Nikolay Jerdev Fighter pilot Date of Birth: 05.05.1911 Country: Ukraine

1. Early Life and Education
2. Aviation Career and Spanish Civil War
3. Battles of Khalkhin Gol
4. World War II and Death
5. Legacy

Early Life and Education

Nikolai Prokofyevich Gerdyev was born on May 5, 1911, in the village of Rutchenkovo, now part of the city of Donetsk, in a working-class family. He attended a seven-year school and later graduated from the Mariupol Industrial Technical School. Gerdyev worked as a fitter at the Mariupol Metallurgical Plant and later as a technician at the "Azovstal" plant from January 1932. Simultaneously, he pursued his education at the Metallurgical Institute.

Aviation Career and Spanish Civil War

In 1934, Gerdyev joined the Luhansk Military Pilot School. After graduating, he served as a junior pilot and flight leader in the 56th and 57th Fighter Squadrons in Bobruisk. From March to September 1938, he volunteered to fight in the Spanish Civil War.

In Spain, Gerdyev flew the I-16 fighter aircraft and participated in numerous air battles. He was credited with shooting down three enemy planes. One of his most notable feats was a successful aerial ramming in which he disabled a Fiat CR.32 fighter. For his heroism, Gerdyev was awarded the Order of Lenin on February 22, 1939.

Battles of Khalkhin Gol

Upon his return from Spain, Gerdyev was appointed assistant commander and later commander of a squadron. From May 29 to September 16, 1939, he fought against Japanese militarists at Khalkhin Gol. He flew 105 combat missions, including 14 ground-attack missions, and shot down 11 enemy aircraft in aerial combat.

Gerdyev's squadron was credited with downing 42 Japanese aircraft during the Battles of Khalkhin Gol. He became a Hero of the Soviet Union on November 17, 1939.

World War II and Death

During World War II, Gerdyev fought as a fighter pilot on the Southwestern, Southern, Transcaucasian, and North Caucasian fronts. He was awarded two Orders of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner, and the Mongolian Order of the Red Banner of Labor.

On November 15, 1942, Gerdyev was killed in an air battle while serving as a navigator for the 821st Fighter Aviation Regiment. His remains were buried in the village of Batayurt in the Khasavyurt district of Dagestan.

Legacy

Nikolai Gerdyev's legacy lives on through the numerous accolades and memorials dedicated to his memory. A school in Batayurt, a street, and a secondary school in Donetsk are named after him. A commemorative plaque is also featured at the school in Donetsk.