Description
Order of the Red Banner #21902
Awarded to Sr. Lieutenant and Pilot Boris Emelyanovich Golubev (Борис Емельянович Голубев)
For completing 27 successful missions with the 1st Aviation Squadron of the Black Sea Navy on an IL-2 ground assault aircraft between October 30 and November 27, 1941. He played a vital role in disrupting enemy operations, destroying artillery positions, armored vehicles, and transport columns, and inflicting heavy losses on enemy troops, often wiping out entire platoons or battalions
Made of silver and enamels. It measures 39.57 mm in height, 34.68 mm in width and weighs 18.9 grams without its screwplate. The serial number is barely readable and it must be said that ones needs some ‘creativity’ to read the numbers. The source and circumstantial evidence however made us confident this is the actual award discussed.
The condition of this order should not be the primary reason for purchasing it, as it cannot be graded due to being buried for over 80 years. As a result, it has lost most of its enamel and the bottom end of the flagpole. What makes this order truly special is the story behind it, which will be explored in detail below.
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or achievements:
“He has been flying with the 1st aviation squadron of the Black sea Navy on an IL-2 ground assault aircraft in the period 30.10.1941 – 27.11.1941. He carried out 27 successful ground strike missions. Here are some of the examples:
On 30.10.1941, a ground strike against an enemy artillery position and troops concentration near the Saky and Balganak. The mission resulted in suppression of 2 field guns with their crews, which was confirmed by the intelligence.
On 15.11.1941, a ground strike against a large concentration of the enemy troops near the settlements Varnutka. The ground strike resulted in destruction of up to 25 vehicles carrying enemy troops.
On 18.11.1941, a ground strike against the armoured cars and troops near Muskanya – direct hit of the rockets destroyed up to 5 vehicles.
On 22.11.1941, a ground strike against enemy troops concentration and a mortar battery located on the slopes of the hill 555,3 and 479,4. The successful
mission resulted in elimination of up to a battalion of enemy troops and up to 4 mortar positions, which forced the enemy to seize their advance. For the success in his ground assault missions, he commander of the Coastal Army Major-General PETROV issued a gratitude to Sr.Lt. GOLUBEV.
On 25.11.1941, he delivered a ground strike against the enemy troops concentration and the enemy mortars near the Tashliq. The mission resulted in
destruction of 2 enemy mortars and up to 2 platoons of the enemy troops. His consequent strikes against the enemy were just as effective.
Comrade GOLUBEV is a fearless pilot participating in the struggle against the Fascist barbarians and deserves a state award.”
The full translation of the citation can be read here
More info on Lt. Golubev can be found here
The crash site was discovered only in 2018 by accident. More info on this can be read here
A short video on Lt. Golubev can be viewed here
In the picture gallery a lot of extra digital research material is added such as fragments of his IL-2 plane, a KIA letter, a newspaper article, images of the crashsite and several (action) images of Golubev himself
Please contact us with questions
