By the summer of 1942, a catastrophic situation was developing on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. There was nowhere to retreat. The famous order of the high command even began to be called "Not a step back." It was at this time that awards appeared for the commanders of the Soviet Army, who showed special successes in the management of military operations.
No step back
Appeared on July 28, 1942, Order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR No. 227, which causes a negative attitude among some people, was actually justified and necessary for that difficult time.
Despite the huge losses, the fascist troops constantly threw new forces to the front, rapidly advanced deep into the Soviet Union, mercilessly killed people, devastated cities and villages. This is a very dangerous situation. The citizens, who treated their native army with a sense of deep respect, began to feel a certain disappointment in its actions. There were also such troops at the front that, without orders from the main Moscow command and worthy resistance, retreated to the east, leaving civilians "at the mercy" of the enemies.
An important order, the main purpose of which was to call upon all possible forces to stop the retreat of the Soviet Army, began to be called "Not a step back!" The document speaks about the possibilities of holding back the enemy's strikes and its further defeat. The forces of the fascists in the course of hostilities were running out, but they continued to move forward.
Thanks to hard work in the rear, the Soviet fronts gradually received an increasing amount of the necessary military equipment. The main drawback of the army in the order of the People's Commissar is the existing order in the troops. To defend the Motherland, it was necessary to establish iron discipline in all divisions, regiments, companies, air squadrons, and tank units. The strictest demands were made on commanders and commissars. Commanders who made the decision to retreat from combat positions without orders from above received the status of traitors to the Motherland. By order of Stalin, penal battalions and companies operating in the most dangerous sectors of the front were formed, in which commanders and rank-and-file soldiers could atone for their "cowardice". On unstable sectors of the front, barrage detachments did not give the opportunity to retreat.
In this tense military situation, the Soviet Government decided to reward the commanders who distinguished themselves in the organization of military operations. The emerging orders of Suvorov, Kutuzov, Nakhimov stood out from the traditional award system in that they were intended only for servicemen holding a certain army position.
Award assignment
The first Russian award, presented in three degrees, was the order of the famous Russian commander Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov. The order of the first degree was presented to the highest military leadership: army commanders and other representatives of high army ranks. In difficult times of war, this award was received by Soviet commanders for a military operation carried out with particular success, a skillfully accomplished maneuver to encircle the enemy, and the initiative shown in organizing and conducting successful combat operations.
The commanders of lesser rank and their deputies were presented for the award of the II degree. It was received by officers who were able to organize a sudden defeat of an outnumbered enemy, a breakthrough of defensive positions with further destruction of the enemy, successful armored raid operations deep into the enemy's rear, a way out of the fascist encirclement while maintaining the combat effectiveness of military units and technical weapons.
The Order of Suvorov of the III degree was awarded to the merits of the commanders of battalions and regiments, chiefs of staff. Six months later, company commanders were added to the list of applicants for this award. Representation to the order awaited those who knew how to take the initiative, decisively attack and destroy superior enemy forces, stubbornly held the occupied lines, confronted the enemy with a significant numerical superiority, then organizing an attack on him.
Appearance of the Order of Suvorov
The development of the Order of Suvorov belongs to Pyotr Skokan, a military architect. Two months after the approval of the Skokan project, the award sign was slightly changed: the Order of Suvorov I degree became 7 mm superior to the other two. The award of the highest importance on its upper beam has acquired a red enamel star.
The famous order represents a convex five-pointed star with rays radiating along it. In the central circle there is a portrait of Alexander Suvorov, which was based on an engraving by N. Utkin, the name of the commander is written on the upper part of the star circle. On its lower part there is a border of a laurel-oak wreath. Platinum and gold serve as the main material for the 1st degree order, the award below is made of gold and silver, and the 3rd degree order is silver. The level of significance of this high military award is also reflected in the ribbons for it, which differ in the location, number and width of the stripes on them.
