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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 413

(x) The Russian Order of Kutuzov 3rd Class awarded to Major P. S. Lavrenko, CO of 1st Rifle Battalion, 577th Rifle Regiment, 205th Rifle Division, for his actions and leadership in March 1945 in the actions around Gdynia

Russia, Soviet Union, Order of Kutuzov, 3rd Class Badge, with screw and back-plate, officially numbered '2392', silver with mint marks to reverse, very fine

The original citation, dated 30 March 1945 by Lieutenant-Colonel Shikin, was approved up the chain of command and approved by Lieutenant-General Romanovsky & Major-General Pankov on 26 April 1945 and states:

'Captain Lavrenko was previously bestowed with the Order of the Red Star for fights on the Masselskaja sector, where he captured three enemy prisoners. He was then bestowed with his second Order of the Red Star for capturing five enemy prisoners. He was bestowed with the Order of the Red Banner for efficient command of his Rifle Battalion during the September 1944 fighting on the Kesten'ga sector.

In the combat engagements near Gdynia during 14-29 March 1945, he was on the offensive with his Battalion in the most difficult circumstances on a rugged terrain. He exhibited military skill, initiative, decisiveness and persistence in achieveing his combat missions.

He skillfully moved his troops on the battlefield and organised efficient co-ordination with the supporting units, thus inflicting large casualties to the enemy troops and materiel losses. He successfully achieved al the Battalion's combat objectives. As a result of the fighting on 26 March 1945, and in co-ordination with the 3rd Rifle Battalion, he overcame enemy fire opposition and broke through the enemy defences, seizing control over the first trench line near the reference point. 28 March 1945, again in co-ordination with the 3rd Rifle Battalion, he broke through well established enemy defences and seized unnamed hills. 29 March 1945, in co-ordination with the 2nd and 3rd Rifle Battalions, he overcame stubborn enemy opposition on the final approaches to Gdynia and captured the large settlement Grabau. In this offensive operation, he inflicted extensive losses upon the enemy in personnel and materiel, and captured war booty. He exhibited exceptional personal courage and bravery in battle, which inspired his subordinates for feats and rapid achievement of combat goals. He deserves the state award the Order of Kutuzov 3rd Class.'

Petr Spiridonovich Lavrenko was born in 1918 at Malaya Vodina, Kirovograd, Ukraine and was not a Communist Party member at the time of his joining the Red Army in August 1941. Having been twice wounded and having taken his three other awards, his Kutuzov 3rd Class came for the actions in March 1945. Eventually rising to Major, he lived in Moscow district 57 in the Ambulatory Pereulok by April 1948, by which point he was Deputy Battalion Commander of the 62nd Guards Mechanised Regiment; sold together with copied research and extracts, with relevant translations, including a photograph of the recipient.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£2,000 to £3,000

Starting price
£1600