Russia WWII Order of the Patriotic War 2'st class With Research

Order of the Patriotic War Established by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 20, 1942. The Order of the Patriotic War is awarded to individuals of the rank and file of the Red Army, Navy, NKVD troops and partisan detachments, who showed courage, stamina and courage in the battles for the Soviet Motherland, as well as military personnel who, through their actions, contributed to the success of the military operations of our troops.

This order was awarded to Senior Lieutenant Smirnov Petr Pavlovich who was born in 1907, nationality Russian. He served in the Red Army from 06.1941 at the military rank, Senior Lieutenant. As a Commander of the 6th Battery of the 553th Mortar Regiment.

The badge is a Order of the Patriotic War 2’st class. Variety 1. The mark (MONETNIY DVOR) is made in two lines, the minimum known number is 250691, the maximum is 340428. This example is made of solid silver, gold and enamels. Total weight is about 27g without the metal disc. The maker mark Monetni Dvor is located at the 6 o’clock position underneath the screw and the serial number is located at the 6 o’clock position it reads “319848”

This is what we find in the Russian military archives about this order:

“In offensive battle, while breaking the enemy’s defensive line, senior lieutenant Smirnov together, as a commander of a battery control platoon, together with infantry commander was continuously at the forward observation post. Well organizing intelligence and communication in the battery, senior lieutenant Smirnov revealed several enemy firing points, which were promptly suppressed by the fire of our mortars. This ensured the further successful advance of the infantry and the performance of combat missions.

During the fighting for the village Stabuli on 14/09/44, where the enemy had a very extensive network of tranches and numerous machine gun sites, senior lieutenant Smirnov, adjusting battery fire, destroyed 4 easel machine guns and 2 light machine guns, suppressed fire of 75mm direct fire guns and dispersed the enemy infantry up to 80 persons. While crossing the river Memele, he was the first to cross the enemy coast and took part in the infantry attack to enemy trenches.

Under heavy artillery and mortar fire, senior lieutenant Smirnov personally killed 4 enemy soldiers and captured one officer which was handed over to the command post of the battalion. Senior lieutenant Smirnov with his fighters destroyed up to 20 enemy soldiers reflecting the enemy’s violent counterattacks.

This order was not awarded for nothing!!