Description
Group of two Orders of the Red Banner #37556 & Red Banner ‘2’ #3286
Awarded to Pilot Colonel Nikolaj Dmitrievich Salikov (Николай Дмитриевич Саликов)
For extensive reconnaissance and strike missions across Odessa and Sevastopol. As master pilot, he repeatedly returned damaged aircraft and inflicted major losses: an AA battery, an oil tanker, eight aircraft on the ground, multiple port and airfield structures, railway tracks, a tank, etc. He also delivered supplies to Crimean partisans
Order of the Red Banner #37556
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 39.56 mm in height, 35.94 mm in width and weighs 25.3 grams without its screwplate. The serial number and the mint mark Monetni Dvor are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse. The minimum known serial number for this variation is 21211 and the maximum is 64426.
The obverse of the order is nice, above average condition considering the order is an early screwback type. The raised areas such as the center wreath have their details perfectly visible and even a small amount of the original gilding is still present. The red enamels are generally well preserved without repairs but show loss on the center star and a small chip on the bottom of the top banner. The white enamels are flawless.
Its reverse shows signs of modification. The awardee converted this screwback order into a suspension type by adding an eyelet on top. That eyelet was later removed, and the scratches and dents from where it was attached are clearly visible. Despite this, the awardee did not shorten or remove the screw, so the rest of the order remains in excellent, original condition. The mint mark and serial number are clear, and it comes with its well-fitted silver screwplate.
Order of the Red Banner 2nd awarding #3286
Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 41.64 mm in height, 36.94 mm in width and weighs 25.9 grams without its screwplate. The serial number and the mint mark Monetni Dvor are located at the 6 o’clock position of its reverse. The minimum known serial number for this variation is 2858 and the maximum is 3655.
The obverse of this order is in even better condition than the previous one, with the red and white enamels present and only superficial flaking. The details on the raised areas remain perfectly visible with light wear only, much better preserved than most screwback Red Banners.
This order was also converted to a suspension type, and the added eyelet was later removed. Otherwise it remains untouched, with a full-length screw and much of the original gilding still present. It also comes with a well-fitted silver screwplate.
Unique and rare set with great research!
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or accomplishments for Order of the Red Banner (#37556):
During the Patriotic war, he proved himself as a courageous and brave pilot, a devoted son of the Socialist Motherland.
He has conducted 93 successful combat missions, of which 28 were night missions. His combat flying time amounts to 238 hours, of which 68 were flown in night time.
He has made 28 reconnaissance missions, both long range and close range reconnaissance of the enemy sea ports and bases. He flew on the Odessa and the Sevastopol sectors of the front.
Success of his missions is confirmed by photographs, intelligence reports, and by other aviation crews, who flew combat missions in the same formation. He is a master of piloting technique.
He once flew DB-3f bomber for 1.5 hours with only one operational engine, as the other one malfunctioned. And he perfectly landed the aircraft on his home base.
Comrade SALIKOV is devoted to the cause of the Lenin-Stalin party, he honourably follows the directives of our leader comrade STALIN to eliminate the Fascist invaders.
Short Description of his feat of arms for Order of the Red Banner ‘2’ (#3286):
During the Patriotic war, Guards Captain SALIKOV has flown 752 hours 40 minutes of combat flying time, of which 93 were flown in night time.
He conducted reconnaissance and photography of the enemy airbases, as well as enemy sea ports: Varna, Burgas, Constanza, Sulin, Odessa, Ochakov, Nikolaev, Kherson, and others.
He conducted air strikes against the enemy sea ports in Crimea and in the Azov sea, striking enemy troop concentrations and equipment on the airfields. He conducted 11 naval mine laying missions. For his air strike against the enemy transport ships in the Yalta sea port on 09.09.1942, he received a gratitude from the Black Sea Fleet Commander: 1 transport ship and 2 minesweepers were destroyed, pier and other sea port buildings were damaged.
Flying as part of a formation, he conducted air strike at the enemy Sevastopol base on 30.04.1943, such that several enemy transport ships were sank and a many enemy troops killed. For these strikes against the enemy base in Sevastopol, he as well received a gratitude from the Black Sea Fleet Commander. On one occasion during his combat work, he managed to return his aircraft with only one engine working. In another instance, he returned his aircraft damaged by enemy fire after an attack on enemy ships.
During the Patriotic war, Guards Captain SALIKOV’s crew either destoreyd or damaged: 1 AA battery, 1 oil tanker set ablaze, 8 enemy aircrafts on the ground in a group strike at the Kama airfield, 5 buildings and 12 structures destroyed, 15 large fires ignited, a fuel depot, railway tracks, 35 trucks carrying enemy troops, 2 armoured personnel vehicles, 1 tank, 42 horse carriages, and up to a battalion of enemy troops.
Guards Captain SALIKOV flew food and ammunition supply drop missions for Crimean partisan units, irregardless of the weather conditions or night time. He is a demanding, disciplined flight commander, who trains his subordinates by his own experience.
He is brave and courageous officer. He flies in the crew: flight bombardier Guards Cpt. AGLOTKOV, air gunner and radio operator Guards Master Sergeant SHIBAEV, air gunner Guards Sergeant DOVBNYA.
For courage and bravery exhibited in the struggle against the German Fascism, he deserves to be bestowed with order “RED BANNER”.
Below you can read the full translation of the research:
More information on Colonel Salikov can be found here
Also included in the picture gallery are scans of:
- several photos of Salikov,
- several photos with servicemen and IL4 aircraft of his specific unit,
- newspaper RED NAVY of 17 August 1943,
- newspaper RED NAVY of 3 December 1946,
- a page in a book which mentions Salikov.
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