Ivan Kozhedub
Tail and wings to the sides
In December 1941, after the sixth report with a request to send him to the front, Vitaly Popkov was enrolled in the 5th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (5 GvIAP). In the very first battle, he shot down his first enemy aircraft – a heavy Do-217 (Dornier). True, this happened under very curious circumstances.
In one house of a village abandoned by the Germans during the retreat from Moscow, Popkov picked up a puppy. The puppy was not only quick-witted, but also trained. Continue reading
Last great ace
I want to tell about the life of a man with whom a journalistic fate once brought me together. About a man in whom self-esteem and absolute inner freedom were combined with responsibility and duty. About a man who had the courage to follow his destiny, and neither the totalitarian system, nor the war, nor insurmountable circumstances, nor fools, nor roads prevented him from doing this. Continue reading
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
