Description
Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #28640
Awarded to Navigator Guards Sr. Lieutenant Ilya Anufrievich Galaichuk (Илья Ануфриевич Галайчук / Онуфриевич)
For destroying 11 enemy tanks, 10 vehicles, 5 ammunition and fuel depots, fending off 8 Me-109s and Fw-190s at KURSK
Made of solid silver and gold. The main medallion measures 42.29 mm in width, 46.61 mm in height including the eyelet and it weighs 26.3 grams without its suspension. The suspension measures 32.54 mm in width at its widest point and 21.47 mm in height at its narrowest part (without eyelet). The minimum known number of this variation is 12655 and the maximum known number is 32653.
This order is nice but repaired condition. Its details are all crisp and even the higher laying parts like the hammer and sickle show light wear only. The enamels have been professionally been replaced by hot enamels a long time ago. This is beautifully done beautifully and only noticeable on close inspection. The order however has its original eyelet on top and its suspension and screwplate are authentic as well. Its connection ring between the suspension and the medal itself has not been cut.
Despite its enamel repairs agreat piece with amazing research!
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
He has been fighting in the Patriotic war on the southern front since its first days and until 01.08.1941. He made 102 combat sorties on the aircrafts SB and Pe-2, for which he was bestowed with order “Red Banner”.
On the Orel-Kursk sector of the Central front during the period since 05 July 1943, he conducted 21 combat mission on A-20B aircraft piloted by Guards Captain SOKOLOV. Of these missions: 16 were effective missions corroborated by the aerial photographs, by the land troops, and by the dispatches from the commander of 16 Airforce. Comrade GALAYCHUK is proficient in navigating the path for the aircraft formations in any water conditions, such as rain and fog. He always laid proper course and brought the aircrafts to the home base.
On 09.07.1943, he led a group of 9 aircrafts in a mission against the enemy armour concentration in the village SOBOROVKA. The strike resulted in destruction of 4 enemy tanks and caused 11 large fires followed by secondary explosions. On 01.08.1943, he led a group of 9 aircrafts in a mission against the enemy armour concentration in the village KROMY. The group destroyed 10 vehicles and 2 ammunition depots, which is corroborated by the aerial photographs. On 03.08.1943, in the crew of Gu.Cpt. SOKOLOV, he led a group of 9 aircrafts in a mission against the enemy armour concentration in the village STRELETSKAYA. The strike resulted in destruction of 4 tanks and 2 depots (fuel and ammunition). Above the designated target, they were attacked by 8 Me-109 and Fw-190. Thanks to good piloting skill and efficient coordination of defensive fire, the enemy attack was fended off and our aircrafts suffered no losses. On 04.08.1943, he led a group of 9 aircrafts in a ground strike against the enemy armour concentration in the village NARYSHKINO. 3 tanks and a large ammunition depot were destroyed (very large explosions wee spotted), which was corroborated by the aerial photographs № 4, 9, and 11.
For exhibited courage and bravery in the fight for the Motherland, he deserves state award – order “PATRIOTIC WAR I CLASS”.
The complete translation of the research can be read below:
Biography on Galaichuk:
GALAYCHUK Ilya Anufrievich (Onufrievich)
Born on August 12 (18), 1912 in the village of Pchelnya, Gaisinsky district, Podolsk province, Russian Empire (now Tepliksky district, Vinnitsa region, Ukraine). Ukrainian. He graduated from the Soviet party school in 1933.
In the Red Army from October 1, 1934, he was called up by the Ruzhinsky (Teplik) district military registration and enlistment office of the Zhytomyr region.
He graduated from the regimental school in 1935.
He graduated from the school of junior aviation specialists in 1936.
He served in the Kiev Military District, with the rank of junior commander of long-term service, he was an air gunner-radio operator of the 26th high-speed bomber aviation squadron of the 54th high-speed bomber aviation brigade.
He participated in the national revolutionary war in Spain from March 26 to September 3, 1938 as an air gunner-radio operator of the SB bomber of the 24th bomber group of the Republican aviation.
After returning from Spain, he continued to serve in the Air Force.
Participated in the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940.
Participated in the Great Patriotic War since 1941.
He fought on the Southern Front, with the rank of lieutenant, he was a gunner-scorer in the 5th high-speed bomber aviation regiment (March 7, 1942 was transformed into the 8th guards bomber aviation regiment) of the 21st mixed aviation division.
By September 24, 1941, he made 67 sorties (including 39 night sorties).
By August 1, 1942, SB and Pe-2 bombers made 102 sorties.
From March 1943 he fought on the Central Front, took part in the Orel-Kursk operation, was a navigator in the 8th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment of the 221st Bomber Aviation Division.
He flew an A-20 Boston bomber.
By August 1943, he made another 21 sorties.
After the end of the war, he continued to serve in aviation.
January 10, 1956 he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Lived in the Pskov region (Russia).
Died April 25, 1956.
He was awarded three Orders of the Red Banner (02/22/1939, 11/05/1941, 10/26/1955), the Order of the Patriotic War of the 2nd degree (09/04/1943), the Order of the Red Star (11/19/1951), medals “For Military Merit” (03.11. 1944), “For the liberation of Warsaw”, “For the capture of Berlin”, “For the victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945” and others.
More info on Lt. Galaichuk can be found here
Included in the picture gallery are two scans of images of Lt. Galaichuk, some scans of images of aircrafts of the 8th Guards Aviation Regiment and a very extensive combat diary of that same regiment of July 1943
Also worth mentioning is that Eddie Rickenbacker visited the 8th Guards Aviation Regiment in June 1943. Some information on this can be read here and here
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