18th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment

Over the entire period of its existence, the regiment changed its name several times:

• 6th Fighter Aviation Regiment ^[1] ;
• 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment ^[1] ;
• The 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Red Banner Regiment ^[1] ;
• The 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Vitebsk Red Banner Regiment ^[1] ;
• 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Vitebsk Red Banner Order of the Suvorov Regiment ^[1] ;
• The 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Vitebsk twice Red Banner Order of the Suvorov Regiment ^[1] ;
• The 18th Guards Aviation Vitebsk twice Red Banner Order of Suvorov Regiment of fighter-bombers ; ^[1] ;
• The 18th Guards Assault Aviation Vitebsk twice Red Banner Order of the Suvorov Regiment ^[1] ;
• The 18th Guards Assault Aviation Vitebsk twice Red Banner Order of the Suvorov Regiment "Normandy-Neman" (05/09/1995) ^[1] ;
• The 18th Guards Assault Aviation Vitebsk twice the Red Banner Order of Suvorov and the French Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honor Regiment Normandie-Niemen (02/14/2006) ^[1] ;
• 6983th Guards Air Base of the first category (military unit 62231);
• 18th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment ;
• Field mail of military unit 21806 ^[1] .

In the period from February 28 to May 15, 1942, the 6th fighter aviation regiment was in the 5th reserve air brigade of the Siberian Military District ( Novosibirsk ), where it mastered the Yak-7b and Yak-1 fighters ^[1] .

For the exemplary performance of combat missions and the courage and heroism shown at the same time, the 6th Fighter Aviation Regiment was transformed into the 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment by Order No. 70 of 03/07/1942 ^[1] .

On June 1, 1942, the regiment arrived in the Moscow Military District at the Ramenskoye airfield and was placed at the disposal of the 2nd reserve aviation brigade of the SVKK . On June 23, the regiment began combat work as part of the 234th fighter air division of the 1st Air Army of the Western Front on Yak-7b and Yak-1 aircraft. On August 18, the regiment received 7 Yak-1 from the 91st IAP . From August 24, 1942 to February 22, 1943 the regiment did not conduct combat work, being in the reserve of the 1st VA and continuing to remain part of the 234th fighter air division. Reformed by the state 015/284 ^[1] .

On February 22, 1943, the regiment was transferred to the newly formed 303th fighter air division of the 1st Air Army of the Western Front and resumed combat operations on Yak-7b aircraft ^[1] .

Since April 1943, the regiment included a squadron of French pilots formed at the Ivanovo airfield. On April 5, 1943, the squadron began military operations. The story of the creation of the squadron: in March 1942, the French national liberation committee “ Fighting France ” asked the authorities of the Soviet Union to send a group of pilots and aviation mechanics to the USSR to participate in military operations against Germany . On November 12, 1942, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR approved Decree No. 1806-850cc “On an Agreement between the Red Army Air Force Command and the Combat Command of the Combating France on the Participation of French Air Force Units in Operations in the Soviet Union” ^[2] . On November 25, 1942, a Soviet-French agreement was signed on the formation of a French aviation squadron on the territory of the USSR. The squadron was formed on December 4, 1942 in the city of Ivanovo . At the suggestions of the personnel of the new military unit, the name " Normandy " was named in honor of the French province, the most affected by the German occupation ^[3] .

In July 1943, on the basis of the 4th squadron, the 1st separate Normandy fighter aviation regiment of the fighting France was created. On November 28, 1944, for military merits and courage shown during air battles during the battles to liberate Lithuania and when crossing the Neman River , the regiment was given the honorary name "Nemansky" by order of the Supreme Commander of the Soviet Armed Forces IV Stalin , and since then he began to be called the regiment "Normandy - Neman" ^[3] .

In September 1943, the regiment was completely rearmed with Yak-9 fighters. On October 23, 1943, the regiment was awarded the Order of the Red Banner ^[1] for the exemplary performance of command missions at the front of the battle against the German invaders and the valor and courage shown with the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces.

From June 29 to August 27, 1944, the flight personnel of the regiment was in Saratov at aircraft factory No. 292, where they received and mastered the Yak-3 fighters. On July 6, 1944, for the courage, courage and bravery shown in the battles to break through the Vitebsk fortified area of ​​the Germans south of Vitebsk and in the Orsha direction north of the Dnieper River , as well as for the seizure of the city of Vitebsk by regiment VGK No. 0175, the honorary name Vitebsky was awarded ^[1] .

In July 1944, the regiment was reorganized to state 015/364 . July 23, 1944 for the successful fulfillment of command assignments in the battles for the seizure of the capital of Belarus, the city of Minsk and the valor and courage shown by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Council, the 18th Guards Regiment was awarded the Order of Suvorov, 3rd class ^[1] .

On August 27, 1944, the regiment returned to combat work as part of the 303rd Iad of the 1st VA of the 3rd Belorussian Front on Yak-3 aircraft. On May 5, 1945, the regiment was awarded the Second Order of the Red Banner ^[1] for the exemplary performance of command missions in battles with the German invaders during the capture of the cities of Landsberg , Bartenstein and the courage shown in this by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces ^[1] .

In the army

As part of the army ^[4] :

• from March 7, 1942 to May 9, 1945, a total of 1,159 days.

In September 1948, as part of the 303rd Iad, it was transferred from the Air Force to the Air Defense Forces and relocated from the 1st Air Army of the Belarusian Military District to the Moscow Air Defense District. In the period from December 1948 to July 1949 he retrained for the MiG-9 fighter jets. In March 1950, the regiment mastered the MiG-15 aircraft. In June 1950, along with the 303rd Iad, it was relocated from the Moscow Air Defense District to the Air Force of the Far Eastern Military District at the Galenki airfield (Primorsky Territory). From May 8, 1951 to February 24, 1952, a regiment consisting of the 303rd Iad of the 64th IAK took part in the armed conflict in Korea (on the DPRK side) on MiG-15 aircraft ^[1] .

In March 1952, at the end of a government trip as part of the 303rd Iad, he returned to the Galenka airfield in the Air Force of the Far Eastern Military District. In 1982, it was transformed into a fighter-bomber aviation regiment as part of the 303rd air division. In March 1993, it was transformed into an assault aviation regiment as part of the 303rd Garden. May 9, 1995 awarded the honorary name "Normandy — Neman." In 1998, the regiment became separate after the dissolution of the 303rd garden. On February 14, 2006, the French Government awarded the regiment with the Legion of Honor. On November 11, 2009, in connection with the ongoing reform of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the regiment was disbanded, a farewell to the Battle Banner of the regiment took place. In December 2009, the 18th guards cap was disbanded during the reform of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, all regiment regalia transferred to the 6983rd air base ^[1] .

On December 1, 2013, the regiment was re-formed at the Chernigovka airfield.

• Major Chertov Sergey Ivanovich , 03/07/1942 - 11/28/1942
• Major , Lieutenant Colonel Golubov Anatoly Emelyanovich , 11.28.1942 - 01/17/1945
• Major , Lieutenant Colonel Sibirin Semen Alekseevich , 01/17/1945 - 11/05/1947

• The Great Patriotic War (1942-1945):
  • Oryol-Volkhov operation ;
  • Spas-Demenskaya operation ;
  • Elninsko-Dorogobuzh operation ;
  • Battle of Kursk ;
  • Belarusian operation .

• War in korea
• Tajik Civil War

• For the courage, courage and bravery shown in the battles during the breakthrough of the Vitebsk fortified area of ​​the Germans south of Vitebsk and in the Orsha direction north of the Dnieper River , as well as for the possession of the city of Vitebsk by the order of the Higher Military Command, the 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Red Banner Regiment was awarded the honorary name “ ^5th Red Banner” .
• May 9, 1995 the regiment was given the honorary name "Normandy-Niemen" ^[1] .

• On October 23, 1943, the 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment “was awarded the Order of the Red Banner ^{[6] [1]} by decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet for the exemplary performance of command missions in battles with German invaders and shown valor and courage.”
• The 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Vitebsk Red Banner Regiment July 23, 1943 "for the successful execution of command assignments in the battles for the seizure of the capital of Belarus, the city of Minsk and the courage shown at the same time, was awarded the Order of the Suvorov of the III degree ^[7] by decree of the Presidium of the USSR ^{[7] [1 ] ]} .
• The 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Vitebsk Red Banner, Order of Suvorov Regiment on May 5, 1945 "for exemplary performance of command missions in battles with the German invaders during the capture of the cities of Landsberg, Barnstein and shown valor and courage" by the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR Red Banner ^{[8] [1]} .
• The 18th Guards Assault Aviation Vitebsk twice the Red Banner, the Order of Suvorov Regiment "Normandy-Niemen" for the courage and heroism shown during the Great Patriotic War, for the preservation of traditions and respect for the memory of front-line friendship on February 14, 2006, the French Government was awarded the highest award of France - a cross of the Order of the Legion of Honor ^[1] .

•   Balandin Vladimir Aleksandrovich commander of the link, guard senior lieutenant, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of April 19, 1945 was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union posthumously.
•   Barsukov Vasily Nikolaevich commander of the squadron, guard captain, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of April 19, 1944 was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union (No. 6142).
•   Golubov Anatoly Emelyanovich regiment commander, being deputy commander of the 303rd division, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of June 29, 1945 was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union (No. 6299).
•   Danilenko Nikolay Nikitovich , deputy squadron commander, guard captain, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of April 19, 1944 was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union (No. 6132).
•   Pinchuk Nikolay Grigorievich , commander of the 1st squadron, guard captain, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated April 19, 1944 was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union (No. 6216).
•   Seregin Vasily Georgievich , squadron commander, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of February 23, 1948 was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union (No. 8306).

•   Sibirin Semen Alekseevich , navigator of the regiment, guard captain, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 1, 1944, was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union (No. 3721).
•   Stelmakh Evgeny Mikhailovich , commanding officer, guard senior lieutenant, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 10, 1951, was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
•   Smorchkov Alexander Pavlovich , deputy commander - pilot inspector on the technique of piloting the 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, guard lieutenant colonel. By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR of November 13, 1951, was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union (9285).
•   Schukin Lev Kirillovich , commanding officer, guard senior lieutenant. By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of November 13, 1951 he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union (9279).

• The citizen of France, the pilot of the Normandie-Niemen squadron Marcel Lefebvre, was forever listed on the personnel list of the 1st squadron of the regiment ^[9]
• Killed in Korea regiment pilots:
  • Ageev Nikolay Alekseevich, born in 1922, Molotov region, Chersky district, Chersk settlement. Guard Senior Lieutenant, Link Commander. He died in battle on June 25, 1951. He was buried in a fraternal cemetery in Port Arthur .
  • Akatov Victor Nikolaevich, born in 1923, Moscow Region, Vysokovsk. Guard senior lieutenant, pilot. He died in battle on September 2, 1951. He was buried in a fraternal cemetery in Port Arthur.
  • Anatoly Baturov, born in 1919, Kaluga Region, Mosalsky District, Kazarki village. Guard senior lieutenant, pilot. He died in battle on December 5, 1951. He was buried in a fraternal cemetery in Port Arthur.
  • Klopikov (Kolpikov) Sergey Timofeevich, born in 1923, Grozny region, Naursky district, art. Kalinovskaya. Guard senior lieutenant, pilot. He died in battle on September 2, 1951. He was buried in a fraternal cemetery in Port Arthur.
  • Sapozhnikov Boris Petrovich, born in 1923, Kirov. It is called up by Zhdanovsky RVK. Guard senior lieutenant, pilot. He died in battle on January 16, 1952. He was buried in a fraternal cemetery in Port Arthur.
  • Stelmakh Evgeny Mikhailovich , born in 1923, Belorussian SSR, Mogilev region, Osipovichsky district, village of Vyazovnitsa. Guard Senior Lieutenant, Senior Pilot. He died in battle on June 1, 1951. He was buried in a fraternal cemetery in Port Arthur. October 10, 1951 was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union posthumously.
  • Stepanov Vasily Ivanovich, born in 1923, Oryol Region, Izmalkovsky District, Glotovsky s / s. Guard senior lieutenant, pilot. He died in battle on January 6, 1952. He was buried in the fraternal cemetery in Port Arthur.
  • Shulyatiev Anatoly Ivanovich, born in 1923, Kirov. Drafted by Molotovsky RVC. Guard senior lieutenant, pilot. He died in battle on November 2, 1951. He was buried in a fraternal cemetery in Port Arthur.

During the years of World War II

In total, during the years of World War II, the regiment ^[1] :

The losses ^[1] :

Over the years of the Korean War

For the Korean War Regiment ^[1] ^

The losses ^[1] :

• Elbing, Germany , 05.1945 - 08.1945
• Kobrin , Brest region , from 1945 - 6.48
• Dyatkovo , Yaroslavl region , from 6.48 - 9.50
• Galenki , Primorsky Krai , 9.50 - 3.51
• Mukden , China , 25.3.51 - 8.5.51
• Yangdong, China , 8.5.51 - 28.5.51
• Myaogou, China , 28.5.51 - 3.52
• Galenki , Primorsky Krai , 3.52 - 2009
• Chernihivka , Primorsky Territory , since December 1, 2013

• B. Growl , M. Morozov. Guard aviation divisions, corps, squadrons 1941-45 // World of Aviation: Aviation-historical journal, technical review .. - M. , 2003. - Issue. 32 . - No. 3 . - S. 25-28 . Archived March 5, 2016.
• B. Growl , M. Morozov. Guard aviation divisions, corps, squadrons 1941-45 // World of Aviation: Aviation-historical journal, technical review .. - M. , 2003. - Issue. 31 . - No. 2 . - S. 25-31 . Archived on April 22, 2016.
• Team of authors. List No. 12 of the aviation regiments of the Air Force of the Red Army, which were part of the Active Army during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. / Pokrovsky. - The Ministry of Defense of the USSR. Military Scientific Directorate of the General Staff. - Moscow: Military Publishing House, 1960. - T. Appendix to the Directive of the General Staff of January 18, 1960 No. 170023. - 96 p.
• Anokhin V.A. Bykov M.Yu. All fighter aviation regiments of Stalin. The first complete encyclopedia. - Popular science publication. - Moscow: Yauza-press, 2014 .-- S. 51–55. - 944 p. - ISBN 978-5-9955-0707-9 .

1. Combat logs
2. Photos of aircraft of the 18th Guards. iap
3. Air force
4. The Luftwaffe, 1933-45
5. World War II Aviators
6. Normandy-Niemen Regiment Veterans Site

• Normandy Neman. The documentary history of the Normandy-Niemen French fighter aviation regiment (November 28, 1942 - June 20, 1945). Goritsky Vladimir Alekseevich. - M .: Strategy, 2007. - 302 [1] p. - ISBN 5-9234-0073-1 .