Once upon a time there were two major

And they lived until the C-75, launched by the Soviet major Ivan Gerchenov, was not hit by a Lockheed U-21 reconnaissance plane led by US Air Force Major Rudolph Anderson at 2 altitude. After that, one major became fewer, and it happened exactly 55 years ago, at the height of the "Caribbean Rocket Crisis", over the Cuban city of Banes. Anderson became the second after Powers U-2 pilot shot down by Soviet anti-aircraft gunners. However, Powers was more lucky, he jumped with a parachute and survived, and Anderson was instantly killed by a rocket blast.

For political reasons, it was officially announced that the plane was shot down by Cubans. The body of Rudolph Anderson, handed over to American representatives, was solemnly buried with an orchestra, salute and other military honors in the Woodlaun memorial park, and President Kennedy posthumously awarded the deceased pilot with three medals "Purple Heart", "For Decent Service" and "Cross" air force. " Now his name is one of the squadrons of the US Air Force.

And what happened to the future fate of the winner - Major Gerchenov, I could not find out, because his stay in Cuba was classified until the end of the 1980-s. I could not even find his photo. I hope that his Cuban business trip ended safely and he also received a well-deserved reward.

On the screen saver - U-2 from the detachment of strategic air reconnaissance, in which Rudolf Anderson served.

The plane of Major Anderson with the serial number 566676 and he himself on an official photo portrait.

American aerial view of the position of one of the Soviet ZRDN in Cuba. He reminds me of something ...

Soviet experts at the site of the fall of the Anderson aircraft.

The wreckage of the Anderson aircraft in the Cuban military museum.

Comments

[Amurets]

American aerial view of the position of one of the Soviet ZRDN in Cuba. He reminds me of something ...
The unofficial name of the position of the S-75 ZRDN and its clones: “Star of David”. Later, after the Vietnam War, where they were used in part, the configuration of the positions changed.

[Bersaglieri]

Well, in Vietnam they switched to the semi-mobile version, and therefore a change in positional configuration.

[Amurets]

Quote: Bersaglieri

Well, in Vietnam, we switched to the semi-mobile version, and therefore the change in positional configuration

The S-75 family of air defense systems belongs to mobile air defense systems. In Vietnam, a 5-cabin automobile version of the SA-75 "Dvina" was used, and the use of the shortened starting battery was caused by various reasons, mainly because 6 launchers could be placed at each position.

[parusnik]

From the book of Lieutenant Alec Artyomovich Ryapenko’s guidance officer. “... Major Gerchenov ordered me:“ Destroy in three, turn! ”I switched all three shooting channels to BR mode and pressed the“ Start ”button of the first channel. The missile left the launcher. After that I reported: “There is a capture!” The first rocket flew for 9-10 seconds, when the commander ordered: “The second, launch!” I pressed the “Start” button of the second channel. When the first rocket exploded, a cloud appeared on the screens. I reported: "First, undermining. Goal, meeting. The target is amazed! "After the second rocket was blown up, the target began to sharply lose altitude, and I reported:" Second, the blast. The target is destroyed! "

[Popovich]

The third is a blast, completely destroyed! "

[XII legion]

An interesting episode, did not know
Our anti-aircraft gunners are great
My grandfather served in Cuba, radio engineering troops. Survived both the Caribbean crisis and the hurricane Flora.
Thanks to the author

[WUA 518]

Colonel George Voronkov (left) congratulated his people on the victory. (Voronkov on the left, Danilevich - in a black shirt, on the right - Major Ivan Gerchenov, with a gun on his belt.)

Radio engineering battery of Major Ivan Gerchenov.

Lieutenant Alexey Ryapenko

DECREE OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE USSR
On the awarding of orders and medals of the USSR military personnel and employees of the Soviet Army and Navy

For exemplary performance of a special task of the Government of the USSR, award:

ORDER OF LENIN
Major GERCHENOV Ivan Minovich

[Jedi]

Interesting story. WUA 518 Thanks for the photo and add. information.

[WUA 518]

The author would have to dig deeper!
Miami Publication Directed by: ANTENOR Betancourt
Confessions of a Soviet military man who shot down a U-2 aircraft during the October 1962 crisis
http://katrina-usa.blogspot.ru/2007/10/confesione
s-del-military-sovitico-que.html

[midshipman]

One of the departments in the 6th Main Directorate of the MCI of the USSR (which I headed) worked as the chief commander (retired) of the SAM air defense system, which shot down a U-2 U.S. reconnaissance aircraft. It was over our territory during the May Day Holiday. I have the honor.

[svp67]

I could not find even his photo

Present to the author ... in the front row in the center ....

[Amurets]

Quote: svp67

Present to the author ... in the front row in the center ....

Thanks for the photo. Thanks to the author for information about Major Anderson. Much has been written about Powers and his downfall, but this happened over the territory of the USSR. But about the anti-aircraft gunners who fought abroad of our homeland, information is sometimes bit by bit.

[Captain Nemo]

Amazing now ... Cabinets with thousands of electronic tubes, but how they worked. And there are no kondishins in the cabins, but God forbid they were heat-generating

[creak]

Quote: Captain Nemo

n, and how they worked. And there are no kondishins in the cabins, but God forbid they were heat-generating

That’s how they worked and fought - the temperature in the cabins went off the scale for 50 g. Although radish horseradish is not sweeter, the tank was no better. By the way, there was no air conditioning in the living quarters either ...
Although there is no other way in the desert - it is good that such a temperature did not last all year ...

[daatop]

An alternative history of the Cuban missile crisis and the Anadyr military forces, there is about the downing of U-2
https://yadi.sk/i/7QVD0N5YT_sQlQ
Private Caribbean Front Anatoly Dmitriev, 20.12.2019/XNUMX/XNUMX