Kolosov, Evgenij Semenovich, Aeriel Gunner, 807th Storm Aviation Regiment

[McLenin]

Hi all
While on the subject of 'air medals' here is a Red Star citation to a Shturmovik rear gunner, a very dangerous job! I have read these guys had a life expectancy 8 times less than the pilots, and that Sturmovik rear gunner was sometimes a punishment posting. Not for comrade Kolosov though...

1. Name: Kolosov, Yevgeny Semionovich
2. Rank: Junior Sergeant
3. Billet: Air gunner, 807 Sturmovik Aviation Sevastopol Regiment
4. Date of Birth: 1921
Presented for Order of the Great Patriotic War 2nd Class
5. Nationality: Russian
6. Party Affiliation: Candidate member since 1942
7. Participation in Civil War/ Great Patriotic War: In GPW since 24/4/43
8. Wounds and Contusions from Great Patriotic War: none
9. Joined the Red Army: 1940
10. Drafted by: KADR (already serving in the army)
11. Previous Awards: Medal for Bravery 29/8/43
12. Permanent Home Address: Vologodskaiya region, Gorodetski district, village of Solonihino.

Short description of Personal Combat Achievement and service:
While on the Southern Front since 17/7–30/9/43 he carried out 52 successful combat flights in an IL-2 aircraft.
For 20 successful combat flights he was awarded the Medal for Bravery as a skillful air gunner. On his account he has shot down one enemy plane of type Me109.
On 3/8/43 as a member of the team, comrade Kolosov flew to storm enemy troops in the area Saur-Mogilsky 3 times. Despite intense ZA fire they made 5–6 attempts on the target. On this day the team destroyed 2 tanks and 3 vehicles. Gunner Kolosov deflected attacks of 2 Me109s for which he received special gratitude from the Commander of 8th VA.
On the 21/8/43 he carried out 4 successful combat flights to annihilate retreating troops of the enemy in the vicinity of Uspenskaiya. By the group fire of the gunners 2 attacks by 4 Me109s were deflected.
During the 9/9/43 he carried out 4 successful combat flights to annihilate enemy troops in the vicinity of Mariupol. For the effective storming the Military Council of the 44th Army gave special gratitude.
On 29/9/43 as a member of the team comrade Kolosov carried out 3 successful combat flights to annihilate front-line enemy troops in the area of Privolnye. Despite intense enemy ZA fire there were 3 attempts made on the target. On the second attempt 8 Me109s attacked the group. Comrade Kolosov deflected the attacking enemy planes with his accurate fire. During the third attempt 6 Me109s attacked the plane of comrade Kolosov. With 2(?) planes at his rear and 2 on both sides Kolosov’s plane was attacked twice. During the first enemy attack the engine was damaged and the pilot Jnr. Sergeant Samsonov dragged the plane towards friendly territory. During the second attack gunner Kolosov allowed an enemy plane to within ? meters and shot it down, where it fell 6–8 km south-west of the area of balka Sladkaya. The rest of the 5 enemy fighters, seeing the destiny of their partner fled for the West. With his action comrade Kolosov saved the team and the plane which landed safely on our territory.
For personal bravery, courage and fearlessness shown in fights with German occupants and shooting down an enemy plane comrade Kolosov deserves the Government award of the Order of the Great Patriotic War 2nd class.
Cmdr. 807 ShT. Av. Reg. Major Zabarskykh
5 October 1943

Conclusion of Cmd. of Division – awarded Order of the Red Star
Cmdr. 206 ShT. Av. Div. Guards Colonel Chumachenko
16 October 1943

Head of Personnel of 206 ShT. Av. Div. Cpt. Mozorov by order of 206 ShT. Av. Div. No. 17/N from 20/10/43 awarded Order of the Red Star