Aleksej Katrich Fighter pilot, colonel general of aviation, Heroes of the Great Patriotic War Date of Birth: 25.10.1917 Country: Ukraine

Biography of Alexey Katrich

Alexey Nikolaevich Katrich was a fighter pilot and a Lieutenant General of the Soviet Air Force. He was born on October 28, 1903, in a peasant family in Ukraine. He completed his primary education and worked in the collective farm "Chervoniy Fakel." Later, he graduated from a work-study program and enrolled in the first year of the Kharkov Zootechnical Institute.

In 1935, Katrich joined the Red Army and graduated from the Chuguev Military Aviation School for Pilots in 1938. He served as a pilot in the 27th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Moscow Military District Air Force. By the beginning of the war, Katrich was one of the 36 out of 53 pilots who had mastered the new MiG-3 fighter aircraft.

During the Great Patriotic War, Katrich participated in various aerial battles. On August 11, 1941, he engaged in a dogfight with an enemy reconnaissance aircraft and successfully shot it down. This incident marked the first high-altitude ramming in history.

Katrich continued to demonstrate his exceptional piloting skills throughout the war. He used the ramming technique, successfully destroying enemy bombers and fighters. His bravery and combat achievements led to his recognition as a Hero of the Soviet Union on October 28, 1941. He received numerous awards, including the Order of Lenin, October Revolution, Red Banner, Alexander Nevsky, and several others.

After the war, Katrich held various command positions in the Soviet Air Force. He graduated from the Military Air Academy and the General Staff Academy and became a Major General. He commanded an aviation regiment and division and served as the Deputy Chief of the Air Force's Combat Training.

In 1972, Katrich was appointed as the First Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation. He lived in Moscow until his death. Alexey Katrich passed away and was buried in Moscow's Troekurovskoye Cemetery.

Throughout his military career, Alexey Katrich displayed exceptional courage and skill as a fighter pilot. His contributions to the Soviet Air Force and his heroic actions during the Great Patriotic War earned him a place in history as a distinguished aviator and a true hero.