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Order of Glory III to T-34 gunner for action on 12.01.1945
Inviato: mar nov 15, 2016 11:38 pm
da Egorka
Please, meet Guards First Sergeant
Kniazev Ivan Mitrofanovich, a T-34 gunner of 226th detached tank regiment. His T-34 was "one of first tanks to reach river Elbe", the meeting point of the Soviet Army and the American Allies.
Kniazev was awarded order of Glory III class for the action on 12 January 1945, on the first day of the Vistula-Oder offensive. His tank was taken out by the German AT battery and he was badly wounded.
Here is the citation:
Tank gunner First Sergeant KNIAZEV showed exceptional military skill in delivering precise artillery fire and courage on the battlefield during the breaking of enemy defences 12.01.1945.
The tank rushed into enemy defence position at village BOREK reference point 228,9 and was met with dense AT fire from the edge of the woods west of MAGIEROW. Comrade Kniazev one by one took out 3 AT cannons, 1 fortified AT position. When the tank reached the woods edge it was hit by the AT fire and caught fire. Comrade Kniazev was wounded, but despite that he dismounted machine gun from the burning tank and opened fire at the retrieving enemy infantry killing 8 hitleriets and capturing 4.
For courage, bravery and resourcefulness in battle, comrade Kniazev is worthy of order of Glory III class.
This was Kniazev's 3rd sustained wound. He was lightly wounded in 1942 and badly in 1944.
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Re: Order of Glory III to T-34 gunner for action on 12.01.1945
Inviato: mar nov 15, 2016 11:58 pm
da Egorka
This was Kniazev's 3rd sustained wound. He was lightly wounded in 1942 and badly in 1944.
map Magierow.jpg
226th Tank regiment commander KOROBEINIKOV
226 OTP commander KOROBEINIKOV ALEKSANDER.jpg
The "edge of the woods west of Magierow" is still there in 2016.
Magierow_2016.jpg
Re: Order of Glory III to T-34 gunner for action on 12.01.1945
Inviato: mer nov 16, 2016 12:04 am
da Egorka
5 Gv.A commander's plan for the first 3 days of Vistula-Oder offensive. The location of the Kniazev's action is marked.
map 2 copy.jpg
Red Army force disposition on the starting position just prior to attack on 12/Jan/1945:
map 3 copy.jpg
Tanks from from 226th Detached Tank Regiment of 5 Gv.A in February 1945 at the siege of Breslau.
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Re: Order of Glory III to T-34 gunner for action on 12.01.1945
Inviato: mer nov 16, 2016 1:57 am
da filo
Re: Order of Glory III to T-34 gunner for action on 12.01.1945
Inviato: mer nov 16, 2016 1:59 pm
da Regaleco
Comrade Kniazev was wounded, but despite that he dismounted machine gun from the burning tank and opened fire at the retrieving enemy infantry killing 8 hitleriets and capturing 4.
Another impressive story... thanks for sharing Egorka. I have a weakness for all concerning tanks and self propelled guns.
Re: Order of Glory III to T-34 gunner for action on 12.01.1945
Inviato: gio nov 17, 2016 11:16 am
da Airon
What a beautiful research you did on this. With photos and maps...
Re: Order of Glory III to T-34 gunner for action on 12.01.1945
Inviato: gio nov 17, 2016 12:39 pm
da Egorka
Thanks, guys!
I normally return to my researches and see if I can get more relevant information.
If I find more, I post here.
Re: Order of Glory III to T-34 gunner for action on 12.01.1945
Inviato: sab nov 26, 2016 11:19 pm
da Dom
Airon ha scritto:What a beautiful research you did on this. With photos and maps...
I agree, really nice
Re: Order of Glory III to T-34 gunner for action on 12.01.1945
Inviato: ven mar 24, 2017 2:16 pm
da Egorka
Found this interesting info today on KOROBEINIKOV's visit to US 3rd Armored Division. 26 April 1945.
