Boris Feofistovich Safonov, Soviet fighter pilot: biography, awards, memory

Boris Feoktistovich Safonov - this is the most famous in the Soviet Union fighter pilot. At the beginning of the war (1941-1942) he made truly legendary combat sorties. It is not for nothing that Safonov is the first twice Hero of the Soviet Union, who earned this high rank in the course of fulfilling the tasks of the command.

He was an extraordinary person. It perfectly combined the skill of the fighter with responsiveness, kindness and excellent organizational skills. Boris Feoktistovich Safonov was shy and modest by nature. He never boasted of his victories, using only such phrases as "we shot down", "we flew." In addition, many safely destroyed enemy aircraft Safonov credited to the account of his comrades, since these victories were not for him an end in itself.

Biography

Tula province, Sinyavino village is the place where Boris Safonov was born on August 26, 1915. The father and mother of the future hero were simple peasants.

After graduating with honors from the seven-year school Boris entered the FZU (factory apprenticeship school). This educational institution trained specialists who knew the locomotive business. In this school the guy joined the ranks of the Komsomol.

Boris Safonov, whose biography was considered ordinary for his peers, would most likely become a railwayman. However, the Leninist Komsomol, of which he was a member, announced his patronage over aviation. And then thousands of young men and girls rushed to the sky. Among them was Boris Feoktistovich Safonov. He became a member of a circle organized at the school of Osoyiakhim, later became the Tula air club. It was here that the future military pilot Safonov acquired qualities very necessary for the pilot. This confidence in their abilities and independence, discipline and endurance.

Then the young guy successfully passed the medical commission and became a student of the pilot in the air club of Tula. He did a lot and was diligently engaged in the theory of ground training. Even before bed, already lying in bed, Boris mentally looked through all the details of the dashboard, which is in the plane in front of the pilot. So he fixed his knowledge gained during classes. Then there were independent flights, during which Safonov showed his extraordinary talent.

Tula Province - the place where the future order-bearer was born, grew up and studied, was abandoned by him in August 1933. It happened after the successful termination of the aero club by a guy when Boris in the direction of the command got to Kachu. Military pilots were trained here.

Studying at the Kachin school

While in this institution, Boris Safonov carefully studied the works of the classics of Marxism-Leninism. This was the initial stage of preparation for joining the Communist Party.

During his studies at the Kachin school, at the age of nineteen, Safonov becomes a fighter pilot. At the same time, he shows excellent skills in air shooting, piloting technique and knowledge of the material part, deserving the highest marks in all these disciplines. In a description written by instructors in these years, it is noted that Safonov is characterized by quick reaction, smart and resourceful in the air, in addition, his rather high degree of initiative was noted.

Belarusian Military District

In December 1934, Boris Safonov was sent to a further place of passage of his service. They became the Belarusian Military District, and more specifically its 40th aviation brigade. At that time new airplanes were adopted for the arming of the Soviet Air Force. They were I-15 and I-16, as well as I-153. Boris enthusiastically studied new cars, disappearing for hours in the library. Already at the beginning of the summer of 1936, the aircraft that had appeared in service with the Soviet Army were well studied by Safonov. The fighter pilot even developed his own method of combat, which later proved to be very well established during the war years.

In 1937, Boris Feoktistovich Safonov was accepted as a candidate for membership in the Communist Party. At the same time he also became secretary of the Komsomol organization.

In 1938, the fifteenth Aviation Regiment was formed. Boris Safonov became in him an assistant commander in the Komsomol work.

In December 1939, the radio broadcast the first summary of the fighting that began at the border of the Soviet Union with Finland. Military pilot Safonov immediately filed a report, in which he stated his desire to be enlisted in the fighter squadron, sent to the North. The request of Boris Feoktistovich was satisfied.

Work as an instructor

In the North, Boris was fascinated by the history of naval aviation, which determined his subsequent course of life. In addition, the flight skills of Safonov, the talent of the organizer and the ability to train did not go unnoticed. The senior lieutenant was appointed to the post of commander of the training squadron. Being an excellent sea fighter pilot, Safonov became a strict and patient teacher. He prepared the newcomers to all the surprises with which they were to meet in a real battle.

First fight

The war with fascist Germany Boris Safonov - fighter pilot - started on the I-16. Already on 22.06.1941 he made his first combat sortie over the Rybachiy peninsula. Together with V. Volovnikov they attacked the He-111 bomber. The Soviet pilots flied the fire until they ran out of ammunition. However, the smoking German aircraft still disappeared into the clouds.

First victories

Already two days after the war with the fascists began, Safonov flew his I-16 to intercept the German reconnaissance Ju-87. After a long chase, the enemy aircraft was attacked. Initially Safonov killed the shooter and the car was damaged. After that, the Soviet pilot, using a long line, cut off the tail of the aircraft. The enemy machine fell into Zelentsy Bay, where its fragments were picked up by a boat approaching. This plane was the first of the North downed in the sky.

The second victory was won by Safonov on June 27, 1941. The German HS-126 plane, shot down jointly with his comrades, fell on the ground, which the Soviet infantrymen later called "Crutch."

In the days of the beginning of the war over the Kola land, persistent aviation fights took place. The Germans were eager to use the time of the polar day, when the sun rises above the horizon for a round day. Enemy aircraft, grouped in large links, made an attack on the ships of the Soviet fleet. The number of our fighters was small, and therefore the naval pilots had to make 6-7 sorties a day. With each meeting with the enemy aircraft Boris Safonov improved tactical methods, leading a close fight. At the same time, he studied all the possibilities of German machines that fought over our Northern lands.

The list of air victories Safonov significantly increased in the next two months. It was at this time that the Germans undertook massive raids on the port of Murmansk and the northern Soviet airfields.

So, on July 7, the "nine" I-16, headed by Safonov, covered the Polarnoe naval base. At that time, a group of German Ju-87 aircraft appeared in the sky above the territory they guarded, accompanied by Me-109 enemy fighters. An air battle ensued. German planes were attacked by Soviet pilots who shot down seven enemy vehicles. Our "nine" returned to the base in full force.

Assigning the next rank

Already on July 10, 1941 Boris Safonov became a captain. In addition to conferring the next rank of brave pilot, he was appointed commander of an air squadron of fighters. Also a soldier was given a new I-16 type 17 machine, which had a serial number of 28213-95. On her fuselage Safonov wrote "Death to fascism!".

Boris Feoktistovich scrupulously prepared for every air battle. He personally watched the state of his plane, every time he was present when charging ammunition, and also checking the shells with which the tape was stuffed. On the I-16 issued to him Safonov made 109 sorties, during which he shot down 17 enemy fighters and bombers. During the entire period of hostilities, three new engines were put on his car three times. Today this aircraft is one of the exhibits of the Leningrad Naval Museum.

July 14, 1941 Safonov was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. The air battle carried out on that day added two enemy enemy bombers to his list of victories. On July 27, two more dive-bombers were killed by him, and on August 8 - the Me-109 fighter. By the end of the first military summer, there were ten enemy vehicles on the list of aircraft personally shot down by Safonov.

Battle Autumn

The military operations in the North reached its apogee in September 1941. This was the time when the Germans took decisive measures to break through the defense of Soviet troops. For this, they sent their aircraft to the North from all fronts. Enemy vehicles were constantly above our front lines, engaging in fights with Soviet fighters.

During the fighting, Boris Safonov used both methods of defense and aggressive methods, literally stunning the enemy. Sometimes he imitated a stampede, and when the German pilot was already happily celebrating the victory, he suddenly slowed down and remained at the tail of a discouraged enemy.

In any battle Safonova was distinguished by mutual assistance and mutual assistance. This was the main rule of the Soviet ace. Not sparing his life, the pilot rushed to the aid of his comrades. Thus, in one of the fights, the junior lieutenant Maximovich attacked the Ju-88 bomber. Fascinated by the battle, he did not notice the Me-109 that appeared behind. Safonov immediately rushed to rescue his comrade, despite the fact that by this time he had shot all his ammunition. The German pilot was frightened of a violent attack and left the battle.

The courage and courage of Boris Safonov were noted by the command. September 16, 1941 a brave pilot was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. By the time when this Decree was published, Safonov's account already had an impressive list of air victories.

Personal duel

In the same autumn days of 1941, Safonov destroyed a famous German ace. "Messer" is a pilot, on the fuselage of which was depicted a red-haired dog holding a red star fighter in his teeth, was often seen during attacks on the air regiment. The enemy was brazen, but avoided open combat. Safonov dreamed of meeting with the fascist, and one day he introduced himself to this case. The Soviet pilot boldly imposed a battle on the enemy, who skillfully chose favorable positions for him by performing sophisticated flight figures. However, after a couple of minutes, Safonov started his "Hawk" in the tail of "Messer" and after a brief pursuit produced several well-aimed bursts. The machine of the enemy caught fire and fell with a stone. The German pilot left a flaming machine and landed directly on the position of our antiaircraft gunners on a parachute. Captured by Soviet fighters, the enemy turned out to be none other than the famous Willy Frenger. On account of this motherly German ace, there were nine hundred sorties and thirty-six planes shot down over the English Channel, for which the military command awarded him with two Iron Crosses.

New appointments

October 24, 1941 Safonov received a proposal to collect the best pilots in the 78th Fighter Aviation Regiment and lead it. Boris Feoktistovich took a new appointment. The armament of the new air regiment consisted of twenty-seven "Hurricanes" - the machines that English airmen gave to the Soviet Air Force. The technique was not new and mostly required repair. In addition, the British aircraft were decided to rearm. At the initiative of Safonov four large-caliber machine guns were put on them, two of which were soon replaced with cannons. Somewhat later, under the planes of the machines, a guided missile equipment was installed.

As commander of the 78th Aviation Regiment, Boris Safonov showed remarkable organizational skills, as well as the ability to educate and train subordinates. For these services he was awarded the next rank - major.

Boris Safonov continued to make combat sorties, increasing the score of downed enemy vehicles. December 22, 1941 he was awarded the second Order of the Red Banner, and January 22, 1942 - the third.

The commander of the 78th Aviation Regiment Safonov was a short period. March 20, 1942 he was put at the head of the 2 nd Guards. In this air regiment, a brave pilot began a war. Safonov continued to replenish the list of his military victories. During this period, on his tunic appeared two more awards. This is the Gold Star of the Hero and the award of Britain - the Order of "D-Ef-Si".

The last battle

Heading the 2nd Guards Aviation Regiment, the Guard Lt. Colonel Safonov devoted much time and energy to the leadership. In connection with this, he began to fly less, but in almost every battle he added a list of his victories.

In 1942, before his regiment set a new task. In addition to the defense of the port of Murmansk, pilots were to guard allied military convoys in the territory of the Northern Fleet. In carrying out this task, the famous Soviet pilot died. His last combat sortie he committed May 30, 1942, rising into the air to cover the Murmansk escort of the Allies.

Safonov was the leading four of the Soviet machines. However, one of them, due to malfunctions in the engine, returned back. Three Soviet pilots got into battle with six enemy bombers, taking the enemy in a swift attack. In the turmoil that arose during the bout, the link disintegrated. More than Boris Safonov was not seen.

The place of the death of a brave pilot in the Barents Sea can be found on the map. It is 69 degrees 51 seconds north latitude and 64 degrees 42 seconds east longitude. He died in an unequal battle with the Nazis, knocking down two planes. The Air Force lost the ace of naval aviation, on account of which in May 1942 there were 25 enemy vehicles shot down.

What is the reason for the death of Boris Safonov? There is still no answer to this question. According to one version, he could not cope with the sudden attack of one of the Junkers, and on the other - fell due to engine failure. The last of these two assumptions is considered the most probable.

Memory

The combat merits of Boris Feoktistovich Safonov were expressed not only in enemy aircraft shot down by them. The Soviet commander made a great personal contribution to the development of the Northern Fleet aviation. Under his leadership, dozens of pilots gained considerable combat experience, who subsequently received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

The name of the North Sea pilot is not forgotten even today. The monument to Boris Safonov was installed in Severomorsk, Murmansk and Plavsk. There is a bust of the hero in the village of Fedotovo near Vologda in the military garrison located there.

The name Safonovo village of the Murmansk region is named after the brave pilot. In this village opened the Air Force Museum of the Northern Fleet, in front of which the Alley of Heroes is broken. There are busts of fifty-three Northern Fleet pilots who were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, among them there is a bust of Boris Safonov.