Description
Group of two Orders of the Red Star
Awarded to Guards Captain Vasily Kuzmich Troshin (Василий Кузьмич Трошин)
For flying 71 combat sorties, including 68 night missions and multiple deep bombing raids on enemy industrial targets. Troshin played a key role in the Berlin offensive, causing multiple fires in the city.
Earlier Troshin was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for his in the defense of Moscow. His aircraft was ambushed by a Messerschmitt 110, set on fire, and critically damaged. Wounded in the leg, he and his crew were forced to parachute from the burning plane
Order of the Red Star #1726554
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 28.15 mm in width, 46.20 mm in height and weighs 31.8 gram without its screwplate. The mint mark is located above, and the serial number underneath the screw post.
The order is in nice overall condition with light to medium wear. Its enamels are well preserved apart from a tiny chip on top of the hammer and sickle.The details on the medallion portraying the solder are perfectly visible and both sides show an appealing patina to the silver. The well fitted screwplate is time period to the order and its screw has not been shortened.
Order of the Red Star #2759955
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 48.00 mm in width, 45.97 mm in height and weighs 31.1 gram without its screwplate. The mint mark is located above, and the serial number underneath the screw post.
In great condition with crisp details and perfect enamels. Here too the screw has not been shortened and the screwplate is time period to the order.
Brief excerpt of the citations:
Order of the Red Star #1726554
Guards Captain Troshin participated in the Great Patriotic War from June 1941 to October 1942 and from April 1944 to May 1945.
During this period, he carried out 71 combat sorties, 68 of them at night, including 6 bombing raids on enemy industrial targets deep in enemy territory.
For exemplary execution of combat missions assigned by the command in the fight against the German invaders, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner on November 5, 1944.
After the last recommendation for an award, from August 5, 1944, he performed 20 sorties, including 4 deep in enemy territory:
Tilsit – August 26, 1944
Bulleten – October 19, 1944
Memel – October 14, 1944
Insterburg – October 16, 1944
After his last award on November 5, 1944, he carried out 9 combat sorties, 2 of them to the capital of Nazi Germany – Berlin.
He flies as part of the crew of Guards Senior Lieutenant Nikitin.
He has mastered all types of aircraft navigation, skillfully uses radio and aerial navigation instruments, and confidently pilots the aircraft to its target and back, even in dark nights and poor weather conditions.
He is persistent in achieving his assigned objectives, skillfully maneuvering under anti-aircraft fire, and accurately striking targets.
March 25, 1945 – Flew a bombing mission against a concentration of transports in the port of Danzig. Despite coming under fire from three anti-aircraft batteries, he guided his aircraft to the target and hit it precisely, causing two large fires.
April 17, 1945 – His crew bombed a concentration of enemy troops in the city of Fürstenwalde. The target was protected by up to 20 anti-aircraft machine guns. Bombing from an altitude of 1400 meters, he accurately hit the target, causing two major fires.
Guards Captain Troshin actively participated in the breakthrough of German defenses in the Berlin area, carrying out two sorties on April 20 and April 26, 1945, during which five fires were caused in the city of Berlin.
He is a disciplined, composed, and cultured officer.
For successfully completing combat missions assigned by the command in the fight against German-Baltic occupiers, he is worthy of the government award – the Order of the Red Star.
Earlier was awarded the order of the Red Banner (not present in this lot. The translation of its citation:
During his participation in the Great Patriotic War, from June 22, 1941, to October 18, 1942, and from April 15, 1944, to August 2, 1944, Guards Senior Lieutenant Troshin completed 51 combat sorties, 12 of them at night.
He took part in the defense of Moscow. On July 13, 1941, he bombed the Krutiki airfield. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire from four enemy batteries and interception attempts by enemy fighters during the daytime, he executed a precise bombing strike, causing large fires at the target.
On December 31, 1941, during a daylight bombing raid, he targeted a concentration of enemy troops and equipment near Rodnya-Mstora, close to Moscow. The target was patrolled by multiple Me-109 fighters, but the crew successfully reached their objective and carried out an accurate strike. The resulting explosion and fires inflicted significant damage on enemy forces.
On August 18, 1942, while bombing the Seshcha airfield, the aircraft was attacked by an Me-110 fighter. Comrade Troshin was wounded in the right leg, and the aircraft caught fire. As the damage became critical, the crew was forced to evacuate and parachuted from the burning plane.
From August 1942 to April 15, 1944, he underwent treatment, then served in staff positions, later working at the Higher Aviation School and Flight Center before returning to combat duty.
Since April 15, 1944, he has been flying with the 2nd Guards Aviation Division as a navigator of a B-25 bomber, assigned to the crew of Guards Senior Lieutenant Nikitin. He has mastered all aspects of air navigation and radio communication, confidently guiding the aircraft in both day and night operations. Comrade Troshin is not only an outstanding navigator but also a determined and highly skilled officer who executes combat missions with exceptional precision.
On May 14, 1944, he flew a bombing mission against a railroad junction at Uzluiditsa, a heavily fortified position protected by three enemy anti-aircraft batteries of heavy and medium caliber. Despite the strong defenses, Comrade Troshin skillfully guided the bomber to the target and executed an accurate strike, resulting in two major fires at the site.
On July 5, 1944, during an attack on the Vilno railway station, his aircraft came under heavy anti-aircraft fire. Nonetheless, he successfully navigated the aircraft to the target, executing a precise bombing run that caused a large fire at the station.
For his exemplary execution of combat assignments, personal courage, and dedication to duty in the fight against the German invaders, Guards Senior Lieutenant Troshin is worthy of the high government award—the Order of the Red Banner.
More information on Captain Troshin can be found here
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