Description
Order of Alexander Nevsky #22331 with order booklet
Awarded to Guards Sr. Lieutenant Victor Nikolaevich Smirnov (Николай Иванович Кульков)
For eliminating and capturing 300 Germans, eight heavy machine-guns, two guns and a lot of ammunition despite confronting numerically superior enemy force during offensive fights at the border between Poland and Czechoslovakia
Recommended for the Order of Suvorov 3rd class
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 50.85 mm in height, 49.52 mm in width and weighs 40.8 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 medium wear to the higher laying parts. The red enamels are in excellent condition without damage or repairs and show some small dings ans scratches only. A fair amount of gold plating on the pollaxes, sword and arrows is still present. Some of the details on the center medallion show strong wear but are still visible. There have been no repairs and the screwpost has not been shortened. It comes with its time period and well fitted silver screwplate.
Its accompanying document in in used condition but all pages are present. It mentions 5 other awards next to this order.
Short Description of his feat of arms or achievements:
During the breakthrough of the enemy defense line in the area of the village of Mshana (Poland) on 09/28/1944 comrade Smirnov displayed high capacities in organizing warfare. The order of command to break through the enemy defense was completed with honor. After an artillery barrage personnel of the battalion courageously attacked the enemy and pushed it back to the forest towards the village of Rodyanka. Over the course of two hours the battalion conducted a heavy fight in the forest. Finally, the enemy resistance broke down and the battalion was first to enter the outskirts of the village of Rodyanka. During the subsequent offensive fights for the Heights 585,0, 613,0, and 710,0 located on the border with Czechoslovakia in difficult conditions of mountainous woodlands comrade Smirnov led soldiers and officers into attack. That facilitated general success of our attacking troops. In these fights despite confronting numerically superior enemy force the battalion has eliminated and captured up to 300 Germans, eight heavy machine-guns, two guns, and a lot of ammunition.
Comrade Smirnov deserves to be awarded with an Order of Suvorov, 3rd cl.
Signed: Commander of 205th Guards Order of the Red Banner Rifle Regiment Hero of the Soviet Union Guards Colonel Pechenuk
10/14/1944
The full translation of the research can be read here
More information on Lt. Smirnov can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery are two images of Lt. Smirnov, one of which portrays him wearing this very same Order of Alexander Nevsky and a certificate made by Atlantic Crossroad (Collectrussia) where this order was purchased in 1996
Please contact us with questions
