Description
Documented Group of Fighter Pilot Awards mounted on an old steel medal bar
Awarded to Fighter Pilot Lieutenant Nikolaj Vasilevich Simanzhonkov (Николай Васильевич Симанжонков)
For flying dozens of successful missions during which he proved to be a bold and courageous fighter pilot. When attacked by 2 German Me-109s he shot down one and routed the other one
This group contains the following items:
Order of the Red Banner #216370
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 45.77 mm in height, 37.49 mm in width and weighs 28.7 gram. The mint mark Monetni Dvor and the serial number are located at the bottom of its reverse.
This original order is in decent condition with traces of wear and enamel loss of the 6 o’clock ray of the center star and a chip on the bottom of the large banner, The white enamels however are problem free and there have been no repairs. Its reverse shows remains of solder, probably as a result of attaching a device to stabilize the movement of the award when wear.
Order of the Red Banner 2nd award #25742
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 44.89 mm in height, 36.32 mm in width and weighs 30.4 gram. The mint mark Monetni Dvor and the serial number are located at the bottom of its reverse.
In sublime condition with perfect red and white enamels. Its details are crisp and without wear and its original gold plating is still present. Its connection ring has not been cut.
Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #152045
Made of solid gold, silver and enamels. Measures 45.33 mm in height, 43.61 mm in width and weighs 28.2 gram without its screwplate.
This order is in excellent condition with stunning and problem free red and white enamels. There are a few dings on either side and its details are perfectly visible. There have been no repairs and the well fitted silver screwplate is time period to the order. Its screw has not been shortened and both sides show an appealing rainbow like patina.
Order of the Red Star #3297892
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 47.90 in width, 45.84 in height and weighs 30.5 gram without its screwplate.
The order is in excellent condition with all details crisp and flawless enamels. Its screw has not been shortened and both sided show a medium patina.
Order of the Red Star #3387563
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 48.18 in width, 45.96 in height and weighs 30.8 gram without its screwplate.
The order is in excellent condition with all details visible and stunning enamels. Its screw has not been shortened and both sided show an medium dark patina.
Medal for Combat Merit
Made of silver and enamels. In great condition with crisp details and flawless enamels. Its connection ring has not been cut.
Medal for the Victory over Germany with its award document
Made of gold plated brass. In worn condition but most details still visible and a fair amount of gilding present.
Its accompanying document is a rare early piece with a red, hard cover. It is in worn condition and is numbered #00013568
Medal for the Capture of Budapest with its award document
Made of gold plated brass. In decent condition with traces of wear but most details visible and a fair amount of gilding still present.
It comes with its problem free document which is numbered A 036264
Medal for the Capture of Vienna with its award document
Made of gold plated brass. In excellent condition with most details crisp and much gilding still present.
Its accompanying document is numbered A 012681
2 Jubilee Medals
Made of gold plated brass. Both in excellent condition
Bulgarian Medal for Victory in WWII with its award document
Made of silver plated brass. Great piece with a lovely plasticized suspension. Awarded to Bulgarian and Allied troops for participation in the war against the Axis from 9 September 1944 to 9 May 1945.
Its accompanying document is in sublime condition and is numbered 010720
2x Order Booklets
Both in problem free condition mentioning all numbered awards above. A typo is made with the Red Star #3297893; the last digit should be a 2, not a 3.
Airforce Pilot Badge with its document
The screw of the badge has broken off but it is otherwise problem free. The accompanying document contains an original picture of Lt. Simanzhonkov wearing his awards.
Translation of the citations:
Order of the Red Banner
“He is the Patriotic war participant since May 1944. In this period, he conducted 82 combat escort missions supporting the artillery correction pilots. He participated in 3 air engagements, and has one personal air victory against an enemy Me-109. For the previous 35 combat missions, he was bestowed with order “Patriotic war I class”. After his first award, he conducted further 42 successful combat missions and shot down 1 enemy aircraft. He is brave and decisive in the air battles. He is skilled in evading enemy attacks and taking advantageous position in the air. He exhibits boldness and bravery in the air. In one of his reconnaissance combat missions, comrade SIMANZHONKOV was attacked by 2 Me-109 near the town Székesfehérvár. Thanks to his excellent piloting skills and his bold attitude, he shot down one enemy aircraft and routed the other one.
For excellent execution of the combat missions and for exhibited courage and bravery, for the further 42 successful combat missions, he deserves – order “RED BANNER”.”
The full translation of the research here
Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class
“He is the Patriotic war participant since May 1944. He has been a senior pilot in the 96 separate artillery correction and reconnaissance aviation “Nizhnij Dneister” regiment since June 1944.
He has been recommended for a state award for 30 successful combat missions. Lt. SIMANZHONKOV has been flying combat escort missions supporting the artillery correction pilots. During the missions, he systematically conducts visual observation, which provides valuable additional information. He flies eagerly and is a confident and resilient pilot. He conducts careful observations observations in the air and is a tactically experienced pilot. He has mastered excellent piloting skills. During the period of his service in the regiment, he made 35 successful combat missions and encountered enemy fighter planes on multiple occasions. In the air engagements, he proved himself as a bold and courageous fighter pilot.
For excellent execution of the combat missions and exhibited courage and bravery, for 35 successful combat missions, he deserves – order “RED BANNER”.”
The full translation of the research here
More info on Lt. Simanzhonkov can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery are scans of combat operations and a combat diary of 96th separate artillery correction and reconnaissance regiment of March and May 1945. Some relevant information is translated in English below:
19 March 1945
…
Our pilots encountered the enemy fighter aircrafts.
At 11:30 near the settlement Székesfehérvár, 3 our escort Yak-9 were attacked by 2 Fw-190. First, the enemy attacked the second pilot Jr.Lt. EVTUSHENKO’s aircraft, but the leader Lt. SIMANZHONKOV fended off the enemy attack and performing a sharp turn started tailing one of the Fw-190. The other Fw-190 dived sharply towards SIMANZHONKOV raining covering fire, trying to break SIMANZHONKOV’s attack on his partner. The second pilot Jr.Lt. EVTUSHENKO managed to assume attack position behind one of the Fw-190 tail.
From a short distance Lt. SIMANZHONKOV fired a long cannon and machine-gun burst at one of the Fw-190 and set it ablaze. The enemy aircraft dropped down in smokes and crashed into the ground.
Jr.Lt. EVTUSHENKO’s cannon fire hit the second Fw-190, which abruptly fell to the side and escaped descending towards the enemy territory.
Jr.Lt. EVTUSHENKO’s aircraft has one cannon hit hole in one of the wings. The crew is intact.
…
20 March 1945
…
The air reconnaissance was performed in the interests of the artillery targeting. All the target acquisition data was reported by radio to the ground artillery command post.
The enemy fighters was very active in their countermeasures. There were numerous encounters and dogfights with the enemy fighter planes.
Here is one of such typical engagements:
At 14:35 near Székesfehérvár, Lt. KARACHEVSKY’s and LT. SIMANZHONKOV’s were performing a reconnaissance mission when their Yak-9s were attacked by 4 Me-109.
The second pilot Lt. SIMANZHONKOV engaged numerically superior enemy and attacked 2 Me-109. Approaching by 3/4 bearing after a roll, he chased the enemy pair and fired 4 cannon and machine-gun bursts.
At the same time, the other enemy pair dived from the top-behind bearing at Lt. SIMANZHONKOV, who found himself in the cross fire. Noticing the fire traces, Lt. SIMANZHONKOV performed an abrupt full speed left turn and flew toward our controlled territory, being pursued by 2 Me-109 all the way till the lake Velence. The crew and the aircraft are intact.
…
Please contact us if you have questions about this lot
