It was the summer of 1920, and the racing plane difficult to recall a name (S-XXbis4) built in France, that is on the other side of the earth. And Ivan Kozhedub was born in the village of Obrazheevka Glukhovski County Chernigov province – the youngest child in a peasant family. As it is now said – large, Vanya had three brother and sister. But in those days such large families were not considered.
After school, at the age of 14, enrolled in College in the city of Shostka, is in the North-East of Ukraine. And there are enrolled in the flying club. Flew U-2 a secret from my father and brothers. Weird, huh? It’s the end of the 1930s – all the love pilots: am proud to wear on his hands. Girls fall in love at first sight. And Ivan Kozhedub had to fly secretly from his family. Why? The family Council decided that the van will master the profession and so will be beaten out in people. To stand firmly on the ground. And the sky is beautiful, but a little something.
people In the van had escaped. After graduating from the Chuguev military aviation school of pilots has served as the instructor. With the outbreak of war he was transferred to Central Asia. On the front since 1943. The first combat flight almost ended in disaster. In that battle he tried to kill the pilots “Messerschmitt”, and our anti – aircraft gunners got a couple of shells from his. Returned to the airport on parole and on one wing. Wanted to write on the ground: an observer at the post alerts. But… that All changed on 6 July 1943 at Kursk: when the 40th combat mission, shot down a Ju-87. This plane is hated by the infantry, attacking and its pilot had turned on the siren. Got on my nerves.
Until April 1945, Kozhedub shot down as many enemy planes that became a world celebrity. Recognized as the most effective fighter of the anti-Hitler coalition of world war II.
I will not recount to you the biography of Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub. Let’s talk about something else: how to become aces.
by the Way, the theme is still the same. Always “orewa” until they were hoarse. Some shout: why the Nazis Hartmann, Barkhorn, RAL, etc. said about 250-350 downed aircraft? And did Hans-Ulrich Rudel on dive bomber Ju-87 to destroy as much as five hundred tanks?
They say: home propaganda… and then – to the mutual insults, the discussion goes into “believe it or not”. But while the German experts (their equivalent of the word “as”), figuratively speaking, have to stand on the sidelines. On the rights of the losers.
And we talk about real heroes. About us.
the anti-Hitler coalition is a loose concept. Nazi Germany and its allies – nine States plus the conquered peoples whom the Nazis forced to fight on their side. At the end of the war of the allies, Hitler came to his senses, went to war against the Nazis.
But the anti-Hitler coalition – this is almost the entire world. In the spring of 1945 during the Second world war participated 62 of the 74 that existed at the ��the date you place your order States. But a decisive contribution to the defeat of Germany and her allies made the three countries – the United States and the United Kingdom. I think this one will not argue. From this will come in ranking aces.
so, as peoples, defeated Hitler, Ivan Kozhedub. Destroyed 64 aircraft. Often, writing – 62, because two is the American “Mustang” who attacked Kozhedub, taking his La-7 for the German “Focke-Wulf”. Had to shoot them down, not to be shot down himself.
American Richard Ira Bong, fighting on fighter P-38 and P-40, shot down 40 Japanese cars. Something of his fate is reminiscent of the biography of our Ivan. Both born in 1920. Both began flying in 1939. War Bong since 1942. Rowdy, but not arrogant. On the contrary, different-irony: he called himself the worst shot of the US air force – could not learn to shoot accurately.
Neither Bong nor Kozhedub never knocked. Bong died on August 6, 1945, testing the jet fighter F-80. Engine failure, Richard jumped from the ground, the parachute did not open.
Major Bong – a cult figure in America. Awarded the highest military award of the USA – “Medal of Honor” and the highest aviation award – Flying cross. Ivan Kozhedub war ended as a major. After the war he flew on a jet, the Yak-17 and MiG-15. Three Times Hero Of The Soviet Union.
Well, the British thought of as South African Pattle. The guy with the long name – Marmaduke Thomas St. John “Pat” Pattle. Fought fighters “Gladiator” and “hurricane”. In Libya shot down the Italian ACE, in Greece and in the Balkans fought the German: 40 personal and four group victories. Part of historians believe that Marmaduke won at least 50 personal victories. In April 1940 was killed in the battle over the Greek port of Piraeus: to defend British ships against attacks from German bombers. He was 26.
In the rankings aces of world war II between the USSR, Britain and the United States “squeezed” by other pilots. Between us and the British – Romania, and between the British and the Americans, Croatia.
The colorful Croat. Matou Dukovac served in the air force of Croatia and the Nazi Luftwaffe. In the Crimea, returning from sorties, reported about shot down Soviet LaGG-3 and I-16. Often witnesses of his victories was not. Even his wingman in the reports wrote that didn’t see it! But Dukovac have believed a word. Sasali 44 victories.
September 20, 1944 Dukovac with wingman flew over the front line and surrendered to the red army. To wash away the shame disbanded, pilots have sent in the infantry. And our sent a deserter to serve in the air force of Yugoslavia. In April 1945, once again deserted – crossed the Adriatic in a stolen biplane De Havilland Tiger Moth. Landed in Italy. In aviation here it is not called: a reputation you know. He was listed as a refugee. But hunting to change of places, apparently, was the guy in the blood: enlisted in the Syrian air force, in 1948 fought with Israel. Died in Canada at the age of 71.
Even more amazing personality – Romanian ACE Constantin Cantacuzino – the representative of an ancient princely family. It is believed that he, flying a “Messerschmitt” and “hurricane,” conducted 210 combat and shot down from 45 to 56 aircraft. Fought against our own, reflect the attacks of the American “flying fortresses”. In August 1944 Romania declared war on Germany. And Constantine was shot down over Bucharest, the German “Heinkel”.
that the Prince of the Bez (the Bez – that’s his nickname) was the best Romanian speakers – no doubt. The trick is that the Romanian system is unique. All mixed in one pile: confirmed and unconfirmed victories, destroyed the aircraft on the ground. For each downed a twin-engine aircraft – three.
Object: the Germans also believed the motors. Yes! But not on the Eastern front.
Interesting memories of the pilot Gheorghe Constantin. Flew with the BEP in the group “Red devils”. Also an outstanding personality, was promoted to General. Here are his recollections on the website frontstory.ru “I’ve seen that can do Cantacuzino. He fell to the ground, roll up the wheels, pulled her hand out of the cabin and tore the flag stuck in the ground.”
the Guys actually flew the plane Klemm-35. Actually, to the speed of 200 km/h to grab the flag from the ground, it is necessary to have a three-meter arms. However, you still don’t know how he fought George. Here it is August 24, 1941, flew on a bombing RAID in the area Tatarka on the IAR-37. And then he piled on as much as nine Soviet I-16! The Romanians shot down one, two, three fighter…
the Remaining fighters still damaged the Romanian plane. I had to go to the emergency. On earth Gheorghe repaired the aircraft and returned to the airfield. And received the order from the hands of Marshal Antonescu.
Our raised papers: Yes, that day and in that area there was a coating of Romanian aviation. Enemy IAR-37 was attacked by fighters I-16 of 69th IAP. But our fighter planes returned to the airfield. All! And here are two Romanian aircraft no.
And the war – she is.
significantly, as Romanian aces met the end of the war. Prince Cantacuzino moved to the Soviet MiG-3 and covered our planes that dropped leaflets over the German parts in the center of Prague. And then helped to Stalin’s falcons beat air Vlasov.
Excuse me, but can be considered as the person who is fighting for everyone? Today for the Nazis against the Communists, tomorrow with the Communists against the Nazis?..
Yes, I promised that we will return to Rudel-Hartmann. They keep their word. Gheorghe Constantine said, “I Believe that German pilot Rudel burned 500 tanks?”
the Answer is succinct: “No way!” With “Pieces” (the same “mental” dive-bombers Ju-87) is almost impossible to get a bomb in a moving tank.
Gheorghe himself to fly on the “Thing” he does.
Another question: “German ACE Erich Hartmann said that the security Council��l more than 300 Soviet aircraft.” Response: “Maybe those planes were in the hangar?”
Perhaps this is all there is to know about the credibility of those combat reports .
by the Way, among the “trophies” Kozhedub has a Romanian plane. Although I could state that knocked them out of 100. Or 200. Why not?
But he said only one. Yeah, not enough riot of imagination, fiction. But it’s only fair.
Kozhedub’s Biographers claim that with Stalin as not met: all three Stars were handed to him by different people, but not the leader. “Why?” – this question I asked Sergey Devyatova – doctor of historical Sciences, Professor of Moscow state University.
– At the front heroes Gold Stars awarded by the division commanders, commanders of armies and fronts, – says Sergey Devyatov. I know a case when I presented the commander of the regiment. Only in some cases awarded was summoned to Moscow to the Kremlin.
Sergey Viktorovich, so after a third Star Kozhedub received in the Kremlin. The Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR Johannes Vares.
Sergei Devyatov: So Stalin was not supposed to give him a Gold Star. In the Kremlin, as a rule, Stars were awarded “all-Union elder” – the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet Mikhail Ivanovich Kalinin. Or one of his deputies.
And Stalin was famous pilots invited to his neighbor cottage?
Sergei Devyatov: According to my data, in Kuntsevo, Near the country, Stalin invited only Valery Chkalov.
…And the son of Basil, who since 1948 had been the commander of the VVS Moscow military district?
Sergei Devyatov: In recent years, Basil was rarely invited.
But the Lieutenant-General of aviation Vasily Stalin in the middle cottage had its own room?
Sergei Devyatov: and he And his sister Svetlana. Later for Svetlana built a small house. But neither Basil nor Svetlana there actually never slept. Slept Sergey Kirov, Mao Zedong, there is evidence that once – Churchill. And what is important: Vasily Stalin to Stalin’s dacha was in the status of the chief’s son. And not as a pilot and General aviation.
Kozhedub flew fighter planes La-5 and La-7 designs Semyon Alekseevich Lavochkin. In may 1945 he visited the Lavochkin design Bureau, met with the designer.
Kozhedub personally knew Boris Shpitalny, which designer Vladimirov has created a 20-mm cannon ShVAK. It Ivan Kozhedub shot down all the enemy planes. The La-5 had two such guns with rate of fire 550-750 rounds per minute and ammunition 340 shells.
in may 1944 Ivan Kozhedub fought at La 5FN, built at the expense of a bee-Keeper Vasily Viktorovich Konev. After the war Ivan Kozhedub and Vasily Konev not met. The farmer wanted to give his niece for the AC. But future wife, Veronica, Ivan Kozhedub met in the suburban train. Lived happily ever after.
d��the best Nicholas Botichino (writer, historian of aviation), Ivan Kozhedub was the motorist, but he never had a driver’s license. He believed that the pilot-ACS right on the machine is not needed.
At the front Ivan Kozhedub once saw the famous Alexander Pokryshkin, but did not dare to come and meet you. After the war, they maintained friendly relations, but never discussed, but who downed aircraft.
Kozhedub was friends with Mikhail Sholokhov, Boris Pasternak, Alexander Tvardovsky, Mikhail Svetlov, Anna Akhmatova, Isaac Dunaevsky, Dmitry Shostakovich, Yuri Nikulin, Lyubov Orlova, mark Bernes. Knew Igor Kurchatov and Sergei Korolev.
was Friends with Vladimir Vysotsky performed his requests, sometimes quite unexpected: for example, flight in a military helicopter.
had a relationship with Yuri Gagarin and myself wanted to fly in space. The boss is not allowed.
Well played at cards and chess, loved Billiards and tennis.
been modest. Never wore Gold Stars to knock out, bonuses and benefits. Daughter Natasha Kozhedub spoiled. But the daughter of Marshal, after studying at the Philology of Moscow state University on economic faculty MGIMO, worked in the humble office of corrector in publishing house.
His brother-Sergey Kramarenko (died at 98 year of life may 21, 2020) recalled that Kozhedub in the regiment believed born in a shirt: from any fight left unharmed. Kramarenko served under Kozhedub and during the battles over North Korea: “Our division has won 215 victories, losing 23 aircraft and 10 pilots”. Ivan Nikitovich in Korea did not fight: banned. According to rumors, the ban came from Stalin himself.
Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub loved sayings in Ukrainian. Favorite expression – “lyudyna ne ptitsa”.
And do you remember Ivan Kozhedub in his native land? Calling to Ukraine.
In Shostka, where the future as I studied and flew with the flying club, preparing for the anniversary. “In the Museum completes the repair, 8 June, waiting for the delegation from Kiev, – said Inna Fedorovna, the teacher of school No. 1 of a name of Kozheduba. – The 100th anniversary of the hero is celebrated at state level. Because of the quarantine there are difficulties, but the holiday will be.”
the Main exposition is deployed in the “Museum named after I. M. Kozhedub” in Shostka College. The alert reader drew attention to the initials of the pilot. No, not a typo. Here he won Nikitovich. But here’s the thing: I called on Ukraine, sounding honestly – who and where. None of the interviewees refused to communicate with the journalist from Moscow. We talked about the Kozhedub!
the Celebration will be in the village Obrazheevka (it is 2 km from Shostka), where the pilot was born. In the village center stands a bust of the hero (pictured), a path of the Hero. Tell how something came German pilot who was shot down Kozhedub. Why? To worship the land that gave birth to such as��.
