Glory III,144347,Tank Driver,3rd Tank Battalion,11th Separate Guards Tank Brigade

[Culturby]

Hi there,

I'm new to posting on this forum. And new in collecting Soviet awards.

One of my first purchases, is the 3rd Class Order of Glory #144347.

I know that you can pay for a researcher to find relevant documents with research potential.
BUT can you, the experts on this forum, add anything?

Is it possible to find the approximate time and year the order was awarded, by looking at the SN?

Looking forward to your response!

Kind regards,
Bjorn Klausen
Denmark

[CtahhR]

To give you some idea here is the closest serial number in the researchers' section - http://soviet-awards.com/forum/sovie...-division.html

Research by serial is only $15 now so I'd strongly suggest it.

[Culturby]

CtahhR,
Thanks a lot! Where's the best place to get this one researched?
Please point me in the right direction.

Kind regards,
Bjorn

[CtahhR]

Give user archi78 a message and he'll sort you out. If you need any additional assistance there are many of us here to help.

[Kjetil Kvist]

Originally Posted by Culturby

One of my first purchases, is the 3rd Class Order of Glory #144347.

Great medal. I collect mainly Glories and Bravery-medals, and have them researched by a forum member. It's really a small money to pay when you look at the story you get.

[Culturby]

I got the research back on the above mentioned Order of Glory 3rd class:

I have always had a special interest in armored warfare. So it was a pleasant surprise to find that my Order of Glory 3rd class was awarded to a participant in one of the largest tank battles in history.

This Order of Glory 3rd class awarded to Starshina Ivan Stepanovich Lyirchikov, Mechanic/Driver with 3rd battalion, 11th Guards Tank Brigade, 8th Guards Army.

Lyirchikov was born Ryazan Oblast, Trubetchinskyi Region, Kuiman Village in 1918. He served with the Red Army from September 1939.

My online research shows that 11th Guards Tank Brigade was an independent brigade, equipped with KV-1 tanks, when Lyirchikov was awarded the Order of Glory 3rd class.
They later exchanged their KV-1's for the much more modern IS-2.

Citation:
Comrade Lyrchikov in battle on the left bank of the Vistula River on August 5th and 6th 1944, with skillful maneuvering of the tank under intensive fire from enemy aircraft, artillery and mortars, assisted the platoon commander to repel 5 enemy attacks and made it possible to destroy two enemy tanks and 10 soldiers and officers.

For unparalleled persistence in an unequal battle, for his courage and dedication is worthy of government award Order of Glory 3rd class.

Lyirchikov took part in the Battle of Radzymin, east of Warsaw 1-10th August 1944. This was supposedly the largest tank battle fought on Polish ground, and one of the largest tank battles ever fought.

Lyirchikov was wounded in action 6th August 1944. The Order of Glory 3rd class was awarded 12th September 1944.

He returned to the service and was later recorded as a Tank Commander 13 with 71st Tank Regiment, 33rd Guards Mechanized Division.