Gold Star "Hero Of The Soviet Union".

[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 was browsing through my scans the other day and found these pictures we all have seen before. This is obviously a T2 medal on a late suspension. I have seen dozens of photos of Lapidevsky, including some later ones, and it would appear that he always had a T1 star. Any ideas?

Alexei

[Nota Bene]

Marc,

I suppose it's possible, it's hard to tell from this picture if it's a genuine medal or a replica. I am leaning towards genuine. Besides they could've easily made a T1 replica. In either case, the question still remains, where's the original #1? :confused:

Alexei

[desantnik]

What's to say he didn't just change out the suspensions and the medal pictured is still #1?

[charlet]

Originally Posted by Nota Bene

Desantnik,

I suppose that's possible, but I have seen lots of pictures of him as an old man wearing his star, and it was always a T1.

Alexei

Lapidevski died in 1983 but it is easily imaginable that on this very date the museum did the suspension change? Durov book is from 1990.

[Nota Bene]

Sebastien,

Why would the museum do that? They have experts, that understand the importance of preserving historical artefacts as they are.

Alexei

[Esteban_cool]

Why would anyone do such a thing to a Hero Star(especially with that low SN)???!!!
This is bad. Very bad.