Kuzma Novoselov Fighter pilot Date of Birth: 08.02.1919 Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Childhood
2. Military Service and the Great Patriotic War
3. Heroic Achievements
4. Post-War Life
5. Legacy

Early Life and Childhood

Kuzma Vasilievich Novosyolov was born on February 8, 1919, in the village of Klimovo, now part of the Sernyursky district in Mari Autonomous Republic. His childhood was marked by hardship, having lost both parents at a young age. Novosyolov was raised in an orphanage in the city of Urzhum, Kirov Oblast, where he completed eight years of schooling.

Military Service and the Great Patriotic War

In 1939, Novosyolov joined the Red Army and served in the convoy troops in Ukraine. With the outbreak of World War II, he was assigned to infantry combat and later graduated from the Irkutsk Military Aviation School in 1941. After training in a reserve aviation regiment, he flew U-2 aircraft and became the commander of a control link.

In the summer of 1942, Novosyolov began training on the Yak-1 fighter. He subsequently became an instructor pilot and completed courses for link commanders. In the autumn of 1943, after numerous requests, he returned to active duty.

Novosyolov fought on the 1st Baltic, 3rd Belorussian, and 1st Ukrainian fronts, flying the Yak-7 "Soviet Latvia." By April 1945, he had participated in 132 combat sorties, covering troops, and had personally shot down 12 enemy aircraft in 29 air battles while also destroying five aircraft in group actions.

Heroic Achievements

By the end of the war, Novosyolov had flown over 150 combat sorties, shooting down a total of 16 enemy aircraft in 37 air battles and five more in group engagements. For his courage and bravery, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on June 27, 1945.

Post-War Life

After the war, Novosyolov continued his service in the Air Force, retiring with the rank of Colonel as a result of a medical condition in 1953. He settled in the city of Voroshilovgrad and was awarded the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner (twice), and the Patriotic War of the 1st degree.

Legacy

Novosyolov passed away on March 20, 1985. His bravery and sacrifice in defense of his country remain an inspiration to this day. He was a symbol of the indomitable spirit of the Soviet people who triumphed over adversity during the Great Patriotic War.