Description
Order of Alexander Nevsky #28837
Awarded to Armenian Guards Lieutenant Ashat Arutyunovich Zakharyan (Закарян Ашот Арутюнович)
For secretly sneaking behind the enemy line when ordered to seize and extract an enemy prisoner. While doing so, he encountered a numerically superior enemy group of 50 troops led by 3 officers and organised an ambush. As a result he killed 18 enemy troops and captured 12 soldiers and 3 officers
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 51.57 mm in height, 50.49 mm in width and weighs 42.0 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 pristine condition with all details crisp and almost all gold plating still present. Even the higher laying parts on the obverse show virtually no wear and the red enamels are absolutely stunning. Both sides show an appealing medium patina to the silver and few dings only. The screw has not been shortened and there have been no repairs. The order comes with its time period and well fitted screwplate.
This piece is absolutely superb in all ways: next to impossible to upgrade condition wise, amazing research and with (scans) of pictures with the awardee wearing it. Rare as such
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
“In the battle on 10 April 1945, a group of scouts under comrade ZAKHARYAN command received an order to seize and extract an enemy prisoner. They covertly sneaked behind the enemy line and secretly reconnoitered the enemy disposition in the enemy rear area near the hill 831.
They mapped precisely the enemy routes from the rear positions to the forward line. Having encountered an enemy group up to 50 troops led by 3 officers, comrade ZAKHARYAN organised an ambush. Despite enemy numerical superiority, he bravely engaged them in battle. As the result of the ensuing battle, 18 enemy troops were eliminated, 12 soldiers and 3 officers were captured. War booty captured: 19 rifles, 3 machine-guns. In return, our scouts suffered no losses. The prisoners and the booty was properly delivered to our compound.
On 09 April 1945, the enemy commenced a counter-attack at our unit fortified on the hill 924. Being present among the rifle troops, comrade ZAKHARYAN and his men flanked the counter-attacking enemy and swiftly attacked them forcing them to run from the battlefield. Over 10 enemy soldiers were eliminated in this attack, one machine-gun and 11 rifle captured.
For skilful command of his unit, for exhibited courage and bravery, for decisive conduct in combat, he deserves state award order “PATRIOTIC WAR I CLASS”. [later upgraded to a Nevsky]”
The full translation of the citation can be read here
More info about Lt. Zakharyan can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery are:
- 2 digital images of Lt. Zakharyan wearing this Order of Nevsky
- an infosheet on the Nevsky
- a combat diary combat diary of the 138th Rifle Division
- a combat diary combat diary of the 768th Rifle Regiment on 08 April 1945
- the combat path of 138th Rifle Division
- a screenshot of the hill mentioned in the citation
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