Description
Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #162834
Awarded to Major Joseph Vsevolodovich Tarasov (Иосиф Всеволодович Тарасов)
For organizing the defence against a surprise enemy attack and evacuating secret documentation to a safe location while being under strong enemy fire
Thanks to his effort, the higher Command always had precise information on the state of our forces and its strength
Krasnokamsky Mint (KMD) variation. Made of solid silver, gold and enamels. The order weighs 29.1 gram without its screwplate and measures 44.78 mm in width and 47.19 mm in height. Its serial number and curved mint mark in two lines can de found on the bottom of its reverse. The minimal known serial number of this variation is 135146 and the maximum number is 169988.
This original Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class is in nice condition with its details crisp. The enamels are without repairs and show a small superficial chip on the very tip of the 12 o’clock ray and some contact marks only. Its reverse is in even better condition and shows almost no wear. It comes with its time period silver screwplate and its screw has not been shortened.
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
On 07 February 1944, during our operation for elimination of the encircled enemy force near Korsun-Shevchenkovsky, the enemy entered the village Shanderovka, where the the division headquarters were located. For the 4th headquarters section it meant that the secret documentation was in danger of being captured. Major TARASOV organised the section troops to defend against the surprise enemy attack. Under strong enemy artillery and mortar fire, he evacuated the secret documentation to a safe location, despite the fact that one of the two horses was wounded. Of his own initiative, he saved a box of topographic maps from falling into the enemy hands.
During the whole period of the division offensive operations, Major TARASOV efficiently organised his section. Thanks to his effort, the higher Command always had precise information on the state of our forces and its strength.
Despite enemy aerial bombardment, he managed to safe-keep all the secret documentation in the complicated conditions of the forced crossings over the rivers Southern Bug, Dneister, and Prut.
I recommend Major TARASOV for state award – order “PATRIOTIC WAR I CLASS”
The full translation of the research can be found below:
More information on Major Tarasov can be found here
The following is also included next to the ‘standard’ research:
- a digital scans of a combat map of Shanderovka (07 Feb 1944)
- a scan of the combat diary of the 337th Rifle Division on 07 Feb 1944
- two digital images of Tarasov (one where he is wearing this very same Order of the Patriotic War
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