Description
Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #105174
Awarded to T-34 commander Lt. Petr Efremovich Kudinov (Петр Ефремович Кудинов)
For commanding his tank platoon in an ambush operation at the railway station Jaktorów [near Warsaw] which resulted in an enemy column being destroyed by his effort. He also rescued 2 tank crews and fended off an enemy air attack by shooting at the planes with his tank
Made of solid gold, silver and enamels. Measures 45.44 mm in height, 43.55 mm in width and weighs 32.8 grams. The serial number is located at the 6 o’clock position and the mint mark Monetni Dvor is located at the 12 o’clock position of its reverse.
This original order of the Patriotic War 1st class is in great condition with crisp details and light overall wear. The white and red enamels are gorgeous and show some contact marks and dings only; no repairs or loss. Its reverse is in excellent condition as well and shows a light patina. Its silver screwpate is time period to the order and the screw maintained its full length.
Nice example to a commander of the notorious T-34 tank. Scarce as such
Brief description of his feat of arms or achievements:
“In the enemy pursuit operation in the direction Warsaw – Lodz, comrade KUDINOV skillfully commanded by radio his tank platoon in an ambush operation at the railway station Jaktorów on 17 January 1945. Thanks to his effort, the combat mission was accomplished and an enemy column was destroyed. In the defeat of the enemy column, the following war booty was captured: 5 trucks, 3 tractors, 2 mobile field repair vehicles, 2 vehicles. All this captured equipment was evacuated from the battlefield. Assisting his men, he drove his tank into an attack and rescued 2 tank crews.
On 20 January 1945, the enemy airplanes attacked our troops on the road Łęczyca – Kowno. KUDINOV ordered his platoon to take cover in a shelter and thus saved the equipment and the crews lives. He then orders the tanks to fire from the shelter at the descending enemy aircrafts and thus fended off an enemy air attack.”
The full translation of the research can be read below:
More information on Lt. Kudinov can be found here
Some additional material on the 5th Separate Guards Motorcycle Red Banner Regiment (5th GuSMR) can be found here
Also added in the picture gallery are several pictures of the 5th GuSMR. One of them most likely portrays Lt. Kudinov wearing this Order of the Patriotic War 1st class and his Red Banner
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