All veterans were awarded the breast badge “Front-line Soldier 1941–1945” to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Great Victory. In June 1999, the government created a special Russian steering committee, which was chaired by Vladimir Putin, the acting president of the Russian Federation. The committee had to prepare for the celebration of the anniversary and, among other things, establish an award. One of the badges is housed in the collection of the Zimovniki Museum of Local History.
The badge was awarded to all military personnel and guerrilla activists, as well as to civilians engaged in underground activities in the territories occupied by German troops. The award was intended not only for the citizens of Russia, it was also given to foreigners who participated in battles against German troops and their allies.
The badge had the same design as the Order of the Patriotic War. The main difference was the material — the “Front-line Soldier” was made of nickel silver. The nickel silver is a composition of brass, nickel, and zink, and looked similar to cupronickel.
The breast badge had the shape of the ruby-red enameled five-point star. Golden rays radiated from the star. The rim bore a semi-circular inscription on the wide white stripe — “Front-Line Soldier 1941–1945”. Against the background of a dark blue circle, there was a relief image of the monument to the Warrior-Liberator. Now, this monumental sculpture can be seen in the Treptower Park in Berlin.
The badge of honor was worn on the right breast and attached to clothing with a sharp pin and a special suspender. The person got a certificate with this breast badge containing personal data. However, the “Front-line Soldier” breast badge did not give any additional benefits.
The regions had to produce and distribute the awards. Therefore, the badges were different, depending on where they were made. For example, they differed in size, thickness, shades of enamel on the star and the central part — from blue to dark blue — as well as in the image of the monument.
The badge was awarded to all military personnel and guerrilla activists, as well as to civilians engaged in underground activities in the territories occupied by German troops. The award was intended not only for the citizens of Russia, it was also given to foreigners who participated in battles against German troops and their allies.
The badge had the same design as the Order of the Patriotic War. The main difference was the material — the “Front-line Soldier” was made of nickel silver. The nickel silver is a composition of brass, nickel, and zink, and looked similar to cupronickel.
The breast badge had the shape of the ruby-red enameled five-point star. Golden rays radiated from the star. The rim bore a semi-circular inscription on the wide white stripe — “Front-Line Soldier 1941–1945”. Against the background of a dark blue circle, there was a relief image of the monument to the Warrior-Liberator. Now, this monumental sculpture can be seen in the Treptower Park in Berlin.
The badge of honor was worn on the right breast and attached to clothing with a sharp pin and a special suspender. The person got a certificate with this breast badge containing personal data. However, the “Front-line Soldier” breast badge did not give any additional benefits.
The regions had to produce and distribute the awards. Therefore, the badges were different, depending on where they were made. For example, they differed in size, thickness, shades of enamel on the star and the central part — from blue to dark blue — as well as in the image of the monument.
