Adrian Stevenson
5th August 2008, 11:13
Established 9 June 1945. Awarded to all servicemen of the Red Army, Red Fleet, MVD and NKVD who participated in the capturing of Koenigsberg from 23 January 1945 until 10 April 1945.
Koenigsberg was the capital of Eastern Prussia and was heavily fortified by the Germans including 5 divisions and several separate Koenigsberg military divisions. 170 aircraft defended the city against the Soviet airforce. Soviet forces outnumbered the enemy, and heavy fighting lasted from 6 April until 9 April 1945. Koenigsberg was renamed Kaliningrad in 1946. After the Potsdam Conference it was annexed to the USSR. Approximately 760,000 were issued.
The medal is made of brass. The obverse reads "For Capture of Koenigsberg" while the reverse reads "10th April 1945". Three variations have been observed, two of which are shown here. Pay particular attention to the suspension rings. The one seen on the left has an integral ring while the right hand one has a separate soldered on ring. The reverse pic shows the suspension mounts. The steel one is an earlier issue while the alloy version in a slightly different design format is more modern.
This was a medal I was keen to obtain as the unit I re-enact with represents 2nd Guards Rifle Div. This Division took part in the battle for the city.
Cheers, Ade.
Koenigsberg was the capital of Eastern Prussia and was heavily fortified by the Germans including 5 divisions and several separate Koenigsberg military divisions. 170 aircraft defended the city against the Soviet airforce. Soviet forces outnumbered the enemy, and heavy fighting lasted from 6 April until 9 April 1945. Koenigsberg was renamed Kaliningrad in 1946. After the Potsdam Conference it was annexed to the USSR. Approximately 760,000 were issued.
The medal is made of brass. The obverse reads "For Capture of Koenigsberg" while the reverse reads "10th April 1945". Three variations have been observed, two of which are shown here. Pay particular attention to the suspension rings. The one seen on the left has an integral ring while the right hand one has a separate soldered on ring. The reverse pic shows the suspension mounts. The steel one is an earlier issue while the alloy version in a slightly different design format is more modern.
This was a medal I was keen to obtain as the unit I re-enact with represents 2nd Guards Rifle Div. This Division took part in the battle for the city.
Cheers, Ade.