in the history of World War II, it is impossible to find a battle that would be more important and bigger than the Battle of Stalingrad, after which the Soviet troops began to attack almost the entire front line and eventually took Berlin.For participation in this bright and at the same time tragic event warriors could not reward.Thus it was introduced the medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad."
Stalingrad
Medal awarded to Soviet soldiers who took part in the defense of the city of Stalingrad in 1942-1943 and showed indomitable resilience and courage, fighting with the enemy.In the summer of 1942, a huge group of Nazi troops approached the city.Some 2,800 thousand. Officers and privates, 3.5 thousand. Mortars, more than 1 thousand. Aircraft started to storm Stalingrad.German armies opposed 150 thousand. Soviet soldiers, who were armed with 400 tanks, 2,000 guns and mortars, and 730 aircraft.
right phase of the Battle of Stalingrad (July - November 1942) was more defensive than offensive.The Soviet army was holding the onslaught of superior in the number of German troops heroically fulfilling an order from July 28, 1942 "Not one step back!" And indeed, the Soviet soldiers kept every inch of his native land.During the bloody defense and street fighting the Germans lost in killed and wounded more than 600 thousand. People, a lot of tanks and aircraft were also destroyed.In the future, the loss of Hitler's troops only increased.The Germans lost at Stalingrad in fact a quarter of the personnel, who fought on the entire Soviet-German front (about 1.6 million).By the beginning of February 1943 fascist grouping at Stalingrad was completely exhausted and virtually destroyed.
establishment of the medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad»
Flames battle still glowed in the city on the Volga, and the leadership of the country is already considering awarding heroes.Thus, in December 1942, it adopted a resolution on the establishment of the medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad."Decoration award was designed by the artist N. Moskalev.Medal planned to award not only the military but also civilians, were awarded to all direct participants in the defense of Stalingrad.Especially since more than 15 thousand peaceful residents volunteered in the People's Militia, heroically defending the homeland.
Regarding the military: a medal awarded to both officers and ordinary ordinary soldiers.The medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad" is not shared heroic defenders on sea and land forces, the award subject to all kinds of troops.
Manufacturing medal award
Originally planned to manufacture stainless steel, but the decree of the Supreme Soviet on 30 March 1943 adopted as material for the implementation of the medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad" brass.On the reverse side of the awards was dealt its serial number, which corresponded to the ID number of honorary awards.
Description
As already mentioned, the award was made from brass in the shape of a small circle with a diameter equal to 32 mm.The obverse of the coin depicted detachment of soldiers with weapons, against a red banner on the left side of them see the outlines of an airplane and moving tanks.At the top of the medal is a five-pointed star, which is applied over the inscription "For defense of Stalingrad".The reverse depicts a reward hammer and sickle and the inscription "For Our Soviet Motherland."
basis for fixing the coin is the pentagonal block.The medal is attached to it by means ear and a small ring.The very shoes covered with moire ribbon of olive color, the center of which is an oblong red stripe.The width of the strip is 2 mm, and the tape itself - 24 mm.
awarded for the defense of Stalingrad
Heroes who defended Stalingrad from the Nazi invaders, there was so much that not only the award, but it was not possible to count all.For general information, 760 thousand people have received the medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad."Lists the recipients in alphabetical, or even some procedure is not likely to have been drawn up.But there is an opportunity to see the orders of the award.You can also, knowing the name of the participant of Great Patriotic War, to know what it awarded marks of distinction command.According to these data historians and learn more about the awardees for the defense of Stalingrad.
known that the medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad" first to receive: the commander of the 64th army MS Shumilov, chairman of the City Council of the Stalingrad DM Pigalёv, chairman of the executive committee of the Stalingrad JF Zimenko, the secretary of the party and. Bondar.In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Great Victory, Stalingrad was awarded the title of the Hero City, and awarded "Gold Star".
Battle of Stalingrad became a story of the Second World War as a unique example of courage and heroism, in this connection was established medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad."
