Medal ‘For the Capture of Königsberg’ was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 9 June 1945. The medal ‘For the Capture of Königsberg’ was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, the Navy and People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD) troops - direct participants in the heroic assault and capture of the fortress city of Königsberg in the period 23 January - 10 April 1945, as well as the organizers and persons in charge of combat operations in the capture of this city.
“For the capture of Königsberg” is the only medal of the USSR established as a reward for the capture of the fortress city, not in connection with the capture or liberation of the capital. The assault of Königsberg took place from 6 to 9 April, 1945. As a result of the operation, the main forces of the East Prussian group of Germans were defeated. Only the Zemland group remained, which was liquidated on 25 April. According to Soviet data, 93,853 enemy soldiers were taken prisoner, about 42,000 were killed, more than 2,000 guns captured, among them 1,652 mortars and 128 aircraft. According to Soviet data, from 1 to 10 April 1945, 3,700 soldiers and officers of the 3rd BelorUssian Front were killed during the assault on Königsberg, which was engaged in active combat.
The capture of Königsberg was celebrated by the highest-category salute. 324 guns carried out 24 artillery salvos in Moscow. Soon after the medal “For the Capture of Königsberg” was established, and 98 military units received the name “Königsbergsky”.
The medal “For the Capture of Königsberg” is worn on the left side of the chest and if there are other medals of the USSR it is placed after the medal “For the Capture of Budapest”. The medal “For the Capture of Königsberg” was awarded to more than 700 thousand people.
The medal has the shape of a correct circle with a diameter of 32 mm and is made of brass. On the front side of the medal in the center one can read the inscription “For the capture of Königsberg”. Above the inscription is a five-pointed star with divergent rays, and below it is a laurel branch. The front side of the medal is bordered by a flank, and on the back of the medal the date of the capture of Königsberg is carved: “April 10, 1945”, above the date there is also a five-pointed star. All the inscriptions and images on the medals are convex.
“For the capture of Königsberg” is the only medal of the USSR established as a reward for the capture of the fortress city, not in connection with the capture or liberation of the capital. The assault of Königsberg took place from 6 to 9 April, 1945. As a result of the operation, the main forces of the East Prussian group of Germans were defeated. Only the Zemland group remained, which was liquidated on 25 April. According to Soviet data, 93,853 enemy soldiers were taken prisoner, about 42,000 were killed, more than 2,000 guns captured, among them 1,652 mortars and 128 aircraft. According to Soviet data, from 1 to 10 April 1945, 3,700 soldiers and officers of the 3rd BelorUssian Front were killed during the assault on Königsberg, which was engaged in active combat.
The capture of Königsberg was celebrated by the highest-category salute. 324 guns carried out 24 artillery salvos in Moscow. Soon after the medal “For the Capture of Königsberg” was established, and 98 military units received the name “Königsbergsky”.
The medal “For the Capture of Königsberg” is worn on the left side of the chest and if there are other medals of the USSR it is placed after the medal “For the Capture of Budapest”. The medal “For the Capture of Königsberg” was awarded to more than 700 thousand people.
The medal has the shape of a correct circle with a diameter of 32 mm and is made of brass. On the front side of the medal in the center one can read the inscription “For the capture of Königsberg”. Above the inscription is a five-pointed star with divergent rays, and below it is a laurel branch. The front side of the medal is bordered by a flank, and on the back of the medal the date of the capture of Königsberg is carved: “April 10, 1945”, above the date there is also a five-pointed star. All the inscriptions and images on the medals are convex.
