The Great Patriotic War
On June 22, 1941 the Great Patriotic War began. Four days later, German troops approached Smorgon. The museum has a lot of material on the occupation regime in Smorgon district, interesting valuable documents tell about the underground and partisan movement. They were given to the museum by the former commanders of the partisan detachments Mikhail Petrovich Orekhov and Nikolai Nikolayevich Mikhaylyuk, and the former commissar of the Suvorov brigade Vasily Vladimirovich Dan. Our town was liberated only in 1944.
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The witnesses of the first days of the Great Patriotic War in Smorgon District
The exhibition "The Great Patriotic War" ("Occupation regime" Section) contains exhibits which were given to the museum by Ms Kazlouskaya, a resident of the village of Dubatouka, Smorgon District.
Here, near the village of Dubatouka, a Soviet bomber plane "IL-4"was shot down on June 26, 1941. The members of the crew were A.Vagin, a pilot and Viktor Tabakov, a gunner. Viktor Tabakov was seriously injured; he was hid and rescued by the villagers.
The pilot managed to land the aircraft. The local people took the parts of the plane and the things they could find. A bucket, a ladder were used in the household.
After the War, local Smorgon historians managed to make contact with Viktor Tabakov, visited him in Moscow where he lived after the War.
Victor Tabakov was in Smorgon District several times and met with the villagers of Dubatouka.
A metal bucket from the Soviet IL-4 aircraft
(inventory no. 240).
The diameter of the bottom is 22 cm.
The bucket was given to the museum by Ms Kazlouskaya, a resident of the village of Dubatouka, Smorgon District, on 14 April 1998.
A metal ladder from the Soviet IL-4 aircraft (inventory no. 241).
The ladder consists of 7 steps; its height is 120 cm.
The ladder was given to the museum by Ms Kazlouskaya, a resident of the village of Dubatouka, Smorgon District, on 14 April 1998.
A part of the wing of the Soviet aircraft "IL-4"
(Inventory No. 243).
Size: 23 cm by 14 cm.
Given d to Smorgon local historians by V.F. Tabakov during the meeting in Moscow on July 9, 1976
Partisan Relics
The exposition “The Great Patriotic War” (section “Underground and partisan movement”) fully and vividly shows the most important events of the underground and partisan movement in the Smorgon district. Many exhibits were given to the museum by direct participants in partisan actions, members of their families. Here you can read them recalling the partisan struggle, get acquainted with the partisan publications, and see the insights of partisan life.
The gallery also contains research works on the topic, albums with photographs that were created by students of Smorgon Gymnasium at different times.
The Certificate issued to Mikhail Petrovich Orekhov on February 16, 1944 (Inventory No. 122).
The text is printed on white fabric, 12 cm by 7 cm.
The certificate is given to the museum by Mikhail Petrovich Orekhov on April 4, 1997.
The list of partisans of partisan detachment No. 2 of the Suvorov brigade who took the oath (Inventory No. 124).
Paper, size 17 cm by 21 cm. Given to the museum by Mikhail Petrovich Orekhov on May 5, 1997
The insignia (self-made) of partisans of the Suvorov brigade (Inventory No. 298).
The insignia have an image of a five-pointed star, which is located inside the letter “C”. Cut out of cardboard, covered with red fabric.
The insignia, together with autobiographic materials, were given to the museum by M.P. Orekhov on October 19, 1998.
Partisan editions: satirical leaflet, newspaper-poster (Inventory No. 129) “Kill the fascist vermin” (May 1944), satirical leaflet No. 4-5 “Partisan Cudgel” (June 7, 1942) – (Inventory No. 90).
The satirical leaflet is printed on grey wallpaper.
On January 15, 1997 the editions were given to the museum by Taisia Konstantinovna Musskaya , a daughter of Konstantin Petrovich Mussky, in whose house in the village of Yagodnoye, partisans of the Suvorov brigade stayed.
A metal cigarette lighter (Inventory No. 208) and a wooden pipe (Inventory No. 334) which belonged to Nikolay Nikolaevich Mikhaylyuk, the commander of the partisan detachment named after Frunze, which was part of Budyonny brigade.
Given to the museum by N.N.Mikhaylyuk on November 1, 1998.
Paletka (a special bag for maps) belonged to Nikolay Nikolaevich Mikhaylyuk, the commander of the partisan detachment named after Frunze, which was part of Budyonny brigade. (Inventory No.1313)
The paletka is made of leather, has two pockets; two loops for leather strips, with the help of which it was worn on the shoulder strap. It is fastened with metal buttons.
Given to the museum by V.N.Mikhaylyuk, a son of the commander.
A metal spoon (Inventory No. 1282), length 16 cm; found near the village of Malinovaya ,Smorgon district.
Given to the museum by Alexandr Gvozdov, a graduate of Smorgon Gymnasium, on January 10, 2011.
A metal spoon (Inventory No. 330); length 21 cm; the handle is in the shape of a fish.
Propaganda leaflets with the appeal of the headquarters of the partisan movement to the people of Vileika Region (Inventory No. 121)
Given to the museum by M.P. Orekhov, a former partisan unit commander of the Suvorov brigade on April 4, 1997.
The uniform jacket of V.I. Danov, a commander of the 2nd partisan brigade named after Suvorov (Inventory No. 219).
Given to the museum by the family of V.I. Danov on April 4, 1998.
The letter of N.P. Tsvirko, the Head of the special department of the partisan brigade named after Suvorov, written to his family on December 24, 1943 (Inventory No. 91).
Given to the museum by R.S. Brovko, a teacher of Ukropenka Primary School, on January 15, 1997.
Letters from the front
During the Great Patriotic War the soldiers were waiting for news from the family, and their relatives almost daily asked the postmen if there was news for them.
At the beginning of the war, difficulties arose in providing the population and the army with envelopes, and soldiers invented famous soldier’s triangles, or letters without envelopes. The folded letter was easy to read by military censorship, but the main censors were the soldiers themselves, who did not want to talk about front-line difficulties and hardships. Another type of soldier’s letter was the “secret”. It was a sheet of postal paper without a stamp where the text was written, then the sheet was folded and glued along the edge. The "secrets" were illustrated. There were also illustrated postcards: propaganda, congratulatory, photo-documentary, letters of gratitude.
The military field mail was created on July 1, 1941, and during the Great Patriotic War it delivered about 6 billion copies of correspondence. In March 1943, a single lifelong numbering of all military units was introduced, and since April 1, 1943, a five-digit military addressing system was also used in the post-war period.
In our museum you can see and read letters given by the families of the participants of the war.
Letters from Germany by Ivan Sakovich to his family written on February 6, 1945 and on February 18, 1945 (Inventory No 79).
The letter of February 6, 1945 is written on a sheet of paper from a clerical book published in Berlin, what is known from the German inscriptions on this sheet.
The letters were given to the museum on January 8, 1997 by the family members.
Part of the letter by Arseniy Matveevich Mikheev to the family (Inventory No.92).
The letter was given to the museum on January 15, 1997 by the family members.
The letter “secret” of Zalessky Boris Gavrilovich to his wife Pelageya Vasilievna dated November 22, 1944 (Inventory No. 1287).
Dimensions: 14.5 cm by 10 cm. The paper is yellow.
Given to the museum by Artyom Nevero, a grandson of P.V. Zalesskaya on February 3, 2011.
Letter by Nikolai Tsivirko written on July 8, 1941 to the family (Inventory No. 91 (1)).
The letter is written on two notebook sheets. It is clear from the content that the author was on the territory of Belarus, in the region of Polotsk at that time; the letter mentions the repulse of the “Germans” attack.
The letter was sent to the museum by Evdokia Savelyevna, the mother of Nikolai Tsivirko, on January 15, 1997.
Soldier documents
“It has long been known how deceiving and imperfect human memory is, mercilessly eroded by time bit by bit, taking into oblivion at first the secondary, less significant and bright, and then the significant. History and historical experience of people are very quickly erased from memory by a string of current affairs and events and forever lost from the spiritual treasury of the people if not recorded in documents, not comprehended by art.”
Vasil Bykov, a Belarus prose writer and playwright, 1985
One cannot but agree with the famous Belarusian writer. Rare documents are of particular value to history, and in museums they are unique exhibits. Reading the yellowed pages of the Red Army military identity cards , certificates of participation in the battles, examining the Komsomol membership cards and military service record books, we experience the events of the war years together with their owners.
You can get acquainted with such exhibits in the museum of the Gymnasium.
The Red Army military identity card of Sergey Nikolayevich Putirsky (Inventory No.1157).
The paper is yellowed, with smudges along the edges; the booklet is torn at the place of fastening; the paper clip is rusty.
Given to the museum by L.S. Putirskaya, a daughter of Sergey Nikolayevich Putirsky, on January 28, 2007.
The Military identity card of Sergey Nikolaevich Putirsky (Inventory No.1158).
The paper is yellowed, the corners of the sheets are folded; the paper clips are rusty.
Given to the museum by L.S. Putirskaya, daughter of Sergey Nikolaevich Putirsky, on January 28, 2007.
The Komsomol membership card of Yelizaveta Petrovna Kornilova (Inventory No.1149).
The membership card was issued in May 1944.
The paper along the edge is with smudges; the edge of the cover is pasted over; the paper clips are rusty.
Given to the museum by T.A. Tarasevich, a daughter of Yelizaveta Petrovna Kornilova.
Komsomol membership card of Anatoliy Vikentievich Kozel (Inventory No.1153).
The membership card was issued in June 1942.
The paper along the edge is with smudges; the edge of the cover is pasted over; the paper clips are rusty.
Given to the museum by T.A. Tarasevich, a daughter of Yelizaveta Petrovna Kornilova.
The Certificate of awarding the Red Army soldier Ivan Ilyich Serednyakov with the badges “Excellent Miner” and “Excellent Minesweeper” (Inventory No. 161).
Issued on September 30, 1944. The paper is yellow; the top (center) is damaged. Size: 20.5 cm by 10 cm.
Given to the museum by the family members on October 1, 1997.
The Certificate issued to the Guard Senior Sergeant Arkady Nikolayevich Sergeev in March 1945 (Inventory No. 76).
The certificate confirms that A.N. Sergeev was a participant in the November battles of 1944 during the forging of the Danube as part of military unit 29488.
The paper is yellow, severely damaged at the edges, glued.
Size: 15 cm by 12 cm.
Given to the museum by family members on January 6,1997.
The card of registration of the participant of the Great Patriotic War, Ivan Evgenievich Karaban (Inventory No. 234).
The form is standard; size: 21 cm by 16 cm; the lower right corner is damaged.
Given to the museum by Yu.A. Shemis, a teacher of Smorgon Gymnasium, on April 15, 1998.
The card of registration of the participant of the Great Patriotic War, Ivan Evgenievich Karaban (Inventory No. 234).
The form is standard; size: 21 cm by 16 cm; the lower right corner is damaged.
Given to the museum by Yu.A. Shemis, a teacher of Smorgon Gymnasium, on April 15, 1998.
Handwritten by the witnesses ...
The veterans of the Great Patriotic War do not like to talk about themselves, which is why documents, memoirs, diaries written by them personally are especially valuable. Though they are not written in an artistic style, and the lines are stingy and concise, they help us see the life story of a particular person as part of the history of the country and people ...
The autobiography and diary of Alexander Fedorovich Akkuratnov, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War (Inventory No. 88).
The autobiography is written on a lined sheet of paper sized 28.5 cm by 20 cm; the text reads well.
The diary of the events of the Great Patriotic War, in which Alexander Fedorovich Akkuratnov participated, is written on four pages in a student’s notebook.
Given to the Museum by Alexander Fedorovich Akkuratnov on January 15, 1997.
The memoirs of Maria Ivanovna Orekhova, a partisan, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War (Inventory No. 309).
The memoirs are written on four standard pages from a student’s squared notebook; the text reads well.
Given to the Museum by Maria Ivanovna Orekhova on October 19, 1998.
The autobiography of Nikolay Nikolayevich Mikhaylyuk, commander of the Frunze partisan detachment of the Budenny partisan brigade, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War (Inventory No. 461).
The autobiography is written on a sheet of paper sized 30 cm by 21 cm; the text reads well.
Given to the Museum by Nikolay Nikolayevich Mikhaylyuk on October 5, 1999.
The autobiography of Vladimir Petrovich Mussky ,a partisan, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War (Inventory No. 1400).
The autobiography is written on four standard pages of lined paper from a student’s notebook; the text reads well.
Given to the Museum by Vladimir Petrovich Mussky on October 1, 2019.
Wartime Photographs
Photographs are considered to be the most universal manner of recording events, an imprint of reality, an authentic window onto history. Photos help shape our understanding of history, and the identity of the people who appear in them.
Photographs can be powerful tools for telling stories and chronicling events. Photography is a tool of accurate and objective documentation, because of its inextricable connection to the real world.
In our museum, rare photographs of participants in the Great Patriotic War are preserved. Most often those photos were taken in the intervals between battles and military transitions. Everyone tried to look calm, even cheerful, because these pictures were sent to relatives. At home, they were cherished like shrines.
Фотаздымак Васільковай Людмілы Кірылаўны, удзельніцы Вялікай Айчыннай вайны ( інв.№ 158 ). Фотаздымак зроблены ў 1942 годзе; памер: 10 см на 7 см. Перададзены 28.09.1997 года Носавым Андрэем, унукам Л.К. Васільковай.
Фотаздымак Аністратава Васілія Серафімавіча, удзельніка Вялікай Айчыннай вайны (інв.№ 1123 ). Фотаздымак зроблены ў 1943 годзе; памер: 8,5 см на 6 см. Перададзены 13.06.2006 Сергіенка Паўлам Іванавічам, аднапалчанінам, ветэранам 3-га Гвардзейскага Сталінградскага механізаванага корпуса.
Фотаздымак Сяргеева Аркадзія Мікалаевіча, удзельніка Вялікай Айчыннай вайны (інв.№ 74). Фотаздымак зроблены ў 1941 годзе; памер: 14 см на 10 см. Перададзены 06.01.1997 Т. Сяргеевай.
Фотаздымак Акуратнава Аляксандра Фёдаравіча, удзельніка Вялікай Айчыннай вайны, з сябрам (імя невядома, на здымку – справа) (інв.№ 83). Фотаздымак зроблены 05.06.1943 года ў г.Юхноў Калужскай вобласці; памер: 8,5 см на 5,5 см. П ерададзены 08.01.1997 Акуратнавым А.Ф.
Фотаздымак Акуратнава Аляксандра Фёдаравіча, удзельніка Вялікай Айчыннай вайны, з сябрам (імя невядома, на здымку – справа) (інв.№ 83). Фотаздымак зроблены 05.06.1943 года ў г.Юхноў Калужскай вобласці; памер: 8,5 см на 5,5 см. Перададзены 08.01.1997 Акуратнавым А.Ф.
Dedicated to the liberation of Smorgon
The historic town,
Our miracle Smorgon!
It is the pride and glory,
Our memory and pain!
There were bloody battles near Smorgon,
Not an inch of land was given to the enemies here.
This poem was written by Yakov Markovich Kheifets, a guard foreman, a medical officer of the 7th Guards Mechanized Brigade, a participant in the liberation of Smorgon on July 4, 1944.
A photo album dedicated to Azi Akhadovich Aslanov, the Hero of the Soviet Union, a Major-General of tank troops, a Commander of the 35th Tank Brigade, which liberated the town of Smorgon in July 1944 (Inventory No.1118).
Album size: 25 cm by 19 cm; it contains: 41 photographs, the programme of the conference “Legendary General”, photocopies of documents.
Given to the Museum by Yu.I.Rudchenko, the Secretary of the Council of Veterans of the 3rd GSMC, a retired colonel, on June 7, 2006.
The manuscript of the book “In the midst of the Belarusian summer” by Nikolai Vasilievich Tsvetkov, a participant in the liberation of Smorgon, a Chief of staff of the 7th Guards Brigade of the 3rd Guards Stalingrad Mechanized Corps, Guard Lieutenant Colonel, autographed by the author (Inventory No. 751).
Size: 29 cm by 21 cm. The manuscript contains 194 sheets of one-sided text printed on a typewriter. The binding is red.
Given to the Museum by N.G. Orlov, the Honorary Chairman of the Council of Veterans of the 3rd GSMC, a retired Lieutenant General on September 03, 2003.
The photo of Viktor Alexandrovich Muzyrev, a Tank Company Commander of the 43rd Guards Tank Regiment, a Guard Senior Lieutenant. The tank under the command of V.A. Muzyrev was the first to enter the town of Smorgon on the day of liberation, July 4, 1944 (Inventory No. 166).
Size: 11 cm by 7.5 cm.
The photo of the tank crew under the command of Victor Alexandrovich Muzyrev (Inventory No. 166-1).
Given to the Museum by Yu.I. Rudchenko, the Secretary of the Council of Veterans of the 3rd Guards Stalingrad Mechanized Corps, a retired colonel, on October 10, 1997.
A greeting card and telegram of Mikhail Shuidin, a Soviet circus performer. During the Great Patriotic War Mikhail Ivanovich Shuidin was a Commander of a tank platoon of the 35th Guards Tank Brigade, a Guard Senior Lieutenant, a participant in the liberation of Smorgon (Inventory No. 165).
Postcard size: 10.5 cm by 15 cm.
Telegram blank size: 14.5 cm by 20.5 cm.
Given to the Museum by T.K. Musskaya, the curator of the club "The successors of the glory of the fathers" on October 10, 1997.
The 3rd Guards Stalingrad Mechanized Corps
On July 4, 1944, Smorgon was liberated from the Nazi invaders. The 3rd Guards Stalingrad Mechanized Corps took part in the battles for the liberation of the town.
The relations between the veterans of the corps and the local historians of the city were established long ago. The representatives of the 3rd GSMC visited the Gymnasium (school №4 at that time) for the first time in 1980. Since that time, meetings of veterans with schoolchildren and teachers have become traditional, and the Museum of the Gymnasium has been replenished by exhibits. Now in the museum of the Gymnasium there is a separate exposition which tells about the history of the corps. Rare documents, photographs, memoirs, personal belongings of veterans of the corps are of great value. They remind future generations of what veterans have done for people.
The chronicle of the 3rd Guards Stalingrad Mechanized Corps "Stalingrad Guards in the battles for Soviet Belarus" (Inventory No. 1017).
The chronicle contains 98 sheets of one-sided typewriter text that are sewn into a folder. On the first page of the chronicle there is a list of members of the Council of Veterans of the Corps with personal signatures; on some sheets there are diagrams, drawings, photographs.
The folder size: 51 cm × 23 cm.
Given to the Museum by Yu.I. Rudchenko, the Secretary of the Council of Veterans of the 3rd GSMK, a retired colonel, on March 16, 2005.
The map-case “The military way of the 3rd Guards Stalingrad Mechanized Corps”, that liberated the town of Smorgon from the Nazi invaders in July 1944 (Inventory No. 1380).
The map-case consists of three interconnected cardboard sheets 40 cm × 28 cm each, on which the combat path of the Corps is schematically represented, photographs and the accompanying text are attached .
Given to the Museum by N.Yu. Rudchenko, a daughter of Yu.I. Rudchenko, of the Secretary of the Council of Veterans of the 3rd GSMK, on April 8, 2017.
The drawings by Pavel Ivanovich Sergienko, a veteran of the 3rd Guards Stalingrad Mechanized Corps, a participant in the liberation of the town of Smorgon. The drawings depict the moments of hostilities during the liberation of the town (Inventory No. 168).
The eight pencil drawings 28 cm × 40.5 cm each are made on a paper and sewn into an album. Pictures turned yellow and discolored over time.
Given to the Museum by Yu.I. Rudchenko, the Secretary of the Council of Veterans of the 3rd GSMK, a retired colonel, on November 10, 1997.
The life stopped by a bullet...
Alexander Stepanovich Ivanov was a lieutenant, senior operative of the Smorgon District Department of the Ministry of State Security.
A.S. Ivanov was born on April 14, 1924 in the village of Porubye, Rasson district, Vitebsk region.
During the Great Patriotic War, since June 1942, he was a soldier of the special-purpose detachment “Fighting”, which participated in battles on the territory of the Smorgon region as well.
After graduating from the School of the People’s Commissariat of State Security of the BSSR in the city of Mogilyov, Senior Lieutenant A.S. Ivanov was appointed security officer of Smorgon district in November 1945.
He was awarded the Order of the Red Star, the medal “Partisan of the Great Patriotic War” of the 1st degree. He was killed during the liquidation of a gang near the village of Voistom of Smorgon district on August 3, 1950.
A.S. Ivanov is buried in the town park of Smorgon; one of the streets of the town is named after him. In 1979, the pioneer squad of secondary school No. 4 (now Smorgon Gymnasium) was named after A.S. Ivanov.
The compass of A.S. Ivanov, found at the place of his death, near the village of Voistom of Smorgon District (Inventory No. 224).
The metal case of the compass has a diameter of 5 cm. The glass is fixed on both sides with metal brackets; two strap eyes are attached to the bottom of the case.
Given to the Museum by Yu.A. Shemis, a teacher, on April 8, 1998.
The part of the watch case of A.S. Ivanov, found at the place of his death, near the village of Voistom of Smorgon District (Inventory No. 225).
The metal watch case with a movable eye has a diameter of 4.5 cm.
Given to the Museum by Yu.A. Shemis, a teacher, on April 8, 1998.
A.S. Ivanov's inkstand (inventory no. 226), a dip pen (inventory no. 227). The glass inkstand with a lid (10.5 cm by 8 cm, 3.5 cm high) has a recess for the pen.
The blue wooden decorative pen 19 cm long with a hole for the pen. The nib is metallic.
Given to the Museum by Yu.A. Shemis, a teacher, on April 8, 1998.
A.S. Ivanov’s Komsomol membership card No. 15662725, issued on January 4, 1945 by the Mogilev city committee of the Lenin Communist Youth Union of Belarus(Inventory No. 228).
The cover is grey, 4 sheets are fastened with metal brackets, rusty over time; an additional sheet with a mark on the payment of membershipfees for 1946 and 1947 is glued to the bottom cover. Size: 10 cm by 7.5 cm.
Given to the Museum by Yu.A. Shemis, a teacher, on April 8, 1998.
The brown leather holster designed for open carrying of a handgun (Inventory No. 238).
The holster belonged to Alexander Stepanovich Ivanov, a lieutenant, senior detective of Smorgon District Department of the Ministry of State Security.
Given to the Museum by Yu.A. Shemis, a teacher, on April 8, 1998.
Military awards of the winners
The Soviet people won a great victory in fierce battles unprecedented in the history. Our Motherland duly appreciated the military feats of the heroes. During the war, military awards were established - 9 orders and 17 medals. Orders and medals are a kind of monument that can tell both about the event and about the person. In our museum you can see a rich collection of military awards handed over by Rudolf Mitrofanovich Rogozhin, a retired colonel, a son of Captain Mitrofan Dmitrievich Rogozhin, who died during the liberation of Belarus. The awards given to the museum by veterans themselves and members of their families are especially valuable exhibits.
The Medal "To a Partisan of the Patriotic War" 2nd class (Inventory No.1242).
A 32mm in diameter circular brass medal. The medal is secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by an overlapping 24mm light green silk moiré ribbon.
The medal is well preserved.
Given to the Museum by Rudolf Mitrofanovich Rogozhin, a retired colonel, member of the Council of Veterans of the 3rd GSMC, Moscow, on December 21, 2009.
The Medal "For the Defence of Stalingrad" (Inventory No. 1235).
Senior Guard Lieutenant Yuri Ivanovich Rudchenko was awarded the Medal. (Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 22, 1942).
A 32mm in diameter circular brass medal.
The Medal "For the Defence of Stalingrad" is secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide olive green silk moiré ribbon with a 2mm central red stripe.
The medal is well preserved.
Given to the Museum by Yu.I. Rudchenko, the Secretary of the Council of Veterans of the 3rd GSMK, a retired colonel, on October 16, 2009.
The Medal “For the Capture of Berlin” (Inventory No. 1248).
A 32mm in diameter circular brass medal.
The Medal "For the Capture of Berlin" was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide red silk moiré ribbon with a 12mm wide Ribbon of St. George in the center.
The medal is well preserved.
Given to the Museum by Rudolf Mitrofanovich Rogozhin, a retired colonel, member of the Council of Veterans of the 3rd GSMC, Moscow, on December 21, 2009.
The Medal “For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945” and the award certificate (Inventory No. 164).
The medal was awarded to Nikolay Mikhailovich Guletsky (Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 9, 1945).
A 32mm in diameter circular brass medal.
The Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide silk moiré Ribbon of St. George.
The medal is well preserved.
Given to the Museum by N.M. Guletsky on October 5,1997.
The certificate of appreciation to Red Army soldier Vincent Iosifovich Smolensky “For breaking through the German defenses on the approaches to Berlin” (order by Stalin, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Soviet Union, No. 339 of April 23, 1945) (Inventory no. 157).
Size: 23.5 cm by 17 cm. Paper is damaged at the folds and edges; turned yellow over time.
Given to the Museum byV .I.Smolensky on September 28, 1997.