01-21-2003, 08:57 AM
Even though it is fake it raises a few points.
The unit in question appears to be the 221st Rifle Division. This is not a SMERSH division. There were no SMERSH units as such. When you see this sort of thig what it means is the SMERSH section, in other words the military counter-intelligence section, of the 221st Rifle Division. All Red Army military units had such a section within them.
When we see a unit indicated on an award card we can try to determine if the unit was actually involved at the battle in question. However, this is not fool-proof. It is possible that a soldier received a campaign medal after he had already transfered to another unit which might not have participated in the battle. But, for medals awarded shortly after the battle it is likely that it is the same unit.
And, surprise, surpirse, the 221st Rifle Division (or 211th for that matter) is not one of the few units noted as participating in that battle!
Shawn
The unit in question appears to be the 221st Rifle Division. This is not a SMERSH division. There were no SMERSH units as such. When you see this sort of thig what it means is the SMERSH section, in other words the military counter-intelligence section, of the 221st Rifle Division. All Red Army military units had such a section within them.
When we see a unit indicated on an award card we can try to determine if the unit was actually involved at the battle in question. However, this is not fool-proof. It is possible that a soldier received a campaign medal after he had already transfered to another unit which might not have participated in the battle. But, for medals awarded shortly after the battle it is likely that it is the same unit.
And, surprise, surpirse, the 221st Rifle Division (or 211th for that matter) is not one of the few units noted as participating in that battle!
Shawn
