Glory III,108815,Rifleman,1375th Rifle Regiment,Kerch Peninsula

[NTAT]

I recently obtained an Order of Glory III class to a Rifleman with the 414th Rifle Anapa Division that was granted May 6, 1944. All supporting paperwork recognizes the Order of Glory to include its serial number.

While examining the paperwork I noted the award citation showed the recipient was recommended for the Order of Glory twice as it worked its way up the chain of command. Once on April 29, 1944 and again on May 3, 1944. However, the final entry by the Head of Personnel Department of 414th RAD dated May 6, 1944, showed that the individual was to be awarded with the Order of the Red Star.

Reading this raised a question about what was actually awarded versus was recommended. Why the discrepancy? Clearly the individual was awarded the Order of Glory as the paperwork and the serial number on the order match the award card. However, the last entry shows a recommendation for the Order of the Red Star.

Is this discrepancy a clerk’s mistake? Or was the recommendation over turned further up the chain of command? Is it common to see this discrepancy in awards citations? Or is it a random mistake that can be attributed to the large amounts of paperwork churned out by clerks at other locations.

If anyone could answer these questions I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!

Getting Older…But Honest…Gerry :)

For those who enjoy reading citations…

Rifleman: Georgy Georgievich Zirakashvili 1375th Rifle Regiment, 414th Rifle Division

Brief description of personal feats or merits

“In the battles on the Kerch peninsula showed himself as a brave and courageous private. When repelling a large-scale attack in the region of height Besymyannaya replaced the gun-layer who came out of action and by accurately adjusted fire killed 30 Hitlerites, heavy machine-gun with its crew.”

Deserves to be awarded with government award, order of Glory 3rd cl.

Commander of the 1375th rifle regiment
Lieutenant Colonel / Gorcheshvili / signedApril 29,[/B]

[Sergei]

Hi Gerry,
Suffering from a Soviet-style paperwork syndrome? :D
Let me see if I got this right. The original submission was for a Glory 3rd (from a Division commander), it was approved by somebody higher up but the Division Personnel guy wanted to change it to a Red Star? Who or what was the last person to sign the award document? I am almost sure it was supposed to be someone above the Division level. I may be wrong, of course, other experts here will correct me then.
Sergei

[NTAT]

Sergei,

You’re correct in your analysis. A Lieutenant Colonel who was a commander of the 1375th rifle regiment signed the initial recommendation. This was done on April 29, 1944.

On May 3, 1944 the Commander of the 414th Rifle Anapa Division agrees with the recommendation and signs off.

However, on May 6, 1944 the final entry states the following:

Under Order to 414th rifle Anapa division No 073/N of May 6, 1944 was awarded with the Order of Red Star.

Head of Personnel Department of 414th RAD
Captain of executive department, signed / Latylev /
May 6, 1944

What gives?

Thank you!

Gerry :)

[ANZAC]

Originally Posted by NTAT

Sergei,

You’re correct in your analysis. A Lieutenant Colonel who was a commander of the 1375th rifle regiment signed the initial recommendation. This was done on April 29, 1944.

On May 3, 1944 the Commander of the 414th Rifle Anapa Division agrees with the recommendation and signs off.

However, on May 6, 1944 the final entry states the following:

Under Order to 414th rifle Anapa division No 073/N of May 6, 1944 was awarded with the Order of Red Star.

Head of Personnel Department of 414th RAD
Captain of executive department, signed / Latylev /
May 6, 1944

What gives?

Thank you!

Gerry :)

Gerry

I have seen this before, I suggest it to be a clerical error due to the numbers of awards going through the system. Having said that, while I specialise in Glories, documentation is not exactly my area. Perhaps Paul might enlighten you more when he comes back.

Regards

Brendan:thumbsup

[Sergei]

Gerry,
Brendan has seen so many researched Glories that I would go along with his judgement. The one you've got it very exciting, congratulations.
Sergei

[ANZAC]

Originally Posted by Sergei

Gerry,
Brendan has seen so many researched Glories that I would go along with his judgement. The one you've got it very exciting, congratulations.
Sergei

To gracious Sergei:) I'm far from the expert, but I have seen, more like own;) a fair amount of researched Glories and Gerry's Glory documentation is not unusual in the extreme, but in my experience it is an oddity that does come up on ocassion.

Brendan:thumbsup

[Lapa]

Guys,

Propositions for awards had to go up the chain of command; any higher level could decied to upgrade, downgrade or confirm the proposed award. This is what happened here.

Marc

[ANZAC]

Marc

the key statement is 'Was awarded the Order of the Red Star' as the last entry on the award citation, this was done by a captain. Unless heads of personnel have the power to change awards approved by the Regimental Commander, I still think it's a clerical error;)

Brendan:)

[Lapa]

Brendan,

I'd like to have a look at the original document. I did not understand things the same way you did.
So, Gerry, can you please scan the original (Russian) document and we'll go from there.

Marc

[NTAT]

Marc,

I'll see if I can figure out how to scan the original document onto the website. I am not very computer savvy when it comes to things like that. In the mean time until I can get the document posted a generous "Thank you" to Sergi, Brendan and Marc for your input.

Gerry :D