Russia – Soviet: A Vistula-Oder offensive Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class awarded to Starshina Mitrofanovich Arkhipov a Squad Commander, 579th Independent Sapper Battalion, 269th ‘Rogachyov’ Red Banner Rifle Division for stopping an enemy armoured attack by placing 68 anti-tank mines and on another occasion he disarmed 84 mines to clear the way for the artillery. He would later take part in the Berlin offensive, his unit being involved in the destruction of the Halbe pocket to the southeast of the city.
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, flatback reverse, reverse numbered 660899
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Nikolai Mitrofanovich Arkhipov was born in the village of Khristoforovka, Ulanovsky District, Tambov Oblast in 1917. A Russian national he attained an elementary education before serving in the Red Army from June 1941 and participated in the Patriotic War from 28th October 1941.
He would receive several decorations during the course of the war including an Order of the Red Star by decree of the 269th Rifle Division on 23rd August 1943, a Medal for Bravery by decree of the 269th Rifle Division on 26th January 1944, an Order of Glory 3rd Class by decree of the 269th Rifle Division on 10th October 1944.
This Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class was awarded by decree of the 1st Rifle Corps on 18th March 1945. At the time Arkhipov was serving as a Starshina and Squad Commander, 579th Independent Sapper Battalion, 269th ‘Rogachyov’ Red Banner Rifle Division as a result of the following recommendation:
‘Comrade Arkhipov is a courageous and energetic squad commander, a bold sapper-scout. While breaching the German defences in the area of the hamlet of Ponikevka under machine gun fire, he directed works to build a bridge across the trench, which allowed the passage of artillery and cargoes. In the area of the village Staraya-Ves, he personally reconnoitred the bridge across the river Ruzh, which afforded us the ability to cross infantry and artillery to the western bank of the river in a timely fashion. In the area of the hamlet of Podykhovne during a counterattack by enemy tanks, he placed 68 anti-tank mines, which barred the way for the enemy vehicles. In the area of the city of Villenberg (Wielbark, Poland), he reconnoitred the bridge across the River Omulew, guarded by the Germans, over which all of the (enemy?) division’s cargoes passed. In the area of the hamlet of Yabloken, he disarmed 84 anti-tank mines, which allowed the artillery through without losses.
For excellent fulfilment of combat missions, he deserves the government award the Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class.
He would go on to take part in the Capture of Berlin during which time his unit was involved in the destruction of the Halbe pocket to the southeast of the city. He was also awarded the Medal for Victory over Germany.
After the war he would work as a Collective Farmer at the ‘Voroshilov’ Kolkhoz in the village of Novo-Grozheno, he was living in the village of Novo-Grozhenko, Bashtansky District, in Nikolaev Oblast, Ukraine.
