Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich: a brief biography. The legendary Soviet fighter pilot

On the eighth of June, a distant and disturbing one thousand nine hundred and twentieth year, a hut in Obrazheevka, a village in the Glukhov district of the Chernigov province, announced the cry of a newborn child. The boy was named Vanya (Ivan). It will take decades, and in a state called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics there is no person who does not know where and when the pilot was born Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich. A brief biography of a participant in the Second World War and the Great Patriotic War contains facts that amaze the imagination of all who are interested in the tactics of conducting aerial battles of the bloodiest confrontation of the countries that only happened in the 20th century.

In the sky, like at home

On the front, Ivan Kozhedub was not from the first days of the Great Patriotic War, but in March 1943. However, the pilot managed to show such courage, bravery, unsurpassed mastery of combat, that he became the Hero of the Soviet Union. Already in peacetime, the country appreciated the merits of the pilot by conferring the rank of "Marshal of Aviation" (1985).

Kozhedub I.N. Fought with the enemy in the Allied forces. The most productive pilot of the Great Patriotic War rushed to accomplish combat missions 366 times, overcame 120 air battles, eliminated 62 fascist aircraft.

Ace hit the target masterly, using the slightest misses of the enemy. I hit the target exactly from any position of the plane. Kozhedub's machine at the same time was invulnerable: even after serious damage, it always remained "on the wing." Fighting friends said about him: "in the sky, like at home."

Two birthdates

Ivan Kozhedub's unbending character, his ability to find a way out in any situation, was laid in early childhood. Five families grew up in a family engaged in the cultivation of land. Father (former church elder), educated the children strictly, to work early attached.

Already at the age of 5, Vanya went to watch the garden at night. The head of the family understood that there was not much sense from such protection, but believed that such tests strengthen the character, teach them to overcome difficulties. Later, the boy helped to monitor the herd of adult shepherds (was a pack). He was not afraid to work, he thought: the road will be mastered by the going.

In 1934, a 14-year-old boy completed his studies at a rural school. Two years he comprehended knowledge at the workers 'faculty (the workers' faculties prepared workers and peasants for training in higher education). In 1936 he passed the entrance examinations in the chemical-technological college (Shostka).

It is noteworthy: to get into the technical school, the teenager increased his age by a couple of years. There is information that Kozhedub I.N. He was not born on June 8, 1920, but on July 6, 1922. In 1939 the future pilot began his studies at the Shostka aero club. He mastered the multi-purpose biplane U-2.

Front sky

Complete the training in the technical school Kozhedub not happened - in early 1940, the future chemist-technologist became a Red Army soldier (serviceman of the workers 'and peasants' Red Army). Fate sent him along a different path: by the fall of the fortieth year, Ivan Nikitovich received a "crust" (diploma) from the Chuguev Military Aviation School of Pilots (since March 1941, the school of pilots). As the best cadet was left in the school pilot-instructor, to teach beginners.

But the front line also needed such responsible fighters as Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich. A brief biography states that in 1943 he was sent to the 302nd Fighter Aviation Division, to the Voronezh Front. Thus began his journey as a military idol of many generations of residents of the USSR and the Russian Federation.

In the first battle his plane La-5 was damaged - from the German "Messer", and at the same time - from the Soviet anti-aircraft gunners, leading the battle. However, Kozhedub was able to land a damaged aircraft. It seemed that his flight career was over, barely having begun. But the regiment commander supported the newcomer, gave him the opportunity to prove himself in subsequent battles with the enemy.

July, 1943

The first Fascist airplane, shot down by Kozhedub, became Yu-87 (Junkers). The battle took place on July 6, 1943, during the fierce battles on the Kursk Dug. Already on July 7, another Junkers appeared on Ivan's account, and two days later, two Bf-109 fighters (Messerschmitt Bf.109, or Me-109).

Military historians distinguish and describe in detail the four main heroic deeds committed by Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich. A brief biography of him in these events is as follows. The first heroic deed was dated September 30, 1943. This autumn day, when the plane was deployed during the escort of the crossing of the Soviet troops across the Dnieper, Ivan remained completely unprotected (without covering his own), but was not frightened.

Noticing the Junkers, he dived into the multipurpose aircraft of the Luftwaffe, burst into the link of the enemy. Shocked by the boldness of the Soviet ace, the fascists ceased bombing, went over to the defense. Ivan Kozhedub also counted on this, whose feat went down in history. Taking advantage of the fact that one of the Ju-87 broke away from the group, destroyed it, completely demoralizing the enemy.

October, 1943

On October 3, 1943, nine single-engine La-5 fighters (including the Kozhedub aircraft) covered the space for military operations on the banks of the Dnieper. Pilots saw in the clouds a column of "bastards" (a nickname given to the Russians "Junkersam-87").

Every 9 enemy bombers were covered by six-men from the Me-109 fighters. It seemed that they filled the whole sky. Despite the fact that the forces were unequal, Ivan Nikitovich bravely led the attack of five La-5. The enemy did not expect that the meager number of Soviet aircraft could seriously resist their steep armada, but miscalculated.

A few minutes after the attack began, two Junkers fell to the ground. Other planes of the first nine immediately gave a "reverse". After a short time, the second ninth Ju-87 retired. Soviet pilots took the upper hand not by numbers, but by skill, unsurpassed courage, selflessness.

Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich caught up with the extreme "surging" car and turned it into nothingness. A brief biography of him recorded that he put a "fat point" in that battle with the fascist dive bombers.

February, 1945

The second month of winter 1945 was marked by battles on the Oder. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich distinguished himself in the Vistula-Oder operation? A brief biography of the hero also contains this information. In the sky above the Oder the pilot was one of the first in world history to shoot down the newest reactive "Me-262". Before him, the machine of the Luftwaffe of the newest design could not be defeated by anyone.

It happened this way. On February 19, Kozhedub and his team-mate, D. Titorenko, discovered an unknown plane at a three-kilometer height. He flew at a speed, even for the new "La-7" limit (at the end of 1944 Kozhedub became deputy commander of the 176th Guards Fighter Regiment, which in the last month of the summer received the La-7 fighter, several new-design vehicles ).

Kozhedub noticed that the German ace relaxed, because his car flies "faster than light" and the space under it can be left unchecked. Soviet pilot met with an enemy car on a cross course, his fighter La-7 shot the "German" from below, directly "in the belly."

Titarenko then started shooting too early, but his attack forced the enemy to turn in the direction of the temporarily "silent" Kozhedub, which determined the victorious outcome. When the distance was reduced to the maximum possible, Ivan opened fire, crushing the jet "miracle."

April 1945

In the second month of victorious spring Ivan Kozhedub decided to "parrot" the allies - the Americans. The unsuspecting pilot Kozhedub defended the American B-17, frightening off two German fighters from him. But almost immediately experienced a powerful attack from a long distance. Who fired - in the heat of battle it was not clear. However, two unknown aircraft purposefully went to destroy the Soviet military machine!

After making a turn, Ivan Nikitovich, went sideways to one and knocked him down. Another figure of aerobatics (Kozhedub, it seemed, was floating in the sky), a shot - and the second winged attacker collapsed to the ground. As it turned out, the "Mustangs" of the US Air Force were defeated. The Allies explained their treacherous act by saying that "there was an error".

In fact, comrades in the fight against Hitler's fascism decided to check the undefeated Kozhedub "for strength." And then Ivan Kozhedub did not disappoint, the survival feat even in the most unexpected situation can be regarded as another confirmation of the fact that he really is a hero.

Afterword

So how many planes did Kozhedub shoot down? Together with the Mustangs of the Allies - 64. Kozhedub I.N. Was awarded with high awards of his native state: including the Orders of Lenin (4), the Red Banner (7), the Red Star (2), Alexander Nevsky, the Patriotic War of the 1st degree, etc., as well as foreign orders. IN died. Kozhedub on August 8, 1991. Place of burial - Moscow, Novodevichye cemetery.