Stolen Red Banners? Reported in a history book?...

[RedMaestro2]

Gents,

I vaguely remember reading somewhere about a case of Orders of the Red Banner stolen during WWII. I think it was in an Antony Beevor book and/or discussed once on the forum. Does this ring bells for anyone? Any pointers? I'm interested in rereading the story, if I didn't just imagine it.

Thanks!

[dav1941]

I've heard the same with a cache of OPW 2nd classes at Stalingrad. From secondhand accounts a few found there on the battlefield have been unawarded early type 1 examples (at least unresearchable). I'm guessing it was a serious offense to be in illegal possession of one at the time?

[Eryk]

The principal Communist awards - Hero of the Soviet Union, Order of the Red Banner, Order of the Red Star - were still, of course, taken very seriously by the political authorities, even if the Red Star had become something of a Stakhanovite ration issued to every man who destroyed a German tank. When, on the night of 26 October, the chief of the manpower department of 64th Army lost a suitcase containing forty Orders of the Red Banner, while waiting fora ferry to cross the Volga, a terrible consternation ensued. One mightalmost have thought that the defence plans for the whole of the Stalingrad Front had been lost. The suitcase was finally rediscovered two miles away on the following day. Only a single medal was missing. It may well have been taken by a soldier who decided, perhaps warming to the idea after a few drinks, that his efforts at the front had been insufficiently recognized. The chief of the manpower department was put in front of a military tribunal, charged with 'criminal care-lessness'.

Stalingrad, Beevor, p. 202

[RedMaestro2]

Originally Posted by Eryk

Stalingrad, Beevor, p. 202

Thank you very much, Eryk! That's exactly it.