Gold Star "Hero Of The Soviet Union".

[Tal Inbar]

Interesting question.

I think that the suspensions were NOT mint issue, except very rare occasions (Brezhnev, Chrischev, Zhukov etc.).

[HuliganRS]

That's funny...

I can't even imagine the price for 2 HSU's!!!!

Dave, care to share a ballpark figure?

:);)

Rusty.

[Dave]

Originally posted by HuliganRS
Dave, care to share a ballpark figure?

Rusty-

You'll be looking at $25-$30K for the pair. Of course, I've only gotten to 'fondle' one original set, which was quite an experience!!! I was offered a 'wearing copy' set from a very reputable dealer, the pair had originally belonged to a MSU, and the dealer had personally watched the marshal's son take them off his everyday uniform. Price? Somewhere around 'half' of that for a real set. :)

--Dave

[Alexscl]

Dear friends!

Would you be so kind to help me with the information?

Unfortunately I do not have the excellent list of Heroes :(

Do you know the number of the Gold Star awarded to General -Major Shepetov I.M. on the 9th of November 1941?

Lately this Star used by fascist spy major Tavrin (Politov) - a famous story.

Thanks a lot!
Alex

[new world]

Alex,

His Star was SN 565.

Would you mind telling us the story? :)

William

[HuliganRS]

Alexcl: Didn't you ask the same question on the Russian forum?

Wasn't this the German that tried to kill Stalin?

Rusty.

[Alexscl]

Thanks a lot, friends!

Yes, I asked the same question on the Mondvor forum.

It was very interesting for me to know the number of this famous Gold Star. I like numbers :)

As for the story, I am not sure I can tell it in English correctly :)
I will try and sorry for mistakes.

In a few words. In 1944 German intelligence service decided to send out two special agents to kill Stalin. Assassination of Stalin was Hitler’s idée fixe.

They chose two people – former Red Army lieutenant Tavrin and women - Lydia Shilova. In 1942 Tavrin came over to the German's side and was recruited to serve in the Vlasov army. He finished special espionage school and had “excellent teachers” – Otto Skorzeny and General Vlasov.

The Germans prepared them very well (as usual). Tavrin had excellent documents, special weapon, and original awards – Gold Star (Shepetov’s # 565), order of Lenin, two Red Banners, Red Star, order of Alexander Nevsky and two medals “For Bravery”. According to the docs HSU Major Tavrin was a deputy commander of “SMERSH” of the 39th Army and junior lieutenant Lydia Shilova was an officer of “SMERSH”. Also they had additional “supporting materials” – spurious newspapers with articles about HSU Tavrin.

On the 5th of September 1944 two spies crossed the front line on the special airplane ARDO but the plane was shot down and landed not far from Smolensk. Plane crew tried to cross the font line. As for Tavrin and Shilova they had motorcycle on board. Their target was Moscow.

But the next day they were captured by NKVD. Soviet intelligence service used Shilova for “radio - games” with the Germans till April 1945. Tavrin and Shilova were executed in 1952.

According to some sources the main mistake of Tavrin was wrong order (manner) of bearing Soviet awards. The rules changed in 1943. And of course it was very strange that high rank officer did not have imagination about the rules.

But this sources sin against the truth. SMERSH had reliable information about this mission. And they prepared well :D

Regards
Alex

[new world]

Thanks Alex,

It's great story and well told!

As for General-Major Shepetov - he was captred by Germans near Barvenkovo in 1942. For trying to escape from Flossenburg POW camp in Germany he was assasinated on May 21, 1943.

Besides HSU Star Shepetov also had Lenin and Red Banner orders.

William

[Nota Bene]

I've met an interesting person this summer - Vladimir Karpov, a WWII veteran, scout and a Hero of the Soviet Union, as well as a known writer and a researcher (though I may not always agree with him).

I was allowed to examine the Hero Star he wore on his chest - it looked a little weird and was a copy, made of brass and gold-plated, slightly larger than the original. It looked exactly like most Hero Stars on display in the Armed Forces Museum in Moscow, except that his had wear. Apparently Heroes were not automatically issued those copies, but according to Karpov "every Hero could get one from the local military Commissariat".

Alexei

His photo from a newspaper:

One of his books signed to me:

[Nota Bene]

Somebody had sent me these scans. I've seen awards treated without respect, but this one makes me VERY angry!

I was beyond sad, I was mad.

# 31 was awarded to Petrov, Mihail Petrovich, Commander of an Armor battalion in Spain. He was killed in October 1941.

Alexei