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David NihaminFighter pilot of the Black Sea Fleet Air Force
Country:
 Russia |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Career
- Combat and Recognition: Soaring to Victory
- A Near-Fatal Encounter and a Lucky Escape
- Continuing Leadership and Combat Achievements
- Post-War Service and Legacy
Early Life and Military Career
World War II: A Young Aviator's JourneyDavid Yefimovich Nikhamin began his military service as a Senior Lieutenant in the 32nd Fighter Aviation Regiment at the outbreak of World War II. Soon after, he was appointed commander of the newly formed 101st Separate Fighter Aviation Squadron of the Black Sea Fleet Air Force. Despite consisting primarily of young pilots who had barely mastered independent flying, Nikhamin and the political commissar, Senior Political Instructor Ivan Batura, diligently trained them into formidable fighters. Flying I-16 aircraft, they defended the northern regions of the Crimean Peninsula as part of the Fraydorf Aviation Group in the autumn of 1941. Nikhamin's heroism, resulting in the downing of six enemy planes, was widely publicized in frontline newspapers.
Combat and Recognition: Soaring to Victory
Nikhamin's leadership and bravery continued to shine as he assumed command of the 3rd Squadron of the 9th Fighter Aviation Regiment in the summer of 1942, protecting the skies over Sevastopol. In fierce aerial battles, he managed to shoot down three enemy aircraft, despite the enemy's numerical superiority. By the end of his first year of combat, Nikhamin had achieved an impressive tally of 10 enemy planes downed and several destroyed on the ground.
A Near-Fatal Encounter and a Lucky Escape
On a day in June 1942, Nikhamin led a formation of four "Yak" fighters escorting pilots from the 18th Assault Regiment on a mission against enemy forces in the Almin Valley. Near Cape Lukull, north of Sevastopol, 12 Me-109s attacked the Black Sea aviators. Hoping for assistance from Soviet anti-aircraft artillery, Nikhamin engaged with the superior enemy force, drawing them away from Khersonese. However, his aircraft was severely damaged in the attack, and a shell exploded in the cockpit, igniting the plane. Unable to reach shore, Nikhamin parachuted into the water three kilometers from land, near Kamyshova Bay. He was rescued by a torpedo boat. The "Terror of the Sky Pirates," as his comrades had dubbed him for his daring exploits near Perekop, had narrowly survived the harrowing encounter, sustaining serious burns to his face and hands. After hospitalization and recovery, he returned to duty in the Caucasus.
Continuing Leadership and Combat Achievements
By autumn 1943, Guards Major Nikhamin had been appointed Chief of Staff of a composite fighter aviation group comprising the 11th Guards and 25th Aviation Regiments. On the night of October 31, 1943, storm clouds gathered over the skies, and heavy rains drenched the Taman and Kerch Peninsulas. A large storm raged at sea for three days. At dawn on November 1, assault units of the 318th Rifle Division and troops of the 56th Army launched an amphibious assault on enemy-held territory. To protect a large boat carrying the command of the 318th Division from Taman to Eltigen, a pair of fighters led by Nikhamin took to the air. As they prepared for the mission, the regimental commander, Hero of the Soviet Union Guards Major K. D. Denisov, remarked, "Well, 'Terror of Pirates,' you have a chance to down another 'Messerschmitt' for your collection!" Nikhamin replied, "I'll take care of it, Commander, if only I don't come across a weak German. After all, I only collect the finest."
It remains unknown what the external appearance of the German pilot targeted by Nikhamin was like, but it was he who opened the tally of enemy aircraft shot down by the regiment over the Kerch Strait. The two "Aerocobras" encountered a pair of Me-109s attempting to approach the large boat at low altitude and attack it by surprise, but Nikhamin's sharp eyes detected the enemy's ruse. The leader of their formation immediately attacked, and in full view of the division commander, Colonel V. F. Gladkov, one of the "Messerschmitts" erupted in smoke and plunged into the sea, while the other fled at full throttle.
Nikhamin's success was followed by other victories on that same day. Captain B. M. Litvinchuk, Lieutenants G. P. Kolontaenko, and P. A. Krasnov teamed up to shoot down two Ju-87s and one Me-109. Two more "Messerschmitts" were downed by pilots from the 25th Regiment and the 214th Assault Aviation Division.
Post-War Service and Legacy
Lieutenant Colonel Nikhamin ended the war with an impressive record of 24 aerial victories: 16 enemy aircraft shot down personally and eight in collaboration with his comrades (according to other sources, 12 personally and nine in collaboration). For his leadership and heroism during the final stages of the conflict, the 43rd Fighter Aviation Regiment he commanded was awarded the honorary title "Sulin." Nikhamin himself was nominated for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on three separate occasions but ultimately did not receive the distinction. After the war, he continued his service in naval aviation, retiring with the rank of Guards Colonel. He passed away on May 19, 2000.
