Description
Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #131813 ‘Duplicate’
Awarded to Senior Lieutenant Victor Dmitrievich Boguslavchik (Виктор Дмитриевич Богуславчик)
For excellent technical provision of 439 combat sorties of his aircraft, for 950 combat sorties of his flight group, for returning 6 aircrafts to service, for personal participation in 37 combat sorties and logging 265 flying hours
Made of solid gold, silver and enamels. Measures 45.92 mm in height, 43.99 mm in width and weighs 31.1 grams. The serial number is located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse and has been numbered by a small font stanp over the old serial number which has been removed.On top of the serial number a Cyrillic ‘D’ is stamped which is partly difficult to see because of some scratches.
This original order of the Patriotic War 1st class is in splendid condition with crisp details and without repairs. The white and red enamels are absolutely gorgeous and show a tiny superficial chip on the 7 o’clock ray of the red star only; barely noticeable with the naked eye. Its reverse is in excellent condition as well and shows an appealing patina. Its screwpate is time period to the order and the screw maintained its full length.
Duplicate awards were given by the Soviet Government to a recipient, as a replacement piece, in exchange for the same order or medal of an earlier type or when awards were lost due to exceptional circumstances beyond their control like combat or natural disasters. These pieces are extremely rare.
Beautiful example!
Brief description of his feat of arms or achievements:
Comrade BOGUSLAVCHIK is the Patriotic war participant since 22.06.1941. Until October 1941, he served as the aviation technician in the 12 separate Red Banner aviation squadron stationed on he island Ösel. In the difficult circumstances of the island aerial, naval, and the terrestrial blockade, he provided technical service for 272 combat sorties of his aircraft and 600 combat sorties by his flight group.During the period October 1941 – March 1942, he worked as an aviation technician at the Ruzaevka airfield, where 21 fighter aviation regiment was being formed and trained for the combat operations. He personally provided service for 56 flights of his aircraft and further 140 flights by his flight group.
During March 1942 – September 1942, he was the main flight technician of the 25 fighter aviation regiment of the Supreme Command of the Soviet Airforce stationed at the Sarzha and Klinino airfields. He personally provided service for 40 flights of his aircraft and further 135 flights by his flight group, he replaced 3 engines “M-105”, and made complete overhaul of 2 aircrafts. For a month during October 1942, he was sent to a new equipment training at the 19th and 21st aviation bases in the towns Molotov and Gorkij.
During October 1942 – November 1943, he worked as flight technician in the 255 and 20 fighter aviation regiments of the Northern Fleet naval airforce stationed on the Vaenga airfield. He provided technical service for 90 combat sorties of his aircraft and 215 combat sorties of his flight group. He repaired 2 “YAK-1” aircrafts and replaced 2 engines “M-105”.
During November 1942 – May 1944, he was the head of a repair crew stationed in the Moscow station of the Naval Aviation Airforce. He repaired and put back to service 2 aircrafts: a “Li-2” of 5 aviation regiment in town Astrakhan and a “Yak-7b” in the Gorkij region, station Ardatovo.
During June 1944 – August 1944, he worked as “U-2” and “UT-2” aircrafts flight technician on the 2nd aviation school of the naval airforce and provided for 1200 training flight.
During August 1944 – May 1945, he served in 53 reconnaissance aviation regiment of the Northern Fleet naval airforce stationed at the Iokanga and Gryaznaya airfields. He was a flying mechanic of a “PBN-1” aircraft and provided for and participated in 37 combat long range reconnaissance sorties logging 265 flying hours. The missions were for reconnoitring the enemy ships, submarines, and floating mines in the Barents Sea. They also conducted anti-submarine screening and protection of the Soviet and Allied convoys. The convoys had no losses caused by the enemy submarines. During the whole course of the Patriotic war, comrade BOGUSLAVCHIK worked hard and exhibited unbounded devotion to the Socialist Motherland.
He always received good evaluation for his work and always performed his work in time and with very good quality. Disregarding his personal free time, he spent it training the freshman technicians.
For excellent technical provision of 439 combat sorties of his aircraft, for 950 combat sorties of his flight group, for returning 6 aircrafts to service, for personal participation in 37 combat sorties and logging 265 flying hours, he deserves a state award – order “PATRIOTIC WAR I CLASS”.
The full translation of the citation can be read here
More information on Lt. Col. Mikhalok can be found here
A digital image of Mikhalok, a PBN-1 aircraft and of a Yak plane can be found In the picture gallery
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