Russia – Soviet: A fine Battle of Kursk screwback Order of the Red Banner and Battle of Berlin Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, as well as Long Service Order of the Red Star awarded to Guards Captain Nikolay Alexandrovich Kuts, an anti-aircraft specialist who during the Battle of the Kursk along with his crews shot down five German aircraft despite heavy bombing, later in the Berlin offensive his company shot down three German Focke-Wolf 190s as well as taking part in street fighting where he was involved in clearing buildings and cellars, killing over ten Panzerfaust crews and up to a platoon of enemy troops. He would continue to serve in the Red Army after the war, earning a Red Star for Long Service in 1954.
Order of the Red Banner, screwback variety, the reverse numbered 70843
Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class, the reverse numbered 404922
Order of the Red Star, the reverse numbered 3275998
Condition: a few small chips to the enamel of the Red Banner and Order of the Patriotic War as would usually be found with awards worn in combat, better than Very Fine, the Red Star in superb condition
Along with the award booklet
Guards Captain Nikolay Alexandrovich Kuts was first decorated as the Commander of an anti-aircraft machine-gun company of 107 Tank Brigade, 16th Tank Corps, the award issued by decree of the 28th Army on 16th August 1943, the citation reading:
‘Comrade Kuts trained very well his machine-gun crews for combat operations. He efficiently commanded his company during the battle, in which his machine-gun crews fearlessly fought against enemy aircraft formations.
Despite relentless enemy bombardment, his unit always continued its intensive fire at the enemy vultures. Fighting near the settlement 2nd Ponyri and Step-Butyrki (Kursk Region) during the combat period 5th-10th July 1943, the AA company under Jr.Lt Kuts command provided protection for the observation and the command posts of the tank brigade and shot down 2 Ju-88, 1 Fw-210 and 2 Fw-190. In total, the company shot down 5 enemy aircrafts and damaged 1 aircraft during this battle. For courage and bravery exhibited in the combat struggle against the German invaders, he deserves a state award order ‘Red Banner’.
The fighting around Ponryi and 2nd Ponyri was key to the success of the Red Army's defensive efforts during the Battle of Kursk, the area was in the direct advance of the German northern pincer and the succesful defence led to the abandonment of the northern pincer and the following Red Army offensive in the Orel area to the north - Operation Kutuzov
Kuts would next be awarded an Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class by decree of the 16th Army Corps on 28th September 1944, and this would be followed by an Order of the Patriotic war 2nd Class by decree of the 16th Army Corps on 19th May 1945, the citation for this award reading:
‘In the offensive combat operations during 15th April until 29th April 1945, Guards Captain Kuts provided effective protection against many attempted enemy air attacks at our brigade formations. His effort assisted the brigade in successful achievement of its combat objectives. In the course of these battles, the company under Gaurds Captain Kuts command shot down 3 Fw-190 aircraft. In the combat engagements in the centre of Berlin city, apart from usual air defence task, his company also was successfully fighting against ground enemy. His company fire would clear structures from the enemy (from cellars and houses) eliminating over 10 Faustpatrone crews and up to a platoon of enemy troops. For excellently established air defence and personal courage in battle. Guards Captain Kuts deserves a state award the Patriotic War 1st Class’
The award would subsequently be downgraded to a Patriotic War 2nd Class. Kuts would then continue to serve in the Red Army receiving an Order of the Red Star for in 1954, presumably for Long Service. During the war he had also earnt the Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw and the Medal for the Capture of Berlin, as well as subsequently being awarded a Medal for the 30th Anniversary of the Soviet Army and Navy
