Medal "For the Liberation of Warsaw" - a special reward for the parties to the hostilities in the Polish capital and its environs in January 1945. It is worn on the left chest.If there are other awards of the USSR, it is placed for a medal "For the liberation of Belgrade."
Vistula-Oder operation
operation to expulsion from the Polish capital of German units in official documents of the Soviet Union was called the Vistula-Oder.It was carried out by military units of the Belarusian and Ukrainian fronts.
Soviet army offensive started on January 12.The military part of the besieged Warsaw on January 14.Division under the command of FIPerhorovicha surrounded the capital of Poland from the north, and the army PABelov - on the south side.In the rear was a Panzer Division SIBogdanov.
On the night of January 17 launched an offensive of the First Polish Army.She managed to force the Vistula River, and in the morning entered the city (the first was an infantry regiment under the command of Jan Rotkevicha).Then, in the Polish capital was occupied by Soviet soldiers.
Vistula-Oder operation was one of the most successful for the Red Army in World War II.The troops just a couple of days was able to break the resistance forces Verhmata and liberate Warsaw.
Establishment medals
Medal "For the Liberation of Warsaw" was founded July 9 1945.Get this award could only participants in the battles in the Polish capital and its environs in a certain period (14-17 January 1945).Until 1951, the medal after the death of a soldier became the property of the state.February 5th issued a decree that allowed the storage of awards together with the certificate to the family of the deceased.According to the latest medal was awarded about 710,000 combatants in Warsaw in January 1945.
Drafting medals
April 19, 1945 A. Khrulev (head of logistics of the Soviet army) issued a decree ordering to develop and submit to the winning projects for the liberation of the occupied towns outside the USSR.In discussion it was filed about 10 sketches.The bulk of the projects contained in the idea of unity of the fraternal Polish and Soviet peoples.
sketch, from which was made a medal "For the liberation of Warsaw", belonged to the artist Kuritsyn.Initially the figure was depicted the famous "Katyusha", and behind it - two soldiers (Polish and Soviet).However, later transformed medal, leaving only the labels.
Appearance award
The obverse of the award are the inscription "For the liberation" (depicted by a semi-circle on top) and "Warsaw" (on the tape in the center of the coin).At the bottom of the front side - five-pointed star and rays.The reverse of the medal is placed the date of the liberation of the Polish capital - "17 January 1945".The inscription is in three lines, and above it is a five-pointed star.As an attachment used pentagonal block.Ribbon Medal is made of blue silk with a pattern (red stripe in the middle and on the sides - a thin yellow line).
Other medals
Medal "For the Liberation of Warsaw" - a component part of a series of awards for the expulsion of occupation forces from the main European and Soviet cities.These also include Prague, Belgrade.There was also developed a series of rewards for the capture of important European cities.These include Budapest, Koenigsberg, Vienna, Berlin.Of particular interest are the coin of the series for the defense of Soviet cities.Among them, Leningrad, Moscow, Sevastopol and Odesa.
Medals for the liberation of their capture and defense of the same size and are made of brass.Most of the projects of these awards has developed a well-known artist AIKuznetsov.
will now be considered by the individual medal of the three series.
Award for the liberation of the German parts of Prague
Medal "For the Liberation of Prague" was established two months after the end of hostilities in Czechoslovakia.
fighting in Prague - this is the last step of the Red Army on the expulsion of the German occupation of parts of the European capital.On May 5, the city began an uprising of local residents.As a result of the fighting on May 5-7, Russian liberation army (Vlasov) succeeded in liberating western area of Prague.May 9, the city had the first Soviet military equipment, which led to the flight of the German units.On the same day evening in Prague it was completely liberated.Recent fighting took place on May 12.
April 19 Khrulev ordered to develop a reward for the liberation of the city.In consideration it received about 120 projects.As a sketch for this medal was taken drawing Kuznetsova and Skorzhinskoy.
Overall, this award was given to about 400 000 soldiers who took part in the fighting in Prague and its surroundings, as well as the organizers of the military operations.
Appearance medals
Medal "For the Liberation of Prague" is similar to the other awards in the series.On the obverse there are two inscriptions: "For the Liberation" - a semi-circle above and below the horizontal - "Prague."At the bottom of the medal is a five-pointed star and two laurel branches on both sides, as well as the rays upward.On the reverse - the date of the liberation of Czechoslovakia, arranged in three rows.
Award for the liberation of Budapest from the German units
Medal "For the Capture of Budapest" was awarded to participants in the storming of the city.The award was established on July 9, 1945. The Medal for the liberation of Budapest from Nazi troops worn on the left chest.
Forces of two Ukrainian Fronts December 20, 1944 was surrounded by the German army of the "South" and the group "F" in Budapest.After 9 days, the Soviet command sent an ultimatum to surrender to the enemy.However, cars Driven requirements were shot.After that, the Red Army began the assault of Budapest.Fights were long, several times German troops made successful counterattacks.January 18 was taken by the eastern part of Budapest, and February 13 - West.
Medal for the liberation of Budapest from the German troops have the same design with other awards from the series "For the taking."As the sketch was taken Kuznetsova project.The obverse of the coin in the center contains the inscription "For the capture of Budapest", and beneath it are two laurel branches, which are located in the center of the hammer and sickle.
Award for the defense of Sevastopol
medal "For the Defense of Sevastopol" was awarded to the heroic defenders of the city.
In early 1941, the German side came to the Crimea.The first attack on Sevastopol began in late October 1941.By early November, the German troops blocked the city from the land.The defense lasted 250 days, after which the broken remnants of the Nazi units were forced to surrender.
In December, under the order of People's Commissar of Defence of the USSR was established medal.For the liberation of Sevastopol and its defense has been awarded more than 52 thousand people.
Sketch medal was designed Moskalev.The obverse reward painted busts of two men - a soldier and a sailor, on the edge inscription is depicted by a "For the Defense of Sevastopol".The reverse of the coin contains the words "For Our Soviet Motherland."
