Ivan Motuz Fighter pilot Date of Birth: 15.05.1918 Country: Ukraine

Biography of Ivan Motuz

Ivan F. Motuz was a fighter pilot who achieved great success during his military career. He was born on May 15, 1918, in the village of Pereshchepino, which is now part of the Novomoskovsky district of the Dnepropetrovsk region in Ukraine. He came from a peasant family and completed 8 grades of school before working at the Dnepropetrovsk "Svetofor" plant and studying at an aeroclub.

In 1939, Motuz joined the Red Army and a year later graduated from the Kachin Military Aviation School for Pilots. He fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War from June 1941, serving in the 20th, 744th, and 86th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiments. By May 1943, he became the commander of the 744th Fighter Aviation Regiment, where he completed around 400 combat flights, participated in 89 aerial battles, and shot down 24 enemy planes in the air and 5 on the ground.

On August 24, 1943, Motuz was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage and military skill in battles against the enemy. He ended the war participating in the Berlin operation with a total of 26 aerial victories. After the war, he continued his service in the Air Force and graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1951. He retired as a Colonel in 1971 and lived and worked in Moscow. Ivan F. Motuz passed away on April 28, 1979, and was buried in his hometown.

Motuz was known for his exceptional skills as a pilot and had already completed 400 combat flights, 89 aerial battles, and shot down 24 enemy planes by the spring of 1943. He believed that the main rule for a fighter pilot was to always attack first, and he instilled this mentality in the pilots under his command.

During one of the battles, witnessed by the commander of the 6th Air Army, F.P. Polynin, Motuz shot down two enemy Me-109 fighters, but he himself was severely wounded. Despite his injuries, he managed to safely land his damaged aircraft. Motuz's wound was serious, and his recovery took a long time, but he eventually returned to the Air Force and continued fighting until the end of the war.

He started his combat activities in the 20th Fighter Aviation Regiment, where he flew as a wingman for the renowned Soviet ace G.N. Konev. Konev was not only a brave fighter pilot but also a respected commander. Motuz's loyalty and fearlessness in protecting his commander earned him Konev's admiration.

Unfortunately, Motuz was injured in a later battle and spent four months in the hospital. When he returned to his regiment, his combat partner was no longer alive. Konev's plane had been set on fire and crashed into enemy territory. Posthumously, Konev was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Motuz sought revenge for his commander's death by destroying many enemy planes in subsequent battles.

In the fall of 1942, a group of German fighters, known as "hunters," appeared in the sector where the 744th Aviation Regiment was based. They flew on the latest modifications of the Me-109F aircraft and acted boldly and aggressively. To combat them, a squadron of 8 Soviet pilots, including Motuz, was formed. During several days, they engaged in three aerial battles with the enemy "hunters" and destroyed seven enemy planes without any losses on their side.

In May 1943, the 744th Aviation Regiment was awarded the title of Guards (86th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment). On a ceremonial formation, the aviators were presented with the Guards banner by A.A. Zhdanov, a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU (b) and the Military Council of the Leningrad Front. Motuz, as one of the best squadron commanders, was also honored during this event.

The regiment continued its battles on the Kalinin Front and participated in the liberation of Lithuania. One particularly intense battle occurred in July 1943 during the liberation of Kaunas. Motuz led a third group of fighters, which engaged in a fierce 20-minute battle involving more than 100 aircraft. The enemy was scattered, their bombing was disrupted, and eight enemy aircraft were shot down.

In October 1944, the regiment was re-equipped with the latest Yak-3 aircraft and continued its combat operations in East Prussia. The pilots of the 86th Guards Aviation Regiment ended the war participating in the Berlin operation, with Motuz having a total of 26 aerial victories to his name.

After the war, Ivan F. Motuz served in the Air Force for over 10 years, flying jet aircraft. He retired from military service in 1971 with the rank of Colonel and lived and worked in Moscow. Throughout his career, Motuz received numerous awards and decorations, including the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner (three times), the Order of the Red Star (twice), and various medals.