The best sniper pilot of the twentieth century - Nikolay Dmitrievich Gulaev
From July 1942, Lieutenant N. D. Gulaev in the army. By May 1942, he served in the 423-IAP; January January 1943 - in 487-IAP; From February to August 1944 of the year - in the 27-IAP (129-th Guards IAP).
Professor of the State Academy of Slavic Culture
By July 1943, the deputy commander of the squadron of the 27 th Fighter Aviation Regiment (205 Fighter Aviation Division, 7 Fighter Aviation Corps, 2 th Air Army, Voronezh Front) Senior Lieutenant N. D. Gulayev made 95 combat battalions, 13 Air Force, Voronezh Front) First Lieutenant N. D. Gulayev made 5 combat battalions, XNUMX Air Force, Voronezh Front personally destroyed XNUMX enemy planes and XNUMX in the group with his comrades.
28 September 1943 was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for courage and bravery shown in battles with enemies.
1 July 1944 years for 125 successful sorties and 42 air battles, in which the downed 42 enemy aircraft personally and 3 - in the group, the squadron commander 129-th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (205-th Fighter Division, 7-th Fighter Air Corps, 5 Air Army, 2-th Ukrainian Front) Guard Captain N. D. Gulayev was awarded the second Gold Star medal.
After the war, he was in command positions in the Air Defense Forces. One of the first mastered the management of jet aircraft. In 1950, he graduated from the Military - Air Engineering Academy. Zhukovsky, and in 1960 - Military Academy of the General Staff. In 1956, he was a delegate to the XX Congress of the CPSU. Since 1972, the General - Colonel of Aviation. From 1979, retired. He lived in Moscow. Died 27 September 1985 of the year.
He was awarded orders: Lenin (twice), the October Revolution, the Red Banner (four times), World War 1-th degree (twice), the Red Star (twice); medals A bronze bust was installed at home, a memorial plaque was installed in Rostov-on-Don.
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Even among the far from ordinary fighter pilots, the figure of Nikolay Gulayev stands out for his colorful. Only he, a man of unparalleled courage, managed to hold 10 over-effective battles, 2 won out of his victories with ramming. His modesty in public and in self-esteem was dissonant with an exceptionally persistent, aggressive manner of conducting air combat, and he carried boyhood spontaneously through his whole life, preserving some youthful prejudices to the end.
In 1918, the firstborn was born with the family of the mechanic from the factory Krasny Aksai, Dmitry Semenovich Gulayev. Son called Nicholas. He grew up inquisitive, persistent, loved sports very much, was fond of swimming. Often spoke at competitions for the honor of his school. From peers Nicholas distinguished great diligence. He loved his father very much, imitated him in everything. And Dmitry Semenovich was a good worker, one of the factory foremost workers.
When Nikolai finished school, there was no problem of choosing a life path. He was determined, like his father, to become a mechanic. Going to Rostov - on - Don, he was accepted to the school of trade schools. After studying 2, and having acquired the profession of locksmith, Nikolai went to work at the Rostov plant Emalposuda.
During his studies at the trade school, the young man became interested in airport and at the very end of his studies filed an application to the flying club. When he came to the factory, he did not give up his passion, and after the work shift he regularly went to classes. Apparently, during this period, the young worker was born the desire to become a professional pilot. The plant helped him, and in 1938, Gulaev went to study at a military aviation school. In December 1940 of the year, having completed her in the rank of Junior Lieutenant, he arrives in the 423 th air regiment for further service. A few months later, near Mogilev, the young pilot will meet with the news of the beginning of the war.
But he had to fight not immediately. On the orders of the commander, he flew to another airfield to receive new, more advanced aircraft, and then embarked on the air defense of the industrial center far from the front line. In March, 1942, Nikolai Gulaev, among the 10 best pilots, was sent to Borisoglebsk. There, the main air raids of enemy aircraft were at night, and he had to relearn for night work.
In June, the 1942 of the year, Gulaev was transferred to the 487 air regiment, where soon, the 3 of August 1942 of the year, took its first fight. He won the first victory without an order, having soared for the first time in his life at night, under the howl of air raid and encouraging replicas of mechanics. He got lucky. Against the background of the lunar sky, he saw silhouettes familiar to the tables and diagrams - Heinkels. Forcing the engine of his "Yak", he got close to the enemy machine so that the flaming engine exhaust was clearly visible, and pressed the trigger. The queue was successful: the track flashed with quick red arrows, suddenly burgeoning in the night with a growing fiery tail. The bomber slid onto the wing that spewed the purple clouds of burning fuel and spontaneously spurred toward the ground ... The reaction of the commander to his victory was out of the ordinary: Nicholas was told about the recovery and presented to the award. Thus began one of the brightest military fates in our aviation.
There were fighting everyday life. Gulaev gained experience. Now he acted more competently, bravely and decisively. One day, a group of fighters under the command of Gulayev, taking off for patrol, met more than 20 Ju-87, who were marching to attack our troops without cover to attack. In the ensuing battle, Nicholas shot down the leader of the enemy group, and his pilots still 2 aircraft. The rest hastily scoot the front line, randomly dropping bombs. A little later, a new group of Ju-87 - 36 aircraft appeared, now under the protection of 18 Me-109. Despite the enemy’s enormous advantage in the forces, our pilots attacked them, crashed into the Ju-87 system and shot down the 5 enemy aircraft, forcing the others to flee.
In February 1943 of the year, after completing the courses of the commanders of the units, Lieutenant N. D. Gulayev was sent to the 27 th Fighter Wing. As part of this regiment, he lived his "stellar" year, knocking over 50 enemy vehicles in the air, "creating" a dozen aces, becoming twice a Hero of the Soviet Union.
It’s not customary to talk about Gulaev’s “school”, but his special, inspired and risky, seemingly utterly devoid of any practicality, the style of fighting makes him at least a “symbol” of the romantic direction in the art of air combat. Like no one else, he knew how to be efficient: 30.05.1944, of the year, is killing 5 aircraft; Twice (5.07.1943, 25.04.1944) he defeated 4 wins per day, three more times (7.07.1943, 12.07.1943, 18.04.1944) destroyed the 3 of the aircraft and in 6 battles (14.05.1943, 24.10.1943, 28.10.1943, 15.12.1943, 17.12.1943, 8.01.1944) did defeat On his account 8 are two-engined bomber (5 Non-111 and 4 Ju-88), 3 "frames" - spotter FW-189, 14 "Pieces" - Ju-87 dive bomber. Such a weighty balance of trophies is not typical for front-line pilots, the list of victories of which were mainly fighters.
Pilot of the 27th Fighter Aviation Regiment (205th Fighter Aviation Division, 2nd Air Army, Voronezh Front) Senior Lieutenant N.D. Gulaev especially distinguished himself on the Kursk Bulge in the Belgorod region. On the eve of the Battle of Kursk, the Luftwaffe concentrated about 1000 aircraft there to support its 4th tank Army of General Goth and the Kempf Task Force. Along with the novelties of armored vehicles, the Wehrmacht for the first time widely used the latest FW-190 A-4, A-5 and A-6 fighters, which, as a rule, carried 4-6 guns and 2 machine guns.
In the very first fight of 14 on May 1943 of the year, reflecting the raid on the Grushka airfield, Nikolay single-handedly engaged in a battle against 3 Ju-87 bombers, covered with 4 Me-109. Having dispersed the plane at a low altitude, Nikolai made a “slide” and, approaching the leading bomber, from the very first line he shot him down.
The shooter of the second "Junkers" opened fire on him. Then Gulayev knocked him down. He tried to attack the third, but the ammunition ran out, and then Nikolay decided to ram him. The left wing of his Yak-1, he hit the right plane "Junkers" and he crumbled into pieces. Uncontrollable fighter went into a tailspin. After several attempts, Gulaev managed to level the plane and land it at the front edge.
Infantry 52 th infantry division - witnesses of this heroic deed - in their hands carried the pilot out of the cockpit, thinking that he was wounded. But the brave fighter did not get a single scratch. In their car, they delivered a pilot to the airfield.
Arriving at the regiment, Nikolai Dmitrievich did not say a single word about his accomplishment. Only a few hours later, aviators learned about his courage from a report from the infantry. At the rally dedicated to this event, Gulayev did not speak much:
- In my place, each of you would have done the same. It’s a pity that the "horseless" remained ...
The commander immediately ordered the pilot to allocate a new car, and on the same day he again participated in the battle ... For this feat N. D. Gulayev was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.
The consciousness of his own authority not only strengthened his confidence, but significantly increased his internal discipline and self-control, heightened his demands on himself. Carefully he studied the literature that fell into his hands, if time allowed, he could spend hours discussing the vicissitudes of the air battles that were carried out or represented. Now he wins every second interception: May 22 knocks down Ju-88, 29-second - Ju-87, 8 and June 25 - 2 Me-109.
The day of the beginning of the Battle of Kursk, which became the bloodiest day of the Second World War, Gulaev marked 4 with personal victories won in 6 combat missions to cover airfields. The next day, Gulaev shot down FW-190, July 7 - Ju-87, as well as Hs-126 and FW-189, recorded as group victories, 8-th - Me-109, 12-th - 2 Ju-87. July 12 Nikolay Gulayev made his "double", already being appointed commander of the 2 th squadron of the 27 th Fighter Wing.
One day, the four fighters, led by Gulayev, conducted a very successful battle. Suddenly and boldly, they attacked a large group of 100 enemy planes. Having upset the battle formation, knocking down the 4 bomber and the 2 fighter, all four returned safely to their airfield. On the same day, the Gulaev unit made several combat missions and destroyed 16 enemy aircraft. 9 July, in the Belgorod region, Nikolay Gulayev made his second ram and again landed safely on a parachute. In total, on the Kursk Bulge, he destroyed 17 enemy planes.
By the middle of July, when the heavily depleted regiment was withdrawn from the front for replenishment and rearmament, in his flight book it appeared that by that time he had made 147 landings on the Yak-1 and 4 landings on the Yak-7.
9 August 1943, after a brief briefing, he made his first flight on Aircobra. In the first combat sortie, Nikolai destroyed the next Laptezhnik, two days later Ju-88 shot down a powerful queue in the cabin, the next day 2 Me-109, 29 October - another Messer and finished the month, knocking down the modified Nexus 111 with enhanced weapons and armor. Note that all of his victories Gulaev won by no means in the "free hunting" mode: most of his combat missions are recorded as a cover for ground troops, less often - airfields or ferries, on his official account also before 10 interceptions and intelligence services.
28 September 1943 of the year for courage and bravery shown in fights with enemies, Nikolai Dmitrievich Gulayev was awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union. By that time, 27 had already shot down enemy aircraft on his account. At a rally in the regiment, Hero gave his comrades the word to double this number. In the front-line newspaper Krylya Pobedy, Nikolay spoke with a series of articles on best practices. In one of them he wrote:
"Although you have won several victories, however, do not think that you have already reached perfection, you have become a first-class fighter pilot. While you sit and self-confidently count your victories, the enemy will overtake you, he will find something new that you have missed in your next arrogance a duel will catch you on a tricky maneuver. "
Not to rest on our laurels, constantly and persistently improve - called for this comrades Nikolai Gulayev. And he himself served as a model for a creatively-minded air combat master.
In November, 1943 was able to destroy 2 especially hated by reconnaissance soldiers - spotter FW-189 - “frames” from the Zelyonnaya airfield, not far from Pyatykhatok, and on the last day of the month knock down their 3 “Heinkel-111”. In the New Year fights for Kirovograd, Gulaev won double victories for 3 and shot down another Ju-88.
At the beginning of 1944, Gulaev became the squadron commander, taking part in the liberation of Right-Bank Ukraine. 8 On January, four fighters under his command, covering ground forces, attacked a large group of enemy bombers and fighters (up to 50 vehicles). Using the clouds, our pilots suddenly shot down 4 German aircraft from the very first attack. In this fleeting battle, Nikolai Gulayev destroyed 2 enemy vehicles.
He had a wonderful fight in the spring of 1944. In those days, the troops of the 2 of the Ukrainian Front crossed the Prut River and created a bridgehead on its western bank. 5 Martha six "Aerocabr" under the command of Gulayev flew to the cover of our ground forces. Soon the pilots found a large group of enemy aircraft. Bombers went in three nines in battle order "wedge" under the protection of 8 fighters. A command came from the ground: "To intercept the enemy and in no case prevent our line of defense."
Having assessed the situation, Gulaev made a bold decision: to attack the bomber himself as a part of two pairs, and to tie up a couple of Pyotr Nikiforov to cover fighters with a battle, thereby facilitating the fulfillment of the main task - the destruction of the bombers.
Yes, it was a risk, but the risk is sober, based on the exact calculation and confidence of the squadron commander N. D. Gulayev in the skill of his subordinates, in their courage.
The task assigned to the leading pair Nikiforov, was particularly difficult. The success of the planned battle depended on how it will be performed. But Gulayev knew Nikiforov's skills very well and hoped for him. And not in vain. Perfectly acted this couple. She boldly attacked enemy fighters and tied them with combat. The enemy quickly became unable to cover the bombers' wards.
Meanwhile, Gulaev and his followers swiftly crashed into the battle formations of the bombers and, one after another, set fire to the enemy's 3. Coming out of the attack, Nikolai saw the enemy in a panic throwing bombs at random and turning back. Taking advantage of the confusion of the enemy, the four made a second call on the departing aircraft.
In this fight for 4 minutes of battle, our pilots destroyed 11 of enemy vehicles, of which 5 - personally by Gulayev. The main task - to prevent the enemy from dropping bombs on our troops - was successfully completed.
In the course of the Korsun-Shevchenko operation and near Uman, he shot down Me-109, FW-189 and transport Ju-52.
In March, 1944 of the year, Guard, Captain N. D. Gulayev, was granted leave to travel to his homeland ... The mother and sister survived the occupation, but the Nazis hung up his father, who was quiet and always busy with farming.
Grim and inhospitable, the cheerful and mischievous Komesk returned to the part. In April, 1944, he was especially indomitable, never before with such persistence and frenzy, he was looking for meetings with the enemy, and he never managed to shoot down 10 enemy planes for 2 weeks - either before or after this period. At the same time, he spent 2 of his ultra-effective battle: April's 18, covering ground forces in the area of Cher, shot down 2 Ju-87 and Me-109, and 25-second under Dubossary pretty tweaked "Fokkers", destroying enemy machines 4. This is how Gulayev himself recalled this fight a year later:
"In 15 hours 30 minutes 6 aircraft" Air Cobra "flew under my command to cover ground troops in the area of the bridgehead. Gaining along the route height of about 4000 meters, I came to the specified area and established a connection with the radio station guidance. When performing the task, I walked with the right all around, going deep into enemy territory kilometers on 10.
Having made two circles and passed with the course 260 - 270 °, I found a group of airplanes going under the clouds with the course 90 °, at a height from 2000 to 2500 meters in a row of three nines. The order of the nines was a wedge. Above and behind went, apparently, with a late 8 Me-109. Equal to the heading courses, I attacked one group in two pairs with a right turn under the 2 / 4 perspective from the 150 distance - 200 meters and knocked down one FW-190. When I left the attack with a turn to the right, I again attacked the FW-190, which caught fire and plummeted to the ground.
Due to the surprise attack of the first nine lost 4 FW-190: 2 I shot down and one Lieutenant Bookchin, my slave, and Lieutenant Kozlov. The enemy, seeing the burning aircraft, began to leave with a right turn with the course 230 - 250 °. When turning one plane gave me a stomach, I opened fire with lightning speed and shot down the 3-FW-190 ...
At the same time I saw a burning Me-109, shot down by captain Nikiforov. Soon scattered planes and pairs of the enemy began to re-approach the site of the air battle. But the enemy apparently didn’t believe much in his own strength, since the FW-190 airplanes had 37-mm suspended guns, which made it impossible for them to fight in verticals, but made them take up defenses. The actions of the German pilots were uncertain, the fire was opened from great distances.
Having still superiority in height and speed, we continued to fight, despite the close outcome of the fuel and ammunition. Junior Lieutenant Gurov attacked Me-109 on a head-on course; as a result of the attack, the plane sharply inclined, began to smoke, entered a steep dive, and crashed into the ground near our radio station. At this time, I was attacked by 2 Me-109 from above - behind; but thanks to my follower, who warned me in time, I managed to get out of the blow by a quick movement of the steering wheels. When leaving in the direction of clouds, one FW-190 fell from the clouds at me, substituting its tail, as a result of which it was shot down. Thus, another downed plane appeared on my account - the fourth.
The battle is all flared up. Senior Lieutenant Kozlov, with an energetic turn, managed to get Me-109 into the tail and from the 100 distance - 150 meters a short burst of light to ignite him. Junior Lieutenant Akinshin, led by Captain Nikiforov, on the turn, from a distance of 50 - 70 meters, shot down one Me-109. In view of the outcome of the fuel and ammunition, I asked the corps commander for help. The commander, who was on the guidance radio, took off from the nearest airfield 18 of the Air Cobra planes. Not passed 3 - 4 minutes, as these planes entered the battle, which eased the position of our six.
My ammunition was used up completely, but I did not leave the battle, but made false attacks, scaring German pilots. My follower managed in one such false attack, following me, to knock down another FW-190. Our six returned to their airfield without loss and significant damage ... In this air battle 7 FW-190 and 4 Me-109 were shot down. "
When reading the passage, there is a feeling of organic lightness, with which Gulayev conducts an air battle. Everything proceeds as if by itself: “one plane placed a stomach on me,” another “fell from the clouds, having substituted its tail”, from under the blow of the Me-109 pair manages to get out “with a quick movement of the rudders”. This external lightness is probably a manifestation of the highest skill, art, whether it is air combat, musical work or a sports match.
Not tall, strong (athleticism affected), with golden eyes, agile "like mercury", quick to sharp words and always ready for audacious youth, Nikolay Gulayev was a born air fighter. His exceptional talent was even more fully manifested in the highly organized and strong in composition regiment, which was the 129 Sandomirsky Order of Alexander Nevsky and Bogdan Khmelnitsky Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. The regiment's pilots shot down air battles around 500 enemy planes, among them were 13 Heroes of the Soviet Union. The regiment was commanded by the well-known aces - V.I. Bobrov, and from February 1944 - V.A. Figichev.
Gulaev was constantly looking for new methods of conducting air combat, fought bravely, imposing his will on the enemy. He often took risks based on a solid knowledge of technique and tactics, accurate calculation. Many times he was able to accompany a group of our bombers, departing for missions to the deep enemy rear.
... The aviation regiment was located on the field airfield of Right-Bank Ukraine. It was warm spring days. One morning a German fighter appeared over the airfield. As soon as our planes took to the air, he, not taking the fight, flew away. And the next day at the same time appeared again. And again he quickly flew away after seeing our planes. So lasted the day 3 - 4. At the same time, the German pilot always appeared with particular accuracy: exactly in the 11 hours.
The regimental commander summoned Gulayev and demanded that the German pilot finish his morning walks. Nikolai decided by all means to knock him down. In the morning I went to my plane and in 10 hours 50 minutes started the engine. He took off, gained height and, moving a little to the side, waited.
Exactly in 11: 00 an uninvited guest appeared over the airfield. Gulaev rushed at the enemy, sending the car straight into the forehead. The distance quickly reduced. The first enemy to flinch - sharply turned aside, but did not retreat. Having turned round abruptly, Gulayev tried to take an advantageous position and enter the enemy in the tail. Failed. Skillfully performing various maneuvers, he left from under the blow. Chasing each other, the planes then soared upwards with a candle, then they entered the peak.
Finally, Gulayev managed to build his own maneuver so that he was at the tail of the enemy. The Peak Ace appeared on the crosshairs, drawn on board the enemy aircraft. The fire ! And the plane of the enemy, sharply pecking his nose, fell down. But the pilot almost at the very ground managed to jump out with a parachute. Nikolai circled above him until he landed. It was 11 hours 14 minutes.
After some time, the German pilot was taken to headquarters. It turned out to be the Colonel, on whose jacket there were four Iron Crosses. He turned out to be quite talkative: “I was in France, Italy. I was lucky everywhere, and here, on the Russian front, I was shot down. I would like to see who did this ...” Gulaev was called. The German ace expected to see a giant, a kind of "Russian bear", and in front of him stood a young, not very tall man ...
30 May 1944 of the Year over Skuleni ND Gulaev knocks down 5 enemy aircraft in one day: Hs-126, 2 Me-109, Ju-88 and Ju-87. At the same time, he shot down Ju-87 and Me-109 in one attack with his “firm trick”: abruptly deploying the Cobra after the deadly line of Junkers to meet his attacking fighter. He himself was seriously wounded in the right hand; having concentrated all forces and will, he managed to bring the fighter to his airfield, taxied to the parking lot and lost consciousness. He came to himself only in the hospital, after the operation. It also learned about assigning him the title of twice Hero of the Soviet Union.
Nikolai Gulayev completed his last combat sortie from the Turbía airfield in Poland, 14 August 1944, already being the Major Guard, navigator of the 129 Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. On the eve, 3 day in a row - 10, 11, 12 Augustus, he shot down in battles on one plane.
At the beginning of September 1944, N. D. Gulayev, under compulsion, was sent to study. The outcome of the war was already clear to everyone, and they tried to take care of the glorified aces, directing them to the Military Air Academy in an orderly manner. Thus, the war for him unexpectedly ended ...
According to the official data of the Guard, Major N. D. Gulaev made 250 combat missions. In 49, air battles shot down 57 aircraft in person and 3 in a group. [M. Yu. Bykov in his research points to 55 personal and 5 group victories. ] His "performance", 4 departure for one downed, became one of the highest in the Soviet fighter aircraft.
The brave air fighter fought on the Stalingrad, Voronezh, 1 and 2 Ukrainian fronts. He participated in the battles at Stalingrad, Belgorod, at the Orel-Kursk Bulge, liberated Right-Bank Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Romania, Czechoslovakia. He was an ordinary pilot, a flight commander, deputy commander and squadron commander, regiment navigator, deputy regiment commander.
After the war, Nikolai Dmitrievich continued to serve in aviation. In 1950, he graduated from the Air Force Academy. He commanded the regiment, from 1954 of the year - an aviation division in Yaroslavl, then in Yelets.
In the North, there was another scandalous incident that affected the career of Nikolai Dmitrievich. The Norwegian border guards complained about Gulayev that he allegedly hunted polar bears in their territory using combat helicopters. After this slander, Gulayev was transferred to Moscow for staff work, then he was dismissed, he was very worried about this and lived thereafter for quite some time.
Professor of the State Academy of Slavic Culture
In 1960, he graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff. In 1961, he was appointed corps commander in Rzhev, and in 1964, 1974 commanded the 10 th Air Army, based near Arkhangelsk. In 1972, he was given the rank of Colonel-General of Aviation. In 1974, ND Gulaev was appointed head of the combat training of the country's air defense forces.
He mastered many types of jet combat vehicles. He flew MiG-21 until 1967, while P. Batitsky, then commander-in-chief of the country's air defense, did not forbid him to fly. In 1979, N. D. Gulaev was dismissed. A talented commander, he did not come to court at a time when it was not business qualities that were valued at the top. Grieving over his removal from the service, he died in Moscow 27 September 1985 of the year.
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