Russia – Soviet: A Baltic Offensive Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, flatback reverse, the reverse numbered 496464 awarded to Captain Evsey Moiseevich Mandelberg, Aide to the Head of the Operative-Reconnaissance Section of the Brigade Headquarters of the 29th Engineer-Sapper Red Star Order Brigade for during offensive operations in October 1944 venturing many times to the combat formations and directing the course of the combat, one example being earlier on 17th September 1944 when south-east of the settlement of Dobele, a large enemy formation counter-attacked our troops. Captain Mandelberg lead and brough a 5 truck caravan loaded with mines to the position and during 3 days, two battalions under his leadership laid over 3,000 anti-tank mines which would lead to the destruction of 3 enemy tanks and 2 armoured personnel carriers.
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, flatback reverse, the reverse numbered 496464
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Evsey Moiseevich Mandelberg was born in Kiev in 1903, of Jewish ethnicity he attained a higher education before joining the Red Army in July 1941. He would be wounded in October 1941 during the critical fighting at the end of Operation Barbarossa.
He would later go on to receive two awards during the conflict, the first being a Medal for Combat Merits by Decree of 1st Baltic Front on 10th June 1944, and the second this Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class on 6th September 1944 whilst serving as an Aide to the Head of the Operative-Reconnaissance Section of the Brigade Headquarters of 29 Engineer-Sapper Red Star Order Brigade:
‘Working as the aide to the head of the operative-reconnaissance section of the brigade headquarters , Captain Mandelberg was performing a wide variety of tasks relating to operative command of the Brigade troops.
In the offensive operations on 5th October 1944, Captain Mandelberg ventured many times to the combat formations and directed the course of the combat on the battlefield. In the heat of the battle under enemy fire, Captain Mandelberg exhibits initiative and develops promptly the combat operative documentation. As one of the Brigade HQ officers, he provides extensive assistance to the subordinate battalion HQs.
Such as on 17th September 1944 south-east of the settlement Dobele, a large enemy armour formation counter-attacked our troops. Captain Mandelberg lead and brought a 5 trucks caravan loaded with mines to the position 205 engineer-sapper battalion. He organised and performed during 3 days mine laying on the sectors of the main enemy advance routes. Under his leadership, two battalions laid over 3000 anti-tank mines, 3 enemy tanks and 2 APCs blew up on these minefields laid by 205th and 199 engineer-sapper battalions.
For excellent execution of the combat objectives, for exhibited courage, bravery and initiative, Comrade Mandelberg deserves state award order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class.’
