Today marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of the legendary pilot Ivan Kozhedub
The illustrious pilot did not chalk up an enemy vehicle if he did not see how it fell to the ground
“It would be possible, I would not get out of the plane,” - the first ace of the Second World War, Ivan Kozhedub, liked to say, recalling his youth. June 8 marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of this legendary fighter pilot, air marshal, three times Hero of the Soviet Union.
On account of Kozhedub 330 sorties, 120 air battles and 62 downed enemy aircraft - such a number of victories could not boast of any pilot in the entire aviation of the allies in the anti-Hitler coalition. For outstanding services to the Motherland, Ivan Kozhedub was awarded the title of Hero three times.
The future ace was born in a small Ukrainian village, in a large family. And, despite the fact that he was the youngest, the father always raised his son strictly, from childhood he taught courage. Early "sick" with the sky, Vanya first studied at the flying club, and before the war he entered the flight school.
The first air battle ended in failure for Kozhedub and almost became the last. His plane was damaged by a Messer cannon burst. And his life was saved by the armored back of the chair. And on the way to the airfield, his plane was accidentally fired upon by his own people: he was hit by two shells fired from an anti-aircraft gun. But with incredible efforts, the young pilot managed to land the car. By the way, Kozhedub was never shot down - he always made it to the landing, even with holes.
He "flunked" his first enemy plane on July 6, 1943 at the Kursk Bulge. The next day he set fire to the second Junkers, and two days later - two enemy fighters at once. Less than a year later, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Then on account of Kozhedub there were already 20 shot down planes.
Kozhedub had his own, inherent only to him alone, handwriting in the sky, Alexei Kadakin, an employee of the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War on Poklonnaya Gora, told the Voice of Russia.
“He knew how to accurately and quickly weigh the situation, which is very important in battle, and at the same time instantly find the only right move in the current situation., snakes, slides, dives, etc. Kozhedub always tried to find the enemy first, but at the same time "not substitute himself", - said Kadakin
"They fight not by number, but by skill," the famous ace liked to repeat to his fellow soldiers. Therefore, he was not afraid to get involved in a battle with a significantly superior enemy. In one of the battles, his four managed to repel a raid of 36 bombers, which went under the cover of six Messers. There was a case when he had to fight alone with 18 Junkers, - notes Alexey Kadakin:
"Kozhedub burst into the enemy's battle formations and with unexpected and sharp maneuvers plunged the enemy into confusion. The Junkers stopped bombing and stood in a defensive circle. Although there was little fuel left in the fighter's tanks, the Soviet pilot made another attack and shot one of the enemy from below point-blank. This could stun the enemy. The sight of the Junkers falling in the flames made the right impression, and the rest of the bombers hurriedly left the battlefield."
Historians say that Ivan Kozhedub shot down many more planes than official sources say. The fact is that he did not chalk up an enemy vehicle if he himself did not see how it fell to the ground. “What if he will reach his own?”, - explained the pilot to his fellow soldiers.
Ivan Kozhedub died in 1991 and was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow. The name of the legendary ace is now borne by the 237th Guards Proskurovsky Red Banner Aviation Show Center, which includes the famous aerobatic teams "Russian Knights" and "Swifts".
