Description
Order of the Red Banner #96003
Awarded to Guards Lieutenant Stepan Trofimovich Zaichenko (Степан Трофимович Зайченко)
For landing on the coast of the Crimea on 1 November 1943 after which he destroyed several enemy 75mm artillery gun batteries, suppressed over 30 counterattacks supported by many tanks and destroyed 200 Nazis
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 44.95 mm in height, 37.12 mm in width and it weighs 25.5 grams without its suspension (and screwplate). The serial number and mint mark are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse.
In excellent condition considering it is an early suspension type award. Most details are still visible and crisp and even the higher laying wreath in the center shows light wear only. The enamels are without repairs and and mostly present apart from some damage on the 3 and 9 o’clock rays of the center star. Its connection ring has been cut and the double layer steel suspension is time period to the award. At some point in time the awardee attached something on the reverse of the order so he could wear it without the suspension device. This can be seen in the image above where Lt. Zaichenko (on the right) is wearing his Red Banner without suspenion but with its original eyelet still attched on top of the order.
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
On 11/01/1943, comrade ZAYCHENKO, together with the landing party, landed on the coast of the Crimea in the Eltigen area to adjust the regiment’s fire. On 11/02/1943, despite a hurricane artillery and mortar fire of the enemy, comrade ZAYCHENKO, adjusting the regiment’s fire, destroyed 2 enemy 75mm artillery gun batteries and suppressed 3 enemy 75mm artillery gun batteries. On 11/02/1943, during the day, the enemy made 17 counterattacks with the support of 8 to 13 tanks. Comrade ZAYCHENKO did not interrupt the regiment’s fire for a minute, as a result of which all enemy counterattacks were repulsed and at the same time up to 200 Nazis were destroyed. On 11/03/1943, the enemy launched 15 counterattacks with support of 7 – 16 tanks against our landing units. Comrade ZAYCHENKO, adjusting the regiment’s fire under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, lit 1 tank, knocked out 2 and destroyed an enemy infantry company, as a result of which all counterattacks of the enemy were repulsed and he was thrown back to his previous line.
More info on Lt. Zaichenko can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery are two digital pictures of Lt. Zaichenko. In one of them he is wearing this actual Red Banner
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