Description
Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #21804
Awarded to Pilot and Guards Jr. Lieutenant Ivan Semyonovich Guba (Иван Семенович Губа)
For flying dozens of combat missions with a Pe-2 aircraft, successfully bombing trains and the railway station of Tosno and destroying an artillery battery. All in 1943 at the Siege of Leningrad
Made of solid silver, gold and enamels by the Krasnokamsky Mint (KMD). The order measures 43.25 mm in width, 47.13 mm in height including the eyelet and it weighs 27.1 gram without its suspension and 36.5 gram with suspension but without its nut. The suspension measures 32.46 mm in width at its widest point and 21.51 mm in height at its narrowest part (without the eyelet). The serial number is located at the 7 o’clock position. The minimum known number of this variation is 12655 and the maximum known number is 32653.
In excellent, well above average condition with all parts original and without repairs. Its details are all visible and crisp and there are few dings and scratches only. The white enamels are all present and extremely well preserved. The red enamels are beautiful with minor contact marks only apart from the 12 o’clock ray of the red star which is partly lost. Its connection ring has not been cut and and the order comes with its original screwplate..
Rare early type to a pilot with all parts original!
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
He is a Patriotic war participant since June 1942. He has flown 2 combat missions on a SB aircraft. Since March 1943, he has made further 51 combat missions flying on a Pe-2 aircraft. He delivered air strikes against the enemy trains stationed and on the move, the enemy long range artillery positions, and the enemy front line positions. After being bestowed for the first time, he conducted further 19 combat sorties.
On 21.08.1943, he bombarded the rail station Tosno. The air strike resulted in demolition of the rail station building and 2 large fires. The results were confirmed with air photometry.
On 22.08.1943, his air strike resulted in a direct hit at the enemy rail trains at the station Tosno. The results were confirmed with air photometry and the escorting fighter pilots.
On 08.09.1943, he flew as a leading pilot in a pair. From a horizontal approach, altitude 3500m, he scored direct hit and destroyed an enemy long range artillery battery positioned near the settlement Pavkulya (target №507). The results were confirmed with air photometry.
He acts courageously and persistently during the combat missions. He executed several solo reconnaissance missions and brought back valuable intelligence.
For the heroism and bravery exhibited in the combat missions on the front of struggle against the German invaders, he deserves state award – order “PATRIOTIC WAR I CLASS”
The full translation can be read here
More information on Lt. Guba can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery is the combat diary of the 34th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment, two digital images of Lt. Guba and air formation diagrams of the 34th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment
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