Aleksandr Nevskij,28713,Tank Company Commander,99th Tank Regiment,Czechoslovakia 1945

[roy]

Some time back, I've posted a picture of my Alexander Nevsky on this forum. Today, I've just received the research on this order. It was awarded to Senior Lieutenant Boris P. Smotrov on May 30, 1945. Originally, Lt. Smotrov was recommended for the Order of the Red Banner, but somewhere in the chain of command, his award was upgraded to the Order of A. Nevsky.

According to the award citation, "May 3-5, 1945, in the offensive for Seimendorf, Stahenwald, and Klettian (Czechoslovakia) Comrade Smotrov displayed bravery and courage, skillfully and boldly leading the company ahead against the enemy. Under mortar and gunfire, the prospective awardee replused multiple attacks of the enemy infantry. Backed by tanks and slef propelled pieces of ordinance, the company tank crews inflicted great damage destroying 2 heavy tanks, 3 self propelled pieces ofo ordinance, 5 machine gun sites, 2 antitank guns, 50 soldiers and officers of the enemy. This the prospective awardee ensured success of the battle and completed the military task given to the regiment.

Deserves the government award, Order of the Red Banner.
Commander of the 99th Guards Tank Regiment Guards Major Litvenko"

Lt. Smotrov achieved the rank of major after the war. He was a tank commander in the 99th Tank Regiment, 42nd Detached Tank Guards Smolenskaya Red Banner Bogdan Khmelnitsky Brigade.