Description
Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #25738
Scarce variation with ‘thin spikes’
Awarded to Major Arkady Nikolaevich Chicherin (Алексей Павлович Головко)
For inflicting heavy losses on the enemy by personal example. His regiment damaged an enemy armored train and 4 tanks, suppressed up to 60 machine guns and two 81mm mortar batteries, 9 single mortars, 4 anti-tank guns, two 75mm cannons, 2 observation posts and eliminated up to 700 enemy troops
Made of solid gold, silver and enamels. Measures 44.50 mm in height, 43.05 mm in width and it weighs 30.7 gram without its screwplate. The serial number is located at the 6 o’clock position and the mint mark Monetni Dvor at the 12 o’clock position of its reverse. The minimum known serial number for this variation is #23972 and the maximum is #26928.
This original order of the Patriotic War is in great condition. The details are crisp and even the higher laying parts like the hammer and sickle show little wear. Both the white and red enamels are problem free apart from a minor superficial chip on the very tip of the 9 o’clock ray of the red star. Its screw has not been shortened and there have been no repairs. the accompanying silver screwplate fits well and is original to the award.
Excellent example of a very scarce early screwback variation
Brief description of his feat of arms or achievements:
“Comrade CHICHERIN masterfully led his regiment in the battle for encirclement and elimination of the enemy pocket in the town Tarnopol. He achieved high combat efficiency of his unit. During the whole combat period, CHICHERIN’s artillery men provided support to our attacking rifle troops, advancing together with them and firing at the enemy fortifications from a distance of 50-100m. Comrade CHICHERIN led and inspired his men by personal example, visiting his batteries firing positions. Many times, during the enemy attacks, our artillery pieces on the open sights positions were left without any rifle units cover. Comrade CHICHEERIN’s men fired at the enemy at a point blank range and themselves counterattacked with their personal firearms in hands, inflicting heavy losses and pushing the enemy back to their original positions. Two house blocks in the town Tarnopol, were cleared off of the enemy exclusively by the troops of 909 artillery regiment, three enemy soldiers and two officers were captured as prisoners.
During the period of the battle for Ternopol, 909 artillery regiment fire damaged an enemy armored train and 4 tanks, suppressed up to 60 machine guns and two 81mm mortar batteries, 9 single mortars, 4 anti-tank guns, two 75mm cannons, 2 observation posts were demolished, killed or wounded up to 700 enemy troops.
For efficient command of his artillery unit, for extensive losses inflicted to the enemy, for personal courage and bravery, comrade CHICHERIN deserves state award – order “PATRIOTIC WAR I CLASS””
The full translation of the research can be found here
More info on Major Chicherin can be found here
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