Russia – Soviet: A very fine advance to the Vistula Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class awarded to Sergeant Pavel Ivanovich Osipov, Scout, Headquarters Platoon of the Commander of the Artillery of the 139th ‘Roslavl’ Red Banner, Order of Suvorov 2nd Class Rifle Division for helping repel a German counterattack with his submachine gun inflicting 5 casualties on 10th September 1944 and later that day, under mortar and artillery fire recovering the body of ‘Hero of the Soviet Union’, Captain Andrey Mikhailovich Krutoshinsky who had been killed 10 metres from the enemy positions.
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, the reverse numbered 883630
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Pavel Ivanovich Osipov was born in the village of Senend, Poshekhono-Volodarsky District, Yaroslavl Oblast in 1919. A Russian national he attained an elementary education before joining the Red Army in October 1939 and would serve on the frontline from 22nd June 1941 onwards.
He would be awarded a Medal for Bravery by decree of the 53rd Army on 19th June 1943, and then subsequently an Order of the Red Star by decree of the 53rd Machine-Gun Artillery Brigade on 13th February 1944.
This Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class issued by decree of the Commander of Artillery of the 49th Army on 21st September 1944 was his final decoration. Issued to him whilst serving as a Sergeant and Scout, Headquarters Platoon of the Commander of the Artillery of the 139th ‘Roslavl’ Red Banner Order of Suvorov 2nd Class Rifle Division, the citation reads:
‘In battle on 10.09.1944 Comrade Osipov together with Sergeant Lastochkin searched out the body of the dead reconnaissance officer for the commander of Divisional Artillery, Captain Krutoshinsky (by the anti-tank ditch in the area of the village of Rudzevo, Belastokskaya Oblast) which they found on the front lines of the infantry. At that moment, the enemy undertook a counterattack with artillery and mortar support. Comrade Osipov went into action, and with fire from his submachine-gun helped repel the counterattack. He personally killed 5 enemy soldiers, after which, under uninterrupted artillery and mortar fire, he carried the body of Captain Krutoshinsky from field.
For displayed bravery and steadfastness in battle, and for faithful duty, he deserves awarding of the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class.’
Captain Krutoshinsky, the officer carried off the field was ‘Hero of the Soviet Union’ Andrey Mikhailovich Krutoshinsky, the Assistant Chief of Staff of Artillery for Reconnaissance of the 139th Roslavl Rifle Division. He would distinguish himself in the opening days of Operation Bagration in June 1944 during the fighting for the liberation of the city of Mogilev.
On 27th June 1944, while crossing the Resta River, Captain Krutoshinsky skilfully organised the fire control of an artillery regiment, which repelled two counterattacks, captured the crossing, and ensured the rapid advance of rifle units. Developing the offensive, the ground under his command captured the suburb of Mogilev, the village of Lupolovo. Among those captured was a liaison officer for the headquarters of the 12th Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht, who provided valuable information. On the night of June 28, having crossed the Dnieper River, the scouts reached the area of the headquarters of the enemy division and captured it by storm. All staff officers were captured, including two generals. For these battles he was nominated for the title ‘Hero of the Soviet Union’ which would be confirmed on 26th October 1944 some six weeks after his death.
His body having been recovered he is buried in the town of Sniadowo, 15km south of Lomza, Poland.
By 1952, Osipov was employed as a Driver in the Office of Public Works, Shcherbakov, Yaroslavl Oblast and was living on building 28, Krestyanskaya Street within the city.
