Description
Soviet Order of the Red Banner 2nd award #4451 Reissue Award
Awarded to deputy division commander Colonel Andrej Ulyanovich Klochkov (Андрей Ульянович Клочков)
For replacing the wounded division commander during the period of the combat engagements of the enemy stronghold Golaya Dolina [Ukraine] and inflicted sizeable losses upon the enemy troops and materiel. For this effort, the Supreme Commander in Chief granted the division honorary name ‘Pavlogradskaya’.
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 36.65 mm in width, 44.63 mm in height and weighs 21.5 gram without its suspension. The mint mark is located above the serial number in one straight line.
This original order is in great mint condition with few traces of wear. Even the the higher laying parts like the torch and the centre wreath still show their details perfectly well. The red and white enamels are beautiful and show some minor superficial flaking and a chip on the 3 o’clock ray of the center star only. Most of the gold plating is still present and both sides shows a nice toning to the silver. Its connection ring has not been cut and the order comes with its time period double layer steel suspension.
Reissue 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 which was no longer authorized for awarding by new regulations. The new reissue piece retains the serial number from the original award piece. Many early suspension or screwback awards were exchanged for the new type of award, particularly during the period immediately following the end of the Great Patriotic War. During the June 1945 Victory Parade in Moscow following the defeat of Germany in World War Two, soldiers participating in the Parade were expected to have the latest type of award on their uniforms and undoubtedly many were exchanged for that parade. These pieces are extremely rare.
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
During the period of the division formation, Colonel KLOCHKOV conducted extensive work for forming and organising the division. Having good military tactical skills, he efficiently passed his knowledge and combat experience to his subordinate units.
He is a determined, energetic, courageous, and decisive commander.
He replaced wounded division commander and continued the combat operations during the period of the combat engagements of the enemy stronghold Golaya Dolina [Ukraine].
In the difficult combat environment, he managed to organised effective combat combat coordination and inflicted sizeable losses upon the enemy troops and materiel.
After the enemy strong defence line was broken, the division seized a number of settlements: Krishtopovka, Blagodatnoe, Dmitrievka, and others.
On 18 September 1943, the division captured town Pavlograd after a series of intensive fights. For this effort, the Supreme Commander in Chief granted the division honorary name “Pavlogradskaya”.
For effective military commanding skill and efficient execution of the combat missions, comrade KLOCHKOV deserves state award order “RED BANNER”.
The full translation can be read below:
More info on Col. Klochkov can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery are:
- three scans of images of Col. Klochkov,
- a combat diary 172nd Rifle Division on 18 September 1943,
- two maps of the 172nd Rifle Division at Pavlograd,
- a civil war info sheet,
- a document showing Klochkov’s signature
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