Description
Documented Group with an Order of the Red Banner and Order of the Red Star
Awarded to Jr. Lieutenant Ivan Andreevich Kuprin (Иван Андреевич Куприн)
For flying 41 combat sorties since August 3, 1941. He has dropped over 64,600 kg of bombs on enemy targets, destroying key objectives including a factory workshop in Dnepropetrovsk, an ammunition depot in Cherkassy, fuel storage near Poltava, enemy airfields and multiple concentrations of enemy troops, vehicles, and anti-aircraft positions. In early 1942, he supported operations in Crimea, including bombing missions, supply drops for partisans, and frontline strikes
This group of Soviet awards consists of the following items:
Order of the Red Banner #54525
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 40.09 mm in height, 36.21 mm in width and weighs 24.5 grams without its screwplate. Its serial number and mint mark are found on the bottom of its reverse.
The order is in a decent, about average condition with medium overall wear. The raised details, including the central wreath and torch, remain well-defined. The red enamels are original and better preserved than on most screwback Red Banners, though there is some flaking and the typical loss on the rays of the central red star – about 90% remains intact. The white enamels are virtually flawless. The order has never been (re)converted to a suspension type and the screwpost is full-length. It comes with its period-correct silver screwplate and the order displays a pleasing dark patina on both sides.
Order of the Red Star #67955
Made of silver and enamels. The order measures 47.76 mm in width, 46.09 mm in height and weighs 31.1 gram without its screwplate. The serial number is located at the 6 o’clock position and the mint mark on the 12 o’clock position of its reverse. This early variation has a round base ‘heel’ of the screw.
In similar condition to the Red Banner, with most details still visible. The enamel is original, with no repairs, and shows loss on the 12 and 7 o’clock rays of the star but is otherwise problem-free. The reverse is in excellent condition with an attractive dark patina. The screwpost remains full-length, and the order comes with a post-war screwplate.
Order Booklet
The booklet is in excellent condition, with all pages intact and securely bound to the cover. It includes an original photograph of Lt. Kuprin and lists the awards mentioned above.
Citation for the Order of the Red Banner:
Jr. Lieutenant Kuprin has taken part in combat actions against the German invaders since 3 August 1941. Over that whole period, he has carried out 41 nighttime combat sorties. He has dropped 64600 kg of bombs on enemy troops and other military objectives. In August 1941, he destroyed a factory workshop in Dnepropetrovsk. On 26.08.1941, with incendiary ampule [bombs], he ignited an ammunition depot in Cherkassy. He successfully bombed a concentration of enemy troops and vehicles on the northwestern outskirts of Dnepropetrovsk, which was confirmed by ground forces. In September 1941, he destroyed a fuel cistern in the area of Poltava. On 1 September, he successfully bombed a large concentration of mechanized units at Berislav and started three fires.
On 27 September, he bombed a concentration of vehicles in Novo-Moskovskoe and started one fire. On 29 September, with rotationally dispersing bombs, he bombed aircraft and anti-aircraft weapons at the Chaplinka airfield near Perekop; the bombs set down on the parking ramp and destroyed 1 searchlight. On 26 October he successfully bombed a concentration of forces at Bolshaya Kirsanovka near Matveev Kurgan; he destroyed 3 anti-aircraft emplacements. On 3 November, at night, he bombed an enemy airfield during flight operations; he destroyed a landing spotlight. He took part in battles for Crimea beginning January 1942, during which time he conducted 5 nighttime combat sorties to bomb enemy troops in the areas of Ichki, Islam-Terek, and Vladislavovka; to drop ammunition for a partisan detachment; and to bomb the Mariupol airfield. He carried out all of these missions excellently. On 26.02.1942 during bombing of the front line on the Dzhantor-Koi-Asan sector, he destroyed up to 4 anti-aircraft machine gun positions and with a direct hit demolished a building in Koi-Asan.
He is an experienced nighttime navigator. He flies in any and all conditions. He is a master of nighttime bombing.
For courage and bravery displayed in battles, he deserves the government award the Order of the Red Banner.
The full research translations can be read here
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