It was 1919. Russian pilots from the British mission gathered on the pier to sail to Arkhangelsk, and then with the Vilkitsky expedition to get to Kolchak. The famous Russian ace Alexander Alexandrovich Kazakov came to say goodbye to them. “I will take you to my matchday,” he said, and headed for the hangar. Taking off, he made a regular circle above the airfield, and then, rising even higher, went into a dive and hit the ground with a stone. He was buried in a village cemetery under two cross to cross knocked together aviation propellers. So ended his life the most productive Russian ace. He was offered to leave Russia, but he did not want to. He could not continue to live in his homeland, since his soul was already filled with pain from the fratricidal war that was going on in the country.
Captain Alexander Kazakov graduated from the Gatchina Military Aviation School 7 in October 1914 of the year. From this school, by the way, there were many excellent army pilots, fearless fighters for Russia. The war for captain Alexander Kazakov began on December 29 of the year 1914 - the day of arrival on the Western front of the 4 corps air squad, in which he began service only twelve days ago. Able graduate was detained at the school for the development of high-speed and up-and-up monoplane "Moran-F". The first sorties beginner pilot struck everyone dashing. What tasks did the captain perform? Correction of artillery fire, near reconnaissance and bombardment of enemy positions, and when Ulyanin’s cameras came, then photo reconnaissance. And all this under enemy fire, on the unarmed Moran. Sometimes it seemed that his miracle was saved from the death of courage, resourcefulness, composure.
Time passed, but the aircraft still did not have weapons. It was difficult for the pilots to passively observe the flights of enemy airplanes in their rear. And then the craftsmen came up with a cat with mobile sharpened legs, which was lowered on a cable under the fuselage of the aircraft. Kazakov, one of the first pilots of the 5 Army, decided to test it in flight. The principle of operation of this device was as follows: the cat's foot, clinging to the enemy's airplane, blew up the cap, and he caused the detonation of the pyroxylin piece attached to the cat. 1 April 1915, the captain discovered a German Albatross biplane west of the Vistula near the village of Guz and began to pursue it. Having caught up with the enemy, he flew very low over him, trying to hook him with a lowered cat. Failure. Repeated call.
Here is a record of the conversation with the captain Kazakov: “... What was I supposed to do? Below me are two fronts, forty thousand of both Russian and German eyes watching from the trenches. Just go and do nothing, being a few meters from the enemy - a shame in front of all those 20000 Russian eyes ... The cursed cat caught and dangles under the plane. Then I decided to hit the German Albatross with wheels on top. Especially without hesitation, gave the wheel height down. Something exploded, a piece from the wing of my Moran hit my elbow. The Albatross swung to its side, then folded its wings and fell down. I turned off the motor - there was only one blade left on my screw. ”
Thus, the second air ram after captain P. Nesterov was executed. And for the first time it was practically proved that a skilled pilot, performing this maneuver, not only can stay alive, but is also able to save a combat vehicle.
The news of the exploit of Alexander Kazakov instantly spread throughout Russia. Soon, the Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich transferred the hero to the 19-th corporate corps, where he began to collect the best pilots - "moralists." High-ranking chief of aviation was preparing to create fighter units. Twenty days later, Kazakov became commander of the 19 Corps Corps.
Load increased. But things went better. Sent machine guns. Kazakov's squadron entered the 19 Corps of the 5 Army 3 September 1915. The command was a fairly trouble-free work of the aviators, and the pilots - attention to their needs. However, there is nothing eternal in this world. The Chief of Staff of the Supreme Commander ordered the detachment to be immediately relocated to Lutsk, informing that the detachment commander would receive further instructions at the place of destination. The next day, he was appointed commander of the 1 and fighter combat group, consisting of three squadrons.
Cossacks flew a lot and from each battle he emerged victorious. His fame as the best fighter pilot — the ace of aces of Russian aviation — was growing. He flew bravely, confidently and, according to the soldiers, “always joyful”. In the army, he was literally idolized. When the commander passed, everyone parted, giving way, and saluting to this tall, lean staff captain. Co-workers were aware that he could not tolerate clouds, and here was not only a dislike for the clouds themselves, but also a hatred for everything that was vague and muddy. “Tell me the truth,” demanded Alexander Alexandrovich from his subordinates, and he himself was always frank.
As soon as the battle group gained strength and showed the claws to the enemy, Aleksandr Aleksandrovich ordered to draw on the Nyupor boards an awesome emblem - a skull with bones.
“Outstanding military pilot and combat officer. His exceptional determination and courage always serves as a vivid example to subordinates. Modest, balanced character, very much loved by comrades and personnel. He doesn’t drink wine, ”the staff captain Kazakov certified. Add to this that for valor and bravery he was awarded the Order of St. George, was awarded five military orders and St. George weapons.
How many victories did Alexander Kazakov win in air battles? Military pilot Warrant Officer Smirnov, who served in his group, testifies that the commander shot down thirty-two enemy aircraft, seventeen of them over their territory. The same number was called by historians of the Russian military aviation Vyacheslav Tkachev and Edgar Meos.
The last 1958 of the year in December indicated that Kazakov’s number of downed opponents was thirty-two German and Austrian airplanes. Of these, fifteen opponents were shot down in the enemy rear, and they, according to the instructions of the military department, were not counted as being unverifiable. An official is always an official. Even military. And as it turned out, especially in Russia. Note that in all the belligerent countries, the pilots counted all the fallen aircraft, including tethered balloons.
The February Revolution barely touched the group that was lodged far from the ground units. Tense combat work absorbed all forces, it was not up to politics. But after the withdrawal of the armies of the South-Western Front across the Zbruch River, when Kazakov’s group relocated to the Dunaevtsy town and began to fly less, political passions penetrated here as well. The commander stayed away from these as yet verbal fights, believing that the army’s business was the defense of his native land, and not politicking. Wishing to support the declining prestige of the Provisional Government in the military, the Minister of War ordered to produce many non-commissioned officers as warrant officers, and also to raise a number of officers in rank. Did not pass increase and Kazakova. At the end of September, he was made a lieutenant colonel, and a few days before the October Revolution, the air force congratulated Kazakov on his colonel's shoulder straps.
However, the revolutionary events deprived Alexander Alexandrovich not only of the epaulettes, but also of their positions. The newly elected commander Pavlov suggested that he remain in the group as an ordinary pilot. In response, Kazakov shook his head. After a short-term service in the 7-m aviation fleet, where he served as commander, the first ace of Russia went to Petrograd. Here he was identified as a military expert, however, without flight-team work. However, not only Kazakov found himself in such a position. At one of the meetings, the military experts-aviators turned to Trotsky, but the “demon of the revolution” dealing with military issues did not trust the former officers, believing that these “eagles” wanted to make the air fleet “white” from the “red”.
Offended pilots interested in the British, who began the intervention in the north. They promised to send them to the front of the allies against the Germans. There were a lot of people willing. Kazakov hesitated, but Modrah persuaded him. The recruited Russian officers, equipped with secret appearances, reached Archangel.
Kazakov's telegram: “Murmansk. English command. According to the instructions of the captain of the English mission in Moscow, Sir Hill, five Russian pilots and thirty officers made their way to the 26 junction. Take the locomotive and wagon. "
The aviators who arrived in Murmansk were disappointed. Colonel Kazakov was “made” as captains, while captains Belousovich, Modrakh, Sveshnikov and Shebalin were enlisted as lieutenants of the British Air Force. The remaining officers (Letnaby and technical staff) became privates. To the question “when will they send us to continue to fight the Germans?”, The answer was: “Where the Bolsheviks are, there are Germans too. Do not look for them. Fight here. ”
The British formed two squadrons: Kazakov and Belousovich. They were based thirty kilometers from Arkhangelsk, on the banks of the Northern Dvina. Later, the captains Kossovsky and Matveyev, the lieutenant Abramov, arrived, flew to Newport by Lieutenant Beresnevich. All this was called the British-Slavic Air Corps, since the British also served in it. Aviation commander, English Major Moller.
Group raids on ships of the red Severodvinsk began flotillato other objects. And although not so many flew, it could not do without losses. Captain Sveshnikov, lieutenants Abramov and Kravets, lieutenant Karelin were killed. The captain of Kossovsky was captured by the verdict of the Military Council. The British who served in the corps also often did not return from flights.
Under extremely tragic circumstances, on the same day of 5 in March of 1919, Lieutenant Kropinov and midshipman Smirnov died, and Second Lieutenant Baidak received heavy injuries. On a stormy, stormy day, English Colonel Wanderspay arrived at the airfield, replacing Major Moller. The High Command ordered the activation of aviation operations. Wandespay decided to teach Russian flying in stormy conditions. To teach, staying on the ground. As a result, two of the three planes that flew into the air were smashed.
Two days later, finally realizing the state of affairs in the country, Lieutenant Anikin flew over to the airfield of the Soviet detachment. He was forgiven. And Colonel Wonderspay, still caught up with the punishment. A week after the tragedy in Berezniki, March 11, he was forced to sit in the location of the Red Army units, was caught in the swamps and transferred to Moscow.
At the end of October, 1918, captain of the British Air Force, Kazakov, was granted the highest English military order and the rank of major. And in January of the following year, he shot down the Soviet flying boat, thereby finally blocking the path to return to Soviet Russia. In addition, Kazakov experienced this “victory” hard. He fought a fratricidal war. To conclude the story about the Russian ace is an excerpt from the letters of the Mass: “In my opinion, Kazakov should be written off from the pages stories Russian aircraft can not be. He was the first ace of Russian military aircraft, and committed suicide because he did not see a way out. Evacuate from Arkhangelsk and go to Kolchak, or, as a major of the British Air Forces to leave for England, Kazakov categorically refused ... "
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Бодрихин Н. Лучшие асы XX века. М.: Яуза, ЭКСМО, 2013. С. 66-68.
Lavrenets V. Kavaler George. // Civil Aviation. 1993. No.8. C. 38-39.
Kulikov V. The second after Nesterov. // Wings of the Motherland. 1991. No.2. C. 14-15, 19.
Куликов В. За Победу. Хроника 1-й боевой авиагруппы. // Авиамастер. 1999. №6. С. 4-5, 15-17.