Thanks to "Altores" für showing a special facet of Soviet military history ...:
First of all:
This bust has nothing to do with the conventional (and negative) term of "child soldiers"!
During the Second World War - when the Red Army was still fighting in the Soviet Union - it was very common for military units to "adopt" small boys, so to say.
Most of these were orphans, whose parents had fallen victim to war actions, which followed for the search for security and care a preceding force.
They then did some auxiliary work (mainly in the kitchen or in the care of the horses), later also military tasks (eg dispatchers) and thus gradually grew into the role of fighting soldiers, carried weapons and contributed to combat operations.
Many of these "regimental children" who also had a "mascot status" among the older soldiers were distinguished for their achievements.
Here we have some of these "regimental children" in the picture - the boy on the first picture even has a Military rank (corporal, see shoulder strap) and has just been awarded with the order "Red Star" ...:
I think, the bust is a combination of the next three pictures...:
The bust of "Altores" carries the insignia of Soviet guard formations on the right side of the brethren - an honorary title given to military units for outstanding achievements. The 62nd Army, which defended Stalingrad in 1942/43, was - for instance - renamed "8. Guard Army" after the battle in April 1943 ...:
On the left side of the breast, the Boy carries a medal, which has been awarded for the participation in particularly outstanding combat actions.
"Altores" proposes on the cover picture the medal "For Bravery"...:
Thanks to "Altores" and specially to Alexander and Oleg für doing this bust!
Cheers
