Description
Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #339195
Awarded to Lieutenant and pilot Viktor Nikolaevich Titov (Виктор Николаевич Титов)
For escorting bomber planes, reconnaissance missions, ground attacks and shooting down a Fw-190 and thus frustrating the attack of the numerical superior enemy group
Made of solid silver, gold and enamels. The order weighs 27.4 gram without its screwplate and measures 45.66 mm in width and 48.06 mm in height.
This original order of the Patriotic War 2nd class is in excellent condition with its details crisp. The enamels show only minor contact marks but no flaking or repairs. It comes with its original, time period screwplate and its screw has not been shortened.
Brief description of his feat of arms or achievements:
“In the period of his involvement in the 863 fighter aviation regiment since 03 March 1945, he conducted 36 combat missions for escorting our IL-2 ground strike aircrafts. In the 30 of these missions, after escorting of IL-2, he also made ground machine-gun strafing and bomb strikes. In 2 missions, after escorting IL-2, he also conducted a ground bomb strike. 2 missions with just IL-2 escorting. 1 enemy troops reconnaissance mission. 1 free ground target hunting mission.
He conducted his escorting mission in excellent manner. The escorted aircrafts suffered no losses from the enemy aviation. During the combat missions, he showed examples of courage and proved himself as a brave, decisive, and skilled fighter pilot.
On 25.03.1945, a pair of La-5 flew an escort mission for 5 IL-2 near Rosenberg (East Prussia). Approaching the designated target area, he spotted concentration of the enemy vehicles. Comrade TITOV’s ground strike by the bombs and machine-gun fire resulted in 2 enemy vehicles being destroyed and up to 10 enemy troops killed.
On 07.04.1945, a pair of La-5 flew an escort mission for 6 IL-2 near Königsberg. 6 Fw-190 attempted an attack at our IL-2. Wingman TITOV acted boldly and provided tight cover to his leader, enabling him in shooting down 1 Fw-190 and frustrating the attack of the numerical superior enemy group. Our ground strike aircrafts IL-2 fulfilled their mission perfectly and without any losses.
For excellent execution of the combat escort missions, for 36 combat mission (including 32 missions, in which he delivered ground strikes himself), for courage and bravery in the battle against the enemy forces in Eastern Prussia, comrade TITOV deserves state award – order “PATRIOTIC WAR II CLASS”.”
The full translation of the research can be found below:
In the picture gallery some additional research can be found such as the combat diary and battlemap destribing the feats of Lt. Titov. The translation of the relevant part can be read below:
Excerpt from the combat diary of 129 fighter aviation division.
Entry for 07 April 1945:
…
During the time period of 15:14-16:30 on 07 April 1945, a pair of La-5 (863 fighter aviation regimen, leader Lt. I.A.ALEKSANDROV, wingman Lt. TITOV) escorted the group of 6 IL-2 (277 ground strike aviation division) to the target area northwest of Königsberg. Approaching the target, they spotted ahead-below them a group of 6 Fw-190, which commenced an attack against the La-5. Preventing the enemy attack, our La-5s engaged them on a collision course in a head on fight. The engagement fist unfolded on the horizontal manoeuvres. 2 FV-190s managed to get on to the tail of Lt.ALEKSANDROV’s plane. At this time, his wingman TITOV (from above and from a 3/4 angle), cut off the enemy fighters from ALEKSANDROV. At this point, our ground strike aircrafts moved away to the protection of our AA artillery. The enemy attempted vertical manoeuvres. One Fw-190 attacked ALEKSANROV’s plane from above and behind. ALEKSANDROV avoided the enemy attack by deliberately entering a spin. The enemy plane passed by above his plane. Turning the sights towards the enemy, ALEKSANROV knocked him down with five short bursts (distance 30-40m attack direction from behind). Fw-190 crashed into the ground west of Königsberg. The engagement unfolded at the altitude of 1200m.
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More info on Lt. Titov can be found here
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