Description
Soviet Order of Alexander Nevsky #48785
Awarded to Guards Sr. Lieutenant Aleksey Vasilievich Markov (Алексей Васильевич Марков)
For exhibiting courage, bravery and initiative in crossing the Neisse and Spree rivers, laying 6000 mines with his company under heavy enemy fire and successfully repelling an enemy counter-attack
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 51.09 mm in height, 49.59 mm in width and weighs 41.9 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 great condition with most details crisp and much of the original gold plating still present. The higher laying silver parts show minor wear only. The enamels are mostly present and well preserved but show a small repair on the 3 o’clock ray of the red star. Its screw has not been shortened and the order comes with its time period and well fitted screwplate.
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
“Comrade MARKOV distinguished himself in the fortification of the defence line in the sector of 21 rifle corps near the town Guben and in the forced crossing of the Neisse and Spree rivers.
During the period 10-25 March 1945, he participated in construction of strong defences for the units of 21 rifle corps. Working under enemy rifle and machine-gun fire on the forward line of our forces, his company laid 6000 mines and successfully repelled an enemy counter-attack. He exhibited courage, bravery, initiative, and high combat skills.
On 16 April 1945, in the enemy defence breakthrough operation on the river Neisse near the town Forst, the company under his command transported over 200 rifle troops to the western bank under enemy artillery and machine-gun fire.
On 22 April 1945, under enemy rifle and machine-gun fire, the company under his command raised a bridge over the river Spree in Cottbus city in the right time, such that it was used by the 76 rifle corps to take the armour and infantry across the river. This assisted our success in crossing the Neisse and Spree rivers and the success of our offensive.
For excellent execution of the combat missions, exhibited personal courage and bravery, for high military skill, comrade MARKOV deserves state award order “ALEKSANDER NEVSKY”.”
The full translation can be read below:
Also included in the picture gallery is a scan of an image of Lt. Markov, the combat diary of the 76th Rifle Corps on 16 April 1945 and an infosheet
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