"For the capture of Koenigsberg": a medal for the heroes

East Prussia was a foothold on which forces were concentrated to attack the peoples of the East. Thus, the capture of Koenigsberg became an important strategic event in the military and political terms.

Strengthening and defending the fortress

Koenigsberg was well prepared for the long-term defense, the fortress was surrounded by three lines of defense. One of them was located at some distance from the city, represented 15 forts with artillery guns, flamethrowers and machine guns in them. Each fort was a kind of small fortress with a separate garrison. The area between the forts was occupied by bunkers and pillboxes so that the entire line of enemy defense was connected by a continuous fire line.

The second line of defense of Koenigsberg took place on the outskirts of the city. It consisted of stone and reinforced concrete structures, specially converted for military needs. In the center of Koenigsberg there was the third, most fortified line of defense. The fortress was equipped with underground communications, forts. Artificial water barriers were created. In the fortress were 4 thousand different guns, several hundred tanks, assault guns. Approximately 130 thousand people were in the garrison. In addition, Koenigsberg covered from the air about two hundred enemy aircraft.

The storm and capture of Koenigsberg

The storming of the enemy fortress began in 1945, April 6. The operation was directed by the commander-in-chief of the third Byelorussian Front, Marshal of the Soviet Union Vasilevsky Alexander Mikhailovich, who at the time of the operation included the First Baltic Front, whose commander was Ivan Khristoforovich Bagramyan. Air support was provided by aviation under the command of Marshal Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Novikov. In total, the operation involved 2,400 different aircraft, more than 500 tanks and self-propelled guns.

Despite the fierce defense of the enemy, on April 9, 1945, the fortress town of Koenigsberg capitulated. In captivity were taken 92 thousand people, 42 thousand German soldiers were killed. Almost all the fascist equipment was destroyed. Throughout the war, our troops did not meet such fortifications as were erected in Koenigsberg. It was one of the largest areas, designed for long-term resistance, even with complete isolation.

Award History

The commander of the rear of the Soviet Army, General A. V. Khrulev, in April 1945, set the task of the Technical Committee - to prepare medals for the capture of cities that are outside the Soviet Union. "For the capture of Koenigsberg" - a medal in its own unique, it is the only one that was awarded not for taking the capitals of states, but for taking the fortress. This, it would seem, is just a piece of metal, but it hides in itself a piece of history, not only a certain event, but also the lives of thousands of people.

June 9, 1945 in honor of the victory of our soldiers in this battle was established the award "For the capture of Koenigsberg." The medal was made according to the sketch of AI Kuznetsov. On the front side of the award is a laconic "For the capture of Koenigsberg", on top - a five-pointed star, a laurel branch below. On the reverse side of the medal was inscribed "April 10, 1945", and over the date there is a five-pointed star.

The medal itself was made of brass, it had a round shape 32 mm in diameter. Using the ring and ear, the reward is connected to the shoe. The medal shoe has a pentagonal shape and is covered with a striped ribbon of black and green colors. There are several versions of the award "For the capture of Koenigsberg", the medal was issued with two types of ears: stamped and soldered.

From the position of the medal

People who for one reason or another did not receive an award but who had the right to receive the medal "For the capture of Koenigsberg" were given a certificate certified by the seal and signature of the commander. Presentation of the medal was made with a document confirming direct participation in the capture and assault of Koenigsberg. This document was issued by the unit commanders, as well as the heads of military medical institutions.

The medals were awarded to the commanders of military units. For the persons who left the Red Army and the Navy, the rewarding took place in the regional, district and city commissariats at the place of residence.

Decree of the Supreme Council

A total of about 760,000,000 of our soldiers received the award "For the capture of Koenigsberg." The medal was worn on the left side of the chest. In the presence of the recipient of other awards was located after the medal "For the capture of Budapest".

According to the decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, in February 1951 it was established that the medal "For the capture of Koenigsberg" and the certificate for it after the death of the awardee remained in his family. Prior to this decree, the medal and certificate after the death of the recipient returned to the state.

After the end of the Great Patriotic War, part of East Prussia passed to the Soviet Union, including the fortified city of Koenigsberg. In 1946, the city of Koenigsberg was renamed Kaliningrad in honor of the deceased party leader Mikhail Ivanovich Kalinin.

Awarded with the medal for the capture of Koenigsberg

Blood and then watered the fields of East Prussia, our fighters. The feat accomplished by our soldiers is invaluable and great. The Medal "For the Capture of Koenigsberg" is only a small award worthy of our wars. Some names of heroes have come down to us, among them: Aleksey Solomonovich Gershgorn, Nikolay Nikolaevich Napmermerov, Semyon Samuilovich Levin, Efim Evseyevich Dukhovny, Gulmamed Gyulmamedov, Valentina Fedorovna Napelyueva, Dmitry Semenovich Ivanov. The price of life and health was given to them by storming and taking the fortress. So the name list was not drawn up. Medal "For the capture of Koenigsberg" received many of our wars, but some awards, unfortunately, did not find their heroes.

The capture of Koenigsberg was an example of the heroic deed of our soldiers. Memorable and expensive sign was for us a medal "For the capture of Koenigsberg." Photo awards, unfortunately, often comes across the Internet with the mark "selling". Sometimes we forget what a great feat our soldiers performed. The capture of Koenigsberg was the decisive stage in the whole war: the successful conclusion of the fighting in East Prussia opened the way to Berlin. In addition, it was possible to include the city of Koenigsberg and the surrounding territories in the Soviet Union. Now the city of Kaliningrad is a part of the Russian Federation. Honor, glory and eternal memory of our soldiers who won this war.