Russia – Soviet: A Baltic Offensive ammunition runner’s Order of Glory 3rd Class awarded to Starshina Filipp Varnavevich Nikolaev, 90th ‘Ropsha’ ‘Red Banner’ Rifle Division who on 16th August 1944 near the country manor of Hurmi whilst repelling an enemy counterattack delivered ammunition to the firing position of the battery under artillery and machine gun fire. He then stood at a gun in place of a knocked out breech-lock operator leading to the destruction of two light machine gun operators and fifteen enemy soldiers and allowing the successful advance of the Red Army’s infantry.
Order of Glory 3rd Class, type 2, reverse numbered 82656
Condition: toning, Nearly Extremely Fine
Filipp Varnavevich Nikolaev was born in the village of Zabolotye, Novosokolsky District, Velikiye Luki Oblast in 1909. Having attained an elementary education he would serve in the Red Army for a period two years between 1931 and 1933 and would later be recalled to serve in the Great Patriotic War where he would see service on the Leningrad Front since 1941 and then on the 3rd Baltic Front from 1st August 1944.
Nikolaev’s first award would be a Medal for Combat Merits by decree of the 90th ‘Ropsha’ Red Banner Rifle Division on 5th April 1944, and this Order of Glory 3rd Class issued by decree of the 90th ‘Ropsha’ Rifle Division on 19th August 1944 would be his second award.
Issued whilst serving as a Starshina 1st Class and the Battery Starshina of the 157th Anti-Tank Battalion, 98th ‘Ropsha’ Red Banner Rifle Division, the citation reads:
‘While repelling an enemy counterattack on 16th August 1944 in the area of the country manor of Hurmi, Comrade Nikolaev, under enemy artillery and machine gun fire, delivered ammunition to the firing position of the battery and personally stood at a gun in place of a knocked out breech-lock operator. Two light machine guns and up to 15 enemy soldiers were destroyed by the gun, which served to repulse the enemy counterattack and allow the successful advance of our infantry.
For courage and initiative displayed in battle for the Motherland, Comrade Nikolaev deserves awarding of the Order of Glory 3rd Class.’
Nikolaev would subsequently be in receipt of a second Medal for Combat Merits by decree of the 90th ‘Ropsha’ Red Banner Rifle Division on 4th April 1945 and a Medal for the Victory over Germany.
By 4th February 1947, he would be employed as a photography agent, Maly Opera Theatre and would be living on Teryaev Street, city of Leningrad.
