Documented Group of Soviet Awards. Order Patriotic war 1st class #2918, Red Banner 1st #134909 and 2nd award #28288, Red Star #2932776 more

Description       Documented Group of Soviet Awards     Awarded to Guards Sr. Lieutenant Nikolaj Timofeevich Kuchka (Николай Тимофеевич Кучка)   For flying over a hundred combat missions destroying numerous targets among which in Stalingrad, Brest-Litovsky and Belgorod and personally downing a He-113 aircraft     This group of Soviet awards consists of the following items:   Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #2918 with suspension and stickpin(!) Made of solid silver and gold. Measures 42.65 mm in width and 46.61 mm in height including its eyelet. It weighs 34.8 grams with its suspension (but not its nut) and 26.8 grams without. The suspension is 32.21 mm in width at its widest point and 21.38 mm in height at its narrowest point. The serial number is located at the 7 o’clock position on its reverse. All parts of the suspension are authentic including the screwplate, hexagon nut, rectangular plate and its silver screw. In excellent, well above average condition. The details are all crisp and even the raised parts like the hammer and sickle show light wear only. The red enamels are well preserved without repairs and show a small chip on the tip of the 12 o’clock ray only. The white enamels are essentially flawless. Its reverse is in equally excellent condition and still has its original stickpin which is firmly attached and fully functional. Its connection ring has not been cut and the screw on its suspension has not been shortened.   Order of the Red Banner #134909 Made of silver and enamels. Measures 45.57 mm in height, 37.45 mm in width and weighs 27.4 grams without its suspension. The mint mark Monetni Dvor and the serial number are located at the bottom of its reverse. In a nice but worn condition. Its details are still visible and the red enamels are mostly present apart from two rays of the center star. The white enamels are problem free without repairs. The order comes with its time period double layer steel suspension and its connection ring has not been cut.   Order of the Red Banner 2nd award #28288 Made of silver and enamels. Measures 45.28 mm in height, 36.55 mm in width and weighs 24.9 grams without its suspension. The mint mark Monetni Dvor and the serial number are located at the bottom of its reverse. In pristine condition with all details perfectly crisp. Both the red and white enamels are flawless and the order shows a fair amount of the original gold plating. The reverse shows some dings or scratches, not distracting from the overall appeal of the order. Its connection ring has not been cut and the double layer steel suspension is time period to the order.   Order of the Red Star #2932776 Made of silver and enamels. Measures 48.04 in width, 46.57 in height and weighs 31.4 grams without its screwplate. The order is in superb condition with all details visible and flawless enamels. Its screw has not been shortened and both sided show an appealing patina.   Medal for Combat Merit  #2815505 U-shaped eyelet Made of silver and red lacquer. Measures 32.03 mm in diameter, 37.06 mm in height including its eyelet and weighs 18.8 grams without its suspension. The medal is in worn condition with some op the raised areas lacking details. Over half the red lacquer however is still present and its connection ring has not been cut. The medal comes with its time period brass suspension.   Campaign Medals with documents Made of brass. All in average or better condition and accompanied with their document.   Order Booklet  In good condition with all pages firmly attached to the cover. The booklet mentions all awards above and an additional order of the Patriotic War 2nd class which is missing.     Translation of the citations:   Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #2918  He has made 62 combat missions against the German invaders, of which 25 missions on SB aircraft and 35 missions on Pe-2 aircraft. In 1941, he made 2 nigh combat missions against the German invaders near Kharkov city. On the Don front, he made 9 combat missions in the sector of the German troops encircled in Stalingrad. Comrade KUCHKA is an excellent aerial gunner and always keeps his weapon in good condition. His weapon system always functions reliably in combat situation. He is a master radio operator, who promptly and precisely reports all the detected enemy targets to the ground control. For EXCELLENT execution of the combat assignments, he received a number of gratitudes from the Commanders of the division and the front. On 26.07.1941, he flew as the leading radio operator in the crew with Mj. SYSOEV, bombardier Sr. Lt. TIKHONOV. 9 Pe-2 bombers attacked an enemy armour column on the move on the Brest-Litovsky main road. Exhibiting courage and bravery, he fired at the enemy column and set a fuel truck ablaze. Our aircrafts suffered no losses. The results are confirmed by other crews. On 26.05.1942, he flew as the leading radio operator in the crew with Mj. SYSOEV, bombardier Mj. NITSAI. 9 Pe-2 bombers attacked enemy airfield in Belgorod. Despite intensive enemy anti-aircraft fire, the mission was accomplished perfectly. As the result of our bombardment and machine-gun fire, 15 enemy aircrafts were set ablaze. Our aircrafts suffered no losses. On 29.05.1942, the same crew flew a reconnaissance mission. Comrade KUCHKA personally spotted an enemy armour column on the move and promptly reported it to the bombardier. Not losing a single minute, the aircraft was homed at the enemy. As the result of a precise bomb attack and machine-gun fire, the column halted and was partially destroyed, resulting in 4 large fires. The crew returned to the home base safe. On 06.08.1942, he flew as the leading radio operator in the crew with pilot Cpt. PUSCHIN, bombardier Sr. Lt. IVANNIKOV. They bombed enemy motorised troops near Zhutovo-1. As the result of the raid, a number of fires were ignited and an ammunition depot destroyed. On the return trip, comrade KUCHKA was the first to spot the approaching enemy fighter planes and reported them immediately to the leading pilot, thus frustrating the enemy element of surprise. With his precise fire, he shot down one He-113 aircraft. The result is corroborated. See the report written by bombardier IVANNIKOV. Our aircrafts suffered no losses. On 09.08.1942, the same crew reconnoitred and bombed enemy troops near the sovkhoz “Probed Oktyabrya”. As the result of the bombardment and machine-gun fire from 500m altitude, there were ignited 9 large fires. Good result. On 10.01.1943, he flew as the leading radio operator in the same crew. They bombed enemy troops concentration near Baburkin. Good mission results. 7 trucks destroyed and several fires ignited by his machine-gun fire. The results were photographed. Our aircrafts suffered no losses. On 12.01.1943, he flew as the leading radio operator in the same crew. 9 aircrafts bombed enemy troops near Malaya Rassoshka and the enemy troops retreating from the settlement Zapadnovka. Excellent mission result. From 500m altitude, comrade KUCHKA fired at a column, which was halted and partially destroyed. He reported the target to the ground control centre. On 17.01.1943, he flew as the leading radio operator in the same crew. 9 aircrafts bombed enemy motorised troops concentration and enemy depots near Gumrak. As the result of the bombardment and machine-gun fire, an enemy fuel depot and 15 trucks were destroyed. The results were photographed. For exhibited courage and bravery on the front of struggle against the German invaders, he deserves state award order “RED BANNER”.   Order of the Red Banner #134909 During the period of the Patriotic war since June 1941, he flew as an aerial gunner and radio operator, and later since August 1943, as the head of the signalling service of an aviation squadron. After his previous award, he made further 40 successful combat missions, in which he engaged the enemy fighter aircrafts 12 times. He exhibits brave and courageous conduct in combats. He is always one of the first to spot the enemy in the air and reports it to the friendly force. He excellently mastered the radio station and the armament of the Pe-2 aircraft type. He conducts effective coordination and control of the escort fighter aircrafts over a radio channel, which ensured effective cover to the bombers and good mission results. He dedicates a lot of effort to combat training of young freshman aerial gunners and radio operators, such that they achieve good combat skills in handling radio and machine-guns. He flies in the crew: aviation squadron commander pilot Guards Major SUBBOTIN (bestowed twice with “Red Banner” order, “Patriotic war II class” order, and order “Aleksander Nevsky” for his leadership of the aviation squadron), bombardier of the aviation squadron Hero of Soviet Union Guards Captain KRUPIN (bestowed twice with “Lenin” order, “Red Star” and “Red Banner” orders). Here a some combat episodes: On 17.01.1943, in the crew of the leader’s wingman aircraft (9 aircraft formation led by Gu. Mj. SUBBOTIN), they bombarded enemy troops and equipment in the settlement Gumrak. Comrade KUCHKA held radio contact with the fighter escort. On the approach to the target zone, the enemy fighter planes attempted an attack on the bomber formation. But comrade KUCHKA spotted them in proper time and relayed the intelligence to our escort fighter planes, who prevented the enemy from closing with our bombers. Thus, he ensured the accomplishment of the mission and prevented our losses. In the mission for bombardment of the retreating enemy force in the settlement Selechnya (north of town Sevsk), our bomber formation was met over the target by intensive AA fire. Comrade KUCHKA opened intensive return fire, thus showing example to other aerial gunners, who suppressed the enemy low caliber AA firing positions. Our aircrafts suffered no losses an successfully accomplished the mission. By the bombs and machine-gun fire, they destroyed 22 trucks and damaged 10 (photograph №150). On 12.01.1944, in the crew of the leading aircraft (9 Pe-2 aircrafts formation led by Gu. Mj. SUBBOTIN), they bombarded the enemy troops and equipment in the settlement Kalinkovichi. Comrade KUCHKA guided the fighter escort. Comrade KUCHKA held radio contact with the fighter escort and maintained coordination among the bombers by radio channel. On their approach to the target, he was the first to spot the enemy fighter planes, which he immediately reported by radio to the other bombers as well as to the fighter escort. The enemy fighter attack was frustrated. Excellent mission results (confirmed by photography and personally by a commission on the ground). On 16.01.1944, in the same crew, they bombarded enemy artillery and mortar batteries near the settlement Ozarichi. The bomber formation was subjected to intensive AA fire over the target. The precise fire of the aerial gunners suppressed the enemy low caliber AA firing positions, and the bomber formation made several bomb runs at the target with excellent mission results (confirmed by the photos №19-20). The effectiveness of the aviation regiment missions is confirmed by the photography and the operative reports, held at the regiment headquarters, as well as the local population testimonies and by commissions on the ground. For successful execution of the combat missions against the German invaders, for personal courage and bravery, he deserves state award order “RED BANNER”.   Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #560550 (not present in this lot) During the period of his participation in the Patriotic war on the South-Western, Stalingrad, Don, Central, Belorussian, and 1 Belorussian fronts, he flew as an aerial gunner and radio operator, and later since August 1943, as the head of the signalling service of an aviation squadron, He made in total 125 successful combat missions, of which 7 were dive bombing missions. He participated in the encirclement of the German troop in Stalingrad on the Orel-Kursk, Sevsk, Gomel-Rechitsa, Mozyr-Kalinkovichi, Bobruysk, Warsaw, Poznan, Kustrin, Pommern, and Berlin sectors. After his latest award, he conducted further 37 successful combat missions. In this period, he trained and prepared 6 young freshman gunners and radio operators. He took part in 6 air engagements against enemy fighter planes. He is a disciplined and neat officer. Morally reliable. Demanding towards himself and the subordinates. In combat setting, his conduct is brave, courageous, and calm. On 16.01.1945, in a group of 9 aircrafts, he flew a dive bombing mission in the leading aircraft (pilot Guards Major SUBBOTIN). They bombarded the retreating enemy troops in the settlement Opochno. In the course of the whole mission, comrade KUCHKA relayed the combat commands by radio to the bombers and to the fighter escort. The group fulfilled the mission successfully, which is corroborated by the photograph №9. On 19.02.1945, the same crew and formation bombarded the town and the railway station in Stargard. The aircraft group was subjected to intensive AA fire over the target zone, but despited that accomplished the mission excellently. In the course of the whole mission, comrade KUCHKA relayed the combat commands by radio to the bombers and to the fighter escort. When enemy fighter planes were spotted, he reported it to the escort aircrafts, who prevented the enemy from approaching our bombers. With his excellent observation of the air and reliable radio communication, comrade KUCHKA greatly assisted the success of the mission, which is corroborated by the photographs №104-106. On 21.03.1945, in a group of 6 Pe-2, he flew in the leading aircraft with the same crew. They bombarded an enemy stronghold in Alt Tucheband. In the course of the whole mission, comrade KUCHKA relayed the combat commands by radio to the bombers and to the fighter escort. On the approach to the target zone, 3 Fw-190 attempted an attack. Comrade KUCHKA was the first to spot the enemy and opened fire from his machine-gun. After that, he reported the information to the escort planes, which prevented the enemy from approaching the bombers. The mission was a success (photograph №178). The success in the missions is corroborated by the photographs: 2, 4, 9, 13, 18, 19,28 ,29, 45, 50, 51, 58, 61, 60, 74, 85, 86, 80, 104-106, 108-116, 124, 125, 136, 137, 141, 159, 162, 169, 181, 187, 178, 191, 192, 204, 211, 230, 228, 241, 238, 233, 243, 249-252, 256, 257. For excellent execution of the combat missions on the front of struggle against the German invaders, and for exhibited courage and bravery, he deserves order “PATRIOTIC WAR I CLASS”.     The full translation of the research can be read below: – citation Order of the Patriotic War 1st class #2918 – citation Order of the Red Banner #134090 – citation Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #560550   More info on Lt. Kuchka can be found here   Also included in the picture gallery is: several scans of images of Lt. Kuchka. One showing all awards mentioned above 3 pictures of Kuchka’s crew combat diary 96th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment (GuBAR) map missions of the 96th GuBAR several scans of images of personnel of 96th GuBAR an infosheet     Please contact us with questions