Exactly 70 years ago, the greatest pilot of fighter aircraft of the USSR, Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub, received the first of his three Hero stars Soviet Union... Then on account of the ace pilot there were already 20 shot down enemy aircraft and 146 sorties. In total, Kozhedub has counted 330 sorties and 120 air battles. "RG" recalls the main aerial feats of the most effective fighter pilot in Allied aviation.

No man is an island

Fighter pilots - "kings of the sky" - did not like to engage in missions to cover ground troops, but Ivan Nikitovich was different: he used every chance to rise into his beloved sky. Once, on September 30, 1943, Kozhedub accompanied the troops crossing the Dnieper in the sky. While making a turn, he accidentally found himself in the sky without the cover of his comrades, and at the same moment he noticed German Junkers in the sky. The renowned ace was not taken aback and single-handedly dived into the bombers. Having made several turns, he burst into the enemy's links.

The attack of the brave Russian lone pilot was so unexpected and daring for the Germans that they stopped dropping bombs in dismay and took up defensive positions. Seeing the confusion of the enemy, Ivan Nikitovich decided to take an even bolder step - he dived on one of the detached Ju-87s and shot him down.

The burning debris of the collapsed aircraft dropped the enemy's morale, and the bombers retreated.

"They fight not by number, but by skill"

Just 3 days after a single battle with the Junkers, Kozhedub and his comrades had to face an even more superior number of opponents. Covering the bridgehead on the river bank, nine La-5s or, in the language of the pilots, the Lavochkin's, took to the skies. Almost immediately, the pilots noticed a column of Junkers-87 dive bombers in the sky, every nine aircraft of which were covered by six Me-109 fighters.

Kozhedub, at the head of five aircraft, attacked a group of bombers, the enemy, not expecting an attack from a small number of Soviet aircraft, rushed about. A minute later, two Ju-87s caught fire and fell to the ground. The surviving German aircraft from the first nine retreated, and a little later the second wave of Junkers, battered in battle, turned back.

A spectacular end to the battle was put, of course, by the hero-ace, turning one of the last Luftwaffe fighters into a ball of fire. "They fight not by number, but by skill," Ivan Kozhedub liked to repeat.

First jet

In mid-February 1945, in the battle over the Oder, Kozhedub wrote an important detail in his glorious biography - he was one of the first in the world to destroy the newest Luftwaffe Me-262 jet fighter-bomber.

Taking off into the sky on February 19 with his friend and partner Dmitry Titorenko, Kozhedub discovered an unknown plane at an altitude of more than 3000 meters, which was flying at the maximum speed for the Soviet La-7. The ace hero noticed that the German pilot did not control the space beneath him, relying on the high speed of the vehicle. The pilot decided to take advantage of this fact when he met a German on an intersecting course and shot him from below. But Titarenko decided to open fire first, surprising Kozhedub.

Ivan Nikitovich later recalled this memorable duel: "What is it? Tracks are flying at the enemy (traces that remain in the air from bullets): it is clear - my partner hastened after all! I am mercilessly cursing the Old Man (Titarenko); But its routes unexpectedly helped me: the German plane began to turn to the left, in my direction. The distance was sharply reduced, and I approached the enemy. With involuntary excitement I open fire. And the jet plane, falling apart, falls. "

"From Russia with love"

The story is widely known that two more American fighters can be added to the 64 German aircraft shot down by Kozhedub during the Great Patriotic War.

In April 1945, Kozhedub with several bursts of onboard cannons drove off two German fighters from the American B-17, but was himself attacked by American fighters who opened fire from a long distance. Having made several difficult figures in the air, Ivan Nikitovich found himself on the side of the “American” and knocked him out. Making another aerobatics and firing several bursts, he blew up another car in the air. Later it turned out that these planes turned out to be "Mustangs" of the US Air Force.

This clash with the Americans was not the only one. The future air marshal took a much hotter battle with the Americans a couple of days before the surrender of Germany, when about 20 American Flying Fortress bombers, ignoring warning shots, entered the space of the Soviet occupation zone. The Soviet ace shot down three planes, and put the rest to flight, but did not add these three victories to the general list. The regiment commander only joked that he would have to fight the Americans soon, and on the very first day a new war the cars shot down by Kozhedub will be credited retroactively to his account.

Three times Hero of the Soviet Union Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub said that he learned to fly and be a real person from the first fighter-ace of our national aviation, Pokryshkin A.I., and he was far from phrase-mongering. Kozhedub did not know how to speak beautifully at all. Here to pamper, to amuse comrades - yes. This he loved and knew how, "to raise the general tone." But his attitude to the three times Hero of the Soviet Union Pokryshkin (later also an air marshal) was sacred.

“After all, at first I was unlucky in my favorite business - in aviation,” Ivan Nikitovich admitted. - I did everything in a big way, with a jerk, hoping most of all on my strength. But it was the example of Alexander Ivanovich that convinced me: aviation - even though one cannot do a day without courage - is a very accurate thing! Each feat of an ace pilot is not only desperate courage, but at the same time a very accurate calculation based on impeccable knowledge of technology. Then the risk is justified. And sometimes it changes - by the will of only one person! - the results of a major air battle, giving it a completely unexpected turn for the enemy. "

It is not surprising that these two heroes were destined to become real, sincere friends. And now, when both are gone, it is strange and sad to read in some newspaper publications which of them is “better”, who is “first”. Into history Patriotic War they both entered as worthy. And in the grateful hearts of their compatriots - too.

A short biographical dictionary "Heroes of the Soviet Union" informs that the famous ace Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub was born in the village. Obrazhievka Shostkinsky district of Sumy region on June 8, 1920, he became the fifth, youngest child in a poor peasant family. Vanya was born after a terrible famine in the country. However, according to Kozhedub himself, it is known that the true date of his birth is July 6, 1922. Ivan Nikitovich “aged” himself for two years, so that after seven years he can enter the Shostka Chemical-Technological College, and in 1938 - the flying club. Not the last role in the decision to study in the flying club was played by the smart uniform of the registration. In April 1939, Ivan first flew off the ground on a training aircraft.

In 1940, when he was actually only 18 years old, he entered the Chuguev military aviation school pilots (now Kharkov Flight University), for excellent success after graduating from the school in 1941, Sergeant Kozhedub was left as an instructor. He belonged to the flying business "according to science": he studied the issues of tactics, outlined descriptions of air battles, drew schemes and flew - to the point of oblivion. Kozhedub recalled that time of his formation: “It would be possible, it seems, and would not get out of the plane. The piloting technique itself, the polishing of the aerobatics gave me incomparable joy. " All days, including weekends, were planned for him by the minute, everything was subordinated to one goal - to become a worthy air fighter.

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Ivan Kozhedub threw reports to his superiors with a request to send them to the front, but he was released only in the fall of the 42nd, to the 240th Fighter Aviation Regiment, where he had to retrain for the newest La-5 fighter at that time. Ivan Nikitovich himself wrote about the first baptism of fire: “In March 1943, I arrived at the Voronezh Front as an ordinary pilot in a regiment commanded by Major Soldatenko. The regiment was armed with La 5 aircraft. From the first day I began to look closely at the combat work of my new comrades. He listened attentively to the analysis of the performance of combat work in a day, studied the tactics of the enemy and tried to combine the theory acquired at school with front-line experience. So, day after day, I prepared myself for a fight with the enemy. It took only a few days, and it seemed to me that my preparation was endlessly delayed. I wanted to fly out with my comrades as soon as possible to meet the enemy.
Kozhebub at the registered plane

The meeting with the enemy happened unexpectedly. It happened like this: on March 26, 1943, I, together with the leading junior lieutenant Gabunia, taxied to the start on duty. Suddenly we were given the signal to take off. Junior Lieutenant Gabunia took off quickly. I was somewhat delayed on takeoff and after the first turn I lost the leader. I could not communicate by radio either with the presenter or with the ground. Then I decided to make aerobatics over the airfield. Having gained 1500 m of altitude, he began piloting. Suddenly, 800 meters below me, I noticed 6 aircraft that were approaching the airfield with a descent. At first glance, I took them for Pe-2, but after a few seconds I saw the explosions of bombs and anti-aircraft guns at our airfield.

Then I realized that these were German Me 110 planes. I remember how my heart beat fast. There were enemy planes in front of me. I decided to attack the enemy, quickly turning around, at maximum speed I went for a rapprochement. There were 500 meters left when the rule of air combat that I had heard from the commander flashed through my mind: "Look back before the attack." Looking around, I noticed a plane with a white spinner approaching me with great speed from behind. Before I could recognize whose plane it was, he had already opened fire on me. One shell exploded in my cockpit. By a sharp turn to the left with a slip, I get out of the blow. Two Me 109s passed with great speed to my right. Now I realized that they, noticing my attack, dived and attacked me. However, my failed attack made the Me 110 abandon the second bombing run. In this meeting, I became convinced in practice how important the role of the follower is to cover the leader when attacking the target. " (F.Ya. Falaleev "One hundred Stalin's falcons. In battles for the Motherland", M., "Yauza", "Eksmo". 2005).

The first German aircraft, Ivan Kozhedub, shot down together with the wingman Vasily Mukhin on Kursk Bulge... And by October 1943 the track record of the squadron commander of the 240th fighter aviation regiment, Senior Lieutenant I.N. counted 146 sorties, 20 personally shot down planes. Demanding and demanding of himself, frantic and tireless in battle, Kozhedub was an ideal air fighter, proactive and executive, daring and calculating, courageous and skillful. "Precise maneuver, stunning swiftness of the attack and strike from an extremely short distance" - this is how Ivan Nikitovich defined the basis of air combat. He was born to fight, lived in battle, thirsted for it. In the battles for the Dnieper, the pilots of the regiment in which Ivan Kozhedub fought, for the first time met with Goering's aces from the Melders squadron and emerged victorious from the duel. In these battles, Kozhedub significantly increased his score. For 10 days of intense fighting, he personally shot down 11 enemy aircraft.

Here is a typical episode, noticed by his fellow soldier, another famous ace Evstigneev KA: “Once Ivan Kozhedub returned from his assignment, heated by battle, excited and, perhaps, because of this unusually talkative:“ They give you bastards! Not otherwise than the "wolves" from the Udet squadron. But we gave them withers - bless you! - Pointing in the direction of the command post, he asked the squadron adjutant hopefully: - How is it? Is nothing more foreseen? "

The title of Hero of the Soviet Union, senior lieutenant Kozhedub I.N. received only on February 4, 1944, when the number of aircraft shot down reached 48. Therefore, soon - on August 19, 1944 he became twice a Hero. (In the year of the Battle of Kursk, the Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union was deserved by the one who shot down 15 enemy aircraft, the second - 30 aircraft.) At the same time, Kozhedub was awarded the rank of captain, and he was appointed deputy commander of the 176th Guards Regiment. Kozhedub's attitude to his fellow pilots is characteristic. In March 1944, during one of the battles of the six La-5s with a group of Junkers, one of our aircraft was shot down. Lieutenant P. Bryzgalov headed for the nearest airfield abandoned by the Germans. Upon landing, his plane flipped over, and the pilot was trapped in the cockpit. Ivan Kozhedub ordered two more pilots to sit down, and he landed on his "stomach" in the liquid mud. By joint efforts, the pilots freed their comrade from "captivity".

“Kozhedub's attitude to the machine took on the features of religion - the form that bears the name of animatism. “The motor works well. The plane obeys my every movement. I am not alone - a combat friend with me ”- in these lines the ace's attitude to the plane. This is not a poetic exaggeration, not a metaphor. Approaching the car before departure, he always found a few kind words for her, during the flight he talked like a friend doing an important part of the work. Indeed, in addition to flying, it is difficult to find a profession where the fate of a person would be more dependent on the behavior of the machine. During the war, he replaced 6 "shopkeepers", and not a single plane let him down. And he did not lose a single car, although it happened to burn, bring holes, land on airfields strewn with craters ”. (Ibid.)

In May-June Kozhedub I.N. flew on a personalized plane La-5FN (side number 14), built with the money of a collective farmer, beekeeper Vasily Konev, and shot down on it, to the pride of the donor, 7 fascist vultures. On the left side, this aircraft had the inscription "In the name of the Hero of the Soviet Union, Lieutenant Colonel GN Konev." (the donor's nephew), on the right - "From the collective farmer Vasily Viktorovich Konev." In September, Kozhedub was transferred to the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. And in his car, with bright, white inscriptions with red edging on both sides, KA Evstigneev flew, who destroyed 6 more enemy aircraft on it, and then PA Bryzgalov.

As you know, the pilots did not particularly like the catchy signs of the aircraft, but this did not prevent them from fighting well. Twice Hero of the Soviet Union Kirill Evstigneev by the end of the war had 53 personal victories and 3 in the group, and Pavel Bryzgalov - 20 victories - he also became a Hero of the Soviet Union by the end of the war. Another 17 enemy vehicles were destroyed by Kozhedub on La-7 (side number 27), on which he ended the war. Today this aircraft is on display at the Air Force Museum and Exhibition in Monino.

“In April 1945, Kozhedub drove a couple of German fighters away from the American B-17 with a barrage burst and immediately noticed a group of approaching aircraft with unfamiliar silhouettes. The leader of the group opened fire on him from a very long distance. With a coup over the wing, Kozhedub swiftly attacked the last one. He started to smoke heavily and went down towards our troops. Having completed a combat turn from an inverted position in a half-loop, the Soviet ace fired at the leader - he exploded in the air. Of course, he managed to see the white stars on the fuselages and wings and returned to himself with concern: a meeting with the allies promised trouble. Fortunately, one of the downed pilots managed to escape. To the question "Who knocked you down?" he replied: "FockeWulf with a red nose." The regiment commander P. Chupikov gave Kozhedub the films showing the victories over the Mustangs.
- Take them for yourself, Ivan ... do not show anyone. This battle was one of the first air battles with the Americans, the forerunner of the great air war in Korea, a long confrontation between the two superpowers. " (Ibid.)

On August 18, 1945, Guards Major Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub, the third after his teacher A.I. and Marshal Zhukov G.K. , was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union three times. In total, during the war, Ivan Nikitovich conducted 330 sorties and 120 air battles. Among 62 victories (Ivan Nikitovich calls - 63) Kozhedub over the fascist aces - the "novelty" of world aviation - the jet Me-262, shot down over the Oder in a burst from behind and from below in 1945. During the years of World War II Kozhedub I.N. was never shot down, although his plane was damaged several times, but the skilled pilot landed his car every time.

After graduating in 1949, the military Air Academy Kozhedub I.N., was appointed deputy, and then the commander of the 326th aviation division, stationed near Moscow, in Kubinka. And in 1951, in the skies of Korea, the 326th division of Kozhedub met with armadas of jet aircraft. The division commander, three times Hero of the Soviet Union, Kozhedub, was strictly forbidden to take part in the battles himself, but the duty was to teach young pilots their skills and lead combat operations. For the first time in the world, there was an air war on fast-moving jet planes with the US Air Force, the recent allies who invaded the small defenseless state bordering our country. Because who is stronger, it depended whether tomorrow will be peaceful or military?

From March to February 1951, in the skies of Korea, Kozhedub's division won 215 victories over American aircraft, while losing 52 aircraft and 10 pilots. The number of American planes shot down included both "flying fortresses" and "super fortresses". The superiority of Soviet aviation, ready to repel any enemy, has been proven in practice.

In 1952, the 326th division was transferred to the air defense system and transferred to Kaluga. In the summer of 1953 Kozhedub became a major general. A year later, he was sent to study at the Academy of the General Staff. I took part of the course as an external student, as due to official reasons I was delayed with the start of classes. After graduating from the academy, Kozhedub was appointed first deputy head of the country's Air Force Combat Training Directorate, from May 1958 to 1964 he was first deputy commander of the Air Force of the Leningrad and then the Moscow military districts.

Until 1970, Colonel-General Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub regularly flew fighters, mastered dozens of types of aircraft and helicopters. He made his last flights on the MiG-23, then left flight work. It is interesting that the units commanded by Kozhedub always had a low accident rate, and he himself, as a pilot, had practically no accidents, although "emergency situations", of course, did happen. So, in 1966, during a flight at low altitude, his MiG-21 collided with a flock of rooks; one of the birds got into the air intake and damaged the engine. It took all the flying skills of the ace to land the machine ... In 1978 Kozhedub was appointed to the group of inspectors general of the USSR Ministry of Defense. In 1985 he was awarded the rank of Air Marshal.

Kozhedub I.N. was a very modest man, for example, he never credited the planes that he destroyed together with the newcomers. He never chalked up the shot down (lit) enemy aircraft, if he himself did not see how it fell to the ground. I did not even report this to the commander, because the downed plane could hold out on its own. Therefore, in fact, the total number of aircraft shot down by him is much more than 63!

Kozhedub I.N. was simple and honest both with the first person of the state and with ordinary citizens during meetings, trips, speeches, interviews. He did not possess "noble" qualities, did not know how and did not consider it necessary to flatter, intrigue, cherish necessary connections, to notice funny, and sometimes even malicious jealousy for their glory. He was an officer, selflessly devoted to his work, an excellent pilot and commander.

Three times Hero of the Soviet Union Kozhedub I.N. He was also awarded two Orders of Lenin, seven Orders of the Red Banner, Orders of Alexander Nevsky, the Order of the Patriotic War 1 st., two Orders of the Red Star, the Order For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR, 3 rd., medals, six foreign orders and foreign medals.

Kozhedub I.N. - the author of the books: "I Serve the Motherland" (1949), "Victory Day" (1963), "Loyalty to the Fatherland" (1969). Last years life Ivan Nikitovich was seriously ill: the tension of the war years and the difficult service in peacetime affected. He died at his dacha from heart attack On August 8, 1991, he was buried in Moscow at the Novodevichy cemetery.

Biography of one of the most significant pilots of the Great Patriotic War, Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub. The story of how a rural boy became a marshal of the USSR aviation. He received this position later, in 1985. However, he went through the whole war and was never shot down by enemy fire, which is important in flying art. Deservedly awarded three stars of the Hero of the Soviet Union, standing on a par with the aces of that time. Father of two children, devoted and loving spouse.

Childhood and youth

Ivan Kozhedub at his plane

Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich was born on June 8, 1920 in the village of Obrazheevka, Glukhovsky district, Chernigov province (now: Shostkinsky district of Sumy region of Ukraine). He was the last, fifth, child in the family. His father, Nikita Illarionovich, was a church head, a literate and well-read man. Ivan's mother, Stephanida Ivanovna Veremes, was a native of the village of Krupets. She ran the household, looked after the children and taught them to work. Brothers Vanya Yasha, Alexander, Grigory and sister Matryona also lived in the family.

The village of Obrazheevka is located in the north of Ukraine. In schools, it was customary to conduct classes in Ukrainian, but, despite this, people knew how to speak Russian and Ukrainian. It was his father who instilled in Vanya a love of literature: the books of Gogol, Tolstoy, Chekhov. As Kozhedub's wife Veronika Nikolaevna later recalled, Ivan Nikitovich spoke "bad" Russian, so she often gave him books by Pushkin, Lermontov, Dostoevsky, Mayakovsky, Sholokhov, etc. to read. Together with her husband, they read Gogol's comedy The Inspector General. This helped Kozhedub become a good speaker.

Kozhedub's parents lived in poverty, his mother was very ill - constant poverty undermined her health: she died in 1936. My father took up any job to feed his family: he worked in the fields, he was hired as workers for the landowners. The father raised the children strictly: from an early age, Ivan helped his parents around the house, planted fruit trees, looked after the cattle, brought water from a well, went to the forest for firewood. Later, being in adulthood, Kozhedub recalled how his father sent him to the garden to guard fruit trees. At that time there was little theft and there was no need for protection. In this way, my father taught me to overcome difficulties, realized that without him it would be difficult for the family.

Ivan Kozhedub was the youngest in the family, so his mother loved him more than other children, stood up for him before his father. He also loved his mother and respected his father, but he was afraid to show his feelings openly - he did not want other guys to consider him "mama's boy."

At school, Ivan studied with enthusiasm and was very fond of his first teacher - Nina Vasilievna. However, the money was sorely lacking, and the father took his son out of school and arranged for him to work in a neighboring village with his uncle as a henchman. Two weeks later, Ivan left the herd (which he was guarding), ran to his father's house and begged him to allow him to study further. The father whipped his son well (for self-will), but allowed him to return to school.

As a child, Ivan was fond of drawing. As a student at the technical school, he was engaged in the design of posters, wall newspapers, slogans. As he writes about himself: “Drawing has developed my eye, visual memory, observation. And these qualities came in handy when I became a pilot. "


 Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub - aircraft pilot

In 1934, Ivan Kozhedub graduated from a seven-year school and at the age of 14 enters a school for working youth (before that there was an attempt to enter a brass band, which was located in a military unit in Shostka, but Ivan was too young in age). He always loved to play sports, and at the age of 13 he learned to squeeze a two-pound weight with one hand.

He is simultaneously fascinated by technology, pedagogy and drawing (his father dreamed that his son would become an artist and would gladly show Ivan's paintings to his fellow villagers). After establishing Soviet power, the boy did not know who he wanted to become. He succeeded in pedagogy, often at the request of his first teacher, he worked with those who lagged behind, helping to overcome gaps in knowledge. Although at that time aviation was his heart, he dreamed of a military career. However, initially, fate turned out differently. The first place of work of the young Kozhedub was the position of a librarian with a salary of 100 rubles. In this work, young Ivan got an idea of ​​the world of books. And, as usual, he brought home the first paycheck, having bought sweets and bread. In this position, he did not work for long, the country was undergoing industrialization, the country did not have enough hands, so the young man, after consulting with his father, decides to get a working profession and go to work at the factory. At that time, in the USSR, it was allowed to start working from the age of 17, as an assistant to a master, a student. Ivan did not fit in age. This was indicated by the workshop foreman at the building materials plant, they say, is still small.

In 1936 - Ivan passed the entrance exams and entered the Chemical Technology College (Shostka). As a student, he reads a lot of technical literature and continues to actively engage in sports. With age, Kozhedub came to the conclusion that a pilot must be physically strong and enduring in order to master the technique of piloting - that is why playing sports was so useful in the service. In the 3rd year he enrolls in an aeroclub - for him there was an opportunity to become a pilot in the future and wear a military uniform.

After graduating from the flying club, where he learned to fly the Po-2 and performed several parachute jumps, Kozhedub entered the aviation school of the Chuguev military aviation school of pilots, graduating in 1941. Here, for the first time, he realizes what responsibility lies with him - a Soviet soldier who has taken an oath to defend his homeland. Here Kozhedub learned to fly UT-2, UTI-4 and I-16 fighter aircraft.

The Great Patriotic War and the exploits of Kozhedub


 Ivan Kozhedub with the rank of General of Aviation

The Great Patriotic War began at the time when Ivan served at the aviation school: he was an instructor (since 1941) and taught new cadets to control the aircraft. Best students was taken to the active army.

In 1941, the aviation school was sent to the deep rear (to Kazakhstan near Chimkent) for further training of new pilots. According to Kozhedub, it is impossible to convey the excitement with which the cadets of the school all this time were waiting for news, reading newspapers and listening to military reports on the radio. They were happy and proud of the exploits of their classmates, who were already at the front and distinguished themselves in the performance of combat missions. And each of those who remained in the school dreamed of finally going to the front to beat the enemy.

Beginning in 1941, Kozhedub submitted a report many times to go to the front, and each time he was refused. This was explained by the fact that he was needed at the school for training pilots. Despite the refusals, he continued to work a lot on himself, analyzed the tactics of conducting air battles (for this purpose, he collected clippings from newspapers and other sources), passed on experience to his students.

In 1942, an order came to send senior sergeant Kozhedub to the front as part of the 240th Fighter Aviation Regiment. At the airfield, the final training is underway before being sent to the army. Here he learns to fly a La-5 aircraft.

In the spring of 1943, Ivan Nikitovich served on the Voronezh front. Kozhedub made his first combat sortie on March 26, 1943. He suffered a setback: the plane was seriously damaged - it was fired upon by the Germans and anti-aircraft guns. Soviet soldiers... He miraculously landed the car at his airfield and remained intact.

This incident was followed by a series of sorties to escort fighters and bombers to the front line, which were successful. Thanks to the constant work on mistakes, Ivan quickly learned how to make anti-aircraft maneuvers, flew to reconnaissance, carried reports, was a liaison between the formations.

At the end of June 1943, Ivan Nikitovich received the rank of junior lieutenant. He becomes a senior pilot, a little later - a flight commander. In August 1943, Lieutenant Kozhedub became squadron commander, on August 6, 1943, he was awarded his first award - the Order of the Red Banner.

At this time, total mobilization began in Germany, new types of weapons appeared - the Tiger and Ferdinand tanks. Soviet troops began to move up to the Kursk Bulge on the eve of strong battles. Everyone was on alert.

On July 6, 1943, Ivan takes part in the Battle of the Kursk Bulge and shoots down his first enemy bomber, Junkers-87. On July 7, Ivan shot down another U-87 aircraft, on July 9, two Messerschmitt-109s.

In one of the battles, Kozhedub had to fight alone against eighteen enemy bombers. The pilots covering him showed ardor and went far beyond the front line, leaving the commander alone on the battlefield. In this battle, Ivan applied all his skills to maneuver, quickly attack, analyze the situation and act accordingly. He miraculously returned to the airfield - there was only gas left to land the plane. Kozhedub did not leave the battlefield, protecting those who fought below - infantrymen, tankmen, artillerymen.

In the battle for the Dnieper, Ivan shot down 11 enemy aircraft in ten days. Each of these and subsequent battles was difficult, hot, requiring quick reaction and focused attention. According to Kozhedub, important in the sky for any pilot is the cohesion of work, namely the excellent interaction between the leader and the follower. One attacks - the other covers. Collaboration couples are a guarantee that the pilots will return to the airfield alive.


 Preparation of Ivan Kozhedub for departure

In his book, Kozhedub writes that the hardest thing during the war is to learn about the death of comrades who have recently been around. At such moments, a feeling of bitterness arises, which is replaced by rage and enthusiasm, a desire to kill two enemy opponents for each dead comrade.

On October 12, 1943, Ivan takes part in a hot battle, the task of which was to cover the crossing of the Dnieper. In a battle with a bomber (which was shot down), Kozhedub's plane caught fire. They had to act quickly: at that moment he was over the territory of the enemy. The pilot decides to choose an object for the ram so that his death is not in vain. And at the last minute, when he directed the plane at a group of Germans, the flames from the plane were shot down, and the danger temporarily passed. Ivan is taxiing his plane and going up. He manages to fly to the airfield and land the car.

The squadron of Ivan Nikitovich participated in the liberation of Ukraine, in the battles on the Dnieper, in Moldova, Kozhedub's task was to protect the crossing of the Southern Bug from the air.

February 4, 1944 - Ivan Kozhedub receives the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. In August 1944, he became deputy commander of the 176th Fighter Aviation Regiment (1st Belorussian Front), learning to fly the La-7.

The air battles of 1944 were even more fierce. There was a gradual liberation of the Soviet lands from the Nazis. In May 1944, Ivan Nikitovich was presented with a gift by the beekeeper Vasily Viktorovich Konev, who built a brand new La-5FN plane with his personal savings.

Since January 1945, Ivan Kozhedub, as part of the regiment, takes an active part in Vistula-Oder operation... History has preserved a battle in which Kozhedub led an air battle in the ratio of 6 Soviet pilots against 30 fascist aircraft, in another battle - 2 Soviet aircraft against 40 bombers. And Kozhedub's group won such battles (led the enemy into confusion), putting the German pilots to flight.

In mid-April 1945, the Red Army entered Germany. Hitler's troops from last strength, with redoubled ferocity, fought back Soviet troops, however, the advantage remained on the side of the Red Army.

Throughout the Great Patriotic War, Ivan Kozhedub made 326 sorties, took part in 126 air battles, and independently shot down 62 enemy aircraft. Ivan Nikitovich has never been shot down and is the best aviation ace in the Second World War.

Unfortunately, in the war, more than once there are cases of misunderstanding between allied forces... This happened in the spring of 1945, when Kozhedub shot down 2 American P-51s. According to the Soviet pilot, while flying over Berlin, he spotted American fighters and engaged a pair of German aircraft that threatened the allies. However, by mistake, the Americans began to attack Ivan Nikitovich's plane. Outraged, Kozhedub attacked in response: the first plane was shot down, the second exploded in the air. This story testifies to the fact that Ivan Nikitovich did not give anyone a descent, and, risking his life, possibly his career, stood up for himself.

Throughout the war, Ivan Kozhedub never forgot about his father, who remained in the captured village of Obrazheevka, and wrote letters to him. Nikita Illarionovich died on May 17, 1945, never having met his son after the end of the war.

Military service


 Ivan Kozhedub gives instructions on the airfield

Military career Ivan Nikitovich continued after the Second World War: he decides to get higher education... In 1949, he completed his studies at the Air Force Academy of the Red Army. NOT. Zhukovsky, where he studied at the command faculty, received an "excellent" for thesis... It was here that Kozhedub mastered the control of a Yak-17 jet aircraft.

Training at the Air Force Academy was difficult: numerous friends and acquaintances often invited him to visit or came to him themselves, thereby distracting from classes. Kozhedub was kind and responsive person, so he could not refuse them.

After studying at the Academy, Major Kozhedub receives the post of deputy commander of the 31st Fighter Aviation Division (near the city of Baku). Ivan Nikitovich does not have time to leave Moscow, as he gets a new position - assistant commander of the 324th fighter aviation Svirskaya Red Banner division.

October 20, 1950 Lieutenant Colonel Kozhedub I.N. received the title "Military Pilot 1st Class", which was very pleased with. November 17, 1950 Ivan Kozhedub received the position - the commander of the 324th Fighter Aviation Division.

On June 25, 1950, hostilities begin in North Korea. This is the official date: the confrontation between the USA and the USSR could be observed immediately after the end of WWII.

The reason for the hostilities was the division of Korea into South - led by Lee Seung Man and North - led by Kim Il Sung territory, which gave rise to a civil war.

September 16, 1950 - The United States launched an air operation and invaded North Korea. The Korean People's Army suffered heavy casualties. Therefore, the authorities turned to Stalin for help.

Mao Zedong took the side of North Korea: he sent an army of about 1 million people to the borders of China. However, victory was impossible without air support.

Kozhedub was demobilized to China to train Chinese pilots in air tactics (Ivan Nikitovich was forbidden by the command to participate in combat missions). The study was difficult: the level of education of the Chinese soldiers and their poor nutrition (they were physically much weaker than the Soviet military) affected. Stalin expressed his displeasure about this, accusing the commanders of teaching recruits slipshod.

Thanks to the strong-willed and communicative qualities of Kozhedub, he managed to establish work in the division. The battles were fierce, many of the division's men fell in battle, but Kozhedub won the supremacy in the sky. Statistics show that during the entire period of hostilities in Korea, Soviet pilots flew 64,300 sorties, conducted 1,872 air battles, and shot down 1,106 enemy aircraft.

June 2, 1951 - Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub receives as a reward - the medal "For Korea" and the fifth Order of the Red Banner for successful command. The Korean War severely undermined Kozhedub's health. In total, he stayed in North Korea and China for 305 days (02.04.1951 - 30.01.1952).

Postwar years


 Ivan Kozhedub in the Museum of Combat Aviation

In 1955 Kozhedub entered Military academy General Staff. K.E. Voroshilov. The training lasted for two years. In the first year, students were taught to command a division, in the second - an army.

1964-1971 - Kozhedub is the 1st Deputy Commander of the Air Force of the Moscow Military District.

1971 - Ivan Nikitovich serves in the central office of the Air Force.

Since 1978 - Ivan Nikitovich is a member of the Group of General Inspectors of the USSR Ministry of Defense.

May 7, 1985 - Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub was awarded the title of Air Marshal for the 40th anniversary of Victory.

No mention social activities Kozhedub's biography would not be complete. He was a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, as well as a people's deputy.

Ivan Nikitovich is an example of masculinity and dedication for future generations. His courage, patriotism, constant desire to learn new, oratorical skills - instilled in many soldiers deep respect and desire for moral growth.

Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub died on August 8, 1991. Streets in Moscow and in other cities of Russia and Ukraine are named in his honor. A bust was also installed in the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Moscow, the second - in the village of Obrazheevka.

Awards


 Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub's awards

Ranks:

02.1942 - senior sergeant
05.1943 - junior lieutenant
08.1943 - lieutenant
11.1943 - senior lieutenant
04.1944 - captain
11.1944 - major
01.1949 - lieutenant colonel
01.1951 - Colonel
08.1953 - Major General of Aviation
04.1962 - Lieutenant General of Aviation
04.1970 - Colonel General of Aviation
05.1985 - Air Marshal

Awards:

02.1944 - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union (for 146 combat missions and 20 downed enemy aircraft).
08.1944 - the second medal " Golden Star"Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin (for 256 sorties and 48 downed enemy aircraft).
08. 1945 - the third Gold Star medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin (for high military skill, personal courage and bravery shown in the war).
Chevalier of 7 Orders of the Red Banner (July 1943, September 1943, March 1945, June 1945, June 1951, February 1968, June 1970).

Chevalier of the Order "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" 3rd degree.

Among foreign awards:

Chevalier of the Order of the Red Banner (Mongolia).

Chevalier of the Order of Merit to the Fatherland (GDR).

Chevalier of the Order of the Renaissance of Poland.

Chevalier of the Order of Freedom and Independence (DPRK).

Personal life


 Ivan Kozhedub with a foreign delegation

On January 2, 1946, Ivan Kozhedub signed with Koldasheva Veronika Nikolaevna, a beautiful and energetic woman. A year later, the young couple had a daughter, Natasha. November 24, 1952 - son Nikita was born.

They lived modestly, had a dacha in Monino (they were given to aviation generals and marshals - members of the Air Force Military Council).

Daughter Natalya Ivanovna, studied at the philological faculty of Moscow State University, then at Faculty of Economics MGIMO. In 1966 she got married, in 1970 the eldest grandson of Ivan Nikitovich Vasily Vitalievich was born.

The youngest son Nikita graduated from the Suvorov School, in 1970 - entered the Higher Naval command school them. Frunze. In 1975 he married Olga Fedorovna, in 1982 - their daughter Anya was born.

Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub died on August 8 in 1991 at a dacha in Monino (Moscow) from a heart attack. He was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery.



08.06.1920 - 08.08.1991
Three times Hero of the Soviet Union
Monuments
Memorial sign in Vinnitsa
Tombstone
Memorial sign in the village of Obrazhievka
Bronze bust in the village of Obrazhievka (view 1)
Bronze bust in the village of Obrazhievka (view 2)
Bronze bust in the village of Obrazhievka (detail)
Information board in the village of Obrazhievka
Bronze bust in the village of Obrazhievka (photo 2010)
Monument in Sumy (view 1)
Monument in Sumy (view 2)
Memorial sign in Sumy
Memorial plaque in Moscow
A sign on the building of the Chemical Technology College in Shostka
Monument in Kiev
Commemorative coin of Ukraine
Memorial plaque in Shostka
Bust in Shostka
Sculpture in the exposition of the Museum of the city of Shostka
Bust in the exposition of the Museum of the city of Shostka
A sign on a school in Shostka (1)
A sign on a school in Shostka (2)
Arch in Sumy
Memorial plaque in Krolevets
Annotation board in Chuguev
Alley of Heroes in Korsun-Shevchenkovsky
Train "Ivan Kozhedub"
Alley of Heroes in Chuguev
Alley of Heroes in Chuguev


TO ozhedub Ivan Nikitovich - squadron commander of the 240th Fighter Aviation Regiment (302nd Fighter Aviation Division, 5th Air Army, Steppe Front); deputy commander of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (302nd Fighter Aviation Division, 16th Air Army, 1st Belorussian Front).

Born on June 8, 1920 in the village of Obrazhievka, Novgorod-Seversky district, Chernigov province, now part of the Shostkinsky district of the Sumy region of Ukraine. From a peasant family. Ukrainian.

In 1934 he graduated from an incomplete rural school. In 1934-1935 he studied at the workers' faculty and worked as a librarian in rural library... From 1936 he studied at the Shostka Chemical-Technological College (he did not graduate because of the call to the Red Army), from 1939 - at the Shostka Aero Club.

In the Red Army since February 1940. In January 1941, he graduated from the Chuguev Military Aviation School of Pilots, remained there as an instructor pilot (in March 1941, the school was transformed into a pilot school).

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, together with the aviation school, he was evacuated to the Mankent station of the South Kazakhstan region of the Kazakh SSR. After numerous reports with a request to send him to the front, his desire was granted. In November 1942, Sergeant Kozhedub arrived in Ivanovo with the 240th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 302nd Fighter Aviation Division that was being formed. Member of the CPSU (b) / CPSU since August 1943.

In the active army on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War - since March 1943, when he arrived as part of a division at the Voronezh Front. Participant of the Battle of Kursk, the Battle of the Dnieper, Nizhnedneprovskaya, Korsun-Shevchenkovskaya and Umansko-Botoshanskaya offensive operations, air battles on the near approaches to Romania in May-June 1944, Belarusian, Baltic, Vistula-Oder, East Pomeranian, Berlin offensive operations. He flew his first combat mission on March 26, but unsuccessfully: his La-5 was damaged in battle, and upon returning it was also fired upon by Soviet anti-aircraft artillery. With great difficulty, Kozhedub brought the fighter to the airfield and landed. He flew for a month in old machines until he got a new La-5. Later he fought on the Steppe Front.

Junior Lieutenant Kozhedub opened the battle score on July 6 during the Battle of Kursk, shooting down a Ju-87 bomber. The next day, he shot down the second enemy plane, and on July 9, in an air battle, he shot down 2 Me-109 fighters at once. In August 1943 he was appointed squadron commander. During the day on October 2, 1943, he shot down 4 German aircraft. By October 10, 1943, the squadron commander of the 240th Fighter Aviation Regiment (302nd Fighter Aviation Division, 5th Air Army, Steppe Front) Lieutenant I.N. Kozhedub flew 146 sorties, personally shot down 20 enemy aircraft in 27 air battles. On this day, he was nominated for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Z and exemplary fulfillment of combat missions of the command on the front of the struggle against the Nazi invaders and the courage and heroism shown at the same time by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of February 4, 1944 to the senior lieutenant Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal.

Since May 1944, Ivan Nikitovich fought on the La-5FN, built at the expense of the collective farmer of the Stalingrad region V.V. Konev. A few days later, he shot down a Ju-87 on it. Over the next 6 days, he shot down 7 more aircraft. At the end of June, he handed over his La-5FN (later twice Hero of the Soviet Union), and he himself was sent to a training regiment for retraining for the La-7 fighter. Since August 1944 - Deputy Commander of the 176th Guards Regiment on the 1st Belorussian Front. By July 1944, the deputy commander of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (302nd Fighter Aviation Division, 16th Air Army, 1st Belorussian Front), Guard Captain I.N. Kozhedub performed 256 sorties, personally shot down 48 enemy aircraft.

Z and the exemplary performance of combat missions of the command and heroic deeds on the front of the struggle against the German invaders, who give the right to be awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of August 19, 1944 to the guard captain Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded for the second time.

On February 12, 1945, Kozhedub, together with Lieutenant V.A. Gromakovsky, patrolled over the leading edge. Finding a group of 13 FW-190s, our pilots immediately attacked them and shot down 5 enemy aircraft. Three of them are on account of Kozhedub, and two of them are his follower. On February 15, Kozhedub shot down a Me-262 jet fighter over the Oder by non-commissioned officer K. Lyange from I./KG(J)54 (one of the three victories of Soviet pilots over German jet aircraft). By the beginning of April 1945, the deputy commander of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (302nd Fighter Aviation Division, 16th Air Army, 1st Belorussian Front), Guard Captain I.N. Kozhedub flew 326 combat missions (including 16 for ground attack and 14 for reconnaissance), personally shot down 60 enemy aircraft in 117 air battles.

Z and exemplary fulfillment of combat missions of the command and heroic deeds on the front of the struggle against the German invaders, who give the right to be awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated August 18, 1945, Guards Major Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub awarded the third Gold Star medal.

His last battle, in which he shot down 2 FW-190s, was held in the Berlin area on April 17, 1945. By the end of the war, Guards Major Kozhedub made 330 sorties, in 120 air battles he shot down 62 enemy aircraft (this does not include 2 American P-51 fighters, shot down by him in March 1945, which were the first to attack him by mistake). During the entire war, he was never shot down. He is rightfully considered the best ace of the Allied aviation.

After the war he continued to serve in the Air Force. In September 1945 he was sent to study, and in 1949 he graduated from the Red Banner Air Force Academy. From June 1949 - Deputy Commander of the 31st Fighter Aviation Division of the Transcaucasian Military District (Baku region).

From July 1949 - assistant commander, from December of the same 1949 - deputy commander, and from November 1950 - commander of the 324th Fighter Aviation Division (Air Force of the Moscow Military District, Kubinka). In December 1950, the entire division was transferred to Northern China, where from April to December 1951, under his command, took part in Korean War 1950-1953 years. But he himself was forbidden to fly. During the period of participation in hostilities, the pilots of the division flew 6738 sorties, conducted 141 group air battles, and shot down 215 enemy aircraft. The division's losses amounted to 26 aircraft and 9 pilots. In February 1952, the division returned to the USSR and was deployed in the Kaluga region. Since February 1955 he has been studying.

In 1956 he graduated from the Higher Military Academy named after K.E. Voroshilov. Since November 1956 - Deputy Head of the Combat Training Directorate of the USSR Air Force. Since April 1958 - First Deputy Commander of the 76th Air Force (Leningrad Military District). From January 1964 - First Deputy Commander of the Air Force of the Moscow Military District. From February 1971 - First Deputy Chief of Combat Training of the USSR Air Force. Since February 1978 - military inspector-adviser to the Group of General Inspectors of the USSR Ministry of Defense.

Military pilot 1st class (10/20/1950). He flew until 1969. During the flight period he mastered 20 types of aircraft and 2 types of helicopters.

He was a member of the Presidium of the Central Committee of DOSAAF. Elected deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 2-4 convocations (1946-1961), People's Deputy of the USSR (1989-1991).

He died on August 8, 1991 at his dacha in the village of Monino, Moscow Region. He was buried in the hero-city of Moscow at the Novodevichy cemetery (section 7).

Military ranks:
sergeant (February 1941),
senior sergeant (02/23/1942),
lieutenant (08/05/1943),
senior lieutenant (11/10/1943),
captain (04.24.1944),
major (11/19/1944),
lieutenant colonel (01/20/1949),
colonel (01/03/1951),
Major General of Aviation (3.08.1953),
Lieutenant General of Aviation (04/27/1962),
Colonel General of Aviation (04/29/1970),
Air Marshal (05/07/1985).

He was awarded two Orders of Lenin (02/04/1944; 02/21/1978), seven Orders of the Red Banner (07/22/1943; 09/30/1943; 03/29/1945; 06/29/1945; 06/02/1951; 02/22/1968; 06/26/1970), Orders of Alexander Nevsky (07/31/1945), the Patriotic War of the 1st degree (03/11/1985), two Orders of the Red Star (06/04/1955; 10/26/1955), orders "For service to the Motherland in Armed Forces USSR "2nd (02.22.1990) and 3rd (04.30.1975) degrees, medals, foreign awards- Orders of Merit for the Fatherland in gold (German Democratic Republic), "The Revival of Poland" (Poland), the State Flag (DPRK), the Red Banner (Mongolia), medals "Sino-Soviet Friendship" (PRC), "50 years of the Mongolian People's Army"(Mongolia).

Honorary Citizen of the cities of Balti, Chuguev, Kaluga, Kupyansk, Sumy and others. At home, in the village of Obrazhievka, a bronze bust of I.N. Kozhedub was installed, as well as commemorative sign at the place of the house in which he was born. Monuments have been erected in the cities of Sumy and Kiev; in the city of Shostka, Sumy region - a bust. On June 8, 2005, in the town of Shostka, in honor of the 85th anniversary of the birth of a compatriot, the museum of I.N. Kozhedub was opened. Memorial plaques are installed: in the city of Shostka, on the building of the chemical-technological technical school (now college), where the Hero studied; in Moscow on the house in which he lived. His La-7 (tail number 27) is on display at the Air Force Museum in Monino. Kharkiv University of the Air Force of Ukraine, Shostka Chemical Technology College, schools in Moscow, Obrazhievka, Shostka, a park in Sumy, streets in Moscow, Obrazhievka, Sumy, Chuguev, Shostka are named after the Hero. In 2011, the train Kharkov-Sumy-Moscow No. 117/118 South railroad the name "Ivan Kozhedub" was given.

The biography was supplemented by Anton Bocharov (Koltsovo village, Novosibirsk region).

Date of Birth:

Place of Birth:

Obrazhievka village, Glukhovsky district, Chernigov province, Ukrainian SSR

Date of death:

A place of death:

Moscow, USSR

Type of army:

Aviation (air force) of the Red Army, fighter aviation of the Air Force of the USSR Armed Forces

Years of service:

Air Marshal of the USSR Air Force

240 IAP, 176 Guards. ip

Battles / wars:

Great Patriotic War: 1 - Battle of Kursk 2 - Battle of Berlin
Korean War 1950-1953

Retired:

Writer Deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR People's Deputy of the USSR

List of aerial victories

Bibliography

(ukr. Ivan Mikitovich Kozhedub; June 8, 1920, Obrazhievka village, Glukhovsky district of the Chernigov province, Ukrainian SSR - August 8, 1991, Moscow) - Soviet military leader, ace pilot during the Great Patriotic War, the most effective fighter pilot in Allied aviation (64 downed aircraft). Three times Hero of the Soviet Union. Air Marshal (May 6, 1985).

The nickname during the fighting in Korea is Krylov.

Biography

Ivan Kozhedub was born in the village of Obrazhievka, Glukhovsky district, Chernigov province (now - Shostkinsky district, Sumy region) of the Ukrainian SSR in the family of a peasant - a church elder. He belonged to the second generation of Soviet fighter pilots who took part in the Great Patriotic War.

In 1934, Kozhedub graduated from school and entered the chemical-technological college in the city of Shostka.

He made his first steps in aviation while studying at the Shostka Aero Club. Since 1940 - in the ranks of the Red Army. In 1941 he graduated from the Chuguev Military Aviation Pilot School, where he began serving as an instructor.

After the outbreak of the war, together with the aviation school, he was evacuated to Central Asia, Chimkent. In November 1942, Kozhedub was assigned to the 240th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 302nd Fighter Aviation Division, which was being formed in Ivanovo. In March 1943, he flew to the Voronezh Front as part of a division.

The first air battle ended in failure for Kozhedub and almost became the last - his La-5 was damaged by the Messerschmitt-109 cannon burst, the armored back saved him from an incendiary projectile, and upon returning the plane was fired upon by Soviet anti-aircraft gunners, 2 anti-aircraft shells hit him. Despite the fact that Kozhedub managed to land the plane, it could not be fully restored, and the pilot had to fly on the "remnants" - free aircraft available in the squadron. Soon they wanted to take him to the alert post, but the regiment commander stood up for him. On July 6, 1943, on the Kursk Bulge, during the fortieth sortie, Kozhedub shot down his first German aircraft, the Junkers Ju-87 bomber. The very next day he shot down the second, and on July 9 he shot down 2 Bf-109 fighters at once. The first title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to Kozhedub on February 4, 1944 for 146 combat missions and 20 downed enemy aircraft.

Since May 1944, Ivan Kozhedub fought on the La-5FN (side number 14), built at the expense of the collective farmer-beekeeper of the Stalingrad region V.V.Konev. In August 1944, having received the rank of captain, he was appointed deputy commander of the 176th Guards Regiment and began to fight on the new La-7 fighter. The second medal "Gold Star" Kozhedub was awarded on August 19, 1944 for 256 sorties and 48 downed enemy aircraft.

By the end of the war, Ivan Kozhedub, by that time a Major of Guards, flew a La-7, flew 330 sorties, shot down 62 enemy aircraft in 120 air battles, among them 17 Ju-87 dive bombers, 2 Ju-88 and He bombers each -111, 16 Bf-109 and 21 Fw-190 fighters, 3 Hs-129 attack aircraft and 1 Me-262 jet fighter. The last battle in the Great Patriotic War, in which he shot down 2 FW-190s, Kozhedub spent in the skies over Berlin. Throughout the war, Kozhedub was never shot down. Kozhedub received the third Gold Star medal on August 18, 1945 for high military skill, personal courage and courage shown on the fronts of the war. He was an excellent shooter and preferred to open fire at a distance of 200-300 meters, rarely approaching at a shorter distance.

Kozhedub's flight biography also lists two US Air Force P-51 Mustangs shot down in 1945, which attacked him, mistaking him for a German aircraft.

IN Kozhedub was never shot down during the Great Patriotic War, and although he was knocked out, he always landed his plane. He is also considered the first fighter pilot in the world to shoot down a German Me-262 jet fighter.

At the end of the war, Kozhedub continued to serve in the Air Force. In 1949 he graduated from the Red Banner Air Force Academy. At the same time, he remained an active fighter pilot, having mastered the jet MiG-15 in 1948. 1956 - Military Academy General Staff... During the Korean War, he commanded the 324th Fighter Aviation Division (324 IAD) as part of the 64th Fighter Aviation Corps. From April 1951 to January 1952, the pilots of the division won 216 air victories, losing only 27 aircraft (9 pilots were killed).

In 1964-1971 - Deputy Commander of the Air Force of the Moscow Military District. From 1971 he served in the central office of the Air Force, and from 1978 - in the Group of Inspectors General of the USSR Ministry of Defense. In 1970, Kozhedub was awarded the rank of Colonel-General of Aviation. And in 1985 I.N.Kozhedub was awarded military rank Air Marshal. Was elected a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of II-V convocations, a people's deputy of the USSR.

List of aerial victories

In the official Soviet historiography the result of Kozhedub's combat activities looks like 62 enemy aircraft shot down personally. However, recent archival studies have shown that this figure is a little underestimated - in the award documents (where it was actually taken from), for unknown reasons, there are no two aerial victories (June 8, 1944 - Me-109 and April 11, 1944 - PZL P.24), while they were confirmed and officially entered into the personal account of the pilot.

Victory date

Aircraft type

Place of victory

app. Envy

Art. Gostishchevo

Krasnaya Polyana

east Pokrovka

Charming

Spark

sowing. Spark

southwest Borodaevka

app. Borodaevka

app. Borodaevka

Petrovka

southwest Andreevka

southwest Andreevka

sev.-zap. Borodaevka

southwest Red Kut

app. Kutsevalovka

Borodaevka

Dneprovo-Kamenka

sowing. Flat

south Petrovka

south Homespun

Krivoy Rog

app. Budovka

Novo-Zlynka

east Nechaevka

app. Lipovka

Lebedin - Shpola

sowing. Iasi

southeast. Wulturu

Horlesti

Horlesti

Tirgu Frumos - Dumbrevitsa

east Wulturu

Alien Water

app. Stynka

Rediu-Ului - Teter

Rediu-Ului - Teter

sev.-zap. Iasi

sev.-zap. Strenchi

southwest Ramnieki - Daksty

sev.-zap. Valmiera

south Studzyan

sev.-zap. env. Maureen airfield

app. Kinitz

app. Kinitz

lake Kitzer See

east Alt-Friedland

sowing. Fürstenfelde

sowing. Brunchen

sowing. Kustrin

sev.-zap. Kustrin

sowing. Seelov

east Guzov

Art. Verbig

At the end of World War II, American pilots shot down Soviet fighters in the zone of operations of Soviet aviation. IN Kozhedub took off and personally knocked out two American fighters guilty of this act of aggression. In Nikolai Bodrikhin's book "Soviet Aces", somewhat different circumstances of this episode are given: Kozhedub drove away the German planes attacking him from the American bomber, after which he was himself attacked by an American fighter from a very long distance. Kozhedub shot down two American planes; according to the surviving American pilot, the Americans mistook Kozhedub's plane for the German Focke-Wulf.

Awards

  • Three times Hero of the Soviet Union (02/04/1944, No. 1472; 08/19/1944, No. 36; 08/18/1945, No. 3)
  • Chevalier of two Orders of Lenin (02/04/1944; 02/21/1978)
  • Chevalier of seven orders of the Red Banner (07.22.1943, No. 52212; 09.30.1943, No. 4567; 03.29.1945, No. 4108; 06.29.1945, No. 756; 06/02/1951, No. 122; 02.22.1968, No. 23; 06/26/1945. 1970, No. 537483)
  • Chevalier of the Order of Alexander Nevsky (07/31/1945, No. 37500)
  • Chevalier of the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree (04/06/1985)
  • Chevalier of two Orders of the Red Star (06/04/1955; 10/26/1955)
  • Chevalier of the Order "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" II degree (02.22.1990)
  • Chevalier of the Order "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree (04/30/1975)
  • Commander of the Order of the Red Banner of the Mongolian People's Republic
  • Honorary Citizen of the cities: Balti, Chuguev, Kaluga, Kupyansk, Sumy, etc.

Memory

A bronze bust of Kozhedub was installed at home in the village of Obrazhievka. His La-7 (tail number 27) is on display at the Air Force Museum in Monino. Also named after Ivan Kozhedub is a park in the city of Sumy (Ukraine) near the entrance there is a monument to the pilot, as well as a street in the South-East of Moscow (Marshal Kozhedub street).

The name of the Three Times Hero of the Soviet Union Ivan Nikitich Kozhedub bears the Kharkov Air Force University (formerly HVU, HIL), as well as the Shostka Chemical-Technological College. On May 8, 2010, a monument to Kozhedub was opened in the Park of Glory, in Kiev. On June 8, 2010, in the town of Shostka, in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of Kozhedub, a bust was erected near the Ivan Kozhedub Museum. On November 12, 2010, a monument to Kozhedub was erected in Kharkov, on the territory of the Kharkov Air Force University.

A documentary film “Secrets of the Century. Two Wars of Ivan Kozhedub ".

Bibliography

  • Kozhedub I. Three battles. - M .: Military Publishing House of the NKO USSR, 1945 .-- 40 p.
  • I serve the Motherland. - M. - L .: Detgiz, 1949.
  • Victory Day. - M., 1963.
  • I. N. Kozhedub Loyalty to the Fatherland. - M .: Children's literature, 1969, 1975 .-- 430 p. - 100,000 copies
  • Friends, fellow soldiers. - M., Children's Literature, 1975.
  • Ivan Kozhedub Loyalty to the Fatherland. Seeker of a fight. - M .: Yauza, Eksmo, 2006 .-- 608 p. - (Stalin's falcons). - 5000 copies. - ISBN 5-699-14931-7
  • I. N. Kozhedub Unknown Kozhedub. I serve the Motherland. - M .: Yauza, Eksmo, 2009 .-- 368 p. - (The greatest Soviet aces). - 4000 copies. - ISBN 978-5-699-34385-0