Medals "For the defense of Moscow" (photo)

The battle for Moscow in the Great Patriotic War in the memory of the Russian people occupies a special place. It was she who proved that the previously unknown defeat of the German army can be defeated. For Hitler, the capture of Moscow was of great importance, which was equated with a complete victory over the Soviet Union. As a result, this was the beginning of the collapse of the Wehrmacht. All those who defended the capital of our Motherland, both military and civilians, showed selflessness, heroism and courageous steadfastness. Medals "For the Defense of Moscow" were received by those whose valor and courage became an obstacle to the fascists on their way to conquering the world.

The defense of Moscow

The Moscow battle is divided into two stages: defensive and offensive.

The historical reference point of the battle for the capital of the USSR or, in other words, the first day of Moscow's defense is September 30, 1941. Counting is carried out after the offensive of the German army, codenamed "Typhoon" in the direction of Bryansk and Vyazma, began. The fighting was heavy. With great losses the enemy made his way to the Volga-Moscow canal and was stopped on the southern border of the city of Kashira. Closer to Moscow, he could not come up.

On the protection of the city stood its inhabitants. In the summer, 12 volunteer divisions and 56 battalions were formed, which went to the defense of the capital. In addition, according to the T-bills of September 12, 1941, the construction of defensive structures around Moscow began. The main line of defense covered the city in a semi-ring, which was located 20 kilometers from the city. In addition, defensive lines are also being established within the city, for example, in the area of the Garden Ring and the bypass railway. In addition, repair shops are being equipped to repair damaged equipment and weapons. All these structures were named the Moscow defensive zone, and the head of the Moscow military district, General Artemiev PA, supervised their defense. Under its beginning, the military units of the city garrison, the reserve divisions of the Stavka and the formed people's militia were assigned .

The Moscow offensive

The long heroic defense of Moscow allowed to tighten and strengthen reserves. And already on December 5 of the same year, an offensive operation was launched at once by three fronts: Kalinin, Western and South-Western. The commander of this offensive was General of the Army G.K. Zhukov. For the German army, this was a complete surprise. By this time, the enemy was essentially exhausted by constantly fighting. In addition, due to severe weather conditions, the delivery of arms and food to the German army was disrupted, and this led to a retreat.

The retreat of the fascists from Moscow was accompanied by great losses, both in people, and in weapons and equipment. By early January 1942, the front line had been moved away from Moscow by 250 kilometers, thus eliminating the threat of its capture.

Until now, the offensive operation near Moscow, which GK developed. Zhukov, studied in military academies. The general himself subsequently received a medal "For the Defense of Moscow", as well as many other ordinary members of this battle. This award was marked by their courage and heroism in the struggle for freedom of the motherland.

The history of the creation of the medal "For the Defense of Moscow"

To reward the defenders of Moscow on June 29, 1943, it was decided to create a reward medal. Responsible for its development was appointed quartermaster of the Red Army, Colonel-General Drachev P.I. By his order, an art group was created, which already on July 12 provided several ready sketches. July 15, 1943, these sketches were submitted to the consideration of Stalin. But at that time the final decision was not made. However, in January 1944, work on the sketch of the medal was resumed. The final stage of its completion is entrusted to the artists of Moskalev N.I. And Romanova E.M. By the end of January, the final draft of the medal "For the Defense of Moscow" was ready.

Adjustments and approval of the final type of award

After a test sample made in metal by the engraver NA Sokolov, a number of changes in the appearance of the award were made:

• Originally it was supposed to place a group of defenders of Moscow on the background of the Kremlin wall , but it was replaced by a tank with fighters on its armor,
• Reduced the size of the dome of the Government building,
• In the left corner there was an image of flying aircraft.

So the final version of the award badge was awarded the medal "For the Defense of Moscow", a photo of which shows its magnificence and solemnity.

The official confirmation of this award is May 1, 1944.

According to the author's memories of the artist's medal, Moskalev NI, he began work on this award long before the official decree of the country's leadership, as early as the autumn of 1941. Then there was a real threat of occupation of the capital. Subsequently, this sketch formed the basis of another award badge - the Order of Glory, which was also developed by Moskalev.

What does a medal look like?

The award was brass, round in shape, 32 mm in diameter. On the obverse (as the front side of any award sign is called) is a wall of the Kremlin. Behind it is a domed roof of a government building with a fluttering banner of the Land of Soviets. In the foreground is the pedestal to the heroes, who in former times liberated the city - Minin and Pozharsky. Nearby - the defenders of the capital on the armor of the tank. In the left corner of the engraved aircraft, above the inscription "For the Defense of Moscow", and on the reverse, awarded the medal for the defense of Moscow could read "For our Soviet Motherland."

Who was awarded the medal "For the Defense of Moscow"?

According to the government's decision, all the defenders of the capital must receive this award:

• The military of all combat arms who participated in the battle for Moscow no less than 1 month in the period from 19.10.41 to 25.01.42,
• Civilians of the city and region who built protective structures and repaired military equipment, and also participated directly in defensive and offensive fighting for not less than 1 month in the same period - from 19.10.41 to 25.01.42,
• Military and civilians - active participants in the air defense of the capital in the period from July 22, 1941 to January 25,
• Partisans who conducted military operations in the Moscow region.

In addition, this honor was awarded to servicemen who liberated Mr. Tula.

Possible options for the appearance of the medal "For the defense of Moscow"

As is known, the award was given both during the war and after its termination. At the same time, the overall picture was preserved, but changes were made that distinguished the military and post-war versions of this award:

• The ear of the medal that was produced during the war, soldered to the base, and the shoe is two-layer, heavy,
• In the post-war model the eye poured out together with the medal, and the shoe was single-layered, aluminum.

Cognitive facts

The first person to receive the medal "For the Defense of Moscow" was Joseph Stalin. He was awarded on July 20, 1944 and received the corresponding certificate No. 000001.

Until January 1, 1995, in total, a medal "For the Defense of Moscow" received no less than about 1,028,600 people. It should be noted that more than twenty thousand adolescents were awarded with the medal "For the Defense of Moscow".

It is correct to wear the medal "For the Defense of Moscow" on the left side of the chest (where the heart beats, for Moscow is the heart of our Motherland). If there are other medals, then "For the Defense of Moscow" should be placed after the award medal "For the Defense of Leningrad".

Sometimes in historical literature, the Order of Defense of Moscow is mentioned, but this is not a correct formulation. The Order was never there, it was and is exactly the medal "For the defense of Moscow".