111.0 and seized it with low casualties capturing in the process 10 submachine guns, 11 rifles, 3 machine-guns, and eliminating up to 50 Hitlerites.
In the combat engagement near Yartsevo, he and his platoon were the first to enter the enemy trenches and eliminated up to 10 Hitlerites and captured 5 prisoners. In a brutal fighting for Smolensk on 27 September 1943, he captured 10 prisoners and 1 truck loaded with food. In the combat engagements for elimination of the enemy pocket near Korsun-Shevchenskovsky, he and his platoon were on a reconnaissance mission. Having silently approached an enemy artillery battery, they eliminated 3 German sentries, extracted the gun breechblocks, captured an MG-34 machine-gun and went back. On their way back, they approached a house occupied by carelessly sleeping Germans. They bravely and skilfully attacked the house with hand grenade and then returned to the homebase without any casualties.
For damage inflicted upon the enemy troops and materiel, for skilful command of his unit, he deserves state award order “PATRIOTIC WAR I CLASS”.
[Worth noting is that his award was first demoted from a Order of the Patriotic War 1st class to 2nd class but higher up in the chain of command promoted to a Nevsky]
The full translation can be read below:
More info about Lt. Sannikov can be found here
As this is Lieutenant Sannikov’s sole numbered decoration, it can be regarded as a complete grouping
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