Translation Help

[jefflgarrison]

It appears that the location was the "village of Mondeln" (the abbreviation of "d" being Russian for "village"). I bet it is an obscure German village, so it might be tough to even google it. From my days stationed in Germany, I know that there are hundreds of small towns that don't really make it past a 1:250,000 map or easily into google. You might need to do a bit of unit research to get closer to the location, and then from there look on a German map. I bet you could find it on one of those 1:250k or 1:100k road atlases they sell in Germany. Maybe that's also available in Poland?

Addition: after some googling, I think the German spelling may also be "Mandeln". There is a village in Hessen by this name, but that obviously wouldn't be the one since that was clearly in the areas captured by US forces.

Translation for Citation #1:

Comrade Velichko during the Great Patriotic war, in the periods of the 19-25 November 1942 and 10-29 January 1943, has shown bravery, skill and courage while fighting the fascist forces. Under his supervision as a party commisar the following job was made: smooth comminucation was provided for (???), up to 255 enemy weapon's emplacement were found and covered by artillery fire. Having suffered from lack of communications repair personnel and with the wounding of the platoon commander on January 21, 1943 during the fight near the village of Alexeevka of Stalingrad region, he has taken command of the platoon and successfully reestablished on going communications. For his deeds comrade Velichko deserves the governmental award "For the courage".

Translation for citation #2:

In the battle for the village of Mondeln, April 9, 1945, being in the midst of the infantry formation, he has adjusted the fire of the artillery group. With his correct designation of the coordinates of all the emerging targets, shells did hit the targets precisely, that resulted in beating off three harsh counter-attacks, with enemy having received heavy losses in both infantry and machinery.

During the assault of fort #2, being in the midst of the infantry formation, he, with the help of his group, destroyed one machine gun and suppressed a ??mm mortar squad, that helped achieve enemy's front surrender.

[Shocktrooper]

Hello,

I`ve purchased this one recently - can anyone tell me if/what kind of award document it is ?

Thank you very much,

Jens

[Lapa]

Here are Wagner's documents.

1. Defense of Caucasus
Given on 14 July 1945 to Guards Sergeant Ershova, Raisa Aronovna (female)

2. Taking of Koenigsberg
Given on 29 January 1946 to Private Minko, Aleksandr Antonovich

Marc

[matteti]

This document is a kind of "spravka", certificate of gratitude, honorary certificate. I am not sure the exact word for it. But basically it was awarded by a prikaz from Stalin to the participant of a successful fight (for liberation or capture of a city or geographic area).

In itself, it has no link with your medal (i.e. it was not given together, or for the same criteria) if not for the fact that they are both related with Koenigsberg.

Most of those documents were given for smaller fight who didn't even have medal issued specifically for them. Documents were also issued in large numbers and their design and size vary a lot between each event/prikaz.

Personally, I have never seen yet such document issued to a soldier that also received a medal for the same event with a medal document that confirm this (showing same name as the spravka). But I guess it also happened.

By the way, your document looks nice!

[Shocktrooper]

Hi,

thanks a lot for this valuable information ! Can you also tell me something about it`s usual worth/ price ? In fact I`ve never seen such a document before, so it`s a little bit difficult for me to evaluate...

Jens*

[matteti]

Hello, the documents are not very expensive, however, they start to be more difficult to find. And there are so many different types (I mean for different events/prikaz) that if you are looknig for a specific one, it's almost an impossible mission. It's a bit as if you were looking for a specific "veteran of X unit " badge.

I paid similar documents anywhere from $2 to $15. It really depends on what you want to pay. Not a lot of collector are interested in them and they are more difficult to preserve.*This is not the type of item that will gain a lot in value unless there was a rare signature on it or if it was awarded to a well-known figure, etc.

[Lapa]

Originally Posted by matteti

...This is not the type of item that will gain a lot in value unless there was a rare signature on it or if it was awarded to a well-known figure, etc.

Most of these were without signature, or when signed, it was a printed one, so the interest is limited and the increase in value is not very likely.

Marc

[matteti]

As I am diving more into my research and trying to translate/summarise what I have, I have few questions that I will try to keep in this one thread.

First, I need help to understand the abbreviation "Vrid." in the "Military Service in the Armed Forces of the USSR" section of research paper.

The guy was a cadet (Kursant), then
1938: platoon commander
1939-41: battery commander
1941: Vrid. Kom. Diviziona (??? Division Commander)

What rank did he have in 1941?

Thanks.

[desantnik]

It often shows up as VrIO too.

Divizion is not a division.

[matteti]

Originally Posted by desantnik

Divizion is not a division.

That would make sense because later he became "Regiment" commander.

Later in the research paper I see again reference to that rank/position for him and again they say "Vrid. Kom. Diviziona".. So, what would be english equivalent to that rank/position?