Description
Complete Documented Group of Soviet Awards
Awarded to Pilot and Captain Fedor Antonovich Zavalinich (Федор Антонович Завалинич)
For conducting well over a 100 successful combat sorties, managing to fly his damaged aircraft back at base after hit by AA fire over Riga, shooting down a ME-109, returning his plane after hit by 3 Me-110s, succesfully completing 5 combat sorties against the enemy troops at Stalingrad and much more
Recommended for the Order of Lenin
This group of Soviet awards consists of the following items:
Order of the Red Banner #48801
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 40.31 mm in height, 36.10 mm in width and weighs 23.4 gram without its screwplate. Its serial number and mint mark are found on the bottom of its reverse.
This order is in a suburb, well above average condition for a screwback Red Banner. The red enamels are exceptionally well preserved without repairs and show some minor contact marks only. The white enamels are perfect without damage and repairs; even the white enamels surrounding the center hammer and sickle are pristine. Its details are perfectly visible and all of its original gold plating is still present. Both sides show an appealing medium dark patina which matches the patina on the screwplate. Its screw has not been shortened and the silver screwplate fits perfectly well.
A truly amazing piece and impossible to upgrade
Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #89457
Made of solid gold, silver and enamels. Measures 45.44 mm in height, 43.84 mm in width and weighs 31.2 gram without its screwplate.
In an excellent, well above average condition. All details are crisp and the higher laying parts show virtually no wear. The enamels are fabulous without repairs and show a small superficial chip on the very tip of the 3 o’clock ray of the red star only. Its reverse is in excellent condition too and shows a medium dark patina on the parts which were not covered by the screwplate. The screwpost is full length and the order comes with its time period silver nut.
Medal for Combat Merit #1612704
Made of solid silver and red lacquer.It measures 32.04 mm in diameter, 37.30 mm in height including the eyelet and weighs 18.7 gram without its suspension.
In excellent condition with crisp details and relatively few traces of wear. Almost all of the red lacquer is still present and its connection ring has not been cut. It comes with its time period double layer suspension.
Medal for the Defence of Moscow with document
Made of gold plated brass. It measures 32.03 mm in diameter, 37.16 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 16.6 gram without its suspension.
In nice condition with most details visible and medium overall wear and a fair amount of gold plating still present. It comes with its time period double layer suspension.
Medal for the Capture of Berlin with document
Made of gold plated brass. It measures 32.06 mm in diameter, 37.31 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 17.4 gram without its suspension.
In excellent condition with its details crisp and light overall wear. Most gold plating still present and the medal comes with its time period double layer suspension.
Medal for the Victory over Germany with document
Made of gold plated brass. It measures 32.16 mm in diameter, 37.11 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 17.6 gram without its suspension.
In great condition with crisp details and full gold plating. Its brass suspension is time period to the medal.
Order Booklet with all numbered awards above mentioned
Excellent, problem free condition with all pages firmly attached to its cover.
Two documents
Original parachute jump certificate and an assignment to Vaenga Polar airfield of 21 May 1942. Both in vintage condition.
Citation for the Order of the Red Banner:
He is devoted to the cause of the Lenin-Stalin party and the Socialist Motherland. He is ideologically reliable and politically educated. He has been participating in the Patriotic war against the German invaders since 22 June 1941. In this period, he conducted 62 successful combat sorties. During his service in the long range aviation, he made 36 night combat sorties. He conducted air raids against the railway infrastructure at the towns: Riga, Polotsk, Pskov, Vyazma, Kaluga. On the Northern front, he had missions against the enemy airfields Lakselven and Tromsø, the sea port Hammerfest. He conducted 14 successful air raids against the enemy field troops (forward line, armour, motorised columns) on the Western and Kalinin fronts. He flew in the crew with the navigator Cpt. POTAPOV, aerial gunner and radio operator Sr.Sgt. ALKHIMENKO, aerial gunner Pvt. BIZUNOV. In his role as the deputy aviation squadron commander, captain ZAVALINICH many times led a flight or a squadron (9 aircrafts) into missions. He always successfully accomplished his combat missions and was a master of organising his group defence against the enemy fighter aircrafts. On many occasions, he exhibited his courage and bravery in the engagements against the German fighters aircrafts. He always returned victorious having delivered a deadly strike against the enemy troops and equipment.
On 12 July 1941, in the mission against the rail junction in Riga town, his aircraft was hit by the AA fire. Exercising his persistence, courage, and determination, he managed to fly his damaged aircraft back and land it successfully at his home base. On 26 July 1941, he was assigned to lead a flight as part of a squadron (9 aircrafts) with the task to deliver a strike against the enemy motorised troops and armour in the town Bely. After the strike, the flight was attacked my the enemy Me-109 fighter planes. But combining effectively manoeuvres in the air with coordinated aerial defensive fire, they shot down 1 enemy Me-109 and the rest of the enemy retreated without any success. On 14 September 1941, in the air raid against the enemy troops concentration in the settlement LYCHKOVO, his bomber released the bomb load, but was unexpectedly attacked by 3 Me-110. As the result of this, his plane was hit, but thanks to ZAVALINICH’s bravery and effective air manoeuvring, he managed to evade further enemy attacks, bring the aircraft back, and land it successfully on his home airfield. 08 September 1941, he flew alone a daylight mission against an enemy motorised troops and armour column approaching town Tula. His crew excellently performed in this mission. Captain ZAVALINICH has been serving in 455 aviation regiment since April 1942 and proved himself as an excellent pilot. In the short period available, he mastered well the night operations and piloting of IL-4 aircraft. Since 04 September 1942, he has been flying night combat missions. During this period, he made 36 successful combat sorties. He flies in the crew with the navigator Lt. GOLOV, aerial gunner and radio operator Sr.Sgt. ALKHIMENKO, aerial gunner Sgt. BEISIKEEV. Many times, he performed the most important missions – weather reconnaissance missions. Captain ZAVALINICH always performs excellently his missions and in any weather conditions. In this period, he made 5 combat sorties against the enemy troop concentrations near Stalingrad, 7 successful combat sorties against the enemy airfields in Alakurtti (Polar region). He made 20 combat sorties against the railway junction and the fortifications near Smolensk, Kolodni, Vitebsk, Olenkino, Osuga, Novo-Sokolniki, Sychevka, and 4 combat sorties against the enemy airfields near the settlements Gribochki and Kresty. With his confidence and persistence, Cpt. ZAVALINICH inspires the whole personnel for the best performance in their missions against the German Fascism. While doing his combat work, Cpt. ZAVALINICH also trained 5 freshman pilots, who currently fly night missions. He is disciplined and demanding towards himself and the subordinates. He enjoys well deserved respect among the troops.
For successful execution of the combat missions against the German invaders and for exhibited courage and bravery, comrade ZAVALINICH deserves state award – order “LENIN”.
The full translation can be read here
Citation for the Order of the Order of the Patriotic War 1st class:
He is the Patriotic war participant since 10 July 1941. He is flying in the crew with navigator Cpt. TEREKHIN (previously bestowed with orders “Patriotic war I class” and “Red Star”), aerial gunner and radio operator Sgt. CHEKHVAZOV (previously bestowed with orders “Patriotic war I class” and “Red Star”), aerial gunner Sr.Sgt. BAKHTIOZIN. During the war, he has made 160 combat missions, of which 25 were day missions and 135 were night missions as part of the Long Range Aviation Command.
After his previous award, he has made further 84 combat sorties. He delivered strikes against the German military and industrial centres, such as Koenigsberg – 2 times (11.04.1943, 13.04.1943); Insterburg – 1 time (22.04.1943). 27 combat sorties against the rail junctions and the enemy trains: Smolensk, Zhukovka, Orel, Bryansk, Dno, Vitebsk, Gomel, Minsk, Orsha. 9 combat sorties against the enemy airfields: Olsufievo, Orel, Sescha, Kresty, Borovskoe. 31 combat sorties against the enemy fortification strongholds and the armoured forces: Dukhovschina, Bezzabotnaya, Mga, Sinyavino, Spas-Demensk.
On 14 May 1943, during the raid against Gomel, his plane was attacked by 2 fighters Me-109. Thanks to his excellent piloting skills, comrade ZAVALINICH managed to evade the enemy attacks and accomplish his mission.
9 of his successful combat missions were flown from the airfield Poduzhemie in adverse Polar region weather conditions. He flew 3 missions against the railway junction in Alakurtti (07.03.1944, 03.04.1944, 04.04.1944) and 1 mission against the airfield buildings and infrastructure in Alakurtti (27.03.1944). He flew 1 mission against the troop concentrated at the railway station and railway infrastructure in Kemijärvi (02.04.1944). He flew 3 missions against the troop concentrated at the railway station and railway infrastructure in Kesten’ga (11.03.1944, 31.03.1944, 01.04.1944). He flew 3 missions against the military materiel depots at the railway station №6 (08.03.1944).
Many times, he performed the most important missions – weather reconnaissance missions. Captain ZAVALINICH always performs excellently his missions in any weather conditions. He possesses excellent piloting skills in adverse weather conditions, both day and night. He is a brave and decisive officer pilot. He made total of 1766 flying hours, of which 578 were during night.
He is devoted to the cause of Lenin-Stalin party and the Socialist Motherland.
For successful execution of the combat missions against the German invaders and for exhibited courage and bravery, comrade ZAVALINICH deserves state award – order “PATRIOTIC WAR I CLASS”.
The full translation can be read here
Text of an article in the newspaper “Stalin’s falcon” mentioning Zavalinich:
№29 on 14.11.1941
AT THE CALL OF THE LEADER
Mighty Soviet bombers stand ready to take off from the snow-covered field. Pilot crews are standing next to the aircrafts. Newspapers with Comrade Stalin’s speech pass from hand to hand. People read the report again and again in order to absorb Stalin’s wise words more deeply.
– Whatever the difficulties, – said the navigator comrade Potapov, – I will fulfill the combat mission perfectly. Let my flight be the answer to the leader’s call.
– To the planes! – the command sounds.
Aircrafts of KAINOV, MAKHNOV and ZAVALINICH take off from the ground and go west to smash the enemy on the distant approaches to Moscow.
Thick clouds force them to a lower altitude close the ground. The planes are flying almost at tree top level. Before the front line, they, gaining height, hide in the clouds. The wings are covered with ice. On ZAVALINICH’s plane, ice clumps formed near the antenna mast. Ice covers the on insulators, the machine guns…
Pilots try to frequently change altitude, attempting to deal with icing by changing temperatures.
“Target!” – reports the navigators. The bombers fall down through the thick cloud layer and appear above an enemy motorised column moving along the road from “M” to “D”.
The Germans meet the bombers with fierce fire. The Fascist artillery fired especially fierce at Comrade ZAVALINICH’s plane. The shells blast waves throws the aircraft off the final run. But the Soviet pilots continued the run to the target and covered it with a bomb barrage.
The enemy column is scattered. The bombers returned to their airfield without damages or losses.
This is how the pilots of the Commissar PAVLOVETS’ unit answer and will continue to answer the military call of the leader.
Politruk A. DEVYATKIN
By telegraph from our special correspondent for the Western front.
Also included in the picture gallery are:
- two scans of images of Captain Zavalinich,
- 2 books which mention him,
- a scan of the newspaper “Stalin’s falcon” mentioning Zavalinich,
- a map of the town of Rezekne with bomb strikes,
- a weather report of the 8th Long Range Aviation Command
- a scan of an aerial photo made by Zavalinich
This grouping has it all: amazing research to a pilot hero, perfectly preserved items and fully complete. Rare as such!
Please contact us with questions
