Hero of Cyn

Returning from one of his departure, the pilot of the U-2 squadron communication 5th Guards. Shaq attack aircraft saw lying on his belly in the neutral zone. Summarizing his car closer, he discovered that the cabin IL-2 is closed: it means that the pilot inside, apparently wounded. Mutual assistance among the pilots - the holy law. U-2 masterfully landed on neytralku spotted by craters and "parked", to close the Germans attack aircraft. The cabin is really sat badly wounded in the head pilot Lieutenant Berdnikov; the task of aerial photography he performed, but deliver the results to the base of the shooting was not able to. First in the U-2 moved the camera with film, then the cost of incredible effort, limp body the saved a wounded pilot. Hurry up with the planned counterattack, artillerymen and tankers with the assistance of the German stormtroopers diverted attention from the brazen maize, and the U-2, dancing in funnels, successfully took off from neytralke. For the salvation of fellow pilot and delivery of intelligence Kamanin was awarded the Order of the Red Star.



pilots Arkady Nikolayevich Kamanin was 14 years old.

I very much hope that his name seemed familiar to you. Because his father - Nikolai Kamanin - Hero of the Soviet Union, the legendary pilot who took part in the epic rescue Chelyuskinites. For what, in fact, was honored with his friends invented specifically in connection with this case, the honorary title.



In July 1942, Colonel N. Kamanin was appointed commander of the 8th mixed, then 5-Attack Air Corps. In early 1943, he was awarded the rank of Major General. The General's life in addition to the special responsibility has its advantages; The newly arrived to the General wife and son Arkady. Wife stayed to work at the headquarters of the body. Arkady refused to return home; given his experience - Arkady had a few months to work as a mechanic at a Moscow Aviation Plant - father appointed him Special equipment mechanic in a squadron of his body connection.

Superiors repeatedly demonstrated impeccable knowledge of materiel, Arkady achieved increase - began to fly flight engineer and navigator-observer. Redundant management and personal perseverance allowed Arkady gradually turn out lёtnuyu practice. One stray bullet smashed visor cockpit pilot, fragments flogged his face, blinding actually.

Connected aircraft were equipped with radio; call Arcadia rose from the ground experienced pilot, a "remote control" which Arkady Kamanin perfectly planted car. After that, he began flight training take place officially. Two months experienced aircraft mechanics enough to pass the exam in person, Major General H. Kamanin who never found reason to avoid Sergeant A. Kamanina to independent departure.

At first, "Letunok" flew between airfields body, but eventually he began charging more and more important task - especially after he confirmed his piloting skills, stepping down from the trailer cornering Messer. The result of one of the missions was to save Lieutenant Berdnikova.

In Poland, Arkady saved another comrade: waiting for permission to land at the airfield Fighter Wing, he noticed that one of the pilots took off from a mechanic on the tail (to prevent nosing during takeoff on the wet ground, sat down on the mechanics of the tail; the main thing was on time and skillfully jump). Accurate shot from the pistol raised caution pilot already had time to remove the chassis. Mechanics removed from the tail on the ground, though not without difficulty.

In 1944, Sergeant Kamanin earned second Order of the Red Star: the attack on the headquarters of the front unit Bandera he flew under fire in his U-2, the attackers threw hand grenades and called for reinforcements.

Spring of 1945, 16-year-old sergeant Arkady Kamanin delivered a partisan unit under the Brno power for the radio and the secret package, having made a hour and a half flight to the front line on the unexplored route in mountainous areas with difficult terrain. This flight commanders assessed the Order of the Red Banner.

And after World War II dream come true Arcadia: the fall of 1946 a 17-year veteran, holder of decorations and medals he entered the preparatory courses of the Academy of Zhukovsky, which at the time he graduated from his father.

... There is a sad personnel have a saying: "He took off his sword belt - and crumbled." The youngest pilot of the Second World War Arkady Nikolayevich Kamanin died of meningitis April 13, 1947, will forever remain eighteen.