Many boys after the end of World War II dreamed of becoming pilots.Nobody thought much how difficult flying in the sky.The kids seemed to pilots - Heroes of the Soviet Union - a romance that the flight gets great pleasure.
As the first pilot-heroes got their title?
first title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded in 1934, but since the founding of the Soviet state until 1939 there were no wars, ie combat missions the pilots did not perform.It notes that it is the pilots were the first Heroes of the Soviet Union.These names are not so well known as some of the names of the pilots of WWII period.Let you remember who these first pilots - Heroes of the Soviet Union.
As is known, in 1934 passed a rescue operation Chelyuskinites.Without the participation of airplanes to save the people was not possible.However, the technique at the time was still poorly developed, and a positive result of the rescue mission could be obtained only thanks to the high professionalism and heroism of the pilots.
first heroes names
Nikolai Kamanin Gold Star of the Hero was number 1 at the age of 25 years.He made 9 flights over the Arctic, has saved 34 people at the same time (on the sunken ice-breaker "Chelyuskin" crew consisted of 104 people).The photo, posted on, Kamanin depicted on the left.
complexity of the mission to rescue the sailors was that the area was at the time insufficiently studied.Also, the pilots did not have full confidence in the reliability of engines, because at such a long distance while still almost did not fly.
Mikhail Vodop'yanov made three difficult departure, during which able to save more than 10 people.The uniqueness of this pilot participate in the rescue operation is that a few months before he was seriously injured and was treated for a long time.The authorities did not want to admit it to the surgery, but he insisted.
Also in this operation involved such pilots - Heroes of the Soviet Union, Ivan Doronin has, Sigismund Levanevsky Vasily milk Slepnyov Mauritius.Each pilot has made a huge contribution to the cause of saving people in the Arctic Ocean.
war and great pilots
Analyzing orders on conferring the title of Hero of the Soviet Union of the WWII, we find an interesting trend: more than 50% selected the legendary warriors defend our homeland from invaders - is a pilot.Of course, the fight on the ground too hard, but the aerial combat is much more difficult ground.The level of courage, endurance Soviet pilots simply amazing.Pilots of World War II - Heroes of the Soviet Union made an enormous contribution to the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.
In this section, it is worth mentioning about Alexei Maresiev and Peter Shemendyuk.These heroes, even against heavy physical injuries continued to serve aviation.
example, Maresiev - a famous hero of the piece Boris Polevoy "The Story of a Real Man".
His plane was shot down over the territory, which at the time was controlled by the Germans.Eject the pilot could not.He fell to the ground with the machine.It so happened that at the time it hit the ground it was thrown out of the cockpit.For 18 days crawling hero get to the front line.Discovered Soviet children in the Novgorod region.After this time it was treated in the Novgorod village.After a long treatment and amputation of both legs was able to return to duty and made far more than one sortie.
fighter pilots - Heroes of the Soviet Union, often after injuries returned to the front.As proven, but little-known information about 20 Soviet pilots fought against the fascists with amputated legs, arms, or other severe injuries of the extremities.
It is worth noting that for many pilots the Second World War was not the first combat experience.Everyone knows that many of the Soviet military took part in the fighting in Spain (the Civil War).For example, one of the pilots aces 1930s, said Sergei Gritsevets.Belarusian by nationality, he was born in 1909 in Grodno province.The aircraft came to the Komsomol in 1931.The track record of the pilot according to official information of 40 downed aircraft.
development of military aviation
Soviet pilots - Heroes of the Soviet Union showed himself during WWII.Although initially the technical level of German planes superior equipment and quality of Soviet aircraft, but the skill level of the "red" pilots already shortly after the war began more than compensated for all the shortcomings of technology.
Improvement of Soviet military aviation actually happened during the war.The fact is that in the early days of the fighting, most Soviet aircraft were destroyed on the ground during the Nazi bombing.According to many experts, it is even better.If wooden planes clashed with "Junkers", or another fighter, then they would not have any chance to win in a dogfight.This determination Nazis saved the lives of many Soviet pilots.
During the war, it is estimated, aces Soviet Air Force shot down more than 4,000 of the best German aircraft.Rating Soviet aces is determined primarily by the number of downed "Junkers".Let's talk about each of the top separately.
Ivan Kozhedub - a legend of Soviet aviation
Kozhedub legendary Ivan was born in 1920 in the territory of the modern district of Shostka Sumy region of Ukraine.After graduation in 1934 he entered the School of Chemical Technology College.Occupation aviation for a long time it was no more than a hobby.Way Kozhedub aviation began with service in the army in 1940.On the front it was in late 1942, after working in the airline instrukturom school.By the way, the first battle in the air for the legendary pilot could become both latter because his plane was hit first the Germans and then the "".This test Kozhedub survived and was able to put his car.In the picture presented below, it is shown on the right.
These pilots - three times Hero of the Soviet Union, Ivan Kozhedub become professionals in their field quickly.They do not have a lot of time to prepare.So, some time after the accident Kozhedub not fly.Sidereal time the pilot has come during the Battle of Kursk.In just a few sorties in July 1943, he was able to bring down the 4 "Junkers".Prior to 1944, the record of the hero was already a few dozen victories.By the end of the war he was able to shoot down 18 aircraft of this brand.
Semen Vorozheikin other twice Heroes of the Soviet Union
This result surpassed by none, and was only able to repeat Vorozheikin Arseny Aleksandrovich.This pilot has twice been awarded the Star of the Hero.Total Battle up Vorozheykina - a 46 shot down enemy planes.Besides him, the pilots - twice Heroes of the Soviet Union - is:
- Alexeenko Vladimir Avramovic;
- Alelyuhin Aleksey Vasilevich;
- Amet-Khan Sultan;
- Vasily Andrianov;
- Begeldinov Talgat Yakubekovich;
- trouble Leonid Ignatievich;
- Coast George T.;
- Gulayev Nikolay;
- Prokofievich Sergey Denisov.
Heroes of the Soviet Union - the test pilots
For the successful use of aircraft equipment it must pass flight tests.For this work and test pilots.Very often they are risking their lives, because the test model of the aircraft to which no one has ever flown.Many stars have been awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union.The most outstanding aviation equipment a test of the Soviet period is considered to Valery Chkalov.
Crews led Chkalov made 2 record for its time, airfare (Moscow-Vancouver over the North Pole, and from Moscow to the Far East).The route to Vancouver was 8504 km.
Among other Soviet test pilots should be noted Stepan Mikoyan, Vladimir Averyanov, Mikhail Gromov, Ivan Dziuba, Nikolai Zamyatin and Mikhail Ivanov.Most of these pilots first education was not technical, but the entire aviation elite share one feature: they have been developed in theoretical training on the system, while Air Club.Such peculiar school students were allowed to receive theoretical and practical training at a high level.
Assault Aviation Soviet WWII
attack aircraft pilots, Heroes of the Soviet Union, the war years, take pride of place in the lists of people marked by state awards for heroic deeds during the air battles of 1941-1945.According to historical data, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union have received more than 2,200 pilots.And it stormtroopers list can be found the most (860 names).
also representatives of this type of aircraft in many lists of twice Heroes Union.As you know, two heroic Golden Star had a portfolio of 65 pilots.This list gunships also took first place (27 persons).
who could get three times the title of Hero?
Pokryshkin Alexander and Ivan Kozhedub - these pilots, three times Hero of the Soviet Union, in golden letters inscribed their names in the annals of the Second World War.
fact that three times the State noted that high rank only three people.Besides the two pilots, a well-known since the revolution of military Semyon Budyonny.Pokryshkin received their awards at the orders of 24 May and 24 August 1943 and 19 August 1944.Ivan Kozhedub marked by order of the Commander of 4 February and 19 August 1944, and after the end of hostilities in August 1945.
contribution of Soviet pilots in the victory over the enemy is invaluable!
