Medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" (photo)

The medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" was awarded to the heroes who had been tested in the hottest spots, and to persons who took part in the defense of the city, now known as St. Petersburg. The state award was established in 1943 and became one of the first military medals of the Soviet Union. Similar medals were also issued for the defense of Odessa, Stalingrad and Sevastopol.

History

In September 1942, the Soviet Union petitioned for the establishment of a government award. The honor to develop a model of the medal was awarded to the famous artist Moskalev. He developed a unique design project, after which the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" was established. Also, AA Barkhin, BG Barkhin and Kogisser presented their models.

Who was given the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad"

In addition to the participants in the fighting, the award also received:

- Workers.

- Teachers who, despite hunger and cold, continued to work and thereby distract the children from the horror that was going on around them.

- Builders.

- Peaceful residents, who with all their strength helped to defend the city. Those who, without any military or other training, fought for the lives of their relatives, neighbors and ordinary residents of the city.

- Doctors who worked not only on the battlefield and saved the wounded, but also those who helped the residents of the city.

All the servicemen awarded the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" received a reward for their efforts during the service in the internal troops. In total, during the war, more than half a million blockades were awarded. By 1995, 900,000 more people received awards and a total of 1,470,000 heroes.

Today, all the heroes who received the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" are represented in the blockade museum. The list of awardees consists of 6 volumes.

Description of the medal

At first the medal was cast from the rarest brass alloy. Since this was the most significant government award, all efforts were made to produce it. Although at first it was decided to cast a stainless steel award (it is noteworthy that then the variants from this alloy really began to appear). In January 1943, the Leningrad Mint received a decree to produce the first batch of medals. A few months later, the first thousand medals were awarded to the heroes of the war. In form, it was round, 32 mm in diameter. On the front side, it was decided to portray a few Red Army men carrying submachine guns that mercilessly fired at the enemy, defending the Admiralty building. On the reverse side of the coin the inscription "For our Soviet homeland" was engraved. In addition to the basic model, a jubilee version was also made, on which was inscribed another inscription "In memory of the fiftieth anniversary of Leningrad".

Initially, the medal was made with a cast eye, and the serial number was knocked out on the reverse. Over time, awards began to appear without such numbers, made not of brass, but of stainless steel. There are also several varieties and modifications of the award.

Option 1

The ear of the medal was a separate element, which was simply soldered to the base. By this method, the award was made during the Second World War and some time after its end. Among such medals, the serial numbers on the reverse were the least likely. In fact, we still do not know where this tradition came from. Most likely, the awards were numbered directly in the military units, and the number itself corresponded to the number of the division.

Option 2

The round ear of the medal was solid-stamped. Such awards were given after the end of the war to those heroes who, for one reason or another, could not get a medal before. Its shoe was made of aluminum.

Additional incentives

Heroes of the defense of Leningrad also received a special certificate, in which a verse was written, dedicated to the protected city. People who had a direct or indirect relationship to the blockade could receive the reward. For example, Metropolitan Alexy of Leningrad, as well as the secretary of the regional committee of the party, Ryzhov Konstantin, and many others, received this honor. The medals were awarded to historical figures, government officials and private soldiers. Metropolitan Alexy had an unbearable involvement in raising funds for the speedy construction of a new tank division. For the shortest period the clergyman collected about 6 million rubles and thereby helped to save thousands of lives not only of civilians, but also of the military on the battlefield.

Traditionally, the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" was worn on the left side of the chest. Usually next to the award "For saving drowning" this medal was placed.

Medal "For the defense of Leningrad" now

It's no secret that many collectors are ready to pay a round sum for the right to own such a relic. On the Internet, you can find a huge number of trades and offers to purchase such a medal. Despite the fact that auctions start from just 200 rubles, the final price can reach hundreds of thousands. The cost directly depends on when exactly the award was issued, what material it is from, etc.

Scammers also make money from this. They are laying out a medal "For the Defense of Leningrad", a photo of which is confirmed by the fact that before you is a true reward. But in fact it turns out that this is just a cheap fake, which has nothing to do with the original.

Hierarchy of rewards

There were three similar awards. The most honorable and senior was a medal "For the rescue of drowning." Then followed the award "For the Defense of Leningrad", and then went to the medal "For the defense of Moscow." The presence of any of these medals allowed its owner not only to claim a high position, but also gave the right to all sorts of incentives from the state.

Finally

The blockade was one of the loudest and tragic periods in history. It is difficult to imagine what tests our grandfathers and great-grandfathers had to go through. Having defended not only Leningrad, but the entire homeland, they gave a chance for the existence of all future generations. Despite all the efforts of the enemy, the heroes defended the country and forever enshrined the notion of fortitude for the Russian people. Undoubtedly, the heroes who have won this medal deserve our eternal gratitude, respect and respect.