Russia – Soviet: An interesting Order of Glory 3rd Class to Guards Sergeant Aleksandr Vasilievich Timoshkin, 64th Guards Rifle Division for destroying 3 enemy machine gun emplacements, 40 metres of trenches and up to 20 enemy troops, during his units fighting against the encircled German troops in the Kurland Pocket.
Order of Glory 3rd Class, type 2, numbered 361077
Condition: toning, Nearly extremely fine
Aleksandr Vasilievich Timoshkin was born in the village of Turdaki, Ardatov Region of the Mordva autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in 1923. Attaining an Elementary education, he joined the Red Army in May 1942, and saw service as a Master Sergeant in the position of Mortar Crew Commander, 191st Guards Rifle Regiment, 64th Guards Rifle Division.
Timoshkin was to be decorated 4 times during the Great Patriotic War, firstly with a Medal for Bravery by Order of the 191st Guards Rifle Regiment on 18th January 1944, and then with another Medal for Bravery by Order of the 191st Rifle Regiment on 2nd October 1944. His next award was this Order of Glory 3rd Class by Order of the 64th Guards Rifle Division on 28th February 1945 which was a result of the following recommendation:
‘Participating in the initial artillery barrage of the enemy positions on 20 February 1945 near the settlement Zibali, he and his mortar destroyed 3 enemy machine-gun emplacements, demolished up to 30 meters of the enemy trenches and eliminated up to 20 enemy troops. – He deserves the state award – Order of Glory 3rd Class.'
Timoshkin would go on to receive the Medal for Combat Merits on 1st May 1945 by Order of the 191st Guards Rifle Regiment, this most likely for a role in the fighting for the Kurland pocket which had carried on throughout 1945 with his unit forming part of the attacking force.
In November 1946, Timoshkin was still serving in the Red Army whilst living in the village of Turdaki, Ardatov Region of the Mordva Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.
