Description
Order of the Red Banner #70842
Awarded to private Mitrofan Stepanovich Akinin (Митрофан Степанович Акинин)
For exceptional bravery on 18 July 1943 during the Battle of Kursk, when, under intense enemy fire, he advanced with his wounded commander, provided him aid, and successfully directed artillery fire that destroyed an enemy observation post, knocked out enemy tanks, and enabled Soviet forces to advance
Made of solid silver and enamels. It measures 41.11 mm in height, 37.02 mm in width and weighs 26.0 gram without its screwplate. The serial number and the mint mark Monetni Dvor are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse.
The order is in excellent, above average condition with light to medium overall wear. The raised areas such as the center wreath and the torch still show most of their details and the red enamels are in much better condition than most screwback Red Banners with some superficial flaking only. The white enamels are flawless. The order has not been (re)converted to a suspension piece and its screw has not been shortened. It comes with its time period and well fitted silver screwplate.
Brief and specific description of personal combat feat or merit:
18 July 1943, the brigade was deployed near the villages Sidorovka, Protasovo, Pavlovka. The brigade was providing artillery reenforcement support for 143 Rifle Division, which was fighting for the settlement Soglasnij, the hills 254.6 and 257.3. The enemy was attempting to hold these hills at any cost, because the line of commanding heights was advantageous for defence. Enemy infantry was stubbornly defending the southern slopes of the hills, while being supported by tanks, artillery, and mortars. 3 enemy tanks were dug in on the hills. There tanks fired directly at our troops. Enemy observation post on the hills allowed the enemy to observe our options in depth, directing artillery fire at our troops concentrations.
Private AKININ, togther with platoon commander Lt. GORBUNOV, received an order: advance to the forward line to our attacking troops, locate the enemy observation post and his firing positions on the hills, then correct our fire and thus destroy the enemy observation post.
After 45 minutes, the artillery brigade HQ received a radio message with the results of the reconnaissance and the command to open fire.
At 13:20, new radio message from the forward observation post sounded: “Intensive enemy artillery barrage, Lt. GORBUNOV is wounded. Private AKININ rendered him medical aide. Despite wounds and intensive enemy fire, Lt. GORBUNOV and Pvt. AKININ continue their observations and correction of our fire aimed at the enemy observation post.”
At 15:45, radio message from the forward observation post said: “Mission accomplished. Enemy observation post is destroyed, 1 enemy tank set ablaze, 2 other tank stopped firing. Our infantry entered the southern outskirts of Soglasnij. Private AKININ is returning to the main observation post.”
After returning to the main observation post, Lt. GORBUNOV declared: “So great are our people – brave and hardworking. I ask to bestow Pvt. AKININ with order RED BANNER for his courage and bravery exhibited during this combat mission.”
He deserves order “RED BANNER”.
The full translation of the citation can be read here
More information on private Akinin can be found here
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