Gritsevets Sergey Ivanovich: biography, photo, feat, monument

Gritsevets Sergey Ivanovich, whose biography is described in this article, lived a short but bright life. By nationality - Belarusian. From 1931 he was a member of the CPSU. The famous fighter pilot. The first in the Soviet Union was twice awarded the title of Hero of the USSR.

A family

Gritsevets Sergey Ivanovich was born in a peasant family on July 19, 1909 in Belarus, four kilometers away. From Baranovichi, in the village of Borovtsi. The family lived poorly, the land was very meager, and there was a whole problem with feeding them. Parents had to work part-time. Sergei as a child lost his mother and two older brothers - Basil and Vladimir.

During the First World War, fierce, bloody battles were fought in these places. And the family of Sergei Ivanovich moved to the Urals in the village of Shumikha, fleeing from the Kaiser troops. Then the Gritsevites went to Zlatoust. There Sergei's father got a job as a car inspector. All childhood and youth our hero spent in those parts.

Education

First he graduated from the Shumkhino railway school-seven. In 1931, on a Komsomol tour, he was sent to study at the Orenburg Military Pilot School, which he graduated with honors in 1932. Then in 1936 he entered the Odessa Military School.

Job

Immediately after graduation (in 1927), Sergei Gritsevets went to work at Shumikha station. But he did not work long there. And in the same year he moved to Zlatoust Mechanical Plant as a pupil of a locksmith. And after training he began to work in the hulled shop.

Thanks to his talent for working with people, in 1931 he was elected secretary of the Komsomol cell and the Komsomol committee of the plant. A little later he became a delegate of the first congress of drummers.

Military service

After the termination of the Orenburg flight school in 1932, Sergei Ivanovich served as a fighter pilot in the Kiev Aviation Detachment. Since 1933 he became commander of the link in the first Krasnoznamensk aviation fighter squadron named after Lenin in the Transbaikal Military District.

Later he commanded first a detachment, and then a regiment. After the end of the Odessa military school, Sergei Ivanovich was invited to stay in it to work. So he became an instructor of pilots.

Since 1938, already in the position of a senior lieutenant, Sergei Ivanovich Gritsevets, whose biography is closely connected with aviation, served in a special purpose flight school, which was known as the 20th Kirovabad. In it, he trained Spanish military pilots. Sergei not once petitioned to send him to fight in Spain.

The Spanish War

In April 1938, a group of forty-two Soviet pilots arrived in Spain. But until the end of May for various reasons the composition of the group has decreased by twenty-five people. Five died (one of them during the training), two were missing, ten were injured, two more fell ill, and six were dismissed as unfit for front service.

As a result, they were replaced by a new group consisting of thirty-four pilots. It included the most experienced pilots, including Sergei Gritsevets. In the summer of 1938 the group was taken to Spain. Sergei took a family pseudonym Gorev. Until the end of October, he participated in many battles, making 115 sorties.

According to official data, personally shot down six enemy aircraft and another twenty-four in a group with comrades-in-arms. Especially distinguished himself in the heavy battles on the river. Ebro. In the area, the rebels widely used the latest Me-109 fighters, which were equipped with more powerful cannons and surpassed the Soviet I-16s in speed.

According to archival documents, Sergei Ivanovich Gritsevets, whose photo is in this article, showed very high results in Spain (42 fights, 7 personally shot down enemy planes). In December 1938, Sergei became a major, and in 1939 he was awarded the title of Hero of the USSR. And it should be noted that he was never a captain. He was immediately given the rank of major after the senior lieutenant.

The heaviest in Spain were the last three months, when the final battles were going on. At that time, Sergei personally shot down thirty fighters and bombers.

The Khalkhin-Gol River

After the Spanish war, Sergei Ivanovich was offered the post of the head of the Borisoglebsk Military Air School. But he refused it and went to serve in the Far East. Once again Sergey Ivanovich showed his flying skills and strong character in brilliant battles in the sky over the Khalkhin-Gol river.

At that time, the Japanese attacked Mongolia. As a result, military equipment and Soviet troops were sent to the defense of the republic. Major Sergei Ivanovich Gritsevets joined them as one of the best fighter pilots.

In Mongolia, he flew to the I-16, then was appointed commander of a separate group of fighters "Seagull". From June 22 to August 30, 1939, he made 138 sorties, shot down 12 enemy aircraft. There he committed another feat, saving the commander of the seventieth regiment - Zabaluev.

Achievements and exploits

In 1935 he headed a team of six fighters. The route ran from Bochkarev to Spassk-Dalniy. Landing was carried out in Khabarovsk. Sergei Ivanovich with the group set a record for the flight, completing it for one hundred and ninety minutes.

During the Spanish war, Gritsevets SI practically made a feat, when half an hour (during one battle) shot down 7 enemy aircraft (of which 5 Fiat-fighters). This was the first time in the history of aviation. Sergei flew to the I-16. During the battle his plane was completely riddled with bullets, but he still managed to land him on the airfield. Numerous witnesses observed the battle. And the English correspondent then wrote a separate article about the air battle.

Feat in Mongolia

During the war in Mongolia, when the Japanese attacked the republic, as already mentioned, Gritsevets rescued Major Zabaluev, commander of the seventy fighter air regiment. Fought another fierce battle over the territory, which captured the Japanese. The Japanese fighters were flying down Soviet planes flown by Soviet pilots. And to determine who was shot down - his or her enemy, it was almost impossible.

But Sergei Ivanovich Gritsevets, whose feat will be remembered for centuries and set as an example to young pilots, nevertheless noticed that a Soviet plane had been hit. A sharp glance gripped the picture of the battle and instantly appreciated the complexity of the situation. Japanese fighter, seeing an easy prey, wanted to catch up and finish off the enemy's falling plane. But he was prevented by the Gritsev.

He sharply directed his fighter at the Japanese and blocking the lines from the planned by defensive lines. The battle continued on the sidelines, while Sergei Ivanovich continued to protect the aircraft of his comrade. After a short time, the burning fighter jabbed into the ground. A pilot jumped out of it. It was Major Zabaluev.

He looked around and looked up at the sky. Having seen a lonely Soviet fighter, he waved his helmet, saying goodbye. It was impossible to survive. Up to the location of the Soviet troops was about sixty kilometers. For traveling on foot this distance is simply great because Japanese samurai are scampering around. And the person in the steppe is like in the palm of your hand.

And suddenly Zabaluev saw that the fighter that he had noticed in the sky, shaking his wings and flying away in the eastern direction, suddenly comes back and goes to a decline. This for many would be a sure death. But Gritsevets Sergei Ivanovich did not abandon his comrade and took risks, acting with utmost precision and caution.

A little jumping around on bumps, the fighter stopped near the major. But these planes were single, and it seemed impossible to put the co-pilot, and even more so to rise and fly in very difficult conditions. Gritsevets was able to seat a friend between his armored pincher and the left side.

And an hour later Zabaluev was at his native airport, and Sergei Ivanovich was swaying in the hands of pilots who threw him into the air. This incident became a legend that was passed from mouth to mouth. And everyone was ready to repeat this feat, if this happens.

As a result, at the end of August 1939 the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union decided to place bronze busts in the homeland of those awarded for exemplary performance of tasks and heroism. He received his award and Sergei Gritsevets - twice Hero of the Soviet Union.

Battle tactics

In his groups, he practiced all the tactical techniques developed by Soviet pilots. For example, the separation of fighters of different types in height. First, the enemy attacked the "I-16", located on top. And they pressed the enemy down. And there the enemy met "I-15".

In battles over the Khalkhin-Gol river, Sergei Ivanovich was appointed commander of a team flying on the new I-153 fighters, which the pilots affectionately called "The Seagulls". Gritsevets Sergey Ivanovich not only quickly mastered the new machine, but also immediately appreciated its strengths, which he immediately took advantage of. He himself experienced the "Seagull" at different altitudes and flight regimes.

New aircraft were very different from the old increased maneuverability. But the enemy did not know about this. Sergei Ivanovich ordered to keep it a secret, until they "bite". And so, the battle began. The first was Gritsevets, followed by the rest. The attack was frontal. And this meant that the initiative is owned by one of the opponents who will quickly turn around to get in the tail. The enemy did not know about the increased maneuverability of the new fighters. And as soon as I saw the enemy on the tail, began to rush, but the "Seagulls" killed everyone.

Personal life

Information about the personal life of the famous fighter pilot is very small. It is known that Sergei Ivanovich Gritsevets was married. His wife was called Galina Orlov. They had two daughters: Larissa and Nina. The wife of Sergei Ivanovich became for him not only a beloved wife, but also a real war friend.

As a matter of duty, they often parted. And the separation began from the first years of service. During the absence of her husband, Galina often lived with her mother. But the long separation did not affect their feelings, and they wrote letters with love to each other in anticipation of an imminent meeting.

Character of the pilot

Gritsevets Did not like pompous and magnificent events. He was a modest, unobtrusive person. From the fanfare, which he considered completely out of place, he always tried to stay away. He avoided excessive attention to himself. His heart was sympathetic and kind. About the fallen comrades, it hurted until death.

The death of the famous fighter pilot

But Sergei Ivanovich Gritsevets, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, did not manage to get the insignia he needed. According to the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council, he was entitled to the Gold Star medal. It was founded in October 1939.

But Sergei Gritsevets died a month before. His life was cut short by a tragic accident. On the thirteenth of September, the heroes of Khalkhin-Gol were met at the Central Moscow airfield. Sergei Ivanovich failed to evade the "sit-round". After them, he asked the authorities to let him go to Odessa, to visit his pregnant wife and daughter. As if he had a premonition of his doom.

But they did not let him go, as he was to meet Stalin. And Gritsevets was on the list of guests, and his absence would have been immediately noticed. But for Sergey Ivanovich, Comcot Smushkevich stood up, and the pilot of the squadron Victor Grachev volunteered to take to Odessa. Sergei Ivanovich was given only a day - to see his wife and daughter.

In Odessa, Gritsevets went with his friend and neighbor Pavel Korobkov. On the fourteenth of September the pilots visited their native school, met with fellow soldiers. Before the flight to Moscow, Sergei Ivanovich suddenly wanted to make a family photo as a memory. He had a premonition that she would be the last in his life.

They returned on time, but still almost missed the meeting with Stalin. He described in detail about the forthcoming operation. It was necessary to liberate the western regions of Belarus and Ukraine. On the fifteenth of September the pilots arrived at a new duty station. In the evening, Sergei Ivanovich sent a telegram to his wife, that he arrived at the place, everything is fine and the service begins. He promised to write and asked not to worry.

But on the sixteenth of September 1939, Sergei Gritsevets, whose biography might have been longer, died in a plane crash. It happened in the Vitebsk region, Orsha district, near the village of Bolbasovo. Sergei and Major Hara took off at 19:05 and headed towards Bolbasovo. After a while, Major Chinas caught up with them.

It was necessary to focus only on the Minsk-Orsha railway line. At first Khara was leading, but when it got dark and visibility deteriorated, Kitaev flew ahead. There was no radio communication on the planes, and they had to communicate with gestures. It is strange that the departure of pilots to Bolbasovo was reported only at 19:55, when three fighters appeared over the airfield.

Visibility was disgusting - haze and low clouds. The airfield for the arrival of the pilots was not prepared. Planting searchlights were removed and taken to the shooting range, where machine guns were prepared in an urgent manner. Despite the fact that the airfield in Bolbasovo was considered the best and largest in Belarus, the runway was not electrified. Night marking with the help of kerosene lanterns was conducted under the direction of the younger technician Kostorny.

Gritsevets Sergey Ivanovich landed first, by all the rules. Fearing a collision with other fighters, he drove to a neutral strip and asked the duty officer if all the planes had landed. And at this time Major Hara landed. Sergei Ivanovich pressed the gas, trying to dodge the aircraft rushing at him, but did not have time. It all ended in seconds. Major Hare was more fortunate. He remained alive and got off with light wounds, nervous shock and bruises. Kitaev sat down on the lane and did not have any problems at all.

The lost pilot

At once, under the fever, in the death of Sergei Ivanovich, Major Khara was accused. Subsequently, he was rehabilitated and found that the causes of the death of one of the best fighter pilots of the country were the weather, disorganization, the rush of the host party and the absence of searchlights, which made it extremely dangerous and dangerous.

Bored Gritsevets in a hurry, without fighting comrades and even without relatives. The Soviet government decided not to report the death of the best fighter pilot on the day of the start of the military operation. It was feared that this message would cause a huge resonance. Relatives were not even immediately notified of his death. The grave to Sergei Ivanovich was dug right next to the airfield, not even in the cemetery, but in the garrison of Bolbasovo.

On the grave was installed an ordinary metal nightstand with a photograph, an asterisk and the inscription: "Twice Hero of the USSR, Major SI I. Gritsevets. 1909-1939 gg. ». On October 31, 1939, the Council of the People's Commissar decided to perpetuate the memory of Sergei Ivanovich. Probably, it was planned to transfer the grave to Orsha. But the memory was not immortalized until after the war.

Everlasting memory

Gritsevets Sergey Ivanovich, whose monument was erected on the site of death, will remain forever in the hearts of many fighters. In the city of Baranovichi, the famous fighter pilot was immortalized in the form of a bronze bust. In Minsk, he erected a monument and installed a memorial plaque. In Moscow, St. Petersburg and three Belarusian cities named after Sergey Ivanovich streets are named.

In Belarus, DOSAAF, the aviation sports club, is named in its part. On the facade of the Minsk school № 22, on the building, a memorial plaque with a portrait of Sergei Ivanovich is installed.