Aleksandr Gruzdin Transport air division pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Great Patriotic War Country: Latvia

Alexander Gruzdin: A Biography

Alexander Ivanovich Gruzdin was a Soviet pilot and a Hero of the Soviet Union, awarded for his bravery during the Great Patriotic War. He was born in a Latvian family of a worker-gardener. Gruzdin completed only 4 grades of education and worked various jobs like black laborer, land surveyor's assistant, and apprentice locksmith. In 1923, he voluntarily joined the Red Army and graduated from the Sevastopol School of Aviation Motorists and the Leningrad Military Technical Aviation School. He served as an aircraft mechanic, technician, engineer, and later as a senior engineer in an aviation detachment. In 1932, he was discharged due to illness but continued working as an engineer in the Bataysk Aviation School of Pilots while also training to become a pilot.

From 1934, Gruzdin worked in the Soviet Air Force. He participated in the Soviet-Finnish War as part of the Special Aviation Group of the Air Force. During the Great Patriotic War, which began in June 1941, Gruzdin fought as a member of the 1st Transport Aviation Division of the Air Force. The 1st Division was based in Vnukovo. At the start of the war, as the commander of a transport aircraft PS-84, Gruzdin received orders to deliver a group of paratroopers to the occupied territory of Lithuania, near the city of Kaunas. He flew the plane with the paratroopers at night, crossing the front line and maneuvering through the enemy's anti-aircraft defense. By using a clever trick, Gruzdin successfully deceived the German sound locators by altering the engine sounds to mimic German bombers. This allowed him to safely deliver the paratroopers to their designated location. Gruzdin successfully completed numerous other difficult and risky missions throughout the war.

In addition to his transport missions, Gruzdin also took part in covert operations, delivering supplies and providing support to partisan groups behind enemy lines. He flew numerous missions to deliver weapons, ammunition, food, medicine, and evacuate wounded soldiers and children. Gruzdin and his fellow pilots displayed exceptional flying skills and successfully completed their tasks despite facing heavy anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighter planes.

On November 26, 1941, Alexander Gruzdin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage and heroism in the fight against the German invaders. Throughout his military career, Gruzdin flew over 200 combat sorties, including 96 night missions. He was highly respected and regarded as one of the best and most experienced pilots. Unfortunately, he tragically died on June 16, 1943, during a training flight in the mountains of Scotland. Gruzdin and his crew, along with English instructors, were involved in a fatal crash.

Alexander Gruzdin was buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow. His contributions and bravery will always be remembered and honored.