Distinctive features of the Order of St. George's Cross. History of St. George's awards
Modern Award
George Cross as the highest military award for the lower ranks of the Russian imperial army, which was awarded only for personal courage shown on the battlefield, existed continuously for more than 200 years. At the same time, this award received the name familiar to all of us far from immediately. Officially, the name St. George's Cross began to be used only in 1913 in connection with the adoption of a new statute of the Order of St. George.
The insignia of the Military Order remained the highest award for non-commissioned officers and soldiers. Starting from June 24, 1917, it could also be awarded to officers for personal bravery by decision of the general meeting of the soldiers of the unit or sailors of the ship. Until 1913, when the award received the official name of the St. George's Cross, it bore many unofficial names, among which were: the St. George's Cross of the 5th degree, the soldier's St.
In January 1807 Russian emperor Alexander I was presented with a memorandum, which indicated the need to establish a special award in the country for lower officers and soldiers. The author of this note referred to the experience of the times Seven Years' War and military campaigns conducted by Catherine II, when medals were awarded to the soldiers participating in these events, the place of the battle in which they took part was recorded on them. The issuance of such awards, of course, raised the spirit of the soldiers. But the author of the note pointed out that it was necessary to distribute awards "with some legibility", that is, taking into account the real personal merits of each recipient, which would make the award itself more effective.
The note was heard, and on February 13, 1807, a new Highest Manifesto was issued, which established the ZOVO in Russia - the Insignia of the Military Order. The manifesto spelled out the conditions for the presentation of the award and its appearance. The document also stipulated benefits and material incentives for the awarded. In the future, the benefits for the awarded were added complete release from all corporal punishment. The manifesto also stated that the number of such insignia was not limited by anything. The awards were presented to new cavaliers by unit commanders in a solemn atmosphere - in front of the front of a military unit or on quarter quarters under a flag - in the navy.
Initially, when the number of awardees was still relatively small, the insignia did not have numbers. But in the future, due to the increase in the number of awardees and the compilation of a list of names of gentlemen, a real need arose for the numbering of awards issued. According to official data, until October 1808, 9,000 lower ranks managed to receive awards without a number in the Russian Empire. Starting from that time, the Mint began to produce insignia with numbers only. For military campaigns that took place before the Napoleonic campaign in Russia, the award was presented more than 13 thousand times. During Patriotic War 1812 and the subsequent foreign campaigns of the Russian army (1812-1814), the number of those awarded increased significantly. In the archives you can find information about the number of awards given by year: 1812 - 6783, 1813 - 8611, 1814 - 9345, 1815 - 3893.
In 1833, during the reign of Emperor Nicholas I, a new statute of the Order of St. George was developed, which included a number of innovations regarding the awarding of lower ranks with crosses. The most important of them included, for example, the fact that the authority to award awards became the prerogative of army commanders and commanders separate buildings. All this played a positive role, as it greatly facilitated the process of issuing awards, eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic delays. Another innovation of the statute was that all non-commissioned officers and soldiers, after the third award, received the maximum increase in their salary, and also received the right to wear a cross with a bow from the St.
In 1844, changes were made to the appearance of the crosses, which were awarded to Muslims, as well as to all non-Christians. The image of St. George on these awards was replaced by the coat of arms of Russia - the double-headed imperial eagle. This was done in order to give the award a more "neutral" character (in a confessional sense).
The next significant changes in the statute of the award took place in 1856, when the Badge of Distinction was divided into 4 degrees: the 1st and 2nd degrees were made of gold, the 3rd and 4th of silver. The awarding of degrees was carried out only sequentially from the lowest degree to the highest - the 1st degree. For their visual distinction, a bow from the St. George ribbon was attached to the 1st and 3rd degrees of the award. The next changes to the statute took place only in 1913. Since this year, the Insignia of the Military Order for awarding the lower ranks has officially become known as the St. George Cross. At the same time, the version of the award for non-believers was also abolished, who were now awarded signs of the usual type.
During the First World War, in connection with the minting of a large number of St. George's crosses from precious metals, which was carried out in very difficult economic conditions, in May 1915 it was decided to reduce the fineness of the gold used. Awards of the highest degrees began to be made from an alloy with a gold content of approximately 60%. Starting from October 1916, precious metals for minting St. George's crosses completely ceased to be used. Awards began to be made from tombac and cupronickel, denoting ZhM (yellow metal) or BM (white metal) on the rays of the cross.
All awards of four degrees had the same dimensions, the distance between the ends of the cross was 34 mm. St. George's crosses of the 1st and 2nd degrees were made of gold, 3rd and 4th degrees of silver. In the circle of the cross on the front side was the image of St. George, and on the reverse side - the monogram of St. George. Also on the reverse side there was an inscription indicating the degree of the award. The George Cross was worn on a pentagonal block, which was covered with a silk, moire ribbon 24 mm wide. When wearing ribbons without crosses, a bar 8 mm high was used, the width of the ribbon was 24 mm.
The new award statute of 1913 introduced lifelong cash incentives that were due to the holders of the St. George Cross: for the award of the 4th degree - 36 rubles per year, for the 3rd degree - 60 rubles per year, for the 2nd degree - 96 rubles per year , for the 1st degree - 120 rubles per year. It is worth noting that the holders of several degrees of the St. George Cross were paid an increase or pension only for the highest degree of the award. In order to imagine the amount of remuneration, it can be noted that it was possible to live normally on a pension of 120 rubles. In 1913, the wages of industrial workers were about 200 rubles a year. In addition, the rank of ensign complained to the holders of the St. George Cross of the 1st degree, and the holders of the 2nd degree received this military rank when they were transferred to the reserve.
The greatest number of awards fell on the years of the First World War. From 1914 to 1917, about 33 thousand St. George's crosses of the 1st degree, about 65 thousand awards of the 2nd degree, about 289 thousand awards of the 3rd degree and about 1200 thousand awards of the 4th degree were awarded. Perhaps it was during the First World War that the well-known proverb appeared: “The chest is in crosses, or the head is in the bushes.”
The George Cross existed in the award system until October revolution 1917. Awards were also made in the years civil war representatives white movement. But often the awarding of military awards was used very reluctantly, especially in the initial period of the war, since it was considered immoral to give awards to Russian people for exploits in the war against Russian people. It is curious to note that the following were full holders of the St. George Cross Soviet military leaders: S. M. Budyonny, A. I. Eremenko, K. P. Trubnikov, I. V. Tyulenev. The famous division commander, hero of the Civil War V. I. Chapaev was a three-time holder of the St. George Cross. Future marshals had two St. George crosses Soviet Union: junior non-commissioned officer Konstantin Rokossovsky, non-commissioned officer Georgy Zhukov, lower rank Rodion Malinovsky. In 1992, the insignia "St. George's Cross" was returned to the award system. Russian Federation.
The St. George ribbon, on which a cross with the image of a saint was attached in the 19th - early 20th century, has symbolized the victory of our country in the Great Patriotic War for many decades. She is also a link between the heroes of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union.
The full Knights of St. George in our country enjoyed universal honor even in the twenties and forties, when they wanted to erase everything that was before the October Revolution from the people's memory. Among them there are those who later became the Hero of the Soviet Union, including more than once.
background
The Order of St. George appeared in the list of awards of the Russian Empire in 1769. He had 4 degrees of distinction and was intended for officers. Full Knights of the Order of St. George became only 4 people:
- M. I. Kutuzov.
- M. B. Barclay de Tolly.
- I. F. Paskevich-Erivansky.
- I. I. Dibich-Zabalkansky.
institution
At the moment, it is not known who exactly was the initiator of the establishment of the Insignia of the Military Order, or, as it was more commonly called, the St. George Cross. According to the surviving documents, in 1807 a note was filed in the name of Alexander the First proposing to establish a soldier's award. It was to become "a special branch of the Order of St. George." The idea was approved, and already at the beginning of February 1807, a corresponding manifesto was issued.
There are many cases of confusion associated with the fact that the order is confused with the soldier's "Egoriy". For example, if it is claimed that Colonel Zorya Lev Ivanovich, who graduated from the cadet school in 1881, is a full Knight of St. George, then one can immediately object that this is a mistake. Indeed, among the officers there was no one who was awarded such a cross again, and the last who had an order of all 4 degrees was I.I. Dibich-Zabaikalsky - died in 1831.
Description
The award is a cross, the blades of which expanded towards the end. In its center is a round medallion. The obverse depicted St. George with a spear, striking a snake. On the reverse side of the medallion there are the letters С and Г connected in the form of a monogram.
The cross was worn on everything today by the well-known “color of smoke and flame” (black and orange) ribbon.
Since 1856, the award began to have 4 degrees. The first and second were made of gold, and the other two were made of silver. The reverse indicated the degree of the award and its serial number.
There were also special "Muslim" insignia of the Military Order. Instead of a Christian saint, they depicted the Russian coat of arms. Interestingly, people from North Caucasus when awarding "Egoriy", they demanded to give them the option "with a dzhigit", instead of the prescribed one.
In 1915, due to the difficulties caused by the war, crosses of the 1st and 2nd degrees began to be made from an alloy that consisted of 60% gold, 39.5% silver and half a percent copper. At the same time, the signs of the 3rd and 4th degrees were not subject to change.
Awarded
In the summer of 1807, non-commissioned officer E. I. Mitrokhin received the first St. George Cross. He was decorated for bravery in the battle against the French near Friedland.
Known cases of awards and civilians. So, in 1810, the St. George Cross was awarded to the tradesman M. A. Gerasimov. Together with his comrades, this brave man arrested the British military who captured the Russian merchant ship, and was able to bring the ship to the port of Varde. There, the prisoners were interned, and the merchants were helped. In addition, for heroism in the Patriotic War of 1812, St. George's crosses without numbers were received by the commanders of partisan detachments from among civilians of the lower class.
Among the others interesting facts associated with the awarding of the St. George Cross, we can note his presentation to the famous General Miloradovich. This brave commander, in the battle near Leipzig, in front of Alexander the First, got into line with the soldiers and led them into a bayonet attack, for which he received “Egoria” from the hands of the emperor, who did not rely on him by status.
Full Cavaliers
The four-degree cross existed for 57 years. Over the years, about 2,000 people got into the full St. George Cavaliers (list). In addition, about 7,000 crosses of the second, third and fourth degrees were awarded, 3rd and 4th - about 25,000, and 4th degree - 205,336.
At the time of the October Revolution, several hundred full St. George Knights lived in Russia. Many of them joined the Red Army and rose to the highest military ranks USSR. Of these, 7 also became Heroes of the Soviet Union. Among them:
- Ageev G.I. (posthumously).
- Budyonny S.M.
- Kozyr M. E.
- Lazarenko I. S.
- Meshryakov M. M.
- Nedorubov K.I.
- Tyulenev I.V.
S. M. Budyonny
The name of this legendary personality thundered in parts of the Russian cavalry during the First World War, and even earlier - the Russian-Japanese. For courage on the Austrian, German and Caucasian fronts, Semyon Mikhailovich was awarded crosses and medals of all 4 degrees.
His first award was received for the capture of a German convoy and 8 soldiers accompanying it. However, Budyonny was deprived of her because he hit an officer. This did not prevent him from getting on the list of "Full St. George Cavaliers", since on the Turkish front Semyon Budyonny earned 3 St. George's crosses during the battles for Van and Mendelid, and the last (first degree) - for capturing 7 enemy soldiers. Thus, he became the person who received 5 awards.
During the Civil War, he initiated the creation, and in 1935 he and four other commanders of the USSR were awarded the rank of marshal.
During the Second World War, Semyon Budyonny did not have the opportunity to show his abilities, as he was removed from command of the South-Western direction of the front because of a telegram in which he honestly described the danger that threatened those who were in the so-called Kiev bag.
AT post-war years The commander was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union three times.
Kuzma Petrovich Trubnikov
This legendary person was a participant in three wars. For the exploits committed between 1914 and 1917, he received many awards. In particular, the list of "Full Cavaliers of St. George" also contains his last name. He showed himself no less heroically during the Second World War, organizing the defense of Tula, commanding troops during the Battle of Stalingrad, commanding the units entrusted to him during the liberation of Yelnya, etc. At the Victory Parade, Trubnikov, who at that time had already been awarded the rank of colonel general, led box of the consolidated regiment of the 2nd Belorussian Front. For his long service, the military leader was awarded 38 orders and medals. tsarist Russia, the USSR and a number of other countries.
Ivan Vladimirovich Tyulenev
The future was born in the family of a participant in the Russian-Turkish war. He was drafted into the army at the beginning of the First World War and ended up in a regiment, where K.K. Rokossovsky also served at that time. Starting the war as a simple soldier, Ivan Vladimirovich Tyulenev rose to the rank of ensign. For the heroism shown in the battles on the territory of Poland, he was awarded the George Cross four times. In the very first days of the Second World War, Tyulenev was appointed commander of the Southern Front, but in August he was seriously wounded, and after the hospital he was sent to the Urals to form 20 divisions. In 1942, the commander was sent to the Caucasus. At his request, the defense of the Main Range was strengthened, which in the future made it possible to stop the offensive of the Nazis, with the aim of capturing oil fields in the area of the Caspian Sea.
In 1978, for merits in defending the Motherland and increasing the country's defense capability, I. V. Tyulenev was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and he became one of seven outstanding military men who were awarded the highest award of the USSR, having the title of "Full St. George Cavalier of the First World War" .
R. Ya. Malinovsky
The future, at the age of 11, ran away from home due to the marriage of his mother and worked as a laborer until he got into the army, attributing two years to himself. The deception was revealed, but the teenager was able to persuade the command to leave him to bring ammunition to the machine gunners. In 1915, the 17-year-old soldier received his first Egoriy. Then he was sent to France as part of the Expeditionary Force, where he was twice awarded by the government of the Third Republic. In 1919, Rodion Yakovlevich Malinovsky enrolled in the Foreign Legion, and for bravery on the German front he became a holder of the French Military Cross. In addition, by order of the Kolchak general D. Shcherbachev, he was awarded the St. George Cross of the third degree.
In 1919, Rodion Yakovlevich Malinovsky returned to his homeland and became one of the active participants in the Civil War, and in the late 30s he was sent as a military adviser to Spain.
The merits of this commander during the Great Patriotic War are also invaluable. In particular, the troops under his command liberated Odessa, played important role in Battle of Stalingrad, expelled the Nazis from Budapest and took Vienna.
After the end of the war in Europe, Malinovsky was sent to Far East, where the actions of the Trans-Baikal Front led by him finally defeated the Japanese group. For the successful implementation of this operation, Rodion Yakovlevich received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The second Golden Star was awarded to him in 1958.
Other Soviet generals awarded the St. George Cross for bravery
Before the revolution, other soldiers of the imperial army, who were destined to become famous commanders of the USSR, were also awarded the soldier's "Egoriy" before the revolution. Among them are Sidor Kovpak and Konstantin Rokossovsky, who were awarded two crosses. In addition, three such awards were famous hero Civil War V. Chapaev.
Now you know the details of the biographies of some prominent military men who can be classified as "Full Knights of St. George." The list of their exploits is amazing, and they themselves deserve the respect and gratitude of their descendants, who are not indifferent to the fate of their native country.
The St. George Cross is an award for lower ranks from 1807 to 1917, assigned to the Order of St. George, for military merit and for bravery shown against the enemy. The insignia of the Military Order was the highest award for soldiers and non-commissioned officers. From June 24, 1917, it could also be awarded to officers for feats of personal courage by providing a general meeting of soldiers of the unit or sailors of the ship.
Sign history
The idea of establishing a soldier's award was expressed in a note filed on January 6, 1807 addressed to Alexander I (the author is unknown), where it was proposed to establish a "5th class or a special department of the Military Order of St. George for soldiers and other lower military ranks ... which may consist , for example, in a silver cross on the St. George ribbon, worn in a buttonhole. The insignia of the Military Order was established on February 13 (25), 1807 by the manifesto of Emperor Alexander I, as an award for lower military ranks for "undaunted courage". The 4th article of the manifesto commanded to wear the insignia of the Military Order on a ribbon of the same colors as the Order of St. George. The sign had to be worn by its owner always and under all circumstances, but if the holder of the badge was awarded the Order of St. George, in 1807-55. the badge was not worn.
The first to receive soldier Georgy was the non-commissioned officer of the Cavalier Guard Regiment Yegor Ivanovich Mitrokhin for distinction in the battle with the French near Friedland on June 2, 1807. The first gentleman of the soldier George served from 1793 to 1817 and retired in the lower officer rank of ensign. However, the name of Mitrokhin was the first to be included in the lists only in 1809, when cavaliers from the guards regiments were the first to be included in the compiled lists. Ensign of the 5th Jaeger Regiment Vasily Berezkin received a cross for the battle with the French near Morungen on January 6 (18), 1807, that is, for a feat accomplished even before the award was established.
Non-commissioned officer V. Mikhailov (badge No. 2) and private N. Klementyev (badge No. 4), privates of the Yekaterinoslav Dragoon Regiment P. Trekhalov (badge No. 5) and S Rodionov (sign number 7) were transferred to the cavalry guards.
George First Class
When established, the soldier's cross did not have degrees, there were also no restrictions on the number of awards for one person. At the same time, a new cross was not issued, but with each award, the salary increased by a third, up to a double salary. Unlike the officer's order, the soldier's award was not covered with enamel, it was minted from silver of the 95th test (modern. 990th test). By decree of July 15, 1808, holders of the insignia of the Military Order were exempted from corporal punishment. The insignia could be withdrawn from the recipient only in court and with the obligatory notification of the emperor.
George II degree.
There was a practice of awarding the insignia of the Military Order to civilians of the lower classes, but without the right to be called a cavalier of the insignia. One of the first in this way was awarded the Kola tradesman Matvey Andreevich Gerasimov. In 1810, the ship on which he was carrying a cargo of flour was captured by an English warship. On the Russian ship, the crew of which was 9 people, a prize team of eight English soldiers under the command of an officer was landed. 11 days after the capture, taking advantage of the inclement weather on the way to England, Gerasimov and his comrades took the British prisoner, forcing them to officially surrender (give up the sword) and the officer in command, after which he brought the ship to the Norwegian port of Varde, where the prisoners were interned.
George of the third degree.
There is a known case of awarding a general with a soldier's award. They became M. A. Miloradovich for the battle with the French in the soldier's ranks near Leipzig. The silver cross was presented to him by Emperor Alexander I, who watched the battle.
George of the fourth degree.
In January 1809, the numbering of crosses and name lists were introduced. By this time, about 10 thousand signs had been issued. By the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812, the Mint had produced 16,833 crosses. The statistics of awards over the years are indicative:
1812 - 6783 awards;
1813 - 8611 awards;
1814 - 9345 awards;
1815 - 3983 awards;
1816 - 2682 awards;
1817 - 659 awards;
1818 - 328 awards;
1819 - 189 awards.
Insignia without numbers were awarded until 1820, mainly to non-military ranks of the army, as well as former commanders of partisan detachments from among merchants, peasants and bourgeois.
In 1813-15. The badge was also awarded to soldiers of the Russian allied armies operating against Napoleonic France: Prussians (1921), Swedes (200), Austrians (170), representatives of various German states(about 70), the British (15).
In total, during the reign of Alexander I (period 1807-25), 46,527 Signs were granted.
In 1833, the provisions for the insignia of the Military Order were spelled out in the new statute of the Order of St. George. It was then that the wearing of the Insignia of the Military Order "with a bow from the same St. George's ribbon" was introduced by persons who were honored to receive a full salary of surplus pay for repeated feats.
In 1839, a commemorative version of the sign was established in honor of the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of the Peace of Paris. Outwardly, the sign was distinguished by the presence of the monogram of Alexander I on the upper beam of the reverse. This award was presented to the military personnel of the Prussian army (4500 crosses were minted, 4264 were awarded).
Obverse and reverse of the George Cross of 1839 for the Prussian Allied veterans in the fight against Napoleon
On August 19, 1844, a special badge was installed to reward the Gentiles: it differed from the usual one in that the coat of arms of Russia, a double-headed eagle, was depicted in the center of the medallion on both sides. 1368 soldiers received such signs.
In total, in the era of Nicholas I (1825-56), 57,706 valiant lower ranks of the Russian army were awarded the badge. Most of the gentlemen appeared after the Russian-Persian 1826-28 and Russian-Turkish 1828-29. wars (11,993), the suppression of the Polish rebellion (5888) and the Hungarian campaign of 1849 (3222).
From March 19, 1855, the badge was allowed to be worn on the uniform of those of its owners who later received the Order of St. George.
First "gold" degree
The first degree of gold 600 tests.
From March 19, 1856, four degrees of the sign were introduced by imperial decree. The signs were worn on the St. George ribbon on the chest and were made of gold (1st and 2nd grades) and silver (3rd and 4th grades). Outwardly, the new crosses differed in that the words “4th step.”, “3rd step.” were now placed on the reverse. etc. The numbering of signs began anew for each degree.
The awards were made sequentially: from the junior degree to the senior one. However, there were also exceptions. So, on September 30, 1877, I. Yu. Popovich-Lipovats was awarded the Badge of the 4th degree for courage in battle, and already on October 23 for another feat - immediately the 1st degree.
I. Yu. Popovich-Lipovats
In the presence of all four degrees of the sign on the uniform, the 1st and 3rd were worn; in the presence of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th degrees, the 2nd and 3rd were worn; only 3rd.
Over the entire 57-year history of the four-degree Insignia of the Military Order, about 2 thousand people became its full cavaliers (owners of all four degrees), about 7 thousand were awarded the 2nd, 3rd and 4th degrees, 3rd and 4th th degrees - about 25 thousand, 4th degree - 205,336. Most of the awards fell on the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-05. (87,000), Russian-Turkish war 1877-78 (46,000), the Caucasian campaign (25,372) and the Central Asian campaigns (23,000).
In 1856-1913. there was also a version of the Insignia of the Military Order for rewarding the lower ranks of the non-Christian religion. On it, the image of St. George and his monogram was replaced by a double-headed eagle. 19 people became full holders of such an award, 269 people received the 2nd, 3rd and 4th degrees, 821 people received the 3rd and 4th and 4619 the 4th. The numbering of these awards was carried out separately.
In 1913, a new statute of the insignia of the Military Order was approved. It began to be officially called the St. George Cross, and the numbering of signs from that time began anew. Unlike the Insignia of the Military Order, St. George's crosses for non-Christians did not exist - since 1913, St. George was depicted on all crosses. In addition, since 1913 the George Cross could be awarded posthumously.
Infrequently, but the presentation of the same degree of the St. George Cross was practiced several times. So, lieutenant of the Life Guards of the 3rd rifle regiment G. I. Solomatin was awarded two St. George's crosses of the 4th degree, two of the 3rd degree, one of the 2nd degree and two of the 1st degree.
Kozma Kryuchkov
The first awarding of the St. George Cross of the 4th degree took place on August 1, 1914, when the cross No. 5501 was awarded to the order of the 3rd Don Cossack Regiment Kozma Firsovich Kryuchkov for a brilliant victory over 27 German cavalrymen in an unequal battle on July 30, 1914. Subsequently, K. F Kryuchkov also earned the other three degrees of the St. George Cross in battle. George Cross No. 1 was left "at the discretion of His Imperial Majesty”And was awarded later, on September 20, 1914, to Pyotr Cherny-Kovalchuk, a private of the 41st Selenga Infantry Regiment, who captured the Austrian banner in battle.
For bravery in battles, the George Cross was repeatedly awarded to women. Sister of mercy Nadezhda Plaksina and Cossack Maria Smirnova earned three such awards, and sister of mercy Antonina Palshina and junior non-commissioned officer of the 3rd Kurzeme Latvian Rifle Regiment Lina Chanka-Freidenfelde - two.
French Negro Marseille Beast
St. George's Crosses were also awarded to foreigners who served in the Russian army. The French Negro Marcel Pla, who fought on the Ilya Muromets bomber, received 2 crosses, the French pilot Lieutenant Alphonse Poiret - 4, and the Czech Karel Vashatka was the owner of 4 degrees of the St. George Cross, the St. George Cross with a laurel branch, St. George medals of 3 degrees, the Order of St. George of the 4th degree and St. George's weapons.
In 1915, due to the difficulties of the war, signs of the 1st and 2nd degree began to be made from low-grade gold: 60% gold, 39.5% silver and 0.5% copper. The content of silver in the signs of the 3rd and 4th degree has not changed (99%). In total, the mint minted St. George's crosses with a reduced gold content: 1st degree - 26950 (No. from 5531 to 32840), 2nd - 52900 (No. from 12131 to 65030). On them in the left corner of the lower beam, below the letter "C" (step), there is a stamp with the image of a head.
From 1914 to 1917 it was awarded (that is, mainly for exploits in the First World War):
St. George's crosses 1st class. - OK. 33 thousand
St. George's crosses 2nd class. - OK. 65 thousand
St. George's crosses 3rd class. - OK. 289 thousand
St. George's Crosses 4th Art. - OK. 1 million 200 thousand
To indicate the serial number (“per million”), stamped on the upper side of the cross "1M", and the rest of the numbers were placed on the sides of the cross. On September 10, 1916, according to the highest approval of the opinion of the Council of Ministers, gold and silver were removed from the St. George Cross. They began to be stamped from "yellow" and "white" metal. These crosses have letters under serial numbers "ZHM", "BM". St. George's crosses, there were: 1st degree "ZhM" - 10,000 (No. from 32481 to 42480), 2nd degree "ZhM" - 20,000 (No. from 65031 to 85030), 3rd degree "BM" - 49,500 (No. from 289151 to 338650), 4th degree "BM" - 89,000 (No. from 1210151 to 1299150).
Possibly in the first world war the proverb "Chest in crosses, or head in the bushes" was born.
After the February coup, cases of awarding the St. George Cross for purely political reasons began to occur. So, non-commissioned officer Timofey Kirpichnikov, who led the rebellion of the Life Guards of the Volynsky regiment in Petrograd, received the award, and the crosses of the 4th and 2nd degrees were “presented” to the Prime Minister of Russia A.F. Kerensky as “the fearless hero of the Russian Revolution, tore down the banner of tsarism.
On June 24, 1917, the Provisional Government changed the statute of the St. George Cross and allowed them to be awarded to officers by decision of the soldiers' meetings. In this case, a silver laurel branch was strengthened on the ribbon of signs of the 4th and 3rd degrees, and a golden laurel branch was strengthened on the ribbon of signs of the 2nd and 1st degrees. In total, about 2 thousand such awards were presented.
St. George's Cross with a laurel branch, which was awarded by decision of the lower ranks to officers who distinguished themselves in battle after February 1917
There are several cases of awarding the Insignia of the Military Order and St. George's Crosses of entire units:
1829 - the crew of the legendary brig "Mercury", which accepted and won an unequal battle with two Turkish battleships;
1865 - Cossacks of the 4th hundred of the 2nd Ural Cossack regiment, who survived in an unequal battle with the many times superior forces of the Kokand under the village of Ikan;
1904 - the crews of the cruiser "Varyag" and the gunboat "Koreets", who died in an unequal battle with the Japanese squadron;
1916 - Cossacks of the 2nd centurion of the 1st Uman kosh ataman Golovatov regiment of the Kuban Cossack army, which, under the command of Yesaul V.D. Gamalia, made the most difficult raid in April 1916 during the Persian campaign.
1917 - fighters of the Kornilov shock regiment for breaking through the Austrian positions near the village of Yamnitsa.
First highest degree: Golden Cross, worn on the chest, on the St. George ribbon, with a bow; in the circle of the Cross on the front side is the image of St. George, and on the back - the monogram of St. George; at the transverse ends reverse side The cross is carved with the number under which the one having the Cross of the first degree is listed in the list granted by this degree, and on the lower end of the Cross there is an inscription: 1st step.
Second degree: The same golden Cross, on the St. George ribbon, without a bow; on the transverse ends of the reverse side of the Cross, a number is carved, under which a person with a Cross of the second degree is included in the list granted by this degree, and at the bottom there is an inscription: 2nd degree.
Third degree: The same silver cross on the St. George ribbon, with a bow; on the transverse ends of the reverse side, a number is carved, under which one having a Cross of the third degree is included in the list of those granted this degree, and at the bottom there is an inscription: 3rd degree.
Fourth degree: The same silver Cross, on the St. George ribbon, without a bow; on the transverse ends of the reverse side of the Cross, a number is carved, under which the granted Cross of the fourth degree is included in the list granted by this degree, and at the bottom there is an inscription: 4th step.
For a cross, a soldier or non-commissioned officer received a salary one third more than usual. For each additional sign, the salary was increased by a third, until the salary was doubled. The surplus salary was maintained for life after retirement; widows could receive it for another year after the death of the gentleman.
The awarding of soldier George also gave the following benefits to those who distinguished themselves: the prohibition of the use of corporal punishment to persons with the insignia of the order; when transferring cavaliers awarded the St. George Cross of non-commissioned officer rank from army regiments to the guards, the preservation of their former rank, although the guards non-commissioned officer was considered two ranks higher than the army.
If the gentleman received a distinction in the militia, then he could no longer be given to military service(“shave into soldiers”) without his consent. However, the statute did not rule out the forcible transfer of gentlemen to soldiers if they were recognized by the landowners as persons "whose behavior would violate the general peace and tranquility."
It should be noted that often a certain number of crosses were allocated to a unit that distinguished itself in battle, and then they were awarded to the most distinguished soldiers, moreover, taking into account the opinion of their comrades. This order was legalized and was called the "sentence of the company." The crosses received by the "company's verdict" were valued among the soldiers more than those received on the recommendation of the commander.
For the fight against the Bolsheviks
During the Civil War (1917-1922) in Volunteer Army and in Armed Forces The south of Russia was extremely reluctant to award military awards, especially in the initial period, since they considered it immoral to award military awards to Russian people for exploits in the war against Russian people, but General P. N. Wrangel resumed awards in the Russian Army he created, establishing a special order Nicholas the Wonderworker, equivalent to St. George. In the Northern Army and on the Eastern Front, under the direct supervision of Admiral Kolchak, awards were more active.
The last awards took place in 1941 in the ranks of the Russian Corps, a Russian collaborationist formation that fought on the side of Nazi Germany in Yugoslavia with partisan detachments People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia Marshal of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito.
George Cross in Soviet times
Contrary to popular misconception, the George Cross was not "legalized" by the Soviet government or officially allowed to be worn by the Red Army. After the start of the Great Patriotic War, many older people were mobilized, among whom were participants in the First World War who were awarded St. George's Crosses. Such servicemen wore awards "on a whim", in which no one interfered with them, and enjoyed legitimate respect in the army environment.
After the Order of Glory was introduced into the system of Soviet awards, in many respects similar in ideology to the “soldier George”, an opinion arose to legalize the old award, in particular, a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars and State Committee Defense of I. V. Stalin from a professor at VGIK, a former member of the first Military Revolutionary Committee for Aviation of the Moscow Military District and St. George Knight N. D. Anoshchenko with a similar proposal:
... I ask you to consider equating b. Knights of St. George, awarded this order for military exploits committed during the last war with accursed Germany in 1914-1919, to the holders of the Soviet Order of Glory, since the statute of the latter almost completely corresponds to the statute b. the Order of George and even the colors of their sashes and their design are the same.
By this act, the Soviet government will first of all demonstrate the continuity of the military traditions of the glorious Russian army, the high culture of respect for all the heroic defenders of our beloved Motherland, the stability of this respect, which will undoubtedly stimulate both the b. St. George Cavaliers, and their children and comrades to commit new feats of arms, because each military award pursues not only the goal of a fair reward for the hero, but it should also serve as an incentive for other citizens to perform similar feats.
Thus, this event will further strengthen the combat power of our valiant Red Army.
Long live our great Motherland and its invincible, proud and courageous people, who have repeatedly beaten the German invaders, and are now successfully crushing them under your wise and firm leadership!
Long live the great Stalin!
Professor Nick. ANOSHCHENKO 22.IV.1944
A similar movement eventually resulted in a draft resolution of the Council of People's Commissars:
In order to create continuity in the fighting traditions of Russian soldiers and pay due respect to the heroes who smashed the German imperialists in the war of 1914-1917, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR decides:
1. Equate b. St. George Cavaliers who received St. George Crosses for military exploits committed in battles against the Germans in the war of 1914-17, to the Knights of the Order of Glory with all the ensuing benefits.
2. Allow b. St. George Cavaliers wearing blocks with a sash of established colors on their chests.
3. Persons subject to the action of this resolution are issued an order book of the Order of Glory marked “b. St. George Cavalier”, which is issued by the headquarters of military districts or fronts on the basis of the submission of relevant documents (original orders or service records of that time)
This project never became a real decision ...
List of persons who were full holders of the St. George Cross and who bore the title of Hero of the Soviet Union
Six such people are known:
Ageev, Grigory Antonovich (posthumously)
Budyonny, Semyon Mikhailovich (one of the three three times Heroes of the Soviet Union)
Lazarenko, Ivan Sidorovich (posthumously)
Meshcheryakov, Mikhail
Nedorubov, Konstantin Iosifovich
Tyulenev, Ivan Vladimirovich
Monument to Nedorubov in Volgograd
The owner of the "full bow" of the soldier's Georgiev K. I. Nedorubov golden star He wore a hero for his exploits on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War along with crosses.
Cavaliers
In the 19th century, the insignia of the Military Order was awarded to:
Durov.
the famous "cavalry girl" N. A. Durova - No. 5723 in 1807 for saving the life of an officer in the battle near Gutstadt; in the lists of gentlemen, she is listed under the name of the cornet Alexander Alexandrov.
For the battle of Dennewitz in 1813, another woman named Sophia Dorothea Frederika Krueger, a non-commissioned officer from the Prussian brigade Borstell, received the George Cross. Sophia was wounded in the battle in the shoulder and leg, she was also awarded the Prussian Iron Cross 2nd class.
The future Decembrists M. I. Muravyov-Apostol and I. D. Yakushkin, who fought at Borodino in the rank of ensign, which did not give the right to an officer award, received St. George's Crosses No. 16697 and No. 16698.
Chapaev
Among the most famous knights of soldier George are the famous character of the First World War, Cossack Kozma Kryuchkov and the hero of the Civil War Vasily Chapaev - three St. No. 68047 October 1916) and George medal(4th degree No. 640150).
Soviet commanders A. I. Eremenko, I. V. Tyulenev, K. P. Trubnikov, S. M. Budyonny were full cavaliers of the soldier's St. George's Cross. Moreover, Budyonny received St. George's crosses even 5 times: the first award, the St. George's Cross of the 4th degree, Semyon Mikhailovich was deprived of the court for assaulting a senior rank, sergeant major. Again he received the cross of the 4th class. on the Turkish front, at the end of 1914.
George Cross 3rd class. was received in January 1916 for participation in the attacks near Mendelage. In March 1916, Budyonny was awarded the 2nd degree cross. In July 1916, Budyonny received the St. George Cross of the 1st degree, for bringing 7 Turkish soldiers from a sortie behind enemy lines with four comrades.
Future marshals had two crosses each - non-commissioned officer Georgy Zhukov, lower rank Rodion Malinovsky and junior non-commissioned officer Konstantin Rokossovsky.
Kovpak
The future Major General Sidor Kovpak had two crosses, during the Great Patriotic War he was the commander of the Putivl partisan detachment and the formation of partisan detachments of the Sumy region, which later received the status of the First Ukrainian Partisan Division.
Maria Bochkareva
During World War I, Maria Bochkareva became a famous Cavalier of St. George. In October 1917, she was the commander of the famous women's battalion guarding the Winter Palace in Petrograd. In 1920, the Bolsheviks shot her.
The last Cavalier of St. George, awarded on Russian soil in 1920, was the 18-year-old sergeant major P.V. Zhadan, for saving the headquarters of the 2nd Cavalry Division of General Morozov. Zhadan, at the head of a squadron of 160 checkers, scattered the equestrian column of the red commander Zhloba, who was trying to escape from the "bag" directly to the division headquarters
Full "iconostasis"
Truly a Hero!
The history of the appearance of the St. George Cross award goes back to the beginning of the 19th century. On February 25, 1807, the Order of St. George was established, they were awarded non-commissioned officers, soldiers and sailors for the feat accomplished "on the battlefield, in the defense of fortresses and on the waters". In 1913, this highest soldier's award officially became known as the George Cross. In the article, we will consider what degrees of this award are and give a list of the most famous holders of the St. George Cross.
George Cross First Class
Estimated price: from 700,000 rubles
From 1914 to 1917, about 33 thousand awards were presented
Even though it's a reward Russian Empire, with the cessation of its existence, the cross itself did not stop its history. Later, the award was given to the White Guard soldiers and officers for the feats shown in battles with the Bolsheviks. Moreover, he is now a state award of the Russian Federation.
George's Cross, second class
Its characteristics are the same as the cross of the first degree. But with the coinage of the word - "2nd step."
Material: 900 gold was used until 1916, later 500 gold plated with 900 gold, later "yellow" metal
Estimated price: from 200,000 rubles
From 1914 to 1917, about 65 thousand awards were presented
St George's Cross Third Class
Cross size: 34mm by 34mm.
From 1914 to 1917, about 289 thousand awards were presented
George's Cross of the fourth degree
Its characteristics are the same as the cross of the first degree. But with the coinage of the word - "4th step."
Cross size: 34mm by 34mm.
Material: silver before 1916, hereinafter "silver" metal
Estimated price: from 15,000 rubles
From 1914 to 1917, about 1 million 200 thousand awards were presented
Note that in 1992 the insignia "St. George's Cross" was restored in the Russian Federation
List of Knights of the George Cross of the 19th century
Throughout history, about 2 thousand people became full cavaliers (owners of all four degrees), about 7 thousand were awarded the 2nd, 3rd and 4th degrees. Most of the awards were for the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.
In the 19th century, the insignia of the Military Order was awarded to:
List of Knights of the George Cross of the 20th century
Among the most famous knights of the soldier
George - a famous character from the First World War Cossack Kozma Kryuchkov and Civil War hero Vasily Chapaev- three St. George's crosses
- the most legendary, revered and massive award of the Russian Empire and the most famous in the military history of Russia. Initially, this award was called the “Insignia of the Military Order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George” and was established by the Highest Command of Emperor Alexander I of February 13 (23), 1807 as an award for lower military ranks for “undaunted courage”.
The name of the first recipient of this award is Yegor Ivanovich Mitrokhin, non-commissioned officer of the Cavalier Guard Regiment - for the battle near Friedland, in Prussia on December 14, 1809, "for the skillful and brave execution of orders."
Award rules. Unlike all other soldier's medals, the St. George Cross was awarded exclusively for a specific feat, because "this insignia is acquired only on the battlefield, during the siege and defense of fortresses, and on the waters in naval battles." The list was clearly and in detail regulated by its Statute.
It is characteristic that not only a soldier could receive an award for the feat indicated there. The future Decembrists Muraviev-Apostol and Yakushkin, who fought under Borodino in the rank of ensign, which did not give the right to an officer award, received St. George's crosses No. near Leipzig received the George Cross of the 4th degree.
Privilege. The lower rank - holder of the St. George Cross in the army was spared from corporal punishment. The soldier or non-commissioned officer awarded by him received a salary of a third more than usual, for each new cross the salary was increased by another third, until the salary was doubled. The surplus salary remained for life after retirement, it could be received by widows within a year after the death of the gentleman.
Degrees. On March 19, 1856, four degrees of the award were introduced, the award was made sequentially. The signs were worn on a ribbon on the chest and were made of gold (1st and 2nd) and silver (3rd and 4th). The numbering of signs was not general, but began anew for each degree. “Either the chest in crosses, or the head in the bushes” - it's all about him.
Full St. George Cavalier- all four degrees of the cross. It is known that Semyon Mikhailovich Budyonny, being the Full Knight of St. George, received crosses 5 times, moreover, because of his love for scuffle. He was deprived of his first award, the St. George Cross of the 4th degree, in court for assaulting a senior in rank. I had to receive the award again, already on the Turkish front, at the end of the 14th year. George Cross 3rd degree was received by him in January 1916 for participation in the battles near Mendelidzh. In March 1916 he was awarded a cross of the 2nd degree. In July 1916, Budyonny received the St. George Cross of the 1st degree, for the fact that five of them brought 7 Turkish soldiers from a sortie.
Women-Georgievsky cavaliers. There are several cases of awarding the cross to women. The “cavalry girl” Nadezhda Durova, who received the award in 1807, is listed in the list of cavaliers under the name of the cornet Alexander Alexandrov. For the battle of Dennewitz in 1813, another woman received the George Cross - Sophia Dorothea Frederick Krueger, a non-commissioned officer from the Prussian brigade Borstell. Antonina Palshina, who fought in the First World War under the name of Anton Palshina, had St. George's Crosses of three degrees. Maria Bochkareva, the first female officer in the Russian army, commander of the "women's death battalion" had two Georges.
From the end of August 1844, a special cross was installed to reward military personnel of a different religion, it differed from the usual one in that the coat of arms of Russia, a double-headed eagle, was depicted in the center of the medallion. First full cavalier cross for the Gentiles was the police junker of the 2nd Dagestan cavalry irregular regiment Labazan Ibragim Khalil-ogly.
The award began to be officially called the "George Cross" from 1913, when a new statute of the "insignia of the Military Order" was approved, the numbering of the crosses from that time began anew. The new statute also introduced life-long allowances: for the 4th degree - 36 rubles, for the 3rd degree - 60 rubles, for the 2nd degree - 96 rubles and for the 1st degree - 120 rubles a year, an increase for cavaliers of several degrees or the pension was paid only for the highest degree. A pension of 120 rubles in those days was quite a decent amount, the salary of a skilled worker in 1913 was about 200 rubles a year.
About numbering. The first crosses of 1807 were not numbered. This was corrected in 1809, when it was ordered to compile exact lists of gentlemen, the crosses were temporarily removed and numbered. Their exact number is known - 9,937.
The numbering of the crosses was resumed several times - according to the different numbering font pattern, you can determine which of the periods the award belongs to. When during the First World War the number of awards exceeded one million, on the reverse, on the upper beam of the cross, the designation 1 / M appeared.
Traditionally, the colors of the ribbon - black and yellow - mean "smoke and flames" and are a sign of the soldier's personal prowess on the battlefield. Another version - these colors are based on the life of St. George the Victorious and symbolize his death and resurrection: St. George went through death three times and was resurrected twice. There is also a simpler version. The colors of the ribbon at the establishment of the Order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George in 1769 were established by Catherine II and took the colors of the imperial standard for the color of the ribbon: black and yellow-gold, excluding white.
09/10/1916 according to the highest approval of the opinion of the Council of Ministers, gold and silver were removed from the St. George Cross. They began to be stamped from White and Yellow metal. These crosses have the letters "BM", "ZHM" under serial numbers.
After February 1917. On July 24, 1917, the Provisional Government adopts a resolution according to which the officers who distinguished themselves in battle are also awarded the George Cross. To receive the award, the decision of the assembly of the lower ranks was required. Also, the award of the Laurel branch was established to the cross. It was made according to the color of the metal of the cross.
During the Civil War of 1917-1922. in the White Army, awarding crosses was a rarity, especially in the initial period - among the White Guard it was considered immoral to award Russians with military awards for exploits in the war against the Russians. General Wrangel, in order not to award the St. George Cross, established a special order of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which was equated with St. George.
The last Cavalier of St. George, awarded on Russian soil in 1920, was the 18-year-old sergeant major P.V. Zhadan, for saving the headquarters of the 2nd Cavalry Division of General Morozov. Zhadan, at the head of a squadron of 160 checkers, scattered the cavalry column of the red division commander Zhloba.
The last awards took place in 1941 in the ranks of the Russian Corps - a collaborationist formation that fought on the side of Nazi Germany in Yugoslavia with the partisan detachments of the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito.
Cross to the Great Patriotic War. An analogue of the St. George Soldier's Cross in Soviet army became, established at the height of the Great Patriotic War, a soldier's Order of Glory of three degrees. The statute of the order resembles the provision on the St. George Soldier's Cross. The order has the same black and orange ribbon as the soldier George.
The capless ribbons of the crews of guards warships are painted in the same colors. navy. On the ribbon of St. George's coloring, the medal "For the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" was approved.
Contrary to popular misconception, the George Cross was not "legalized" by the Soviet government or officially allowed to be worn by the Red Army. After the start of the Great Patriotic War, many older people were mobilized, among whom were participants in the First World War who were awarded St. George's Crosses. Such servicemen wore awards "on a whim", in which no one interfered with them, and enjoyed legitimate respect in the army environment.
After the Order of Glory was introduced into the system of Soviet awards, in many respects similar in ideology to the “soldier George”, an opinion appeared to legitimize the old award. In particular, there is a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars and the State Defense Committee I.V. Stalin from a professor at VGIK, a former member of the first Military Revolutionary Committee for Aviation of the Moscow Military District and St. George Knight N. D. Anoshchenko with a similar proposal.
This movement eventually resulted in a draft resolution of the Council of People's Commissars:
DRAFT RESOLUTION OF THE SNK OF THE USSR
April 24, 1944 In order to create continuity in the fighting traditions of Russian soldiers and pay due respect to the heroes who smashed the German imperialists in the war of 1914-1917, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR decides: 1. Equate b. St. George Cavaliers who received St. George Crosses for military exploits committed in battles against the Germans in the war of 1914-17, to the Knights of the Order of Glory with all the ensuing benefits. 2. Allow b. St. George Cavaliers wearing blocks with a sash of established colors on their chests. 3. Persons subject to the action of this resolution are issued an order book of the Order of Glory marked “b. St. George Cavalier”, which is issued by the headquarters of military districts or fronts on the basis of the presentation of relevant documents (original orders or service records of that time).
But, the project never became a real resolution, unfortunately ...
1945 year. Member of three wars, Guards Private F. G. Vadyukhin. The famous photograph testifies to an unusual rule for the Red Army that appeared during the war - holders of the St. George's Crosses were unofficially allowed to wear these awards. In addition to the St. George Cross and the Badge of the Guards, the photo shows orders and medals of the Soviet Union: the Order of the Red Star, the Order of Glory of the third degree (he was awarded for helping 40 wounded and evacuating 25 wounded under enemy fire on December 26-31, 1944 near the village of Muzikas in Latvia) and two medals "For Courage".
Archive. Data on those awarded the St. George Cross is currently stored in the Russian State Military Historical Archive (RGVIA) in Moscow. Incomplete data - part of the documents from military units they did not have time to get into the archive due to the events of 1917. After the First World War, it was planned to build a temple and a memorial dedicated to all the Cavaliers of St. George, but for well-known reasons, the good undertaking was never realized.
In 1992 Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation of March 2, No. 2424-I "On State Awards of the Russian Federation", the military order of St. George and the sign "St. George's Cross" were restored. So far, 11 people have been awarded.
Website materials used: http://foto-history.livejournal.com/3509535.html and http://clubs.ya.ru
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