Russia – Soviet: A Baltic Offensive Order of the Red Star to Mikhail Gavrilovich Sagalayev, the Commander of a 57-mm gun of the 1027th Rifle Regiment, 198th Rifle Division for breaching the enemy defence lines in Auce District, Latvia, including destroying 1 heavy and 2 light machine guns, along with their crews, and killing as many as 20 fascists.
Order of the Red Star, type 2, without screw post plate and with semi flared edges, numbered 1032801
Condition: small chips to enamel at the end of each of the arms, otherwise Good very fine
Mikhail Gavrilovich Sagalayev was born in the village of Pogozheye, Tim Raion, Kursk Oblast during 1924. Having attained an elementary education, he served in the Red Army from February 1942 until March 1947.
Serving during the Great Patriotic War he was to first receive a Medal for Courage by Order of the 1027th Rifle Regiment, 198th Rifle Division on 7th May 1944, before subsequently being awarded this Order of the Red Star by Order of the 198th Rifle Division on 31st October 1944.
Serving as a Commander of a 57-mm gun of the 1027th Rifle Regiment, 198th Rifle Division, he was to receive the decoration on the back of the following citation:
‘On October 26, 1944 Senior Sergeant Sagaleyev took part in breaching the heavily fortified enemy line of defence near the village of Jurgi (Auce District, Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic.) He and his mortar crew were positioned among the ranks of the infantry. In spite of heavy enemy artillery and mortar shelling he fired his mortar with great precision and boldly supported the infantry in their advance, simultaneously destroying enemy troops and firing positions.
During the battle he himself destroyed 1 heavy and 2 light machine guns, along with their crews, and killed as many as 20 fascists. Additionally he dispersed and partially killed a group of up to 25 enemy infantrymen. Through his decisive actions and accurate fire comrade Sagalayev enabled the advancing infantry units to carry out their combat mission.
I apply for Senior Sergeant Sagalayev to be awarded the Order of the Red Star.’
Signed by the Colonel of the 1027th Rifle Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Zhavoronkov.
The fighting of the 198th Rifle Division in the autumn of 1944 involved trying to cut off German Army Group North and advance to the Baltic, this was successfully done by reaching the sea and cutting off a large force in the Kurland Peninsula which subsequently held out until the end of the war. It is likely unless wounded that Sagalayev was involved in fighting in the Kurland area until the cessation of hostilities. He was to be awarded a Medal for the Victory over Germany after the war.
Post-war Sagalayev worked as a Tractor-Driver at Volobuyevka Machine and Tractor Station, Tim Raion, Kursk Oblast whilst living in the village of Pogozheye in the same district
