On January 15 (28), 1918, V. I. Lenin signed a decree on the organization of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army, and, consequently, its component - the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Air Force (RKKVF).

On May 24, 1918, the Directorate of the Air Force was transformed into the Main Directorate of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Air Force (Glavvozdukhoflot), headed by a Council consisting of a chief and two commissars. Military specialist M. A. Solovov, soon replaced by A. S. Vorotnikov, became the head of the Glavvozdukhoflot, K. V. Akashev and A. V. Sergeev became the commissars.

SOLOVOV Mikhail Alexandrovich

Head of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (05-07.1918)

Russian, Soviet military leader, mechanical engineer (1913), colonel (1917). On the military service since 1899. He graduated from the courses of the Maritime engineering school Emperor Nicholas I (1910).

He served in the Naval Department in the following positions: junior mechanical engineer (1902-1905), acting assistant. senior ship mechanic mine cruiser"Abrek" (1905-1906), ship mechanic of the yacht "Neva" (1906-1907).

From June 1917 on the staff of the Directorate of the Military Air Fleet: I.d. head of the 8th (factory management) department, from October 11 - I.d. assistant to the head of the department for the technical and economic part. From March 1918 in the Red Army. Head of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (05.24-07.17.1918). Since July 1918 - head of the procurement department of the same department, later - as part of the Supreme Council of the National Economy (VSNKh) of the Russian Republic.

Awards: Order of St. Anne 3rd class (1909), St. Stanislaus 2nd class. (1912), St. Anna (1914), St. Vladimir 4th class. (1915); medals "In memory of the 300th anniversary of the reign of the Romanov dynasty" (1913), « In memory of the 200th anniversary of the Gangut victory" (1915); foreign orders and medals.

VOROTNIKOV Alexander Stepanovich

Head of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (07.1918-06.1919).

Russian (Soviet) military leader, military pilot, colonel (1917). He has been in military service since September 1899. He graduated from the Chuguev Infantry Cadet School (1902, 1st category), the Officer School of Aviation of the Air Fleet Department (1912). He served in the 121st Penza Infantry Regiment. Participant Russo-Japanese War(1904-1905): head of the "hunting team" (08-09.1904), equestrian "hunting team" (from 09.1904).

From January 1912 in the Military Air Fleet: head of the lower ranks team of the Officer Aviation School of the Air Fleet Department (02.1912-01.1913), officer of the 7th aeronautical company (01-04.1913), acting officer. head of the 1st detachment of the company (04-06.1913), head of the 9th corps squadron (from 08.1913). Participated in the organization of long-distance air flights in Russia.

During the First World War: commander of a corps squadron (until 02.1915), 2nd aviation company (02.1915-10.1916), 2nd aviation division (10.1916-01.1918), assistant inspector of army aviation Western Front on the technical side (02-03.1918), commander of the 3rd aviation division (03-05.1918). Called to serve in the Red Army. From May 30, 1918, he was the head of the aviation detachments of the Veil of the western strip, from July 5, he was the head of the district department of the RKKVVF of the Moscow Military District. Head of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (17.07.1918-06.1919). Military pilot at the Main Directorate of the Head of Supply of the RKKVVF (06-12.1919), Technical Inspector of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (12.1919-04.1920), Assistant to the Head of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF for the organizational and construction part (05-09.1920), Assistant for Aviation, Chief Technical Inspector of the Main Directorate RKKVVF (09.1920-04.1921). From April 1921 he was the head of the 1st military school for pilots of the RKKVVF, from December 1923 he was a permanent member of the tactical section of the Scientific Committee under the Directorate of the Air Force of the Red Army. Staff teacher high school military camouflage of the Red Army (1924). In December 1924 he was transferred to the reserve of the Red Army. In 1925-1926. worked in the Aviation Trust under the Main Directorate of the Civil Air Fleet.

Awards: Order of St. Stanislav 3rd class with swords and a bow (1905), St. Anne 4th class. (1905), St. Vladimir 4th class. with swords and a bow (1905), St. Anne 3rd class. with swords and a bow (1906), 2nd class. with swords (1906), St. Stanislaus 2nd class. with swords (1906), St. George's weapons (1915); gold watch RVSR (1919).

Head of the Field Directorate of Aviation and Aeronautics at the Field Headquarters of the RVSR (09/22/1918 - 03/25/1920).

Soviet military leader, pilot. In military service since 1915. He graduated from the courses of aviation mechanics and theoretical courses pilots at the Petrograd Polytechnic Institute (1915), the Sevastopol Aviation School (1916), the Air Force Academy of the Red Army (1926).

During the First World War: private of the 171st reserve infantry battalion, then of the 1st aviation company (1915-1916), pilot of the 1st corps, then of the 7th Siberian air squadron (1916-1917), senior non-commissioned officer. He took part in the revolutionary movement in Russia. Since August 1917, the elected commander of the air squadron, since September 1917, a member, then chairman of the Executive Bureau of the All-Russian Council of Aviation, since January 1918, a member of the All-Russian Collegium for the Management of the Air Fleet of the Republic, special commissioner of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR for the evacuation of aviation equipment and property from the Northern areas.

During civil war in Russia: member of the Council and commissar of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (05-08.1918), chief commissar of the RKKVVF at the headquarters of the commander-in-chief of the armies Eastern Front and Chief of Aviation of the 5th Army (08-09.1918), Head of the Field Directorate of Aviation and Aeronautics at the Field Headquarters of the RVSR (09.1918-03.1920), Chief of Staff of the Air Fleet (03.1920-02.1921), Head of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (09.1921-10.1922). He showed outstanding organizational skills in the formation and construction of the Red Air Fleet, personally participated in the hostilities on the fronts of the Civil War.

Since 1926, in the reserve of the Red Army with secondment at the disposal of the People's Commissariat for Foreign and Internal Trade. In 1926-1928. worked as a military attache in France, since 1928 - in the USA, where he headed the aviation department of Soviet trade missions (Amtorg).

From March 1933 he was the head of transport aviation of the USSR and deputy head of the Main Directorate of the Civil Air Fleet under the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR. Tragically died in a plane crash (1933). Author of numerous articles and scientific papers on the history of aviation.

Reward: Order of the Red Banner (1928).

The structure of the Red Air Fleet did not take shape immediately. Ultimately, an aviation detachment consisting of 6 aircraft and 66 personnel was adopted as the main tactical and administrative unit. The first regular aviation detachments were created in August 1918 and sent to the Eastern Front.

The Soviet Republic, which found itself in the middle of 1918 in a fiery ring of fronts, turned into a military camp. All the armed forces at its disposal, including the Air Fleet, were sent to the fronts. The current situation required the creation of a body that would unite aviation units on a national scale, organize and lead them fighting. To this end, on September 22, 1918, the Field Directorate of Aviation and Aeronautics of the Army (Aviadarm) was established at the headquarters of the RVSR. It combined operational, administrative, technical and inspection functions in relation to all front-line units and institutions of the Air Fleet, was in charge of their formation, staffing and combat use, development of tactics and operational art of the Air Fleet, generalization and dissemination of combat experience, political and military education aviators. A large place in his work belonged to the issues of providing air squadrons with aircraft, fuel, and food.

The head of the Field Directorate of Aviation and Aeronautics throughout the entire period of its existence was a military pilot A.V. Sergeev. A. N. Lapchinsky, A. A. Zhuravlev, S. E. Stolyarsky, V. S. Gorshkov held leading positions in the administration. Aviadarm played an important role in the mobilization and effective use of aviation forces in the fight against internal and external counter-revolution. On March 25, 1920, on the basis of the conclusions of a commission chaired by a member of the RVSR K. Kh. Danishevsky, who studied the state and structure of the central bodies of the RKKVF, the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic transformed the Field Administration of Aviation and Aeronautics into the Headquarters of the Air Fleet.

Akashev Konstantin Vasilievich

Head of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (03.1920-02.1921).

Soviet military leader, designer, military pilot. He graduated from the Dvina real school, a flight school at the Italian flying club (1911), higher school aeronautics and mechanics (1914) and a military aviation school in France (1915). professional revolutionary. Since the summer of 1909 in exile.

During the First World War, an ordinary volunteer pilot of the French aviation (1914-1915). Upon his return to Russia: designer and test pilot at an aircraft factory (Petrograd), commissar of the Mikhailovsky Artillery School (since 08.1917), member of the Bureau of Aviation and Aeronautics Commissars (since 11.1917).

During the Civil War in Russia: Chairman of the All-Russian Collegium for the Management of the Air Fleet of the Republic (01-05.1918). Under his leadership, the selection of personnel for the RKKVVF was carried out, a lot of work was done to preserve the property and material assets of aviation units. From May 1918 he was a commissar, from July he was a military commissar of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF.

Remaining in his former position, from August 1918 on the fronts of the Civil War: commander of the air fleet of the 5th Army of the Eastern Front, head of aviation and aeronautics of the Southern Front. He headed a special air group created to fight the white cavalry corps operating in the rear of the troops of the Southern Front of the Red Army (08-09.1919). Head of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (03.1920-02.1921).

Since the spring of 1921, on a business trip abroad to organize orders and receive aircraft and aviation equipment. Participant of international aviation conferences in London and Rome, an expert on the Air Fleet at the international Genoa Conference (1922). Trade representative of the USSR in Italy, later - in senior positions in Aviatrust, at aircraft factories in Leningrad and Moscow, teacher at the Air Force Academy of the Red Army. prof. N.E. Zhukovsky. Unreasonably repressed (1931). Rehabilitated (1956, posthumously).

Heads of the RKKVVF, Air Force of the Red Army, commanders of the Air Force of the Spacecraft

SERGEEV (PETROV) Andrey Vasilievich

Chief of Staff of the Air Fleet (03/25/1920-02/1921).
Head of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (09.1921-10.1922).

Znamensky Andrey Alexandrovich

Head of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (10.1922-04.1923).

Soviet military and statesman, diplomat. He studied at the Tomsk Technological Institute (1906-1908), graduated from the Faculty of Law of Moscow University (1915). He took an active part in revolutionary activities, was arrested twice. Member of the Moscow Committee of the RSDLP (b) (02-10.1917), Deputy Chairman of the RVC Blagushe-Lefortovsky district of Moscow (11.1917). Since December 1917, he was the head of the 1st communist detachment of the Red Guard of the Blagushe-Lefortovsky district, which acted against the Ukrainian Central Rada and the German interventionists in Belarus.

During the Civil War in Russia: a member of the Presidium of the Executive Committee of the Moscow Council and a member of the MK RCP (b) (1918-06.1919), a member of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, a member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the 10th Army of the South - South-Eastern - Caucasian Front(07.1919-07.1920). Since June 1920, the chairman of the executive committee of the Don Regional Council. From August 1920, he was a member of the Far-Bureau of the Central Committee of the RCP(b) and, at the same time, since November, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Far Eastern People's Republic. In leadership work in the Moscow Council (1921-04.1922).

From October 1922 to April 1923 - Head of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF. One of the initiators of the creation of the Society of Friends of the Air Fleet (ODVF), a member of its presidium. Authorized by the Central Committee of the RCP (b) in the Bukhara SSR, representative of the USSR in Bukhara (09.1923-04.1925), authorized by the USSR NKID in Central Asia(until 06.1928).

From May 1929 he was Vice Consul of the Consulate General of the USSR in Harbin, from May 1930 he was Consul General of the USSR in Mukden (Shenyang) (China). In 1941 without nomination official charges dismissed from service and enlisted in the reserve of the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the USSR.

ROZENGOLTS Arkady Pavlovich

Head and Commissioner of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (since 1924 - Directorate of the Air Force of the Red Army) (04.1923-12.1924).

Soviet statesman and military figure. Graduated from the Kyiv Commercial Institute (1914). In military service from 1918. Until 1918, an active party worker (member of the RSDLPb) from 1905), a participant in the revolution (1905-1907), the February and October revolutions (1917). One of the leaders of the armed uprising in Moscow, a member of the Moscow Military Revolutionary Committee.

During the Civil War in Russia: member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic (09.1918-07.1919), at the same time political commissar of the 5th Army of the Eastern Front (08-11.1918), later a member of the Revolutionary Military Council of this army (04-06.1919). Since December 1918, a member of the RVS of the 8th Army of the Southern Front (12.1918-03.1919), the 7th Army of the Northern (from 02.1919 - Western) Front (06-09.1919), the 13th Army of the Southern Front (10-12.1919), the Southern (08-12.1918) and Western (05-06.1920) fronts. In 1920, a member of the Board of the People's Commissariat of Railways of the RSFSR, in 1921-1923. - People's Commissariat of Finance of the RSFSR.

From the end of 1922, he was engaged in the creation and development of the Civil Air Fleet of the USSR, establishing business relations with airlines of other countries. From April 1923 to December 1924, he was a member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR, head and commissar of the Main Directorate of the RKKVVF (since 1924, the Directorate of the Air Force of the Red Army) and at the same time chairman of the Council for Civil Aviation of the USSR. Under his leadership, a plan for the development of the Red Army Air Force for the next three years was developed and then approved by the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR. In 1925-1927. on diplomatic work in England. Since 1927 he was a member of the board, deputy people's commissar of the workers' and peasants' inspection of the USSR (12.1928-10.1930). Deputy People's Commissar for Foreign and Domestic Trade of the USSR (10-11.1930), People's Commissar foreign trade USSR (since 11.1930). Since February 1934, a candidate member of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks.

In June 1937 he was relieved of his post, in August he was appointed head of the State Reserves Department under the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR. Unreasonably repressed (1938). Rehabilitated (1988, posthumously).

Awards: Order of the Red Banner.

In accordance with the decision of the Soviet government of April 15, 1924, the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Air Fleet was renamed the Air Force of the Red Army (VVS RKKA), and the Main Directorate of the Air Fleet was renamed the Directorate of the Air Force (UVVS), subordinate to the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR .

BARANOV Petr Ionovich

Head of the Red Army Air Force (12/10/1924-06/1931).

Soviet military figure. In military service since 1915. He graduated from the Chernyaev general education courses in St. Petersburg. professional revolutionary. Since March 1917, the chairman of the regimental committee, since September, the chairman of the front department of Rumcheroda (Central Executive Committee of the Soviets of the Romanian Front, Black Sea Fleet and the Odessa Military District), since December - Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of the Romanian Front.

During the Civil War in Russia: Chairman of the Military Revolutionary Committee of the 8th Army (01-04.1918), Commander of the 4th Donetsk Army (04-06.1918), Chief of Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Soviet Forces of the South of Russia (06-09.1918), military commissar of the headquarters of the 4th army (since 09.1918). During the period 1919-1920. served in the following positions: a member of the RVS of the 8th Army, the Southern Army Group of the Eastern Front, the Turkestan Front, the 1st and 14th armies.

In 1921, he was the head of the political department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Crimea. In 1921-1922. member of the RVS of the Turkestan Front and acting commander of the troops of the Fergana region, in 1923 the chief and commissar of the armored forces of the Red Army. From August 1923 - assistant to the head of the Main Directorate of the Air Fleet for political affairs, from October 1924 - deputy head, from December - head of the air force, from March 1925 - head of the Red Army Air Force, at the same time in 1925-1931. member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR.

With his active participation, the Air Force was restructured in accordance with military reform 1924-1925, decisions were implemented on the mobilization of command personnel from other military branches in the Air Force. From June 1931 he was a member of the Presidium of the Supreme Economic Council of the USSR and head of the All-Union Aviation Association, from January 1932 he was deputy people's commissar of heavy industry and head of the Main Directorate of the aviation industry. Member of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR.

Tragically died in a plane crash (1933).

Awards: Order of Lenin, Red Banner; Military Red Order of the Khorezm People's Soviet Republic; Order of the Red Star of the 1st degree of the Bukhara People's Soviet Republic.

Commander 2nd rank ALKSNIS (ASTROV) Yakov Ivanovich

Head of the Red Army Air Force (06.1931-11.1937).

Soviet military leader, commander of the 2nd rank (1936). In military service since March 1917. Graduated from Odessa military school ensigns (1917), military academy Red Army (1924), Kachinsky military aviation school (1929).

During the First World War: officer of the 15th Siberian Reserve Regiment, ensign. After October revolution(1917) worked in the Soviet bodies of Latvia, Bryansk.

During the Civil War in Russia: military commissar of the Oryol province, commissioner of the 55th rifle division, Assistant Commander of the Oryol Military District (spring 1920-08.1921). In the period 1924-1926. assistant to the head of the organizational and mobilization department, head and commissar of the department for the organization of troops of the Headquarters of the Red Army, head of the department for the organization of troops of the Main Directorate of the Red Army. From August 1926 he was deputy head of the Air Force Directorate, from June 1931 he was head of the Red Army Air Force and a member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR, later of the Military Council of the NPO of the USSR. From January to November 1937, Deputy People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR for the Air Force - Head of the Red Army Air Force.

He did a great job of improving the organizational structure of the Air Force, equipping them with new military equipment. One of the initiators of the deployment of activities OSOAVIAKHIM and for the training of pilots and paratroopers.

Unreasonably repressed (1938). Rehabilitated (1956, posthumously).

Awards: Order of Lenin, Red Banner, Red Star; foreign order.

Colonel General LOKTIONOV Alexander Dmitrievich

Head of the Red Army Air Force (12.1937-11.1939).

Soviet military commander, colonel general (1940). In military service since 1914. He graduated from the Oranienbaum ensign school (1916), the Higher Academic Courses (1923) and advanced training courses for senior officers (1928).

To the first world war: company commander, battalion commander, ensign. After the February Revolution (1917), he was a member of the regimental committee, then assistant to the regiment commander.

During the Civil War in Russia: commander of a battalion, regiment, brigade. After the war, assistant commander, commander and military commissar of the 2nd Rifle Division (1923-11.1930), commander and commissar of the 4th Rifle Corps (11.1930-10.1933). In 1933 he was transferred to the Air Force and appointed assistant commander of the Belarusian, then Kharkov military districts for aviation (10.1933-08.1937). In August - December 1937 - Commander of the Central Asian Military District. In December 1937 he was appointed head of the Red Army Air Force (until 11.1939). In 1938, he participated in the organization of a non-stop flight of the Rodina aircraft on the Moscow route -Far East. From November 1939 to July 1940 he was Deputy People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR for Aviation. From July to December 1940, commander of the forces of the newly created Baltic (from August - special) military district.

Unreasonably repressed (1941). Rehabilitated (1955, posthumously).

Awards: 2 Orders of the Red Banner, Order of the Red Star; medal "XX years of the Red Army"

Air Lieutenant General SMUSHKEVICH Yakov Vladimirovich

Head of the Red Army Air Force (11.1939-08.1940).

Soviet military figure, twice Hero Soviet Union(6/21/1937, 11/17/1939), lieutenant general of aviation (1940). In military service since 1918. He graduated from the Kachinsk military pilot school (1931), advanced training courses for command personnel at the Military Academy of the Red Army. M.V. Frunze (1937).

During the Civil War in Russia: political instructor of a company, battalion, commissar of a rifle regiment. Since 1922, in the Air Force of the Red Army: political instructor of the squadron and commissar of the air group. Since November 1931, commander and commissar of the 201st air brigade.

From October 1936 to July 1937, he took part in the national revolutionary war of the Spanish people (1936-1939), senior military adviser for aviation under the command of the Republican troops, led the organization of air defense in Madrid and military installations in the Guadalajara region. From June 1937, Deputy Chief of the Air Force of the Red Army, from September 1939 - I.d. Commander of the Air Force of the Kyiv Special Military District.

In May - August 1939, during the fighting with Japanese troops on the river. Khalkhin-Gol (Mongolia) commanded the 1st air group. Head of the Red Army Air Force (11/19/1939-08/15/1940).

From August 1940 - Inspector General of Aviation of the Red Army, from December 1940 - Assistant to the Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army for Aviation.

Unreasonably repressed (1941). Rehabilitated (1954, posthumously).

Awards: 2 orders of Lenin; 2 medals "Gold Star"; medal "XX years of the Red Army"; foreign order.

Air Lieutenant General

Head of the Main Directorate of the Red Army Air Force (08.1940-04.1941).

Soviet military figure, lieutenant general of aviation (1940), Hero of the Soviet Union (12/31/1936).

In military service since 1928. He graduated from the 2nd Military Theoretical School of Pilots. OSOAVIAKhIM of the USSR (1930), 2nd military pilot school in Borisoglebsk (1931). He served in the following positions: (3rd Aviation Squadron of the 5th Aviation Brigade of the Ukrainian Military District): junior pilot (11.1931-07.1932), flight commander (07.1932-1933), commander of a fighter squadron (1933-09.1936); commander of the 65th Fighter Squadron of the 81st Air Brigade of the Ukrainian Military District (since 09.1936).

From November 1936 to February 1937, as a flight commander, he participated in the national revolutionary war of the Spanish people (1936-1939), shot down 6 enemy aircraft. Upon returning to his homeland from February 1937, Deputy. commander, from July commander of a fighter squadron, from December - senior military adviser on the use of Soviet volunteer pilots in China, where he commanded Soviet military aviation, participated in air battles with the Japanese. Since March 1938, the commander of the Air Force of the Moscow Military Circle, since April - the Primorsky Group of Forces, OKDVA, the Far Eastern Front, since September - the 1st Separate Red Banner Army. During the Soviet-Finnish war (1939-1940) commander of the Air Force of the 9th Army.

From June 1940, Deputy Chief of the Red Army Air Force, from July - First Deputy, from August - Head of the Main Directorate of the Red Army Air Force, from February 1941, simultaneously Deputy Commissar of Defense of the USSR for Aviation. Being in high positions in the Air Force, he persistently dealt with the issues of improving the quality of aircraft, improving the professional skills of pilots, gave great importance construction of new and reconstruction of old airfields. He was convinced that in coming war air supremacy will be won mainly in the course of fighter aviation battles over the front line.

In April 1941, he was removed from his posts and enrolled to study at the Academy of the General Staff. Unreasonably repressed (1941). Rehabilitated (1954, posthumously).

Awards: 2 Orders of Lenin (twice 1936), Gold Star medal, 3 Orders of the Red Banner (1936, 1938, 1940); medal "XX years of the Red Army" (1938).

Air Chief Marshal ZHIGAREV Pavel Fyodorovich

Commander of the Air Force KA (06.1941-04.1942).
Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force (09-1949-01.1957).

Soviet military leader, Air Chief Marshal (1955). In military service since 1919. Graduated from the 4th Tver cavalry school(1922), the Leningrad military school of pilot-observers (1927), the Air Force Academy of the Red Army. prof. N.E. Zhukovsky (1932), postgraduate course with her (1933), Kachinskaya military aviation school (1934).

During the Civil War in Russia, he served in a reserve cavalry regiment in Tver (1919-1920). After the war, he successively held the following positions: commander of a cavalry platoon, pilot-observer, instructor and teacher of the pilot school, chief of staff of the Kachinskaya military aviation school (1933-1934). In 1934-1936. commanded aviation units, from a separate squadron to an air brigade.

In 1937-1938. was on a business trip in China, leading a group of Soviet volunteer pilots. From September 1938 he was the head of the combat training department of the Red Army Air Force, from January 1939 he was the commander of the Air Force of the 2nd Separate Far Eastern Red Banner Army, from December 1940 he was the first deputy, from April 1941 he was the head of the Main Directorate of the Red Army Air Force.

During the years of the Great Patriotic War: commander Air force Red Army (since 06/29/1941). He initiated the creation of mobile aviation reserves of the Civil Code at the beginning of the war, was directly involved in planning and directing the combat operations of Soviet aviation in the Battle of Moscow (12.1941-04.1942). Since April 1942, the commander of the Air Force of the Far Eastern Front.

During the Soviet-Japanese War (1945) commander of the 10th Air Army of the 2nd Far Eastern Front. First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force (04.1946-1948), Commander of Long-Range Aviation - Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force (1948-08.1949).

From September 1949 to January 1957 - Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, from April 1953 simultaneously Deputy (from March 1955 - First Deputy) Minister of Defense of the USSR. Head of the Main Directorate of the Civil Air Fleet. (01.1957-11.1959), head of the Air Defense Military Command Academy (11.1959-1963).

Awards: 2 orders of Lenin, 3 orders of the Red Banner, orders of Kutuzov 1st class, Red Star; USSR medals.

Air Chief Marshal NOVIKOV Alexander Alexandrovich

Commander of the Air Force KA (04.1942-04.1946).

Soviet military figure, commander, twice Hero of the Soviet Union (04/17/1945, 09/08/1945), Air Chief Marshal (1944). He has been in military service since 1919. He graduated from the Nizhny Novgorod infantry command courses (1920), the Shot courses (1922) and the Military Academy of the Red Army. M.V. Frunze (1930).

During the Civil War, he went from a Red Army soldier to an assistant chief of intelligence division. After the war, he successively held the following positions: company commander (1922-1923), battalion commander (1923-1927), head of the operational department of the rifle corps headquarters (1930-02.1931). From February 1931 as part of the Red Army Air Force: chief of staff of an air brigade, from October 1935 - commander of the 42nd light bomber squadron, from 1938 - chief of staff of the Air Force of the Leningrad Military District. Member of the Soviet-Finnish War (1939-1940): Chief of Staff of the Air Force Northwestern Front. Since July 1940, commander of the Air Force of the Leningrad Military District.

During the Great Patriotic War: Commander of the Northern Air Force, from August 1941 - of the Leningrad Fronts and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the North-Western Direction for Aviation. From February 1942 he was First Deputy Commander of the Red Army Air Force, from April - Commander of the Air Force - Deputy (until May 1943) People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR for Aviation. As a representative of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, he coordinated the combat operations of aviation from several fronts in the battles of Stalingrad and the Kursk Bulge, in operations to liberate the North Caucasus, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic States, Poland, during the assault on Koenigsberg, in the Berlin operation and in the defeat of the Japanese Kwantung Army.

He made a lot of new things in the theory and practice of aviation. In April 1946, he was subjected to unjustified arrest and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. In 1953 he was rehabilitated, the criminal case against him was terminated for lack of corpus delicti, he was reinstated military rank and all awards returned.

From June 1953 Commander long-range aviation, at the same time Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force (12.1954-03.1955). From March 1955 to January 1956 at the disposal of the Minister of Defense of the USSR. With the transfer to the reserve (1956), the head of the Higher Aviation School of the Civil Air Fleet in Leningrad, at the same time headed the department, professor (1958).

Awards: 3 Orders of Lenin, 2 Gold Star medals, 3 Orders of the Red Banner, 3 Orders of Suvorov 1st degree, Order of Kutuzov 1st class, Order of the Red Banner of Labor, 2 Orders of the Red Star; USSR medals; foreign orders and medals.

of the air fleet of the tsarist army in the Soviet Republic, 33 air squadrons (out of 97), concentrated in the regions of Petrograd and Moscow, were retained.

Personnel and training

During the Civil War

At the initial stage, the basis of the personnel of the RKKVF was made up of revolutionary-minded pilot-officers, pilot-soldiers, minders who joined it. At the same time, pilot training began at the Moscow, Yegoryevsk (on the basis of the evacuated Gatchina) and Zaraisk schools, as well as at the Petrograd school of aeronauts. In 1919, a school of aviation mechanics was relocated to Moscow from Kyiv, a school of pilot-observers was opened here (both were transferred to Petrograd in 1921), and a higher aerial photogrammetric school began to operate (in 1920 it was transformed into a school of aviation special services). In Sept. 1919, on the initiative of N. E. Zhukovsky, the Moscow aviation college- the first in the country educational institution for the preparation of engineering and technical. personnel for aviation (in 1920 it was transformed into the N. E. Zhukovsky Institute of Engineers of the Red Air Fleet). In total, during the war years, 292 specialists were trained for the RKKVF, including 155 pilots, 75 observer pilots, and 62 aeronauts. The training of minders was carried out at courses at front-line aircraft fleets. In 1919, by order of the RVSR, in the Moscow Military District, in the North Caucasus and southern fronts to replenish the existing units of the RKKVF, reserves of aviation specialists were created (27 people of permanent and 350 people of variable composition).

The creation of the RKKVF, which had a strong core of personnel, a single recruitment and supply system, a stable and uniform organization, and centralized management, was completed in the spring of 1919. In August of the same year, there were 146 aviation units and institutions in the active army alone, including 4 field aviation and aeronautics departments of the fronts and 16 army departments, 67 air squadrons, a division of heavy airships, 3 special-purpose aviation units, a group special purpose. They were armed with about 350 aircraft. 28 aeronautical detachments and 5 aeronautical divisions were formed. The total staff strength of the RKKV personnel was 22,974 people, including 9,006 in land aviation, 5,190 in aeronautical units, and 8,778 in repair and supply bodies. In naval aviation, there were 2904 people. Subsequently, the combat strength of aviation was maintained at approximately the same level. Most of the units were attached to the combined arms armies. At the disposal of Ch. commands were the Ilya Muromets airship division of the RKKVF;

Aircraft fleet and aviation industry of the republic

During the Civil War

Of particular difficulty in the construction of the RKKVF was its equipping with aircraft and various technical equipment. Initially, aircraft of the old army (over 1,300 aircraft of various brands) were used to create aviation detachments. Measures were taken to release new aircraft. By October 1917 Russian Empire there were 18 aviation (11 aircraft, 5 engine, 2 propeller) and several mixed factories, but many of them ended up in the hands of the White Army and interventionists. Therefore, the production of aircraft and engines was established only in Moscow (Dux, formerly F. E. Moska, Ikar, aerotechnical) and Petrograd (Russian-Baltic, formerly V. A. Lebedev and S. S. Shchetinkin) factories. To manage these plants in Dec. In 1918, the Main Directorate of United Aviation Plants (Glavkoavia) was formed as part of the Supreme Council of National Economy.

In 1918-20, the country's aviation industry produced over 650 aircraft, and captured aircraft were also used (over 250 aircraft). In total, during the war years, the RKKVF had about 2,300 aircraft, of which about 300 remained in service by the end of the war. An important role in the construction of the RKKVF was played by the 2nd (June 1918), 3rd (March 1919) and 4th (June - July 1921) All-Russian congresses of workers in aviation and aeronautics, which discussed the development of the aviation industry, science and technology, the training of flight and technical personnel, improving the organizational structure of the RKKVF and methods of its combat use.

Workers' and Peasants' Red Air Fleet of Ukraine

Dear readers! Issues "AH" 2 "92, G93 introduced you to aviation. HP and Hetman P. Skoropadsky. Finishing the cycle, we publish material about the Ukrainian Soviet Air Fleet of 1917 - 1919, in whose history there are still many "white spots". We express our gratitude Director of the Museum of Air Transport KNIGA PI Vlasov for help in the work.

Even before the October events of 1917, the Bolsheviks managed to find solid support among the personnel of many air units of the Russian army stationed in Ukraine. The proletarian origin of most of the soldiers-aviators made itself felt. And when the news of the October 25 coup reached Ukraine, the confrontation between the revolutionary troops and the units loyal to the Provisional Government reached its climax. On the side of the Bolsheviks were soldiers, and sometimes some officers of the 3rd and 5th air fleets in Kyiv, the 1st air fleet in Odessa, the squadron of airships in Vinnitsa, the Sevastopol hydroaviation base and some other aviation formations. Among them were famous personalities: M. Efimov, K. Artseulov, A. Berbeko. These facts are known. Nor is it news that the signal for an armed uprising on October 29 in Kyiv was the flight of an airplane with a red flag over the city. The historical flight was carried out on the Voisin, piloted by military pilot A. Egorov with minder N. Kipchuk on board.

During 1917-1920. The Bolsheviks repeatedly tried to establish their power in Ukraine. The first such campaign ended in April 1918, when their forces were forced out by the German-Austrian army, which appeared in our area after the conclusion of the Brest agreements. There is no need to talk about any regular military formations of the People's Secretariat, as the Soviet government of Ukraine was then called, during this period. Nevertheless, there are facts of their use of aviation. For example, the already mentioned A. Berbeko in January 1918 managed to organize the "First Socialist Air Squadron" in Odessa and take part in battles with the troops of the Central Rada on his only plane, and later conduct several air battles with Austrian pilots.

Having reorganized their units under the Moscow protectorate in the so-called "neutral zone", the Ukrainian Bolsheviks launched a new offensive in November 1918. Their forces consisted mainly of participants in a broad insurrectionary movement, who were ousted from the territory of Ukraine in the summer by the joint efforts of the occupying and hetman troops. This "army" already had some semblance of a military organization and was well equipped.

There is an opinion that the Bolshevik leaders underestimated or completely ignored aviation. This is far from true. L.D. paid tribute to the air fleet. Trotsky, and in one of the documents of the People's Commissariat of Military Affairs of Ukraine it was directly stated that aviation is one of the main aids, without which it is impossible "to create a great and really powerful ... Red Army." (1) Such a view was quite modern and was determined primarily by the technical capabilities of the aircraft of those years. Therefore, there is nothing unexpected in the fact that the People's Commissar of the Ukrainian SSR V.I.

This document was signed on the eve of the entry of Soviet troops into Kyiv, and when the red banners were already fluttering on the streets of the ancient capital, the "chief" of the newly created department, the former aircraft mechanic N. Vasiliev, was also appointed. His Office was entrusted with: "organization and organization of the entire aviation and aeronautical business in Ukraine." First of all, this meant "search, registration and accounting of aviation and aeronautic property scattered throughout Ukraine." and stations. All structures associated with the Air Fleet were subordinate to the department, with the exception of combat units, which were placed at the direct disposal of the commanders of army formations. In total, Vasiliev's farm turned out to have about a dozen different objects, among which were the workshops of the Kyiv polytechnic institute, air parks, aircraft engine plant "Deka" in Aleksandrovsk, Kyiv aviation school. The latter was the subject of special concern.

The fact is that the situation with the flight personnel in the Red Army

was critical. Vasiliev, in a memorandum sent in March 1919 to the People's Commissariat of Military Affairs of Ukraine, noted: "The number of pilots capable of combat air activity who are now on the territory of the Russian and Ukrainian Republics (300-400) is far from enough ... the retirement of pilots reaches 60%" and there is a real threat that "by the fall of this year, the army risks being left without eyes."(4)

Kyiv was perfect for organizing an aviation school. All the necessary infrastructure existed here, and most importantly, the city had large reserves of alcohol, which, in combination with ether, could replace the acutely scarce fuel for airplanes.

The opening of the school was prepared very carefully. She was supposed to transfer 22 aircraft: 6 reconnaissance aircraft, 4 fighters, 8 training vehicles and 4 spares - six aircraft more than the entire Ukrainian front had by June 1919! In her staffing there were 8 instructors and 2 heads of departments who were supposed to train 50 students at the same time. (5) They even foresaw that in such a specific educational institution the "possibility a large number accidents", and a special sickness fund was founded to help the unfortunate cadets.

The school officially opened on May 14. However, even in July, the commission of the Higher Military Inspectorate noted that an aviation school was just about to be opened in Kyiv. If we take into account that at that time the offensive of Denikin's Dobrarmiya was already in full swing and the position of Kyiv was becoming threatening, it seems extremely unlikely that at least one set of pilots could be released.

An extremely responsible task for the Directorate of the RKKVF of Ukraine was the creation and maintenance of the functioning of the international communications squadron (sometimes you can find the name "special purpose squad"). There is a legend that the initiative to create this part belongs to Lenin himself, for whom it was very important to establish contact with the newly formed Hungarian Soviet Republic (it was proclaimed on March 21, 1919) as soon as possible. It is unlikely that this will ever be documented, but the fact that the People's Commissar of Ukraine N.I. Podvoisky speaks for itself.

The assignment was very urgent. Having quickly received three aircraft (at least one of them - "Elfauge"), the Directorate began to select personnel. The first pilots of the detachment were military pilots I. Baryshnikov, V. Korolkov and R. Piyr. In a short time, other specialists were also selected. Proskurov was chosen for the main base of the detachment, and while this city was in the hands of the Petliura troops, it was supposed to be deployed in Vinnitsa.

The first foreign flight was completed on April 12, 1919. On this day, the pilot of the Kyiv Aviation School V. Khodorovich with an important passenger, the Hungarian communist F. Gyorgy on board, took off at seven o'clock in the morning from the Vinnitsa airfield and headed for Budapest. A few hours later, he safely landed his "Elfauge" near the village of Palfalva, not far from the final destination. Several holes gaped in the planes of the aircraft as a result of shelling from the ground, which the aircraft was subjected to while flying over the territory occupied by the UNR forces, there was not a drop of fuel left in the tanks, but on the whole the flight could be considered quite successful. In Soviet literature, there is rather scarce information about the activities of this detachment. They make it possible to conclude that, starting from the 20th of April, a fairly reliable air bridge with "red Budapest" was installed. This allowed at the end of May the Hungarian pilot I. Dobos to deliver his People's Commissar T. Samueli, who held negotiations with the governments of the RSFSR and the Ukrainian SSR,

Scout of the RKK VF of Ukraine "Farman-XXX" with a gondola from "Farman-XXI". Photo from the archive of M.B. Lyakhovetsky

Aircraft "Voisin" at the airfield Post-Volynsky in Kyiv after the end of the civil war. Photo TsGAKFD Ukraine

Anasal aircraft in Kyiv. Fs

Scout LVG.C-V "Elfauge" in Kyiv. Photo from the archive of S.A. Popsuevich

However, archival data give reason to doubt such high-profile successes of the Proskurov detachment. Just two weeks after Dobosh's voyage, things in this formation caused such great concern that an inspection headed by the commissioner of the RKKVFU Directorate N. Kolosov was sent there. She found that despite the presence in the detachment of the best aircraft, which can "overcome considerable distances, such flights are practically not carried out." Not a single task was successfully completed by the forces of the detachment itself, and during the training flight Proskurov - Kozyatin, the pilot simply got lost and, during an emergency landing, broke the best airplane. Most of the planes are generally in disassembled condition. From this it is clear why the first flight was carried out by a freelance pilot, and the Hungarians generally took over the transportation of their emissary! What were the reasons for this situation? Obviously, once again everything was decided by frames. Kolosov in "his report pointed out that "the personnel, recruited without any filtering, for the most part serving Hetman and Petlyura," never found common language with their commander and commissar. Kolosov's conclusions were similar to a verdict: "The detachment cannot perform the work assigned to it." (6)

As already noted, the field air units were not subordinate to Vasiliev's Office. Today it is quite difficult to establish exactly how many such units were, their deployment, what kind of personnel they had, what aircraft they were armed with. The documents cited in printed sources and the well-known historical literature no definitive answers are given for this period. Archival materials located in Ukraine are far from complete, and those stored in Russian archives, alas, are almost inaccessible to a Ukrainian researcher.

Summarizing the entire array of available data, we can state the following version. The first regular squadrons were formed on the territory of the "neutral zone" and, far from being at full strength, from February 1919 they began to be transferred to Ukraine. In order No. 14 dated February 4, 1919, the commander of the Ukrainian Front, V.A. Antonov-Ovseenko we read: “I declare for information and leadership that the aviation and aeronautics of the front include the following aviation and aeronautical units of the front:

a) 24th reconnaissance aviation detachment (Konotop)

b) 9th "" "" " (Kursk)

c) 21st (Orel)

d) 22nd (Orel)

e) workshop train No. 5 (Kursk) (7) Four months later, in the information on the composition of combat units

On June 1, 1919, the Ukrfront had only two squadrons - the same 21st and 24th. They included as many as 9 aircraft and 7 more vehicles behind the troops of the "Crimean direction". (8)

The appearance of air units on the Southern Front in the Donbass is noted later. At the end of June, the 8th fighter detachment was transferred here, which had 6 aircraft and was understaffed by a third (only 4 pilots and 72 ground crew members). Later, the 22nd Fighter Squad appeared here. This unit, having the same ratio of aircraft and pilots, had an almost complete ground staff - 92 people. (9)

In addition to these units, various sources mention very mysterious units, which, having appeared once or twice on the pages of various studies, disappeared into historical obscurity: the 1st Air Squadron named after. The Council of Workers, Red Army and Peasant Deputies of Odessa, the 1st Odessa Fighter Detachment led by the already mentioned A. Berbeko, the 50th reconnaissance and 1st artillery squadrons.

It is worth dwelling on a very specific relationship with Moscow. Due to the limited space, the journal article does not provide an opportunity to delve into all the historical events, and only events related to the main subject of study will attract our attention.

By April, the troops of the UkrFront had achieved significant victories over the army of the UNR and the forces of the Entente. However, at that time, General A.I. launched an offensive in the south. Denikin. He struck through the Donbass, which was defended by the rather weak Southern Front and the 1st Zadneprovskaya division of P.E. Dybenko (including " separate brigade"Fathers N.I. Makhno). Lenin's government constantly demanded that part of the liberated forces of the Ukrainian Front be transferred to a threatening sector in the Donbass. However, obsessed with the idea of ​​​​bringing the proletarian revolution to Europe as soon as possible, the Bolshevik leaders of the Ukrainian SSR were in no hurry to fulfill Moscow's order.

At this time, a delegation from the RSFSR field aviation administration, headed by their chief Sergeyev, arrived at Vasiliev's Office. In mid-May, he reported to Trotsky: “What is being done now in Ukraine must be put to an end now, otherwise there will be an organization of the Air Force, not coordinated with the Central Plan ... Formal considerations cannot allow such absolute independence, which is carried out in Ukraine". The representative of Moscow paid particular attention to the fact that "... by order of Comrade Podvoisky, it is forbidden even to give information about the aviation and aeronautic property in Ukraine."

After Lenin's reprimand to Podvoisky and Antonov-Ovseenko, the required redeployment of forces began. And in early June, after the famous decision of the Central Executive Committee of the RSFSR on a military-political alliance Soviet republics, The Ukrainian front was generally abolished. Vasiliev's management was preserved, but by order of the People's Commissar of the RSFSR, it was "subordinate both in combat and in economic terms to the Central Control Bodies of the Air Fleet ..." (10)

It continued to properly perform its functions, paying special attention to providing aviation detachments with materiel - Denikin's offensive required more and more forces. Desperate attempts were made to restore the work of Ukrainian aviation enterprises. And their potential was very significant. According to the estimates of the Office of the RKKVFU, monthly only in the aircraft workshops of Kyiv and Kharkov it was possible to repair up to 14 aircraft and up to 20 engines for them (11), there were also good prospects to breathe life into the factories "Anatra", "Mathias", "Deka". But the civil war has its own logic. It was not possible to solve the problem of replenishing the fleet of aircraft with fully combat-ready vehicles, and the "red warplanes" had to carry out tasks on "flying coffins".

Despite this, as well as the chronic shortage of flight personnel, the Bolsheviks used aviation very intensively. Thus, in February, the Berbeco detachment took part in battles with Romanian and French aircraft in the Tiraspol direction. The enemy had a significant advantage in strength, but we must pay tribute to the red pilots - they fought courageously. Berbeco himself once met in the air with six Romanian airplanes that were going to bomb Soviet troops and forced them to turn back. At the same time, he managed to damage one airplane and force its pilot to land at the location of the Reds. Soon this aircraft was repaired and connected to combat work. In July, aviators of the 21st and 24th detachments distinguished themselves in the Kiev direction. The commander of the 21st military pilot Kravtsov with his letnab (Pashkov was bombed railways and "two enemy wagons with shells" at the Derezhnya station. (12)

The actions of another pilot of the same part of Tsivinsky were so extraordinary that it is surprising how Soviet times he did not fall into the pantheon of "heroes of the revolution." In one of the reconnaissance flights over the territory of the enemy (near the station of Bar), his airplane engine stalled. There was nothing else to do but go on forced. “Having removed the instruments from the apparatus, the pilot, passing the enemy’s front line, appeared in his detachment and, taking the minders comrade Maslyuzhenko, Lavrents, Petrov, Kruglyakova and Pavlov, went to rescue the plane. Arriving at the position with the minders, he was appointed military leader of the combat site and in advanced chains with minders, with his example, he carried away the Red Army units, which resulted in the capture of Bar station. The exploits of Tsivinsky did not end there. From July 13 to 16, he made three sorties along the routes: Kyiv-Vasilkov-Obukhov-Trypillya-Kyiv and Kyiv-Tripoli-Obukhov-Rzhishchev-Vasilkov-Kyiv, in which he dropped 11 pounds of bombs and 5 pounds of proclamations. (13)

The named aviators were noted in the award order for the 12th Army. The commander of the 24th reconnaissance squadron, military pilot Isakov, also got there, but not so much military merit how much for a "conscious attitude". A story similar to the misadventures of Tsivinsky happened to him in the air. He also managed to land safely far behind the front line, but then he was less fortunate - the plane was discovered and already fired on the ground. Then Isakov set fire to the car and disappeared into the nearby forest. Three days later he came to his unit, which probably surprised the command most of all, because. desertion of former officers was a fairly common phenomenon.

In August 1919 it became obvious that the Bolsheviks would again have to leave the Ukraine. By that time, the total number of the Red aviation group had reached 30-35 vehicles. Among them, there were hopelessly outdated Nieuport-4s and rather new German Elfauge, French Spuds, domestic Anade and Anasal, not to mention such common aircraft as Farman-XX, -XXX , "Voisin", "Nieuport-17, -21, -23". So big variety types was also explained by the absence single base security, and the fact that the Bolsheviks, like no one else, used captured airplanes. In the documents, one can often find reports like: "An airplane descended near the Kurgan station. Two pilots with a machine gun and a working airplane were taken prisoner." On August 30, the Bolsheviks left Kyiv. The Office of the RKKVF of Ukraine was evacuated to Moscow. Only seven people remained in it: Vasiliev, Kolosov, Vechfinsky, Lavrov, Metlin, Todosiev, Ulitin. They were instructed to "begin to disband the aviation units from Ukraine and distribute their property" among the units of the air fleet of the RSFSR. (15)

The Vasiliev Administration was finally disbanded in December 1919 and never resumed its activities. In the further course of the civil war, the aviation forces of the Red Army in Ukraine were subdivided according to the combined arms scheme and submitted to a single command. *

1. TsGAVOV.- F.1122.-O.1.- D.9.- L.1.

2. Civil war in Ukraine.- K.1967.- T.1.- P.601.

3. TsGAVOV.- F.1122.-O.1.-D.9.-L.8.

4. TsGAVOV.- F. 1122.-O.1.-D.9.- L.8. 5. Ibid. - L.5, 71, 73.

5. Ibid. - L.5, 71, 73.

6. RGVA.- F.29.- 0.4.- D.232.- L.8.

7. Civil war in Ukraine, - T. I. - S.604.

8. TsGAVOV.- F.2.-O.1.- D.104.- L.63-68.

9. Ibid. - F.2.-O.1.- D.136.- L.3-9.

10. RGVA.- F.29.- O.4.- D.232.- L.2.

11. TsGAVOV.- F.1122.-O.1,-D.9.-L.52-61.

12. Civil war in Ukraine.- T.2.- P.275.

13. Ibid.-S.261, 275.

14. TsGAVOV.- F.2.-O.1.- D.171.- L.33-34.

15. RGVA.- F.29.- O.4.- D.232.-L.15.

commanders Notable commanders

Cm. Chiefs

Workers 'and Peasants' Red Air Fleet (RKKVF)- an auxiliary branch of the Red Army, formed during the Civil War. Main tasks: combating enemy aircraft, reconnaissance, air support ground forces. Historically, the RKKVF was divided into aviation and aeronautics.

History of creation

Personnel and training

During the Civil War

At the initial stage, the basis of the personnel of the RKKVF was made up of revolutionary-minded pilot-officers, pilot-soldiers, minders who joined it. At the same time, pilot training began at the Moscow, Yegoryevsk (on the basis of the evacuated Gatchina) and Zaraisk schools, as well as at the Petrograd school of aeronauts. In 1919, a school of aviation mechanics was relocated to Moscow from Kyiv, a school of pilot-observers was opened here (both were transferred to Petrograd in 1921), and a higher aerial photogrammetric school began to operate (in 1920 it was transformed into a school of aviation special services). In Sept. 1919, on the initiative of N. E. Zhukovsky, the Moscow Aviation College was established - the country's first educational institution for the training of engineering and technical. personnel for aviation (in 1920 it was transformed into the N. E. Zhukovsky Institute of Engineers of the Red Air Fleet). In total, during the war years, 292 specialists were trained for the RKKVF, including 155 pilots, 75 observer pilots, and 62 aeronauts. The training of minders was carried out at courses at front-line aircraft fleets. In 1919, by order of the RVSR, reserves of aviation specialists (27 permanent and 350 variable personnel) were created in the Moscow Military District, on the North Caucasian and Southern Fronts to replenish the active units of the RKKVF.

The creation of the RKKVF, which had a strong core of personnel, a single system of recruitment and supply, a stable and uniform organization, and centralized management, was completed in the spring of 1919. In August. This year, only in the active army there were 146 aviation units and institutions, including 4 field aviation and aeronautics departments of the fronts and 16 army departments, 67 squadrons, a division of heavy airships, 3 special-purpose aviation units, a special-purpose group. They were armed with about 350 aircraft. 28 aeronautical detachments and 5 aeronautical divisions were formed. The total staff strength of the RKKV personnel was 22,974 people, including 9,006 in land aviation, 5,190 in aeronautical units, and 8,778 in repair and supply bodies. In naval aviation, there were 2904 people. Subsequently, the combat strength of aviation was maintained at approximately the same level. Most of the units were attached to the combined arms armies. At the disposal of Ch. command were the Ilya Muromets airship division and 3-6 squadrons.

Separate detachment of the RKKVF- the initial basic unit of the formation of the RKKVF, which was a military unit with an independent economy. At the head of a separate detachment of the RKKVF was a Council consisting of a military leader and two military commissars. He had a small headquarters and an inspectorate.

• Floating air base "Amur" (68th separate river aviation detachment) RKKVF;

Aircraft fleet and aviation industry of the republic

During the Civil War

Of particular difficulty in the construction of the RKKVF was its equipping with aircraft and various technical equipment. Initially, aircraft of the old army (over 1,300 aircraft of various brands) were used to create aviation detachments. Measures were taken to release new aircraft. By October 1917, the Russian Empire had 18 aviation (11 aircraft, 5 engine, 2 propeller) and several mixed factories, but many of them ended up in the hands of the White Army and interventionists. Therefore, the production of aircraft and engines was established only in Moscow (Dux, formerly F. E. Moska, Ikar, aerotechnical) and Petrograd (Russian-Baltic, formerly V. A. Lebedev and S. S. Shchetinkin) factories. To manage these plants in Dec. In 1918, the Main Directorate of United Aviation Plants (Glavkoavia) was formed as part of the Supreme Council of National Economy.

In 1918-20, the country's aviation industry produced over 650 aircraft, and captured aircraft were also used (over 250 aircraft). In total, during the war years, the RKKVF had about 2,300 aircraft, of which about 300 remained in service by the end of the war. An important role in the construction of the RKKVF was played by the 2nd (June 1918), 3rd (March 1919) and 4th (June - July 1921) All-Russian congresses of workers in aviation and aeronautics, which discussed the development of the aviation industry, science and technology, the training of flight and technical personnel, improving the organizational structure of the RKKVF and methods of its combat use.

Awards

For high combat qualities, 219 pilots and pilot-observers were awarded the Order of the Red Banner, 16 of them were awarded this award twice, and P. Kh. Mezheraup, Ya. N. Moiseev and E. M. Ukhin - three times. The 1st Fighter Aviation Battalion, 35th Reconnaissance, 51st Heavy Bomber Aviation and 9th Aeronautical Squadrons were awarded the Honorary Revolutionary Red Banners. On the combat operations of the RKKVF and its tasks in battles and operations, see Art. Military aviation, Aeronautics.

Literature

• Civil war and military intervention in the USSR. Encyclopedia. M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1983.
• Berezin P.F. Red aviation in the fight against the White Poles. - M.: Military Publishing House of NKO USSR, 1940. - 88 p.

Links

• Photo album of pilot-observer F.S. hot snapshots early history Air Force of the Red Army: photos of aircraft various types, pilots and technicians, airfields, aerial photographs.

see also

Red Army and Red Navy civil war
Red Guard | February 23 | History of the Red Army
Sections of the Veil Northern | North East | Western | Southern
Main fronts Eastern | Western | Caucasian | Caspian-Caucasian | Northern | Turkestan | Ukrainian | Southern | Southeast | Southwestern
Combined arms infantry and cavalry, labor armies Combined arms infantry: 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 10th Terek-Dagestanskaya | Belarusian-Lithuanian | East Siberian | Donetsk | Western | Crimean Soviet army | Red Army of the North Caucasus | Latvian | Taman | Turkestan | Ukrainian | Estonian | 1st Ukrainian | 2nd Ukrainian | 3rd Ukrainian Mounted armies: 1st | 2nd Labor armies: 1st Revolutionary | Ukrainian | Caucasian | Petrograd | 2nd Special Railway | 2nd Revolutionary | Donetsk | Siberian Spare armies
Armies of allied states and national formations Red Army of Azerbaijan | Red Army of Armenia | Red Army of Bukhara | Red Army of Georgia | Red Army of Khorezm | Red Ukrainian Galician Army | Ukrainian Soviet Army | People's Revolutionary Army of the Far East National formations:

commanders Notable commanders

Cm. Chiefs

Workers 'and Peasants' Red Air Fleet (RKKVF)- an auxiliary branch of the Red Army, formed during the Civil War. Main tasks: combating enemy aircraft, reconnaissance, air support for ground forces. Historically, the RKKVF was divided into aviation and aeronautics.

History of creation

Personnel and training

During the Civil War

At the initial stage, the basis of the personnel of the RKKVF was made up of revolutionary-minded pilot-officers, pilot-soldiers, minders who joined it. At the same time, pilot training began at the Moscow, Yegoryevsk (on the basis of the evacuated Gatchina) and Zaraisk schools, as well as at the Petrograd school of aeronauts. In 1919, a school of aviation mechanics was relocated to Moscow from Kyiv, a school of pilot-observers was opened here (both were transferred to Petrograd in 1921), and a higher aerial photogrammetric school began to operate (in 1920 it was transformed into a school of aviation special services). In Sept. 1919, on the initiative of N. E. Zhukovsky, the Moscow Aviation College was established - the country's first educational institution for the training of engineering and technical. personnel for aviation (in 1920 it was transformed into the N. E. Zhukovsky Institute of Engineers of the Red Air Fleet). In total, during the war years, 292 specialists were trained for the RKKVF, including 155 pilots, 75 observer pilots, and 62 aeronauts. The training of minders was carried out at courses at front-line aircraft fleets. In 1919, by order of the RVSR, reserves of aviation specialists (27 permanent and 350 variable personnel) were created in the Moscow Military District, on the North Caucasian and Southern Fronts to replenish the active units of the RKKVF.

The creation of the RKKVF, which had a strong core of personnel, a single system of recruitment and supply, a stable and uniform organization, and centralized management, was completed in the spring of 1919. In August. This year, only in the active army there were 146 aviation units and institutions, including 4 field aviation and aeronautics departments of the fronts and 16 army departments, 67 squadrons, a division of heavy airships, 3 special-purpose aviation units, a special-purpose group. They were armed with about 350 aircraft. 28 aeronautical detachments and 5 aeronautical divisions were formed. The total staff strength of the RKKV personnel was 22,974 people, including 9,006 in land aviation, 5,190 in aeronautical units, and 8,778 in repair and supply bodies. In naval aviation, there were 2904 people. Subsequently, the combat strength of aviation was maintained at approximately the same level. Most of the units were attached to the combined arms armies. At the disposal of Ch. command were the Ilya Muromets airship division and 3-6 squadrons.

Separate detachment of the RKKVF- the initial basic unit of the formation of the RKKVF, which was a military unit with an independent economy. At the head of a separate detachment of the RKKVF was a Council consisting of a military leader and two military commissars. He had a small headquarters and an inspectorate.

• Floating air base "Amur" (68th separate river aviation detachment) RKKVF;

Aircraft fleet and aviation industry of the republic

During the Civil War

Of particular difficulty in the construction of the RKKVF was its equipping with aircraft and various technical equipment. Initially, aircraft of the old army (over 1,300 aircraft of various brands) were used to create aviation detachments. Measures were taken to release new aircraft. By October 1917, the Russian Empire had 18 aviation (11 aircraft, 5 engine, 2 propeller) and several mixed factories, but many of them ended up in the hands of the White Army and interventionists. Therefore, the production of aircraft and engines was established only in Moscow (Dux, formerly F. E. Moska, Ikar, aerotechnical) and Petrograd (Russian-Baltic, formerly V. A. Lebedev and S. S. Shchetinkin) factories. To manage these plants in Dec. In 1918, the Main Directorate of United Aviation Plants (Glavkoavia) was formed as part of the Supreme Council of National Economy.

In 1918-20, the country's aviation industry produced over 650 aircraft, and captured aircraft were also used (over 250 aircraft). In total, during the war years, the RKKVF had about 2,300 aircraft, of which about 300 remained in service by the end of the war. An important role in the construction of the RKKVF was played by the 2nd (June 1918), 3rd (March 1919) and 4th (June - July 1921) All-Russian congresses of workers in aviation and aeronautics, which discussed the development of the aviation industry, science and technology, the training of flight and technical personnel, improving the organizational structure of the RKKVF and methods of its combat use.

Awards

For high combat qualities, 219 pilots and pilot-observers were awarded the Order of the Red Banner, 16 of them were awarded this award twice, and P. Kh. Mezheraup, Ya. N. Moiseev and E. M. Ukhin - three times. The 1st Fighter Aviation Battalion, 35th Reconnaissance, 51st Heavy Bomber Aviation and 9th Aeronautical Squadrons were awarded the Honorary Revolutionary Red Banners. On the combat operations of the RKKVF and its tasks in battles and operations, see Art. Military aviation, Aeronautics.

Literature

• Civil war and military intervention in the USSR. Encyclopedia. M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1983.
• Berezin P.F. Red aviation in the fight against the White Poles. - M.: Military Publishing House of NKO USSR, 1940. - 88 p.

Links

• Photo album of pilot-observer F.S. Hot photographs of the early history of the Red Army Air Force: photographs of aircraft of various types, pilots and technicians, airfields, aerial photographs.

see also

Red Army and Red Navy civil war
Red Guard | February 23 | History of the Red Army
Sections of the Veil Northern | North East | Western | Southern
Main fronts Eastern | Western | Caucasian | Caspian-Caucasian | Northern | Turkestan | Ukrainian | Southern | Southeast | Southwestern
Combined arms infantry and cavalry, labor armies Combined arms infantry: 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 10th Terek-Dagestanskaya | Belarusian-Lithuanian | East Siberian | Donetsk | Western | Crimean Soviet army | Red Army of the North Caucasus | Latvian | Taman | Turkestan | Ukrainian | Estonian | 1st Ukrainian | 2nd Ukrainian | 3rd Ukrainian Mounted armies: 1st | 2nd Labor armies: 1st Revolutionary | Ukrainian | Caucasian | Petrograd | 2nd Special Railway | 2nd Revolutionary | Donetsk | Siberian Spare armies
Armies of allied states and national formations Red Army of Azerbaijan | Red Army of Armenia | Red Army of Bukhara | Red Army of Georgia | Red Army of Khorezm | Red Ukrainian Galician Army | Ukrainian Soviet Army | People's Revolutionary Army of the Far East National formations: