In the history of World War II it is impossible to finda battle that would be more important or larger than the Battle of Stalingrad, after which the Soviet troops began to advance almost along the entire front line and eventually took Berlin. For participating in such a bright and simultaneously tragic event, the soldiers could not be rewarded. Thus, the medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad" was introduced.
The Battle of Stalingrad
The medal was awarded to Soviet soldiers who acceptedparticipation in the defense of the city of Stalingrad in 1942-1943 and showed unbending steadfastness and courage, fighting with the enemy. In the summer of 1942 a huge group of fascist troops approached the city. About 2,800,000 officers and rank-and-file soldiers, 3.5 thousand mortars, more than 1 thousand aircraft began to storm Stalingrad. The German armies were opposed by 150,000 Soviet soldiers, who had 400 tanks, 2,000 guns and mortars, and 730 aircraft.
The right-hand phase of the Battle of Stalingrad (July-November 1942) was more defensive than offensive. The Soviet army held the onslaught of superior in number of German troops, heroically fulfilling the order of July 28, 1942 "Not a step back!" And indeed, Soviet soldiers held every meter of their native land. In the course of bloody defensive and street fighting, the Germans lost more than 600,000 wounded and killed, and many tanks and aircraft were also destroyed. In the future, the losses of Hitler's troops only increased. The Germans lost at Stalingrad in fact a quarter of the personnel who fought on the entire Soviet-German front (about 1.6 million people). By early February 1943, the fascist grouping near Stalingrad was completely exhausted and virtually defeated.
Establishment of the medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad"
The flame of the battle still burned in the city on the Volga, and the higherthe country's leadership was already considering awarding the heroes. Thus, in December 1942, a decision was adopted to establish a medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad." The decoration of the award was designed by the artist N. I. Moskaliev. The medal was planned to reward not only the military but also civilians, so that all direct participants in the defense of Stalingrad were noted. Moreover, over 15 thousand civilians of the city volunteered for the people's militia, heroically defending their native land.
Regarding servicemen:The medal was awarded to both officers and ordinary soldiers. The medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad" did not divide the heroes-defenders into naval and land forces, all types of troops were subject to the award.
Making a medal
Initially, the award was planned to be made fromstainless steel, but the decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of March 30, 1943 approved as a material for the performance of the medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad" brass. On the reverse side of the award was printed its serial number, which corresponded to the number of the certificate to the honorable award.
Description
As already mentioned, the award was made frombrass in the form of a small circle, the diameter of which was 32 mm. The obverse of the medal depicted a detachment of fighters with weapons, on the background of the red banner on the left side of them are visible the outlines of flying aircraft and moving tanks. At the top of the medal is a five-pointed star, on top of which is inscribed "FOR DEFENSE STALINGRADA." The reverse of the award depicts a sickle and a hammer and an inscription "FOR OUR SOVIET HOMELAND".
The basis of fastening the medal is a pentagonalblock. The medal is fastened to it with the help of a lug and a small ring. The shoe itself is covered with a moiré band of olive color, in the center of which is an oblong red strip. The width of the strip is 2 mm, and the tape itself is 24 mm.
Awarded for the defense of Stalingrad
Heroes who defended Stalingrad from the fascistinvaders, there were so many that not only to reward, but to count all failed. According to general information, 760 thousand people received a medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad." The lists of those awarded in alphabetical or some other order, most likely, were not compiled. But there is an opportunity to look at orders for rewarding. You can also, knowing the name and surname of the participant of the Second World War, find out which marks of honors he was awarded by the command. According to these data, historians and learn more about the awarded for the defense of Stalingrad.
It is known that the medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad"the first to receive: the commander of the 64th Army, M. S. Shumilov, the chairman of the Stalingrad City Council DM Pigalev, the chairman of the Stalingrad Executive Committee, I. F. Zimenko, the secretary of the regional party committee II Bondar. And in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Great Victory, Stalingrad was awarded the title Hero City and was awarded the Gold Star medal.
The Battle of Stalingrad became part of the history of World War II as a unique example of courage and heroism, and in this connection a medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad" was created.
