On April 24, 1944, our pilots, in battles for peaceful skies over the city, destroyed 36 enemy aircraft

On that day, Soviet pilots carried out a successful raid on a German airfield and destroyed 14 aircraft, including three-engine Junkers-52 transport aircraft. In air battles and anti-aircraft artillery fire, 22 enemy aircraft were shot down. In total, 36 German aircraft were destroyed during the day in the Sevastopol area.

“Now they have reported that I have been awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Words cannot describe what a joy it is. This obliges me to fight even better, and I will.”

These lines were written by the deputy squadron commander of the 502nd assault air regiment of the 214th assault air division, 22-year-old senior lieutenant Vladimir Tyukov, two days before his death on April 24, 1944.

Stubborn fighting began again for the liberation of Sevastopol. The Nazis lost up to 150 killed and 3 damaged assault guns, but the Red Army again failed to break through the enemy’s defenses. Our tankers broke through to an unnamed village near the Sevastopol-Balaklava road, but retreated under heavy enemy fire.

Vladimir Tyukov’s plane was hit by a direct hit, lost part of its wing and crashed into the ground. The second crew member – air gunner, senior sergeant Pyotr Zaitsev – also died.

Text based on materials from the legendary newspaper of the hero city “The Glory of Sevastopol”.

Author of the material: News Agency “Sevastopol”

Author of the photo: newspaper “Glory of Sevastopol”