Description
Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #43045
Awarded to Guards Major Ivan Nazarovich Kachan (Иван Назарович Качан)
For his actions during the operations in Crimea between October 31 and November 3, 1943. After Soviet forces broke through enemy lines following a fierce engagement with an enemy armored train, he defended the left flank of the breakthrough under heavy fire, personally killing five enemy soldiers and leading a successful counterattack. He then participated in a subsequent assault near Armyansk to destroy enemy artillery and clear a passage for the advancing tanks and infantry
Kachan was also recommended for the title ‘Hero of the Soviet Union’!
Made of solid gold, silver and enamels. Measures 45.1 mm in height, 43.1 mm in width and weighs 28.5 grams without its screwplate. 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.
In superb condition, this piece boasts crisp details and very few traces of wear. The white and red enamels are exceptionally well preserved, remaining entirely free of repairs or flaking. Its reverse is in equally pristine condition. Please note that the striated pattern visible on the gold is a characteristic result of the production process, not scratches. The silver screwplate is a correct, period-original fit for the order, and the screw itself has not been shortened.
Stunning example and with great research!
Brief description of his feat of arms or achievements:
On October 31, 1943, the commander of the 3rd Guards Separate Motorized Engineer Battalion, Guard Major Berestorud, received an order from the commander of the 19th Tank Corps, Lieutenant General Vasilyev, to provide engineering support for the assault on the Perekop-Turkish Wall. Moving ahead of the tanks, the sappers, while engaging in combat with enemy submachine gunners, cleared minefields and were the first to accompany the tanks. The units of General Vasilyev, fighting their way right on the heels of the enemy, were the first to break into Crimea.
After a stubborn firefight between our tanks and an enemy armored train, the battalion was ordered to take up defensive positions on the left flank of the breakthrough. Despite heavy rifle, machine-gun, and mortar fire from the enemy, Guard Major KACHAN appeared now in one subunit, now in another, and in the combat security outposts, giving practical instructions on preparing for battle, explaining the objective, and inspiring the soldiers for the upcoming exploits in the name of the MOTHERLAND.
During November 1 and 2, 1943, when the battalion was repelling one enemy attempt after another to eliminate our Crimean group, he, being in the second company, demonstrated examples of skillful combat management, taught the soldiers persistence and mastery, and shot from a rifle. He personally killed five “Germans”. When the battalion was raised for a counterattack, he ignited the soldiers with brief but stirring words, rushed forward, and shot the enemy with his personal weapon, which significantly contributed to the success of the counterattack in the most difficult sector.
On the night of November 3, 1943, after the enemy’s attempt to cut off the combat formations of the command post and headquarters of the 19th Tank Corps, to destroy it and smash the Crimean grouping failed, the battalion received an even more crucial task—to assault from the direction of Armyansk, destroy enemy artillery and fire assets, and secure the passage of tanks and infantry toward Armyansk from the direction of Perekop. In this second, even more furious and rapid assault, Guard Major KACHAN, avenging his beloved commander, demonstrated examples of selfless service to the MOTHERLAND, the cause of Lenin-Stalin, persistence, fearless and exceptional heroism. Leading the soldiers and commanders after him, and shooting the resisting Germans, KACHAN I.N., for being especially distinguished during the assault on Perekop, deserves the highest government award—the title of “HERO OF THE SOVIET UNION” [later downgraded to the Order of the Patriotic War 1st class].
More information on Major Kachan can be found here and here
Please note that the order contains apx 14 grams of 14 karat gold (8.2 grams of pure gold). At current gold prices, the value of the gold alone is roughly equal to the price -especially as shipping costs are included.
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