{"id":1579033,"date":"2019-09-25T14:39:09","date_gmt":"2019-09-25T12:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/armahobbynews.pl\/?p=1579033"},"modified":"2024-07-10T11:53:44","modified_gmt":"2024-07-10T09:53:44","slug":"smirnovs-aircraft-yak-1b-70027-in-enemy-hands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/armahobbynews.pl\/en\/blog\/2019\/09\/25\/smirnovs-aircraft-yak-1b-70027-in-enemy-hands\/","title":{"rendered":"Smirnov\u2019s Aircraft \u2013 Yak-1b in Enemy Hands"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the struggle over Kuban\u2019s steppes in spring 1943, three Yak-1b fighters fall into German\u2019s hands. We know that soon after they were used against Soviet forces. Even Alexander Pokrishkin, the top Soviet ace, mentioned it. One of these planes became well documented in the photos. This is its story.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a>The first two Yaks fall into German hands on Taganrog-West airfield in Rostov Region. On the 17th<\/sup> April 1943 Soviet air units were transferring to Kuban. A group of Yak-1bs from 291 IAP (249 Air Fighter Regiment) took off from Rososh airfield and flew towards Rostov on Don. The navigator of Pe-2 (commander Ltn. Krimov), which was leading the formation, made a navigational mistake and planes finished over German held airfield in Taganrog, which was 40 km from their original destination. Three Yaks landed right away and three others were shot down by German flak. When pilots realized that they were on the German side of the frontline, they started shooting at enemy with their sidearms. During the skirmish one of these Yaks was burnt. Remaining two were caught by Germans. Only four planes of initial ten reached Rostov<\/p>\n

Photo above – Yak-1b from 291 IAP captured by Germans. Photo via Aleksiey Krivopustov.<\/em><\/p>\n

Cover picture – Yak-1b of the Capt. Leonid Smirnov, squadron commander in 148 IAP, Kuban, Spring1943. Artwork by Zbyszek Malicki.<\/em><\/p>\n

Leonid Smirnov\u2019s Yak-1b<\/h2>\n

The third plane fall into German hands in completely different circumstances. On the fuselage, behind pilot\u2019s cockpit, there was foundation inscription which reads \u201cTo Smirnov Leonid, the Stalin\u2019s Falcon, from workers of Frunze District in Saratov\u201d (“\u0421\u0442\u0430\u043b\u0438\u043d\u0441\u043a\u043e\u043c\u0443 \u0441\u043e\u043a\u043e\u043b\u0443 \u041b\u0435\u043e\u043d\u0438\u0434\u0443 \u0421\u043c\u0438\u0440\u043d\u043e\u0432\u0443 \u043e\u0442 \u0442\u0440\u0443\u0434\u044f\u0449\u0438\u0445\u0441\u044f \u0424\u0440\u0443\u043d\u0437\u0435\u043d\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e \u0440\u0430\u0439\u043e\u043d\u0430 \u0433. \u0421\u0430\u0440\u0430\u0442\u043e\u0432\u0430”). We do not know any legend about purchasing and assigning the plane. Smirnov was not as known as Yeromin or Lugansky<\/a>. At that time a lot of Yaks received foundation inscriptions connecting workers with heroes on the fronline. He did not enjoy his plane long. On the 6th<\/sup> May 1943 he did not return, together with his three colleagues, from the combat mission over Niebierdzayevskaya hamlet. That day, because of his plane malfunction, he was flying the other plane and his plane was handed over to another pilot.<\/p>\n

\"zdobyczny<\/a><\/p>\n

Yak-1b of the Capt. Leonid Smirnov on German airfield. Photo via Aleksiey Krivopustov.
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Leonid Dimitirevitch Smirnov<\/h3>\n

Leonid Smirnov was born during tsar Mikolay II reign in 1913 in Kharkov. In 1937 he joined the Red Army. After finishing flying school he took part in Soviet-Finnish War 1939-1940. As a Lieutnant in the 148\u00a0 IAP\u00a0 he fought in the \u201cGreat Patrotic War\u201d from the beginning in June 1941, flying MiG-3 and Yak-1.<\/p>\n

On 6th November 1941, the commander of the South-Western Front, in his Order No 36, awarded Smirnov with the Order of the Red Banner for his leadership as a flight commander.<\/p>\n

At the beginning of December 1941 he was nominated to another prize:<\/p>\n

\u201cBrave commader. On the 25th<\/sup> September 1941 he shot down enemy plane \u201cJu-88\u201d but his plane was also shot down and he was forced to bail out from his burning fighter. After returning to his unit he continues to fly missions. His unit has made 410 combat missions to support ground forces, escort bombers and reconnaissance. So far he has made 52 combat missions.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the Order No 61 from the 9th December 1941, the commander of the South-Western Front awarded Ltn. L. D. Smirnov with the Order of the Red Star.<\/p>\n

On the 7th August 1942, Cpt L.D. Smirnov, a flight commander of 148 IAP, was nominated to the following award:<\/p>\n

\u201e During the Great Patriotic War he proved his bravery. Triumphant during scores of combat missions he also trained brave and dauntless pilots. He did not lose any of escorted bombers or attack aircraft. He fought successfully with the enemy and regardless from German preponderance he always won. He shot down one Me-109, one Ju-87, one Ju-88 and three others together with other pilots. His logbook shows 123 sorties, including 19 to attack enemy ground forces and 15 air combats. During the Stalingrad campaign he shot down 2 Me-109s. During those combats he proved his bravery and strength. His heroism inspired his fellow pilots to defeat fascist forces. His exemplary leadership and heroic deeds are worthy of the Order of Lenin prize\u201d.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

According to the\u00a0Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union edict from the 5th<\/sup> November 1942, the flight commander of 148th<\/sup> IAP (269th<\/sup> IAD (Fighter Air Division), 8th<\/sup> Air Force), Ltn. L.D. Smirnov received the Order of the Patriotic War First Class.<\/p>\n

In the spring 1943 Capt. L.D.Smirnov received a Yak-1 fighter with \u201cTo Smirnov Leonid, the Stalin\u2019s Falcon, from workers of Frunze District in Saratov\u201d. At that time he received another Red Flag Order.<\/p>\n

On the 6th May 1943 he did not return from another combat mission. Until that day he flew more than 150 sorties, took part in 20 dogfigts, shot down 7 planes individually and 4 shared. He received two Orders of the Red Banner, one Order of the Patriotic War 1st<\/sup> Class and the Order of the Red Star.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t