Soviet Defying Death on the Dnieper River

[Stogieman]

Meet Comrade Lieutenant Parfiry Yemelienovich Kuliba, he's wearing the ONLY WW2 Decoration he received between March of 1943 and March of 1945....

[Stogieman]

Here's page one of his Award Record Card:

[Stogieman]

Here's page two of the ARC, confirming his one and only, lonely award:

[Stogieman]

The scrawled citation for the one lonely award:

[Stogieman]

And why, you wonder (???) is this such an exciting ORB?

[Stogieman]

Are you as curious as I was when I saw this lone ORB in this book?

[Stogieman]

Because....

(Translation courtesy of Rick Research)

Citation for Order of the Red Banner shows him as company commander {{{because of casualties?}}} in the 200th GRR/ 68GRD:

?On 24th September 1943 for forcing the River Dnieper with the regiment, in the area of the city of Shtuch?ino, Kiev Oblast, Comr. Kuliba was the first to cross his company to the right bank of the River Dnieper and quickly seized the directed boundaries. In the course of the first two days, repulsed 14 enemy counterattacks. Comr. Kuliba at all times participated in combat conditions, skillfully led in combat, demonstrated heroism and firmness."

Deserves to be awarded the Order ?of the Red Banner.?

2 October 1943 Commander 200th Gds Rifles Rgt, Lieutenant Colonel ?Bushtruk?

4 October 1943 Deserves to be awarded the Order ?of the Red Banner?

Commander 68th Gds Rifles Division, Major General ?{{{illegible}}}?

{No Date} Deserves to be awarded the Order ?of the Red Banner?

Commander of Forces, 40th Army, Lieutenant General ?Moskalenko?

Commander of Front Military Council, Major General ?Kra?ikov? ?

[Stogieman]

So.... the veritable shower of Hero Stars that were given for this forced crossing (what is it, 25% of the WW2 total for this one action?) and our very Jr. officer gets his ORB..... nothing more. Then quietly returns to a life on the Collective Farm.

[Guest Rick Research]

It always amazes me to read Soviet personnel records. He never left his Kholkhoz except for the war. Stopped going to school at age 12. Was a Second Lieutenant at 33--

and commanded the first company over the Dnieper in his regiment, holding out for two weeks of ceaseless attacks.

How many made it over the river alive? At the end of those 14 days, how many men in his company were still alive?

He was wounded in action three times in the two years he was at the front, before the last one did for him in early 1945.

Oh how I wish for REGIMENTAL histories, with casualty and award rolls.

How many Hero Stars did HIS regiment get before somebody decided the over-aged farmer-Lieutenant didn't "rate" one because the "quota" had been filled up already?

[Steen Ammentorp]

With reference to the date given above the commander of 68th Gds RD was Major-General Georgii Petrovich Isakov, and I believe the unidentified Major-General 'Kra?ikov' would have to be Major-General (as he were at the time) Konstantin Vasilevich Krainiukov, member of the military council (Political Commissar) of Voronezh Front.

For a bit more details on these two gentlemen please see:

http://www.generals.dk/general/Isakov/Geor...viet_Union.html

http://www.generals.dk/general/Krainiukov/...viet_Union.html

Kind Regards

Steen Ammentorp

The Generals of World War II

[Guest Rick Research]

Thanks Steen! It is very often (more often than not, unfortunately) difficult to read signatures--even when typed underneath-- due to the poor qualuty of the original paper , 60+ years age , and the BINDING that doesn't allow for GOOD xeroxing .

I shudder to think what all the records will look like assuming they are still around 60 years from now.

[Mondvor]

Just a few words about history of this order. I've bought it in Kiev in 1998 for 25 USD

For almost 8 years it was in my collection, but half year ago I bought similar Red Banner, which was a part of the big group. That's why I decided to sell it out. Order is in excellent condition and has a special mark "7" on the reverse.

I'm really happy that this order is in good hands now

Here is a fragment with "7".

Edited July 9, 2006 by MONDVOR

[Stogieman]

And here's the full reverse showing the "7" dead center!

[Gerd Becker]

Nice one, Rick. And in beautiful condition too Keep me in mind, if you ever want to sell it.

Gerd

[Stogieman]

Interesting thing is this one is a (relatively) low number for the type...... and a 'typical' suspended piece. I have one about 5K higher that is a typical T2 Screwback, retooled as a suspended piece and the plow blade still touches the staff!!

[Gerd Becker]

Lowest observed for this variation is 84.323. Here is mine, Nr. 114.937 also with a "7" makers mark, but a smaller one than on yours.

Could you show me the reverse of the ones above?

Edited July 9, 2006 by Gerd Becker

[Stogieman]

As per Gerd's request... reverses

[Gerd Becker]

Interesting pieces, Rick. The one on the right is the same variation like this one from my collection, Nr 105.120

Edited July 9, 2006 by Gerd Becker

[Stogieman]

Hi Gerd, compare to this one, courtesy of CollectRussia.com

#104305, right in our range, but the plow blade doesn't touch and in fact, Igor mentions this as very unusual for this serial number range. I think we can safely assume that one fello engraved all these numbers!

[Stogieman]

Reverse!

[Gerd Becker]

Hi Rick,

i think, its a matter of how much white enamel was used on these Orders. I have seen both on early Type 3 ORB?s, with touching plow and with a non touching plow.

Gerd

[Mondvor]

Hi Rick,

i think, its a matter of how much white enamel was used on these Orders. I have seen both on early Type 3 ORB?s, with touching plow and with a non touching plow.

Gerd

Exactly! The relationship between the plow and banner's handle determined only by the amount of white enamel applied to the order.

Compare two orders with close serial numbers...

[Mondvor]

Another order (obverse)

[Mondvor]

Reverse.

[Vatjan]

What would guys make of this one, I suppose it's a replacement for a screwback?