Description
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #544152 ‘Duplicate’
Awarded to Private Pavel Ilyich Nikolayev (Павел Ильич Николаев)
For killing the crew of a light machine gun with an antitank grenade during the assault on the city of Berlin and for successfully clearing passages through the enemy’s obstacles under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire
Made of solid silver, gold and enamels. The order weighs 28.1 grams without its screwplate and measures 43.47 mm in width and 44.94 mm in height.
In excellent, above average condition with its details crisp. Its red and white enamels are problem free without repairs and show some small dings and scratches only. Both sides show an appealing medium patina to the silver and the order comes with its time period and well fitted screwplate. Its screw has not been shortened.
Duplicate awards were given by the Soviet Government to a recipient, as a replacement piece, in exchange for the same order or medal of an earlier type or when awards were lost due to exceptional circumstances beyond their control like combat or natural disasters. These pieces are particularly scarce.
An excellent piece with much desired research for Berlin and a very interesting background story. Scarce as such
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
When the enemy defenses were breached from the Oder bridgehead and the city of Berlin was stormed, Private Nikolayev served with an assault group tasked with clearing passages through the enemy’s engineer obstacles in order for the tanks, artillery, and infantry to pass through. Under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire Private Nikolayev cleared two passages through an enemy minefield, removing 28 antitank mines and thus enabling the assault groups to advance through the obstacles unhindered.
During the assault on the city of Berlin, Private Nikolayev killed the crew of a light machine gun, which had taken up position in the basement of a building, with an antitank grenade, thus enabling the assault groups to push forward quickly and capture the city of Berlin.
For the bravery, courage, and fearlessness he exhibited while carrying out a combat assignment during the breakthrough of the enemy defenses and during the assault on the city of Berlin, Private Nikolayev deserves the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd class.
The full translation to the research can be read here
More info on Private Nikolayev can be found here
It is worth mentioning that Private Nikolayev was stripped of his awards in 1951 and they were returned to him in 1985. This supports this order being a ‘duplicate’ award
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