Hero of the Soviet Union Lavrynenkov Vladimir Dmitrievich, Soviet fighter pilot: biography

Lavrynenkov Vladimir Dmitrievich, whose biography is described in this article, is twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Colonel-General of Aviation, member of the CPSU, Soviet military commander. He was born on the seventeenth of May 1919 in an ordinary peasant family. A joyful event occurred in the small village of Ptakhino, which is located in the Smolensk region.

Education

Prior to the seventh grade he studied in elementary school. He graduated from it in 1934. Then he entered the school of FZU (factory apprenticeships). Having mastered the specialty "carpenter", he began working at the Karachev furniture factory near Bryansk. Then - in Smolensk. There and there was a dream to get into flight school. At first without a break from work Vladimir Dmitrievich studied in an aero club. After his graduation, in February 1940, he was sent on a Komsomol voucher to the Chuguev Military Airborne School. In the winter of 1941, he began to work as a pilot-instructor in it. The appointment was accepted without enthusiasm, as he dreamed of flying a combat aircraft and fighting the enemy. Already after the war he entered the Military Academy. Frunze and graduated in 1948. Then in 1954 - the Military Academy of the General Staff.

The first battles at the front

Lavrynenkov, an instructor pilot, was at the height of the Battle of Stalingrad at the front. In August 1942, he opened a combat account. Only during the first month at the front Vladimir Dmitrievich shot down sixteen German aircraft. In October 1942, he was transferred to the Odessa Ninth Fighter Guards Air Regiment of the Eighth South-Western Army. Fought under Rostov-on-Don and Bataysk.

Frontal Glory

In the ninth Guards air regiment, Vladimir Dmitrievich received a personal callsign "Falcon". And his airplane was numbered by the date of birth - "17". Already in a short time, Sokol-17 became known at the front to everyone. The second half of December 1942 was very tense. Pilots flew almost every day, doing several sorties a day.

Born in a shirt

In one of those December strained days, Lavrynenkov Vladimir Dmitrievich participated in the interception of German bombers. There were four people in the group. Vladimir Dmitrievich, seeing enemy aircraft, began an attack. His right side hit the turret line. Most of the plating was opened. The enemy was defeated by his colleague Bondarenko, and the led, Budanov, covered and morally supported Vladimir Dmitrievich before landing. Although it was almost impossible, Lavrynenkov was able to land the plane. It's interesting, but Vladimir Dmitrievich knew how to solve enemy tactics. Basically, he left the battles without damage and the winner. Even when new planes arrived in the regiment, Lavrynenkov remained flying in his "veteran".

In captivity

In August 1943, on the orders of Major-General Khryukin, the fighter Lavrinenkov flew with a group of pilots to intercept the German FW-189. Vladimir Dmitrievich discovered an enemy scout and began his persecution. Winged the tail of the tail of the German. As a result, both aircraft began to fall. Lavrynenkov saved the parachute. But he landed directly in the hands of the enemy and was taken prisoner.

The escape

When he was seized, he had no documents with him and could not have identified him. But a cruel joke played two factors. The first one is a food certificate, where his surname was indicated. And the second - the Germans had an album and newspaper clippings with photos of Soviet pilots and their exploits. So Lavrynenkov was declassified. To deny was useless. And he was shielded by a wall of deep silence. The Germans sent Vladimir Dmitrievich for questioning to Berlin.

He was taken by train along with another prisoner, whom they later became very friendly with. The escorts did not take their eyes off them, but when they did not have much time left, they relaxed somewhat. This is what Vladimir Dmitrievich and his friend used. They jumped out of the train, which was in full swing. They were pursued, shot, but the bullets flew by. They were able to escape.

And again into battle!

After the escape of Lavrynenkov, Vladimir Dmitrievich first joined the partisan detachment. Chapaev. There they waited for the approach of the Red Army troops, simultaneously taking part in all operations and battles. One of them killed a friend, with whom Lavrynenkov escaped. For him it was a very heavy loss. Many Germans were concentrated in the area of the village of Hotzki. The guerrillas managed to defeat this "hornet's nest" and rescue the prisoners.

Return to the sky

After the partisan detachment Vladimir Dmitrievich returned to the regiment again. He was awarded the title of guard captain. From 1943 to 1944 he fought in the airy territory of the Crimea. In the summer of 1944 Lavrynenkov was appointed commander of the ninth Fighter Guards Air Regiment. He fought the Germans in the Baltics, over Berlin and in East Prussia. In October 1944, the regiment was enlisted in the 303rd Smolensk Red Banner Air Division of the First Air Army.

The battle that was remembered by many

One day, at the end of June 1943, Lavrynenkov Vladimir Dmitrievich, during a swift attack, shot down two German bombers at once. The battle took place in sunny and clear weather. It was followed by hundreds of soldiers and the commander of the front, Colonel-General Tolbukhin. The battle was so beautiful and spectacular that the admired commander-in-chief summoned Lavrynenkov to himself, congratulated him and presented him with a gold watch. A few days after the legendary battle, Vladimir Dmitrievich was summoned by Air Marshal Novikov. The latter talked, asked around and asked to write an article about battles in the air.

After the war

After the Second World War Vladimir Dmitrievich was in the service in air defense. From 1945 to 1946 he commanded the air regiment. Since 1955 he headed the fighter training center in a new format (air defense). From 1955 to 1962 he commanded the aviation of the army. And then, in 1969, he was the first deputy commander of the eighth air defense army in Kiev. From 1968 to 1977, he supervised it and at the same time was the deputy commander of the Kiev Air Defense Force. In 1971, Lavrynenkov became a colonel-general of aviation. Six years later he became chief of staff and deputy head of the Civil Defense of Ukraine. From 1984 to 1988 he worked as a military adviser to the Academy of Air Defense. Marshal Vasilevsky. Lavrinenkov was elected to the Supreme Council of Ukraine of the seventh convocation.

Lavrynenkov as the head

Vladimir Dmitrievich was very disciplined and organized. Rarely retreated from his plans. People never jerked in vain and nervousness in the work of the team did not bring. This style of leadership brought good results. The work of any level of complexity was rhythmic, precise. Thanks to a good organization, people could calmly concentrate and achieve the best results.

Vladimir D. skillfully selected the staff, trusted them and unnecessarily did not take care of them. I was always ready to take responsibility. This gave the subordinates confidence. The war left its imprint on many. Including Vladimir Dmitrievich. But even after the surgery, he did not make any exceptions for himself. Supervised the development of exercises, took part in them, went to the training grounds and, together with the chiefs of staff and troops, conducted classes on a new form - air defense. Modesty and career growth were surprisingly combined in Lavrynenkov. He was so skilfully able to control himself, that this rare ability developed into the art of leading thousands of troops.

Personal life

Lavrynenkov Vladimir D. was married to Evdokia Petrovna, with whom he lived for more than forty years. They had two children. Son Peter followed in the footsteps of his father, rose to the rank of commander of the regiment. At the moment already in reserve, he works and lives in Moscow. Daughter Olga graduated from Kiev University. Now she is a candidate of historical sciences. He works at the Institute of History. Peter and Olga already have their families and children.

last years of life

Heavy illness of Vladimir Dmitrievich made itself felt in 1973. During one of the fights, he rammed a fascist plane and heavily hit his chest against the dashboard. As a result, a metastasis was formed, which reminded of itself after thirty years. Lavrinenkov's doctors found a huge swelling in the chest at the site of the stroke. Colonel Maslov, the surgeon, performed a brilliant operation, thanks to which the hero's life was extended for years. The doctors guaranteed him five more years of life, and Vladimir Dmitrievich lived fourteen. He died on January 14, 1988. He was buried in the Kiev Baykovoye cemetery.

Awards and titles

On the orders of the Supreme Council of 01.05.1943, Lavrynenkov Vladimir Dmitrievich - Hero of the Soviet Union. This title, the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal were appropriated to him and handed over for three hundred and twenty-two combat sorties. During this time, Vladimir Dmitrievich entered the battle seventy-eight times and personally shot down sixteen enemy aircraft.

For all his life, the pilot was awarded orders:

• Lenin (2 times).
• October revolution.
• The Red Banner (6 times).
• The Patriotic War (first degree).
• The Red Star.

And also General Lavrinenkov received numerous medals. On the Sapun Mount, an obelisk was erected for the defenders of the Crimea. Lavrinenkov's name was inscribed on it one of the first. At the Kiev house, where the pilot lived, a memorial plaque is installed. He received the title of honorary citizen of Smolensk, Sevastopol and Pochinok.