Major-General Valentin Fedorovich Kulabuhov was born on 18th December 1913 in Hanzhenkovo, Bahmut Uezd and served with distinction in the Spanish Civil War, Winter War and Great Patriotic War. His actions during the Winter War, for which he was awarded the Title "Hero Of The Soviet Union", included the breaking of the Mannerheim Line - at its strongest point. All in all, he was in 15 tank battles during the Winter War.
Kulabuhov died in Kiev on 9th June 1975, before the Decree allowing recipients' families to retain their awards, so Kulabuhov's awards were to be returned in full - yet some pieces escaped that fate.
Kulabuhov's first award was a Red Star, awarded on 2nd January 1937, for service in Spain. It was soon followed by a Red Banner on 4th July 1937.
His next award was Hero Of The Soviet Union (Gold Star #430), that was proposed immediately at the end of the war.
Award List
of Commander Of A Tank Company, 112nd Separate Tank Battalion, 35th Tank Brigade
Senior Lieutenant Kulabuhov, Valentin Fedorovich
"Hero Of The Soviet Union"
1. Year of birth. 1913
2. Nationality. Ukrainian
3. Social Status, Worker
4. Party Membership. Member VKP(b)
5. From which time in RKKA. Since 1935
6. Participation in the Civil War. Not participated
7. Wounds and contusions. Not had.
8. Presented before for award, when and for what, Presented 26-02-1940 for the Order "Lenin"
9. Had which promotions and awards and for what, Awarded the Orders "Red Banner" and "Red Star"
In the war participating from 30-11-1939 and has been in 15 Tank attacks.
In battle for Maanselkä 02-01-1940 showed exceptional orderliness - brought from under artillery fire 6 tanks. In the same battle came out in the tank under enemy rifle-machinegun fire organised the work of crews in making passage through the anti-tank obstacles.
In the period of preparing to break the reinforced enemy line in the region of height 65.5 discovered long-term defensive point #008 and corrected the fire of artillery on it, which by data of the artillery was destroyed.
His company whilst breaking the reinforced enemy line in the region of height 65.5, Copse "Molotok" (Hammer), Copse "Finland", correctly interacted with the 245th Rifle Regiment, correctly throwing infantry on specialised sleighs into trenches and long-term enemy structures, providing the successful advance of the 245th Rifle Regiment.
Comrade Kulabuhov personally blocked and destroyed a machinegun, 3 long-term wood-earth structures and his company was the first to take height 65.5.
Showing exceptional care for subordinates.
For the performance of special tasks of the government was awarded the Orders "Red Banner" and "Red Star".
Orderly and initiative commander of the tank company. Enjoys great authority among fighters and commanders.
Loyal to the Party of Lenin-Stalin and Socialist Homeland.
Worthy of assignment of the Title "Hero Of The Soviet Union".
Commander of the 112th Separate Tank Battalion Major Bahrushev
Commissar of the 112th Separate Tank Battalion Senior Political Leader Kulagin
13th March 1940
Worthy of assignment of the Title "Hero Of The Soviet Union"
Commander of the 35th Tank Brigade Colonel Anikushkin
Military Commissar of the 35th Tank Brigade Regimental Commissar Jarosch
Worthy of assignment of the Title "Hero Of The Soviet Union"
Commander of troops of the 7th Army Commander Of An Army 2nd Rank Meretskov
Member of the Military Soviet Shrykov
Division Commissar Kliment'ev
17th March 1940
Assigned the Title
Hero Of The Soviet Union
with issue of the Order Of Lenin and Medal "Gold Star"
Decree of 21-03-1940
Maanselkä was and is very deep into Finnish territory, in a rather rolling landscape, not fantastic for armour. During the time of the advance on Maanselkä light would have been a rarity. Kulabuhov's tanks were not only lucky to have advanced so deeply but also that they were able to withdraw and redeploy to the offensives on the Mannerheim Line.
Height 65.5 was the most strongly defended point on the Mannerheim Line, dominated by the defensive position SJ-04 (Summajärvi area bunker 4) which has since been nicknamed "Fort Poppius" after the Finnish commander during the Soviet attack, Second Lieutenant Poppius. The bunker was destroyed by Soviet sappers after it was taken.
The "Hammer" is very obvious from the map and satellite view, on the opposite side of the road to the lake Summajärvi.
As the area is very popular with tourists, there is a google maps street view of the area.
His 40 Years Of The Armed Forces Of The USSR was awarded to him as a Colonel by the Commander of the 5th Tank Army (Unit 57949).
His 50 Years Of The Armed Forces Of The USSR was awarded to him as a Major-General Of Tank Forces by the Military Commissar of Kiev Oblast.
His last award, issued 5th May 1975 was the Thirty Years Of Victory. Issued by the Military Commissar of the Moscow Region of Kiev.
