Russia – Soviet: A Brody encirclement and subsequent advance to the Vistula River Order of the Red Star awarded to Private Ivan Mikhailovich Solovyov, the Battalion radio transceiver operator in the 134th Artillery Regiment, 172nd Rifle Division, for maintaining communications which enabled the continued help of the battalion's artillery.
Order of the Red Star, type 2 without screwpost plate and with semi-flared edges, numbered 3013873
Condition: Good very fine
Ivan Mikhailovich Solovyov was born in Anno-Rebrikovskaya Rural Municipality, Chertkovo Raion, Rostov Oblast in 1913. Having attained an elementary education he joined the Red Army on 28th August 1941 and saw frontline service from 11th August 1942.
Solovyov’s first award was a Medal for Courage on 23rd August 1943 by Order of the 134th Artillery Regiment. He was to go on to win a second award, this Order of the Red Star by Order of the 172nd Rifle Division on 20th August 1944 with the following citation:
‘During the fighting aimed at finishing off the encircled enemy forces at Brody, comrade Solovyov ensured the battalion possessed radio communications at a time when the telephone cable was severed. At the same time he maintained communications with the battalion commander’s observation post and the regimental staff, thus enabling battalion command to control the artillery fire.
On August 2nd 1944, during the fighting for Tarnobrzeg, comrade Solovyov ignored his fatigue and stayed on duty at the radio transceiver around the clock, exercising tactical command during the fighting with counterattacking German forces. He transmitted all commands promptly and to the letter, which aided our artillery in repelling the enemy onslaught in a timely manner.’
Signed by the Commander of the 134th Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Bogdanov.
The fighting near Brody took place during July 1944 when 45,000 Germans were surrounded by elements of the 1st Ukrainian Front and eventually destroyed. The fighting in the region continued into August and saw the 1st Ukrainian Front cross the Vistula and form a bridgehead which was subsequently to be hit by numerous German counter attacks which failed to dislodge them.
He was also to receive the Medal for the Victory over Germany, and after the war worked as a Foreman of the tractor crew of Melovoye Machine and Tractor Station, while living in Anno-Rebrikovskaya Rural Municipality, Chertkovo Raion, Rostov Oblast.
The high number of the award for an action in 1944 is due to the fact he was not to receive it until October 1951.
