Researching Heroes of the Soviet Union.

[new world]

It remains a mistery to me.

Since I read Rudel's book, I was curious who was that famous Soviet Hero ace who was killed in Rudel's chase. It looks like it could have been Shestakov.

[Nota Bene]

New World,

Shestakov was a very popular Soviet ace, sort of a legend, but the Soviet sources are quite vague about his death. According to a story, credited to his wingman, on March 13, 1944 the Soviets under the command of Colonel Shestakov had engaged a large group of Ju-87s. Shestakov had engaged one of the enemy planes from a very short distance, and when the Ju-87 had exploded, the explosion had also damaged Shestakov's plane. He bailed out, but did not have enough altitude to open his shute. Could be true or could be a cover story for something else. Mistakes do happen, but this maybe too much of a mistake for an experienced fighter-ace.

Alexei

[scook17]

Vladimir Lavrinenkov - Page 1 of 2

[scook17]

Vladimir Lavrinenkov - Page 2 of 2

[Kjetil Kvist]

A small note from the Soviet War News Weekly No. 136 August 24, 1944:

"Guards Colonel of the Air Force Alexander Pokryshkin, the first member of the Soviet armed forces to win the award of the title "Hero of the Soviet Union" three times, who has just been awarded his third "Gold Star" Medal.

Pokryshkin's name is famous throughout the USSR. He is only 29 years old. During this war he has made 550 operational flights, fought 137 air combats and brought down 59 enemy planes.

At present he is in command of a front-line air formation. The Nazis have been trying to get at him for a long time, studying his methods closely, but Pokryshkin changes them in every action. In the past 90 days of fighting his fighter plane has been hit only once - and that by accident.

Pokryshkin's bronze bust will be placed in the Place of Soviets in Moscow."

Picture is from the paper, showing him wearing HSU Star, two early Lenins and two Red Banners. His Guards bagde is not as detailed.

Can anyone tell me about his later deeds?

[McLenin]

Hi Kjetil
What that article doesn't mention is that he flew in a US lend-lease P-39 Airacobra. I am reading all about his regiment right now thanks to Forum members' recommendations. The book is "Attack of the Airacobras. Soviet aces, American P-39s, and the air war against Germany" by Dmitry Loza.
It is well worth reading if you are interested in air combat. Loza's other books are about tanks (Shermans) and these are great too.
You probably won't find a better foreign language (non-Russian) book about Pokryshkin.

I don't know what he did after the war but he eventually became a Marshal of Aviation in December 1972 (see pic below which is from Loza's book).

bye for now

McL

[Eugene]

Original photo:
3 times HSU : Pokryshkin, Zhukov, and Kojedub

[new world]

Eugene,

is Zhukov missing one of his teeth or is it gold crown?

[Tal Inbar]

Maybe it's a diamond from the order of victory...

BTW, with all of his HSU and Suvorovs, he never had a problem to get some gold, when he went to a dentyst...

[salyan]

Question to all;
I am curious to know if anyone has insight or knowledge on who was authorized to sign Hero certificates...particularly during WW2.
In other words, did only members of the Supreme Soviet sign the HSU documents? I noticed Kalinin present some of the awards (in photos), but the awarding signatures vary on the certificates I have seen.
I figured there must have been some sort of policy as to who signed, or what facsimile sig. was to be used (if used).
Thanks, Dan