Description
Order of the Red Banner #45874
Reissue/ Victory Parade Issue
Awarded to Colonel Nikolai Ivanovich Krasnov (Николай Иванович Краснов)
For leading the 136th Separate Rifle Brigade in breaking through a heavily fortified German line near Rzhev, capturing six villages and reaching the Volga River under intense fire. His brigade seized large amounts of enemy weapons and ammunition and killed up to 5,000 enemy troops
Col. Krasnov was highly decorated with the Order of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of Suvorov 2nd class and the Order of Kutuzov 2nd class
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 46.02 mm in height including its eyelet, 37.74 mm in width and weighs 26.6 grams without its suspension. The reissue serial number and the mint mark Monetni Dvor are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse.
In excellent, well above average condition with a dark patina to the silver on both sides. The details are crisp and the red and white enamels are problem free without repairs and show some minuscule superficial flaking only on two rays of the center star. Its connection ring has not been cut and the order comes with its time period double layer 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 very scarce.
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Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
Colonel Krasnov, commanding the 136th Separate Rifle Brigade, during the offensive at the Rzhev sector, managed to break through a heavily fortified enemy defense line in the sector Zelenino, Zhemchuzhino, Smirnovo, Rudakovo, defeated the enemy and captured 6 populated areas. The brigade was first to reach the Volga River and crossed it under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, capturing the right bank. It captured:
- 32 machine guns
- 5,000 rifles
- 5,000 shells
- 200,000 rounds of ammunition
- and destroyed up to 5,000 enemy soldiers and officers.
Thanks to his skillful leadership in organizing the operation and his personal bravery in combat, a major blow was inflicted on the enemy, ensuring success for our troops.
Deserves the Order of the “Red Banner.”
Short Biography on Krasnov:
Nikolai Ivanovich Krasnov was born on May 16, 1909, in Uvary village (Astrakhan region). Orphaned during the Civil War, he grew up in an orphanage and later worked in a printing house. He joined the Communist Party in 1929 and studied engineering before entering military service in 1931.
Military Career:
- Served in various artillery and rifle units from the early 1930s.
- Fought in major WWII battles from 1941–1945, including:
- Border battles in Moldova
- Defense of Kharkov and the Seversky Donets line
- Battle of Moscow
- Rzhev, Operation Mars, and Vyazma offensives
- Smolensk, Vitebsk, and Baltic operations
- Liberation of Lithuania
- Battles near Königsberg and Samland
- Commanded multiple rifle brigades and divisions, including the 33rd Guards and 26th Rifle Divisions.
- Awarded the Order of Suvorov, Lenin Kutuzov and two Red Banners and was mentioned in two Supreme Commander’s orders.
Post-War:
- Continued service in the Soviet Army in staff and command roles across various military districts.
- Studied at the Voroshilov Military Academy.
- Retired in 1957 as a Guards Colonel and Chief of Air Defense of the 5th Army.
More info on Col. Krasnov can be found here and here
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