Description
Order of the Red Star #302093
Awarded to Senior Lieutenant Shamil Abdurakhmanovich Bulatov (Шамиль Абдурахманович Булатов)
For decisive leadership and personal bravery while repelling an enemy tank assault near Bakirovka by swiftly deploying his gun, destroying two Panzer IV tanks, and forcing the remaining enemy armor to retreat, thereby preventing a breakthrough into the regiment’s rear
Lt. Bulatov disappeared during combat and was presumed dead but later reappeared after surviving captivity. He became a journalist and a lot of information was found on him online. More on this at the bottom of the page and in the picture gallery
Made of silver and enamels. Measures 48.91 mm in width, 46.75 mm in height and weighs 25.4 grams without its screwplate. The mint mark is located above, and the serial number underneath the screw post. The minimum known serial number is 235999 and the maximum is 594967.
This order is in excellent, well above average condition with most details crisp. The red enamels are extremely well preserved without repairs and show some minor dings and contact marks only. The silver hows an appealing medium dark patina on both sides. Its screw has been significantly shortened, but sufficient length remains to securely fasten the time period solid silver screwplate.
Brief and specific description of the personal feat or merits:
On 13 August 1943, after digging into the village of Litovka, the enemy conducted an artillery preparation then launched a counterattack. Seven enemy tanks attacked the 640th Rifle Regiment, 2nd Battalion’s defense and drove into the 640th Regiment’s rear area. Suppressing the 379th Artillery Regiment 2nd Battalion 2nd battery, the tanks were posed to both threaten the rear area and to occupy the village of Bakirovka. Senior Lieutenant Bulatov was ordered to advance with one of his guns to meet the advancing tanks and destroy them. Senior Lieutenant Bulatov quickly deployed the gun to the vicinity of the church in the Bakirovka region and opened fire on the approaching T-4 tanks [trans: a soviet designation for German Panzer IV tanks]. When his first shots put the lead tank out of action and the second tank attempted to tow the knocked out tank, comrade Bulatov opened fire on the second tank and set it on fire while the remaining tanks retreated and concealed themselves behind the buildings of Bakirovka. The enemy tank assault on Bakirovka was repelled.
For exemplary accomplishment of the regimental commander’s order and personal bravery, comrade Bulatov is worthy of the state award the “Order of the Red Star”.
The full translation of the research can be read below:
It is worth noting that Lt. Bulatov was nominated for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for personally destroying three “Tiger” tanks and six medium tanks(!). However, the recommendation was downgraded by higher command to an Order of the Patriotic War. His citation detailing these feats is shown in the picture gallery (last image), with the translation is provided below:
Brief, specific description of personal combat feat or merit:
On January 25, 1944, the battery of comrade Bulatov occupied anti-tank defenses on the approaches to the town of Kirovograd. On that day the enemy, with large tank forces and supported by artillery and aviation, began an offensive. Bulatov’s battery repelled the first wave of tanks, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. In this battle comrade Bulatov personally destroyed three “Tigers” and six medium tanks. His battery destroyed up to three infantry platoons. Despite being wounded, comrade Bulatov continued to command the battery until the enemy attack was repelled. In this battle, Bulatov proved himself a courageous and decisive commander, skillfully directing the fire of his battery.
Conclusion:
For the exemplary execution of command orders and the personal heroism and courage displayed in battle with the German invaders, Captain Bulatov is worthy of being awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
More information on Lt. Bulatov can be found here, here, here and here
Also included in the picture gallery are:
- His Service record card
- Several scans of images we found online
- Operational reports
- Combat maps
- Report of irretrievable losses
- Several (newspaper) articles
Please contact us with questions
