Leningrad
Air Marshal
Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub was born on June 8, 1920 in the village of Obrazhievka, Chernigov province. After graduating from school in 1934, he entered the Chemical Technology College in the city of Shostka. Then Ivan became interested in aviation, studying at the Shostka flying club, where he came in 1938. Here he made his first flight, graduated from parachute jumping and flying courses, flying on PO-2 and U-2 aircraft.
In 1940, Kozhedub was drafted into the Red Army and was soon assigned to study at the Chuguev Military Aviation School. Continue reading
Alexander Pokryshkin
Three times Hero of the Soviet Union, who personally shot down 59 enemy aircraft and six aircraft in a group. He flew the MiG-3, Yak-1, P-39, Aerocobra.
The genius of flying received a baptism of fire in the first days of the war. Then he was the deputy squadron commander of the 55th air regiment. There was a misunderstanding: on June 22, 1941, Pokryshkin shot down a Soviet Su-2 short-range bomber. Continue reading
Nikolai Gulaev
Twice Hero of the Soviet Union. personally shot down 57 enemy aircraft and four aircraft – in the group. He flew on Yak-1, Il-2, La-5, La-7, P-39, Aerocobra aircraft.
At the beginning of the war, Gulaev was assigned to the air defense of one of the industrial centers located far from the front line. But in March 1942, he, among the ten best pilots, was sent to the defense of Borisoglebsk. Continue reading
