Aleksey Khlobystov story

20GvlAP and the Aleksey Khlobystov story

On the whole, because of their durability and flight range, the pilots liked both the Tomahawk and the Kittyhawk. The strength of its 5-longeron wing became legendary after an aerial engagement on 8 April 1942 [19]. On this day, flight commander Lieutenant Aleksey Khlobystov rammed German aircraft two times in a single engagement. He cut off the tail assembly of one Messerschmitt in an overtaking maneuver and severed a portion of the wing of a second Messerschmitt. Both times he struck the enemy aircraft with the same right wing panel. Both Messerschmitts went down and the Tomahawk landed safely at its airfield, where it was repaired without any particular difficulty. Its pilot, who did not suffer even a scratch, was recommended for the HSU rank and received the monetary bonus of 2000 rubles for two destroyed enemy fighters.

Aleksey Khlobystov executed a third ramming maneuver on 14 May 1942, which concluded with a prolonged stay in the hospital. He pointed his No. 812 Kittyhawk at a Messerschmitt that was attempting to engage him head-on. Khlobystov was saved by luck-during the ensuing collision he was ejected from his aircraft [20]. Aleksey Khlobystov fought in the P-40 until the end. On 13 December 1943, in Kittyhawk No. 1134, he was pursuing a German reconnaissance aircraft along with his wingman, Lieutenant Kalegaev (No. 1167). He was shot down by the German rear gunner over enemy territory. Neither pilot returned to the regiment.

Guard Captain Khlobystov A.S. Killed in aerial combat on Dec. 13, 1943. By this time he made 335 sorties, shot down 7 enemy aircraft in person and 24 in group fight. He was awarded the Order of Lenin, 2 orders of the Red Banner, medals...

April 8, 1942 by Alexei Stepanovich accepted as a member of the CPSU (b). During the meeting, received an order for take-off. Air warning found a large group of enemy planes on their way to Murmansk. On the interception was raised six fighters P-40 "Tomahok-IIB" under the command of Captain Guard Pozdnyakova A.P. In the area of the village Restikent our pilots found 15 bomber Ju-87 fighters under the cover of 5 Me-110. Ensued hard dogfight. During the battle plane Guard lieutenant Fateeva I.D. was attacked "Messerschmitt". He came to the aid of pilots Bychkov EM. and Semenkov V.R. Fleeing from their machine-gun fire, the Germans turned away and faced Khlobystova. Time was not aiming at. Not wanting to miss a nazi unscathed, he left the plane of his plane struck the tail "Messerschmitt". He lost control, crashed into a hill. Then fire from airborne weapons Khlobystov shot down another aircraft. Soon the Germans came reinforcements: 8 "Messerschmitt". At the critical moment of the battle to ram went to the captain Pozdnyakov and thus lost. Wanting to avenge their commander, Khlobystov made friends in head-on attack with two "Messerschmitt" and again applied the ram, hitting one of them left the plane. To damage the plane have lasted barely managed to its airport and safely landed.

May 14, 1942 Guard Lieutenant Khlobystov flew in a group of fighters to repel enemy air raids on Murmansk. In the first minutes of battle he was wounded in the arm and leg. Puffed and immediately broke the motor. Sharp maneuver Khlobystov tried to knock down the flames, but to no avail. Noticing that the aircraft captain Solomon VD. Attacks Me-109, dovernul his aircraft, increased gas and ramming attack destroyed the enemy. The blow Khlobystova thrown from the cab through the open lamp. Losing consciousness, he managed to open the parachute.

After this victory a long time he spent in the hospital, the same learned about assigning him the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. By the time Alex has made 266 sorties, conducted 16 air combat, shot down 4 planes in person and 6 in group. After the hospital he was sent to Moscow - medical treatment and rest in a sanatorium Air. After handing in the Kremlin, the Golden Star and the Order of Lenin, Khlobystov given some time off to travel home.

Soon he returned to the front. December 13, 1943, Squadron Commander of the 20 th GvIAP Captain A. Khlobystov, died a reconnaissance flight over the territory still occupied by the enemy.

Ground forces observed in the fall of his airplane a powerful explosion and large fire. It is possible that his last flight, the pilot completed the fourth battering ram - fiery.

Aleksey Khlobystov

Aleksey Khlobystov executed a third ramming maneuver on 14 May 1942, which concluded with a prolonged stay in the hospital. He pointed his No. 812 Kittyhawk at a Messerschmitt that was attempting to engage him head-on. Khlobystov was saved by luck-during the ensuing collision he was ejected from his aircraft [20]. Aleksey Khlobystov fought in the P-40 until the end. On 13 December 1943, in Kittyhawk No. 1134, he was pursuing a German reconnaissance aircraft along with his wingman, Lieutenant Kalegaev (No. 1167). He was shot down by the German rear gunner over enemy territory.

Neither pilot returned to the regiment.

The 20th Guards IAP fought in the P-40 longer than any other regiment in the VVS-until the end of 1943, after which it received the P-39N Airacobra. The overall results for 1942-43 have not been preserved and only losses are known: 38 P-40s of various models in 1942 and 26 in 1943, of which 14 were lost in accidents and crashes [21], 35 lost in aerial engagements, 3 to antiaircraft artillery, and 1 in airfield bombing. Judging by the recorded results of individual engagements, the Germans suffered at least as many losses to the P-40 as they inflicted.

From information gathered from interrogations of shot down German pilots from II and II/JG 5 (A. Jakobi, H. Bodo, K. Philipp, and W. Schumacher), it was learned that they considered the Tomahawk to be a serious enemy (they placed only the Bf-109F and the Airacobra above it). The relatively limited success of Soviet pilots was due primarily to their adherence to defensive tactics and insufficiently decisive attacks.

It is interesting that on 23 September 1944, the commander-in-chief of the VVS KA issued a special order in which he recommended against ramming and pointed out the necessity of employing this tactic only in exceptional circumstances.
The causes are basically the same as in the 126th IAP.

Update Information from http://murmansk.kp.ru/daily/26149/3038108/ : Aleksey Khlobystov

December 13, 1943 from the airfield Murmashah flew its last combat mission Guard Captain Alexei Khlobystov. By the time the 25-year-old pilot had already managed to shoot down enemy planes personally 7 and 24 in group combat, make three (!) ram air, to earn the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and two Orders of the Red Banner. Alas, this time changed the military success of the legendary pilot. Khlobystov and his wingman Alexander Kalegaev missing ...

Plane wreckage burnt Hero in 2009 were found by searchers from the order "Icarus" , 20 kilometers from Zaozerska. And now, 70 years later, on October 22 at a military cemetery in Murmashah legendary pilot found his last resting place of fellow soldiers.

- We are engaged in exploration works since the early 90s - says Vladimir Chernyshev, head of the search and the research group "Icarus" from Zaozerska. - Raise the remains of soldiers from the swamps and gorges, as well as working in the archives, setting the identity of the victims. Often, it is found by the numbers of aircraft unable to learn the fate of the aircraft and its crew. This happened in the case of fighter Alexei Hlobystova. On the wreckage first stumbled pickers who told "ikarovtsam" their discovery and gave approximate coordinates. During the search operations were found several fragments with the same number - 1134. It took several years to find and collect all the fragments of the aircraft and work with archives.

- We found in the central archives of the Ministry of Defence logbook aircraft combat losses of the 20th Guards Fighter Regiment, where he served Khlobystov - continues Vladimir V.. - Just this serial number of the aircraft "Kittihouk" and there was listed as assigned to Hlobystova. Departed Alex Stepanovich paired with his wingman Guard Lieutenant Alexander S. Kalegaevym. Establishing a link with the command post of the regiment, the pilots went on a given course. The goal was the exploration roads enemy routes Petsamo - Titovka-front line. It was their last outing on the connection. Our troops on the same day, after passing a pair of our aircraft heard a big explosion forces. Command of the Air Division, which served Khlobystov, during the investigation of the causes of loss came to the conclusion that, most likely, the plane crashed into the Hero of the Soviet Union in the ammunition depot. But this version is indicated as tentative.

- We have no doubt that it remains of the pilot Hlobystova as draws other remains they can not be, - said Konstantin Dobrovolsky, Chairman of the Coordination Council of search units of the Murmansk region . - It was decided upokoit Hero on military graves airmen Murmashah. Near the airfield, where he embarked on his last flight.

However, the chip plane - is not the only evidence that searchers have found exactly the legendary pilot. Speak for themselves and protocols drawn up during the war.

- In the archives of the Ministry of Defence, I found a curious document. It is called the interrogation protocol captured German pilot commander of Detachment 9 5 th Fighter Squadron Hauptmann Hans Hermann Schmidt - leads facts Chernyshov. - He liked talking about the deployment of its air units. Gave valuable testimony of air combat tactics, surnames named personnel, word, went to the cooperation with our command. And of his testimony in the "other information" recorded that according to situation report circulated by the German command of personnel, in early December 1943 over the front two clashed "Kittihoukov." Planes dropped exploded and burned along with the pilots. Unfortunately, incidents of clashes were. And the reason not to trust this testimony, even our enemy, no. The materials of this prisoner interrogation has notes interviewer. Quote: "presumably talking about the Hero of the Soviet Union Hlobystova comrade." Thus, the interviewer during the war, it was clear that we are talking about the death of Alexei Stepanovich.

Search Engines installed the crash site as Hlobystova and Kalegaeva. Fighter slave fell on the other side of the Pechenga highway. The number of aircraft paint was applied on the back of a winged car. The remains of the pilot has not yet been found. Chip hlobystovskogo same fighter with number 1134 was transferred Moscow school № 398, which bears the name of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Twice buried Hero

Those who have ever been on murmashinskom military graves must have seen the memorial, where the names of the fallen soldiers and the name of the pilot was listed Hlobystova. What's the matter? Whose remains are buried in this tomb named Hero?

- Most likely, Alex Stepanovich memorial was erected in Murmashah by mistake. How did it happen? The fact that the name of Hero enough known - took to answer the question Chernyshev. - When viewed from the memorial can be seen that the original name Hlobystova on it was not. In alphabetical order, the names of his fellow soldiers walked, including Heroes of the Soviet Union and Kaykova Pozdnjakova. Surname same Hlobystova absent. She appeared on the extra, extra plate at the bottom of the memorial. Which has been installed, presumably, in the 80-90s. Perhaps this is her appearance was timed to coincide with some round date. But it was done in order to perpetuate the memory of the Hero. Official data on the burial of the pilot was not, because in the documents of the 20th Guards Fighter Regiment and Khlobystov and Kalegaev were listed as not buried. So in summary database "Memorial" contains documents that contradict each other. Inconsistency them is simple: they really were not buried, either during the war or after it. Official information about this track failed. No data on detection of the wreckage of their aircraft until 2009 had been received. It is a plaque with the name and Hlobystova already migrated to contemporary documents, dated September 1992. They are placed in the database, however, these are not archival paper.

Incidentally, the famous poet Konstantin Simonov, during the war happens in the Arctic, in his story "Russian heart" described the funeral Guard Captain Alexei Pozdnyakov - squadron commander, where he served Khlobystov. According to Simon, Alex Stepanovich attended the burial of his comrade, and vowed to avenge him. And kept his promise, having before his death to bring down several enemy aircraft.

We can say that 22 October 2013 two friends met combat. Upholstered in red velvet coffin with the remains Hlobystova lowered into the ground of the memorial, where buried his squadron commander Alexei Poznyakov ...

BTW - Pilot relatives could not be found

Alexei Khlobystov born 23 February 1918 in the village Zaharovo (now Elino) Zakharovsky region Ryazan region. In 1940 he graduated from the Kachin Military Aviation School. The outbreak of war met at Leningrad in 1942 was transferred to the North. On account of his 310 combat missions. At the time of death Khlobystov only 25 years old. One of the photos captured pilot with her ​​sisters

- Evdokia Zharikova and Daria Feoktistova and nephew Victor on his hands. Alas, the search engines could not find Hero relatives to invite them for burial. If you're familiar with his relatives Alexei Stepanovich, then ask you to help in their quest.

Contact the editors at: 183038, Murmansk, st. Volodarskogo 1. Or via the Ecit2 alexey.bakumenko@phkp.ru

Update Information from http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=1143952 : Aleksey Khlobystov

In the Arctic, found the remains, which is supposed to belong to the Hero of the Soviet Union Captain-pilot Alexey Khlobystov. He was an extraordinary man: come out the winner of three air rams. But even such as he could not always outwit death - Khlobystov missing. And now, when seemingly found his remains, suddenly found out that he already has a tomb. Life of the legendary Hero of the Soviet Union, pilot, defended the Arctic sky Alexei Hlobystova broken December 13, 1943. Together with his wingman, Guards Senior Lieutenant Alexander Kalegaevym they did not return from a mission. It so happened that all the years that have passed since his death, the hero was not his grave, which is now before the descendants could pay tribute. With this and the related almost a detective story.

Together with the head of the search and the research group "Icarus" Vladimir Chernyshev crew of "Vesti on Saturday" went to the site of the crash - this 90-km road "Murmansk - Pechenga." At 500 meters from the road in 2009 were found fragments of American Kitty Hawk P-40. And now they are still here in the snow. Comparing the numbers of units, the experts concluded that the board belonged to Alexei Khlobystov. According to one version, the fighters in poor visibility conditions encountered. There was a massive explosion and fire - the plane was filled to capacity.

"In the course of the bone fragments were found. Presumably, the pilot. Were conducted their research expertise. Experts gave the answer: it is possible that they belong to man," - said Vladimir Chernyshev.

Alexei Stepanovich name became a legend during his lifetime. He - the only one who was one of two in the history of domestic aviation committed three ram. In May 1942, upon reflection raid on Murmansk Khlobystov on the burning fighter, saving comrade, made his third ram. For exceptional heroism, he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.

On the Karelian front Germans could not break through our defense, despite vehement attacks from land and air. "V1941 the initiative was in the hands of the German pilots. They impose our pilots battle tactics, but by 1943 the Nazis impose our aviators their battle tactics, and are fighting over enemy territory", - said Irina Block - Head of the department of history of the Murmansk regional museum.

Found fragments, of course, needed a burial. However, the registration card of military aviators in the village burial Murmashi, where during the war the airfield was located based means that Khlobystov buried in a mass grave. And the hero's name is listed on the additional plate set much later than the main, about 90. When the funeral was held and who is unknown.

"With this additional plate, which was established with the aim of perpetuating his memory, his name in the lists migrated buried, but in fact he is not buried in this cemetery," - said Vladimir Chernyshev.

Because at the crash site were found remains of the pilot, it was suggested to bury them in the Valley of Fame, but this initiative embarrass the military commissariat of the Murmansk region.

"Having two graves in the Murmansk region (one - in Murmashah, another - in the Valley of Fame) may cause reasonable request: where the buried Captain Khlobystov? I at all desire to give answers to these questions can not" - said Vladimir Soloviev - Military Commissar Murmansk region.

It became aware of the decision to bury the remains in Hlobystova Murmashah in a separate grave, next to comrades and fellow soldiers.

  Web References: +

• http://aaminis.myfastforum.org/viewtopic.php?t=32592&start=0
• http://murmansk.kp.ru/daily/26149/3038108/
• http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=1143952
• http://lend-lease.airforce.ru/english/articles/romanenko/p-40/index.htm