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Anatolij NefedovFighter pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Soviet-Finnish war
Date of Birth: 05.10.1914
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
Biography of Anatoly Nefedov
Anatoly Ivanovich Nefedov was a fighter pilot and a Hero of the Soviet Union, as well as a Hero of the Soviet-Finnish War (awarded on April 21, 1940). He was decorated with the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner, the Patriotic War 1st Class, the Red Star, and various medals.
Nefedov completed his secondary education and worked as a lathe operator at the Serp i Molot Factory in Kharkov. He then joined the Kharkov Aero Club and subsequently enrolled in the Kharkov Military School for Pilots and Observers. In 1939, he became a member of the Communist Party.
During the Soviet-Finnish War, Nefedov served as the commander of the 12th Separate Fighter Aviation Squadron in the 61st Fighter Aviation Brigade of the Baltic Fleet Air Force. He personally shot down two enemy aircraft in aerial combat and one more in a group.
On February 2, 1940, Nefedov successfully rescued the crew of a Soviet plane that had crashed behind enemy lines while returning from a combat mission. For his actions, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on April 21, 1940.
Nefedov continued his service in the Great Patriotic War from June 1941. In June and July 1941, he commanded the 5th Squadron of the 5th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Baltic Fleet Air Force. On July 8, 1941, the 5th Squadron carried out an attack on an enemy column near Parnu after taking off from the Haapsalu airfield. During the mission, Captain Nefedov was severely wounded in the head by shrapnel from an anti-aircraft shell. Despite his injuries, he managed to land the plane safely at his airfield.
After recovering from his wounds, Nefedov was sent to the Naval Academy, which he graduated from in 1943. From 1943 to 1945, he served as the assistant chief of staff, and later as the chief of staff, of the 27th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Naval Air Force. He was awarded the Orders of the Red Banner and the Patriotic War 1st Class for his service during this period.
In total, Nefedov completed 247 combat sorties, engaged in 113 aerial battles, and personally or as part of a group, shot down 13 enemy aircraft. After the war, he continued his service in the Naval Air Force. He served as the deputy commander for fire and tactical training of the 329th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Black Sea Fleet Air Force.
From 1949, Nefedov held various positions, including the Chief of Air Defense at the Black Sea Fleet and later as the Chief of Staff of the Fighter Aviation Division of the Northern and Baltic Fleets. In 1955, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star.
