Medal "For the capture of Vienna". The Battle of Vienna

After the defeat of the German army in World War II, the Soviet leadership established a number of medals, which were awarded to participants in military operations in Europe, namely, for the liberation from the fascist invaders of the capitals of certain states. One of them was the medal "For the capture of Vienna". These were the last battles that "drove" the Germans from the countries and cities they had captured.

Taking Vienna

The medal "For the capture of Vienna" was not accidentally established by the leadership of the USSR. It was a heroic operation to liberate the city. It was attended by the forces of the Ukrainian Front, who were able to clear the invaders of western Hungary and approach Vienna.

The operation itself was started on March 16, 1945, and in twenty days, namely on April 4, the Soviet troops approached the city. Directly the battle for Vienna lasted from the fifth to the thirteenth of April. The onslaught of the Soviet troops was so swift that the German invaders could not destroy the city, as originally planned.

Despite the fact that the troops of the socialist republics have seized Vienna, the government of the USSR has confirmed that it does not at all pretend to any territory of the state that it has been liberated.

During this operation, thirty-two enemy divisions were defeated, and one hundred and thirty thousand people were captured.

Institution of the medal

The medal "For the capture of Vienna" was established on June 9, 1945. Initially, they offered a large number of sketches, of which more than a dozen were selected. However, the most simple model was chosen, which was performed by the artist Zvorykina. On the back of the medal there was an inscription - the date of taking the city, and on the front side - "For the capture of Vienna".

The medal "For the capture of Vienna" (pictured below) looks like a round coin. In addition to the inscription, on the front side there is a laurel branch, and on top - a five-pointed star. The same star is also on the back of the medal. All available images on it are convex. The material for making the award is brass.

Who was awarded the medal

So, for the merits in the great liberation European battle, several awards were instituted, one of them was the medal "For the capture of Vienna". The list of awarded it is quite large - about 270 thousand military. Among them were those who went directly to the assault, and also organized and directed the military operation.

Here are just a few names of those who received this award:

• Alferev Nikolay;
• Omelchenko Vitaly;
• Marinsky Ivan;
• Demina Catherine et al.

Awarded with the medal "For the capture of Vienna" made a real feat. While retaining the architecture of the city, the soldiers did not use guns with a large caliber. A lot of people there and fell.

Other similar medals

In addition to the above medal, several other such awards have been established. For example, "For the Liberation of Belgrade". This medal was awarded to over seventy thousand people.

Also there is a medal "For the capture of Warsaw". This award was given to the soldiers who took part in her release. It was more than 690 thousand people.

Another medal - "For the capture of Budapest". More than three hundred and fifty thousand soldiers received this award.

Among the liberated territories there are also cities-fortresses. The award "For the capture of Koenigsberg" was established. It was a very large-scale operation, more than 760 thousand people were awarded with a medal.

The most numerous award was the medal "For the capture of Berlin." She was awarded more than one million military. This meant the end of the German army as such, as well as the final victory.

And the last saved city. For his release, a medal "For the capture of Prague" was established. She was awarded more than 394 thousand people.

As we can see, the victorious procession of Soviet troops across Europe was crowned with success and the complete capitulation of enemy troops and their allies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I want to say that many who fought on that hard time on the battlefields for their homeland are worthy of the award. All those soldiers who subsequently received the medal "For the capture of Vienna", as well as other insignia, must remain in the memory of their descendants, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It is not known what the world would be like if Hitler managed to complete his campaign and keep the conquered lands, but definitely not better. This can be judged by the way the war was fought, how many were the vain deaths that happened not on the battlefields. How many atrocities and cruelty, betrayal and decay came to the surface at that time! No, it would not be better, definitely. Therefore, there should be a huge gratitude in our hearts to those who helped liberate our world!