Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Soviet Great Patriotic War Order of Alexander Nevsky and Order of the Patriotic War First Class pair awarded to Captain B. D. Trubnikov, 138th Guards Rifle Regiment, 48th Guards Rifle Division, who served as a 120-mm mortar platoon Battery Commander, and was present during the advance through East Prussia in January 1945, and subsequently at the storming and capture of Berlin, April to May 1945

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Order of Alexander Nevsky, 3rd type breast badge, silver and enamel, reverse officially numbered ‘24594’, with Monetny Dvor mint mark and screw-back suspension; Order of the Patriotic War, First Class, 2nd type, variation 1 breast badge, gold, silver, and enamel, reverse officially numbered ‘235810’, with Monetny Dvor mint mark and screw-back suspension, nearly extremely fine (2) £1200-1600

Order of Alexander Nevsky awarded 28 February 1945.
The Recommendation states: ‘During the breakthrough of the enemy defence in East Prussia, Comrade Trubnikov’s battery provided supporting fire to our rifle units that penetrated the enemy’s line and captured their positions.
On 15 January 1945, during the breakthrough of the enemy defence, Comrade Trubnikov’s battery destroyed 13 enemy machine-gun emplacements and eliminated 22 Hitlerites in the area of the town of Alt Grunvald.
On 16-17 January 1945, as the enemy launched a major counterattack, Comrade Trubnikov’s battery brought the enemy to a halt before our forefront position. Comrade Trubnikov’s battery eliminated up to a platoon of enemy infantry thus facilitating the repelling of the enemy’s major counterattack.
On 18-19 January 1945 Comrade Trubnikov’s battery provided supporting fire to our rifle units during the capture of the the town of Aushtupenen. Comrade Trubnikov’s battery destroyed three enemy 81-mm mortars, seven machine-guns, and eliminated up to twenty Hitlerites, thus facilitating the capture of the town of Aushtupenen.
On 21 January 1945 Comrade Trubnikov’s battery repelled two enemy counterattacks. As our rifle units went over to the counteroffensive, Comrade Trubnikov’s battery destroyed twelve enemy machine-gun emplacements and two guns thus overwhelming the entire system of enemy weapon emplacements and ensuring the capture of the town of Budveytshen.
Comrade Trubnikov deserves to be awarded with an Order of Alexander Nevsky for his skilful command over his unit on the battlefield, and has shown valour and courage.’

Order of the Patriotic War, First Class awarded 6 May 1945.
The Recommendation, originally for an Order of the Red Banner, states: ‘During the storm of the city of Berlin since 23 April 1945, Comrade Trubnikov has displayed reasonable initiative and personal courage. Comrade Trubnikov’s battery fiercely fought against the enemy providing mortar fire for rifle units and several times combed buildings after advancing rifle companies.
During the crossing of the Teltov Canal, Comrade Trubnikov’s battery deployed its mortars in close proximity of enemy positions and suppressed the entire system of enemy weapon emplacements in the Zemindorf district of Berlin. Thus Comrade Trubnikov’s battery allowed our rifle companies to cross the canal and to establish a bridgehead on its northern bank. In this fight the battery destroyed or suppressed seven enemy heavy and light machine-guns, two anti-tank guns, three anti-aircraft guns, and eliminated up to two platoons of Hitlerites.
During the fight on 1-2 May 1945 to capture last pockets of enemy resistance in the city of Berlin the battery, operating as a Rifle unit, cleared seven buildings of the enemy capturing over 40 prisoners. During this period of fighting in the city of Berlin Comrade Trubnikov’s battery eliminated a platoon of Hitlerites, and destroyed seven guns, thirteen machine-guns, four anti-aircraft guns, and fourteen vehicles and armoured personnel carriers without suffering any losses. Over the course of actions comrade Trubnikov managed to avoid major losses in personnel and equipment.
Comrade Trubnikov deserves to be awarded with the Order of the Red Banner for his skilful command and the initiative that he has shown.’

Boris Dmitryevich Trubnikov was born in Russia in 1923 and was educated in the Stalingrad Region. He joined the Red Army in August 1941, and was commissioned Lieutenant on 26 April 1942. He served during the Great Patriotic War as a 120-mm mortar battery commander with the 138th Guards Rifle Regiment, as part of the 48th Guards Rifle Division, 28th Army, from August 1942, and saw action on the Bryansk Front from that date; on the Voronezh Front from July 1943; on the Steppe from September 1943; on the Ukrainian Front from April 1944; and on the Belorussian Fronts from May 1944. He was lightly wounded near Kharkov on 14 August 1943, and was promoted Senior Lieutenant on 18 May 1944. For his services during the Great Patriotic War he was awarded the Order of the Red Star in September 1943; the Order of the Patriotic War, Second Class, in July 1944; the Order of Alexander Nevsky in February 1945; the Order of the Patriotic War, First Class, in May 1945; and received the Medals for the Capture of Koenigsberg, for the Capture for Berlin, and for Victory over Germany. Remaining in the Red Army following the cessation of hostilities, he was promoted Captain on 28 June 1949, and later served as a Battery Commander in various Howitzer Artillery Regiments. He was awarded the Medal for Combat Service (for long service) on 19 November 1951, before transferring to the Reserve on 13 January 1954.

Sold together with the award booklet confirming both numbered awards, and copied research.