Soviet Hero Cities

[Kim]

Christophe:
I'm not saying that there are only 11 hero cities. I have looked threw the book for the numbers of Smolensk and Murmansk, but haven’t found it. But the book doesn’t have all issued numbers of hero stars. The book is “Ordenskaya Knizhka; Geroi Sovetskogo Sojuza”-issue. Printed last year I think…

I’m attaching a photo of the unknown soldier’s grave in Moscow, taken 1999. The stones there symbolise each a hero city and have earth from that city underneath. A small pic, but you can see the 12 stones.

/Kim

[Christophe]

Kim,

Nice pic.

In fact it could be interesting if a Member of the Forum having been there (maybe you ?) could confirm whether there are effectively 13 stones (including the Moscow one) or only 12 (Moscow being represented by the mausoleum itself...).

Ch.

[Kim]

Yes, It's my photo. It's taken from the last stone, Smolensk. The number of stones are 12. I'm not sure what symbolises hero city Moscow, perhaps the unkown soldier's grave...?

/Kim

[Christophe]

Kim,

I believe our hypothesis is the right one.

You will find in the attached link an article published on 28 May, 2002 by "Pravda online", describing very precisely this monument :
http://english.pravda.ru/society/2002/05/08/28389_.html

Effectively, there is no "Moscow" stone.

BTW, I have also to go and see by myself... as you already did.

Cheers.

Ch.

[Christophe]

Hi to All,

Just three quick questions :

1. HSUs have been awarded to Soviet Hero Cities.
Have the real Gold Stars also been awarded to the Cities or only the Hero Title Documents ?
If yes, do you know where these stars now are ?

2. Have HSUs been awarded to Units ?
I'm not talking here about HSUs awarded to all the individuals of an unit (as seen in PMD's book, page 21), but about HSUs awarded to the Unit itself, or its flag...
Here also, have the Gold Stars also been awarded or only the Hero Title Documents ?
If yes, where can we find these stars now ?

3. Have HSUs been awarded to Organizations (Factories, enterprises, newspapers...) ?
I have not seen any of them displaying one HSU amongst its awards. Examples ?

Many thanks.

Ch.

[Taz]

Originally Posted by Christophe

Hi to All,

Just three quick questions :

1. HSUs have been awarded to Soviet Hero Cities.
Have the real Gold Stars also been awarded to the Cities or only the Hero Title Documents ?
If yes, do you know where these stars now are ?

2. Have HSUs been awarded to Units ?
I'm not talking here about HSUs awarded to all the individuals of an unit (as seen in PMD's book, page 21), but about HSUs awarded to the Unit itself, or its flag...
Here also, have the Gold Stars also been awarded or only the Hero Title Documents ?
If yes, where can we find these stars now ?

3. Have HSUs been awarded to Organizations (Factories, enterprises, newspapers...) ?
I have not seen any of them displaying one HSU amongst its awards. Examples ?

Many thanks.

Ch.

Christophe,

To question 1, part 1, Yes Gold Stars were actually awarded to the cities.
They are listed in the OK book. Or to be more exact I've found 7 of them.
All awarded in 1965.
Moscow
Leningrad
Kiev
Stalingrad
Odessa
?
?

Sorry that's all for now. I'm still checking on the other questions.

Eddie.

[Christophe]

Originally Posted by Taz

Christophe,
To question 1, part 1, Yes Gold Stars were actually awarded to the cities.
They are listed in the OK book. Or to be more exact I've found 7 of them.
All awarded in 1965.
Moscow
Leningrad
Kiev
Stalingrad
Odessa
?
?
Eddie.

Eddie,

Many thanks for your first part of answer.
Effectively, HSUs have been awarded to hero cities. But have the Gold Stars been really awarded, and if yes, where are there now ? That's the question...

Cheers.

Ch.

[Taz]

Originally Posted by Christophe

Eddie,

Many thanks for your first part of answer.
Effectively, HSUs have been awarded to hero cities. Have a look to this thread :
http://www.soviet-awards.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=2640

But have the Gold Stars been really awarded, and if yes, where are there now ? That's the question...

Cheers.

Ch.

Christophe,
I take it that they have actually been awarded because of the alloted award numbers. But a good question were are they now?

As for the Awards to Units and Organisations. I'm not certain but I don't think they were I haven't found any yet.
Factories and Organisations would have been awarded the HSL.

Eddie.

[Christophe]

Originally Posted by Taz

Christophe,
Factories and Organisations would have been awarded the HSL.
Eddie.

Eddie,

If you can find one... I have never seen any displayed.

Ch.

[Lapa]

Christophe and Eddie,

Leningrad's HSU star is at the St Petersburg city Hall. In addition, all the orders that the city of Leningrad received are displayed on the front of the building.

Marc