Russia - Soviet: An Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class awarded to Lieutenant Fedor Petrovich Batrakov, 433rd Separate Army level Aviation Liaison Squadron for his role in reconnaissance and bombardment of enemy fortifications and artillery positions in the sector of the Soviet 23rd Army during its advance into Finland to the north of Leningrad.
Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class, type 2, backplate is 11.6g of 23ct gold, silver and enamels, reverse numbered 61180
Condition: marked in ink to the reverse, loss of enamels to the bottom half of both the 5 and 7 o’clock arms, Fine
Fedor Petrovich Batrakov was born in the village of Karlochikha, Yuriev District, Ivanovo Region in 1920. He became a VLKSM member in 1936 and joined the Red Army in 1937, and saw service in the fight against the White Finns in 1939-1940 before serving in the Great Patriotic War, he would be involved in the Defence of Leningrad, receiving the Medal for the defence of the city, and an Order of Red Star by decree of the 23rd Army on 7th March 1943, presumably for an act during Operation Iskra in January 1943 that sought to relieve the city and successfully opened a land route along the shore of Lake Ladoga.
This Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class was awarded by decree of 23rd Army on 27th September 1944. At this time he was a Lieutenant and a Gunner-Bombardier of 433rd Separate Army Level Aviation Liaison Squadron, and he was to receive the decoration as a result of the following recommendation:
‘In the period since February 1943, he has made 153 night combat sorties for reconnaissance and bombardment of the enemy fortifications and artillery-mortar positions in the sector of 23 Army. These missions were performed in the areas of Huvila, station Beloostrov, Tonteri, Ohta, Troitskoe and Kaskiselka, Siuri, Venttila, Kiviniemi, Taipale.
In the conditions of being illuminated by the enemy search lights and fired at by the enemy AA artillery, he always managed to set the aircraft on the right target approach course and lay down a precise bomb strike.
During the offensive of 23 Army and in the subsequent operations, he made 21 liaison flights to the subordinate ground units. He always delivered the Commanders’ combat dispatches precisely to the destination and in proper time.
For successful execution of 153 night combat sorties for reconnaissance and bombardment and for 21 liaison missions, I recommend comrade Batrakov for state award – Patriotic War 1st Class.’
Batrakov would go on to receive a Medal for the Victory over Germany, a Medal for 30 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy, a Medal for Combat Merits for 10 years long service on 24th June 1948, and an Order of the Red Star for 15 years long service on 3rd November 1953
