Group of the Order of Alexander Nevsky #6646, Red Banner #28966 and Patriotic War 1st class #52932

Description       Group of the Order of Alexander Nevsky, Red Banner, and Patriotic War      Awarded to Guards Major Grigory Rodionovich Krivoshlyk (Григорий Родионович Кривошлык)   For completing over 240 successful IL-2 combat missions, including more than 20 as group leader; personally shooting down one enemy Me-109 fighter in aerial combat, destroying one Ju-88 aircraft on the ground and inflicting devastating losses during the Crimea, Sevastopol, Stalingrad, and Sivash operations. As a squadron commander, he led hundreds of sorties that annihilated tanks, vehicles, trains, depots, and thousands of enemy troops     The group consists of the following items:   Order of Alexander Nevsky #6646 Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 49.72 mm in height, 48.32 mm in width and it weighs 36.0 grams without its screwplate. The mint mark Monetni Dvor is located underneath the screwpost and a ‘makers mark’ ‘X’ is located above the screwpost. The serial number is engraved at the mint over another number which had been erased as was standard practice for these Type 2 Orders of Nevsky in this range. In excellent, well above-average condition for an early Nevsky. Aside from a small chip on the 7 o’clock ray of the red star, the enamels are very well preserved and free of repairs. The details are exceptionally sharp and crisp, even on the highest relief areas – take special note to Nevsky’s eyes, beard, and hauberk. Most of the original gold plating remains, enhanced by an attractive natural patina. The reverse is in comparable, if not better, condition, showing only a few minor dings and scratches. The screw has not been shortened, no repairs are evident, and the order is complete with its correct period, well-fitted silver screwplate.   Order of the Red Banner #28966 Made of solid silver and enamels. Measures 39.70 mm in height including its eyelet, 36.23 mm in width and it weighs 24.6 grams without its screwplate. The mint mark Monetni Dvor and the serial number are located at the bottom of its reverse. In excellent condition, particularly for an early screwback award. The white enamel is flawless, while the red enamel is largely intact with no repairs and only a small chip at the lower part of the upper banner. The raised areas of the silver base show only light wear, with all details remaining crisp and fully visible. The screw has not been shortened, and the order has never been converted to a suspension type. It is complete with its correct period, well-fitted silver screwplate.   Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #52932 Made of solid gold silver and enamels. Measures 45.19 mm in height, 42.74 mm in width and weighs 29.3 grams without its screwplate. The mint mark Monetni Dvor is located at the top and its serial number on the bottom of its reverse. This order is in great condition, showing only light wear. The details remain crisp, and both the white and red enamels are well preserved, with only minor dings and contact marks. The gold part displays an attractive patina on the reverse. The well-fitted silver screwplate is period-correct, and the screw retains its full original length.   A great and group with amazing research!   Research: Order of Alexander Nevsky During his service in the regiment, he has conducted 102 successful combat missions on IL-2 aircraft against the enemy troops. After his latest award, he has made further 21 successful combat missions as a leading pilot of a group. He is always very eager to fly combat missions and executes them excellently. He is a fearless and brave warrior, disciplined and tempered, a well mannered officer. As an aviation squadron commander, he enjoys professional respect among his troops. He always follows up on his tasks, demanding towards himself and his subordinates. In the operations for liberation of Crimea and Sevastopol, he made 24 successful combat missions against the enemy troops. During this period, he personally inflicted the following damage to the enemy: 3 tanks, 6 trucks with troops and load, suppressed 2 AA batteries, and shot down 1 enemy aircraft Me-109, eliminated up to 140 enemy troops. Under his command, his aviation squadron conducted 798 successful combat sorties, which resulted: 14 enemy aircrafts hit on the ground, 5 enemy aircrafts destroyed in the air, 50 tanks and 140 loaded trucks destroyed, 5 steam engines and 45 rail wagons, 3 military deports and up to 2000 German troops destroyed. In the Crimean operation, his squadron conducted 180 successful combat missions. His technical personnel restored 6 severely damaged aircrafts in this period. In any difficult midair combat situation, he always keeps his orientation and can find a right solution, exhibiting courage and bravery. On 09 May 1944, he flew 3 missions as a leading pilot of an aviation group, striking the retreating enemy troops on the way to Sevastopol. Conclusion : For 21 successful combat missions on IL-2 aircraft against he enemy troops and for exhibited courage and bravery, he deserves state award order “RED BANNER”   Full translation here   Order of the Red Banner Senior Lieutenant KRIVOSHLYK has been serving as a flight commander in 655 light bomber aviation regiment.light bomber aviation regiment. Having been serving in the field forces since 10 December 1941, comrade KRIVOSHLYK has made 40 night combat missions against the enemy armour and infantry troops, enemy strongholds: Noviy Donbass, Slavyansk, Mayaki, Raygorodok, Byloasovka,Cherkasskaya, Shabelkovka, and others. Comrade KRIVOSHLYK exhibited courage and bravery many times during his combat service. He especially distinguished himself in the successful air strikes against the enemy stronghold in Mayaki on 22 February 1942, where acting under intensive enemy AA fire, comrade KRIVOSHLYK and his flight made 12 combat sorties. As the result of these intensive missions, the target was hit with bombs. Dozens of demolitions and fires were caused. Aircrafts in KRIVOSHLYK’s groups were being hit by enemy fire, but nothing could stop the fearless flight commander. The combat objective was achieved. The mission results were corroborated by the ground troops of 78 rifle brigade. During 08-09 March 1942, comrade KRIVOSHLYK and his flight distinguished themselves especially in an intensive air strike at the eastern side of the enemy stronghold in Cherkassakya. They made 13 combat sorties and struck the target precisely, which was corroborated by the ground troops (Cpt. YAMINSKY). Due to narrow dimensions of the target and close proximity of friendly troops, a very precise bomb strike was required. Comrade KRIVOSHLYK performed excellently this task, not a single bomb fell outside of the objective area in Cherkasskaya. Comrade KRIVOSHLYK’s flight has made 130 combat missions and received a gratitude from the Military Council of 9 Army for its combat effort. The airforce command of 9 Army granted comrade KRIVOSHLYK with a monetary bonus. In the aforementioned combat period, comrade KRIVOSHLYK has net had any flying incident. Full translation here   Order of the Patriotic War 1st class Guards Captain KRIVOSHLYK participated in the Patriotic war since 10 December 1942 on the Southern front, since 05 May 1942 on South-Western front, since August 1942 on Stalingrad front, since 01 January 1943 on Southern front, since 20 October 1943 on 4 Ukrainian front. During his service in 75 Guards ground assault aviation “Stalingrad” regiment, he has flown 81 successful combat missions on IL-2 aircraft against the enemy armour and infantry troops. For 70 successful combat missions on IL-2 aircraft on the Stalingrad front, Guards Captain KRIVOSHLYK was bestowed with order “RED BANNER”. For 40 successful combat missions on IL-2 aircraft, Guards Captain KRIVOSHLYK was bestowed with the 2nd order “RED BANNER”. On top of that, he also conducted further 41 successful combat missions on IL-2 aircraft against the enemy armour and infantry troops. Guards Captain KRIVOSHLYK fly always as a leading pilot of a group and always performs good and excellently. He is disciplined and maintain good orientation in the air. Since he assumed the command over the aviation squadron in May 1943, his unit has conducted 653 successful combat missions and inflicted the following damage to the enemy: 14 enemy aircrafts on the ground, 4 aircrafts in the air, 69 tanks destroyed and up to 45 damaged, 27 artillery batteries and 15 AA batteries suppressed, 3 steam engines and up to 35 loaded rail wagons, 6 fuel rail wagons, 87 fires ignited, 2 ammunition depots demolished, and eliminated up to 1800 enemy troops. In the same period, the aviation squadron lost 5 air crews. Guards Captain KRIVOSHLYK destroyed personally: 8 tanks, 1 fuel rail wagon, up to 15 tucks with load and troops, 1 aircraft Ju-88 on the ground, 1 barge, up to 12 horses, and up to 50 enemy troops. During the operation for enemy defence breakthrough near Sivash, Guards Captain KRIVOSHLYK flew 6 missions as a leader of a group against the enemy front line troops. The missions were conducted good and excellently. He brought back all his crews despite intensive enemy AA fire and enemy fighter plane attacks. On 07 April 1944, his group was attacked by enemy Me-109 and Fw-90 fighter planes. Guards Captain KRIVOSHLYK managed to organise his group attack around the objective in such a manner, that the enemy fighter planes were not able to frustrate the mission. On 09 April 1944, aviation group under Guards Captain KRIVOSHLYK’s command attacked enemy SPGs and tanks, setting ablaze 2 tanks and destroying 1 enemy AA battery. Full translation here     The translation of the register card can be read here   More information on Major Krivoshlyk can be found here     Please contact us with questions