Description
Soviet Order of the October Revolution #40375
Most likely awarded to to Guards Jr. Lieutenant and Pilot Ivan Semyonovich Guba
This order is made of solid silver, gold and enamels. It measures 43.75 mm in height, 43.39 mm in width and weighs 30.9 gram without its suspension. The serial number and the mint mark Monetni Dvor are located at the centre of the reverse. This early variation with 4 rivets is made out of three parts; the base piece, the pentagon centre piece showing the Aurora cruiser and the gold hammer and sickle.
This original order is in excellent condition with flawless enamels and without repairs or alterations. The details on the higher laying parts like the cruiser are perfectly visible. The serial number and mint mark are also crisp and there are no substantial dings or scratches. The gold hammer and sickle is original to the order and its connection ring has not been cut.
Although we have no hard evidence to prove this, this Order of the October Revolution was most likely awarded to to Guards Jr. Lieutenant Ivan Semyonovich Guba (Иван Семенович Губа). It was sold directly by Guba’s relatives at a different point in time than his other awards we already managed to buy. Since we did not know this order was in their possession as well, we were not able to sell the awards together.
In the picture gallery you will find the citation of his Red Banner of which the translation you can read below.
Short Description of his feat of arms:
He has been participating directly in the combat missions of the Patriotic war since March 1943. In this period, he made 25 combat sorties with the missions of aerial bombardment, reconnaissance of the enemy troops and the enemy rear area, aerial photography. He is very eager to go to the missions and successful in their execution, exhibiting determination and persistence, courage and bravery.
On 09 June 1943, our aviation group delivered a strike at the enemy Siverskaya airfield. He finished the mission and released his bomb load despite intensive enemy anti-aircraft fire. The mission resulted in 15 enemy aircrafts being destroyed, one ammunition and one fuel depots exploded. The results are confirmed by the headquarters of the 13 Airforce and the escorting fighter pilots.
On 18 July 1943, he made 3 reconnaissance missions to the areas of Krasnogvardeisk, Sieverskaya, Vladimirskaya, Novo-Lisino, Tosno, Voitolovo. Despite the severe enemy anti-aircraft fire opposition from the ground, he remained calm and persistent. He fulfilled the missions and photographed the objectives, bringing back valuable intelligence, which allowed the Command to increase the combat efficiency of the strikes.
On 19 July 1943, he flew a mission with the purpose of photographing the rail stations Novo-Lisino and Vladimirskaya with the subsequent bomb strike at these targets. He accomplished his mission: the targets were photographed and the released bombs destroyed the rail line and the station buildings, which was documented on the photographs.
On 22 July 1943, he delivered a dive bomb attack at an enemy command centre near Voitolovo. Direct hits were registered. On 25 July 1943, in a group of 5 aircrafts, he bombarded the enemy forward line near Lobanovo. As the result of this mission, a bridge across Mga river was destroyed, direct hits to the buildings and the enemy artillery positions were registered. Powerful explosions followed and 2 fires were started. The results were confirmed by the escorting fighter pilots and the photographs.
On 27 July 1943, he flew as a leading pilot in a group of 2 aircrafts with a ground strike mission against the station Tosno. A direct hit to a train was registered, which resulted in 3 fires. Confirmed by the escorting fighter pilots. In the following attack against the Tosno station, this time as part of the squadron, an enemy field depot was destroyed, which was confirmed by the photographs.
On 29 and 30 July 1943, a group of 6 aircrafts delivered dive bomb strike against the enemy artillery positions near Sinyavino. The mission was accomplished. A direct hit was registered. Confirmed by the escorting fighter pilots.
For courage, persistence and bravery exhibited in the combat missions against the German invaders, he deserves state award – order “RED BANNER”.
The full translation of the citation can be found here
More information on Lt. Guba can be found here
Please contact us with questions!
