Russian soldier

[StuGIII]

Hi I just obtained this photo of a Russian soldier. I believe the photo was taken during or just after the war. Could someone identify this soldiers rank, his medals and what branch of the service he was with? Also there is writing on the back. Could someone translate it for me?

[StuGIII]

Russian solldier reverse

Here's the back of the photo.

[Komandir RKKA]

This is artillery or tank troops "yefreitor" , decorated by 3-d degree "Glory" order and at least one "For Bravery" medal (next to "Glory")
The handwriting:

" In memory, to good friend from russian soldier.
Batalov Vasili.

Molotov city.
Dzerjinski str. 34"

[StuGIII]

Russian soldier

Hi,

Thanks for your help. Is a yefreitor like a Private First Class? So this soldier was either a member of a tank or artillery crew in your opinion. Wouldn't Vasili be his first name? What is Molotov City called now or does it have the same name today?

Regards,
John

[Komandir RKKA]

Hi John

Vasili - is his first name, soviet “yefreitor” is similar to German “gefraiter”, man have no special signs on shoulder boards – so I can’t specify does he tank or artillery crew.
The name of Molotov city was changed in 50-ies, but I don’t know it’s present name.
If you can show more detailed photo of his chest - probably it'll be possible to define other decorations.

[StuGIII]

Vasili's medals

Hi,

Here is a more close up view of Vasili's medals. What makes you think he was an artillery or tank crewman, is it his boots?

Regards,
John

[StuGIII]

Vasili

Hi,

Was the 3rd Degree Glory medal a bravery award? Is there anyway to find out more about Vasili's service? By the way I found out Molotov City is now called Perm. It was called Molotov City from 1940-1957. So we can assume Vasili's photo was taken between those dates. Based on his uniform would you say the photo was taken right after the war? Oh and why would he write his name as Batalov Vasili instead of Vasili Batalov?

John

[Gordon Craig]

John,

The rank of Yefreitor, which is shown by the single transverse stripe across the shoulder boards, is equal to corpoaral in the English speaking world. Two stripes would be junior sargeant, three stripes sargeant, three stripe and a stripe running the length of the shoulder board is sargeant major. Nice picture by the way.

Regards,

Gordon

[Komandir RKKA]

John, the picture you send is too small to define his medals.
Batalov Vasili or Vasili Batalov - doesn't metter how you'll write your name in russian.
He has black shoulder boards - tank or artillery.
http://i034.radikal.ru/0901/32/de9487a33524.jpg
The picture I think was wartime taken , probably in hospital (Perm was a rear city), or after war but close to 1945.

[StuGIII]

Vasili

Hi,

Thanks Gordon for the clarification on Vasili's rank. Is there anyway to find out more about his service? Regarding his medals, I thought that you wanted a close up of his chest area. Should I make the scan of his chest area larger?

John

[Komandir RKKA]

Three degrees of "Glory" order were established in november 1943 as award for Red Army enlisted men, sergants and junior leutenants of Air Forces.
It was a combat decoration could be given only for bravery on the battle field.

[Komandir RKKA]

I don't think you can find any info about this man.
Yes, we need larger scan of his chest area.

[luftwaffenkopf]

best i can do is 1st 3 medals left to right, the 4th i can't tell:

Order of Glory 3rd Class
Medal for Bravery
Medal for Combat Service

one more thing, the reason for signing last name then first name on the back is perhaps this was a formal jest and not really to his good friend. this style is a bit more formal, less buddylike...although it's not a rule. also he emphasizes that it is from a Russian soldier so most likely given to a non-combat service personnel. these are just my observation, yours may vary

[STEBALIN]

The last award he has is the medal for the Capture of Berlin.

[StuGIII]

Vasili's medals enlarged close up

Here is an enlarged view of his medals.