11-26-2010, 04:30 PM
Great award and cite. The 253rd Mortar Regiment was apparently an army asset during the time span mentioned. Glantz doesn't list it as part of 9th Army until July 1943, though units moved around so much during the German's Operation Edelweiss, the invasion of the Caucasus during the Stalingrad campaign, that it's not surprising to not be found. Nalchik is near Grozny and was one of the furthest points reached - the Rumanian 2nd Mountain Division did indeed fight there. The 9th Army was at Nalchik and marched back to the Taman by March 1943, hundreds of kilometers, so it makes sense that comrade Khazitarkhanov and the 253rd served there throughout.
I agree that this would have been a Red Banner or OPW later in the war. With the tally of destroyed enemy it seems to lend itself to an OPW. The 'downgrade' is illustrative of why the OPW was created IMO. Again, great award and cite, a keeper!
I agree that this would have been a Red Banner or OPW later in the war. With the tally of destroyed enemy it seems to lend itself to an OPW. The 'downgrade' is illustrative of why the OPW was created IMO. Again, great award and cite, a keeper!
Steiner: "Why do you want it so badly? It's just a worthless piece of metal. Look."
