Nikolai Mikhailovich Gusarov
Native name
Никола́й Миха́йлович Гуса́ров
Born4 December 1917
Novosyolky village, Maloarkhangelsk Uyezd, Oryol Governorate, RSFSR
Died3 September 1979
Zheleznodorozhny, Moscow Oblast, Soviet Union
Allegiance Soviet Union
Service/branchSoviet Air Force
Years of service1936–1955
RankColonel
Unit486th Fighter Aviation Regiment
Battles/warsSoviet invasion of Poland
World War II
AwardsHero of the Soviet Union

Nikolai Mikhailovich Gusarov (Russian: Никола́й Миха́йлович Гуса́ров; 4 December 1917 – 3 September 1979) was a Soviet Air Force colonel and Hero of the Soviet Union. During World War II, Gusarov claimed at least 15 German aircraft shot down. He served with the 486th Fighter Aviation Regiment. He retired from the military in 1955 and worked in a ceramic factory until his death at the age of 61.[1]

Early life

Nikolay Mikhailovich Gusarov was born on 4 December 1917[2] in the village of Novosyolky in Maloarkhangelsk Uyezd of Oryol Governorate to a peasant family. Gusarov graduated from a 2-year college in Oryol. In 1936, he was in the Red Army. Gusarov graduated from the Kachin Military Aviation Pilot School in 1939. During September, Gusarov fought in the Soviet invasion of Poland.[1][3]

World War II

When Operation Barbarossa began on 22 June 1941, Gusarov was stationed with the 12th Fighter Aviation Regiment.[4] On 5 November, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. On 26 December, the regiment became the 486th Fighter Aviation Regiment.[5] In 1942, he joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. During the summer of 1942, he fought in the Battle of Kharkov while flying an LaGG-3. Gusarov provided air cover for Soviet ground troops during the Battle of Kursk during summer 1943. On 5 July, he shot down a German fighter and rammed another while flying a Lavochkin La-5 over Ponyri. He was awarded his second Order of the Red Banner on 16 September. By November, Gusarov had reportedly made 432 sorties, and in 69 air battles shot down 15 German aircraft. He also claimed 14 shared victories.[6] On 4 February 1944, Gusarov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin for his actions in air combat.[7] In June 1944, the regiment was moved to the 5th Air Army to fight in the Second Jassy–Kishinev Offensive. Gusarov, Captain Andrei Girich and Senior Lieutenant Telegin together shot down two Focke-Wulf Fw 189 reconnaissance aircraft during the offensive.[3] In January 1945, Gusarov participated in the Budapest Offensive, shooting down one Junkers Ju 52. He received the Order of Alexander Nevsky on 18 January. During the Prague Offensive in early May, he shot down at least one German aircraft.[3] Gusarov was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War 1st class on 11 June.[1]

Postwar

In 1949, Gusarov graduated from Higher Officers flight tactical training courses.[2] On 19 November 1951, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star. In 1955, he retired for health reasons and was awarded his second Order of the Red Star on 22 February. Gusarov lived in Zheleznodorozhny and in 1959 began working at the Kuchinsky ceramic factory, where he held a job until his death. He died on 3 September 1979 and is buried in the Purshevskom cemetery.[1][3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Гусаров Николай Михайлович" [Gusarov Nikolay Mikhailovich]. www.warheroes.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  2. 1 2 "г. Железнодорожный" [Zheleznodorozhny]. mognb.narod.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Гусаров Николай Михайлович – военный летчик Герой Советского Союза – Красные соколы. Русские авиаторы летчики-асы 1914–1953" [Gusarov Nikolay Mikhailovich]. airaces.narod.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  4. ↑ Bykov, Mikhail (2014). Все асы Сталина 1936–1953 гг [All aces Stalin 1936–1953] (in Russian). Moscow: Yauza. p. 322. ISBN 9785457567221.
  5. ↑ Polak, Tomas (1999). Stalin's Falcons. London: Grub Street. p. 142. ISBN 9781902304014.
  6. ↑ Mellinger, George (2012-10-20). Yakovlev Aces of World War 2. Osprey Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 9781782005537.
  7. ↑ Указ Президиума Верховного Совета СССР «О присвоении звания Героя Советского Союза офицерскому составу военно-воздушных сил Красной Армии» от 4 февраля 1944 года // Ведомости Верховного Совета Союза Советских Социалистических Республик : газета. — 1944. — 17 февраля (№ 10 (270)). — С. 1
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