Russia – Soviet: A Fine Berlin Offensive PE-2 Bomber Pilot’s Order of the Red Banner awarded to Guards Master Sergeant Aleksandr Vladimirovich Tabachkov, 36th Guards Bomber Aviation ‘Suvorov Order’ Regiment for his role in 103 successful combat missions of which 18 reconnaissance missions and 58 as a mission leader, he would take part in several close air support missions during the Berlin Offensive, at Spremberg where he attacked despite facing 6 FW-190 German fighters, and then later at Wittmansdorf and Schonefeld as support for the 1st Ukrainian Front which attacked from the Oder-Neisse direction towards the southern outskirts of Berlin, including in pockets at Guben, Spremberg, and the Halbe Pocket in which the remnants of the German 9th Army were surrounded.
Order of the Red Banner, reverse numbered 267798
Condition: Good Very Fine
Alexander Vladimirovich Tabachkov was born in the village of Dergaevo, Kiryllovskij District, Vologda Region during 1918, having attained an elementary education, he served in the Red Army and Air Force from October 1938 until October 1945.
Tabachkov initially served on the North-Western Front in the defence of the Leningrad area, and then subsequently on the South Western Front and Voronezh Fronts, during which time he was to be awarded an Order of the Red Star by order of 202nd Bomber Aviation Regiment for his part in the fighting during the offensives in the Voronezh Region and later during the Kursk Offensive and immediate counter attack in the Belgorod-Kharkov direction in early August 1943.
Tabachkov’s next decoration was an Order of Glory 3rd Class issued to him by 202nd Bomber Aviation Regiment on 30th April 1944, almost certainly for his part in the offensives across western Ukraine in the early months of 1944.
By the time of the Berlin Strategic Offensive of 1945 Tabachkov was still serving with the same unit as a Guards Master Sergeant and the Head of the Signalling Section of the aviation squadron, 36th Guards Bomber Aviation Suvorov Order Regiment, and was awarded the Order of the Red Banner by Order of 2nd Air Force on 15th May 1945 for his role in the fighting on the southern flank of the offensive. The recommendation for the award was as follows:
‘During the course of the Patriotic War, he conducted 103 successful combat missions, of which 18 reconnaissance missions and 58 as a mission leader.
Hardened in ferocious battles, comrade Tabachkov relentlessly bashes the German-Fascist invaders. He executes excellently and utilises effectively the radio station RSB-3-bis and the machine-gun. He trains well other aerial gunners. He departs to the combat sorties fearlessly and well prepared.
He always utilises nearly opportunities to strike the enemy and his mighty and precise machine-gun fire punishes the enemy.
On 22.03.1945, he flew as leader of a 5 aircraft strike group against the targets in the settlement of Baden. In a single bomb run, they attacked up to 40 enemy vehicles and a company of troops. The enemy AA artillery opened intensive fire on them. Despite the AA opposition, the mission was fulfilled excellently. He maintained excellent radio link on the route and during the bomb run.
On 17.04.1945, he flew as a leader of a strike group against the enemy ground troops in the settlement Spremberg. The target was covered by strong AA fire and 6 FW-190. Despite the opposition, the mission was successful. The results of the strike were confirmed by photographic control.
On 24.04.1945, he made 3 bomb runs against the enemy ground troops in the settlement of Wittmansdorf. The mission was successful, which was confirmed by photographic control and other aviation crews.
On 01.05.1945, he made 2 bomb runs against the enemy ground troops south-west of Schonefeld. The mission was successful, which was confirmed by the ground radio station ‘Mars’.
Conclusion: He deserves state award – Order of the Red Banner.
Tabachkov left the Red Army in October 1945, and at the time of receipt of this final award was noted as unemployed and living at Apartment 2, 17 Chelyuskintsev Street, Vologda
