1. Early Life and Career
2. Military Service and Flight Training
3. World War II
4. Injury and Recovery
5. Further Combat
6. Hero of the Soviet Union
7. Further Assignments and Death
8. Legacy

Early Life and Career

Birth and Education

Nikolai Fedorovich Krasnov was born on December 9, 1914, in Knyazhichi village, Vladimir Oblast, Russia. After completing high school, he worked as the secretary of the district physical culture council from 1929 to 1930.

Military Service and Flight Training

In 1930, Krasnov joined the Red Army as a volunteer and graduated from the Tambov Military Aviation School for Pilots in 1934. He was discharged in the same year but worked as a pilot for the Civil Air Fleet (GVF) and as a test pilot from 1938.

World War II

Early Aerial Victories

With the outbreak of World War II in July 1941, Krasnov joined the 402nd Special Purpose Fighter Aviation Regiment. He opened his combat account on August 1, shooting down a Ju-88 bomber near Novgorod. In subsequent aerial battles, he destroyed an Me-109 and two more aircraft.

Injury and Recovery

On October 6, 1941, Krasnov was severely wounded in an aerial fight and spent five months in the hospital. Upon his return, he served as a navigator in the 31st Fighter Aviation Regiment.

Further Combat

In May 1942, while protecting ground attack aircraft, Krasnov shot down an Me-109 but was also hit. He crashed into enemy territory but destroyed his aircraft and escaped into the forest. Despite being wounded in the leg, he made his way back to his unit over nine days.

Hero of the Soviet Union

Recognition of Valor

Krasnov's exceptional combat performance was recognized on February 4, 1944, when he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. By that time, he had flown 279 combat missions, participated in 85 aerial battles, and shot down 31 enemy aircraft.

Further Assignments and Death

Later, Krasnov became a test pilot for the 17th Air Army's Fighter Aviation Inspectorate. During the Battle of Budapest, he resumed command of an aviation squadron. On January 29, 1945, while patrolling near Budapest, he engaged in a midair collision with a Ju-88 bomber. In an attempt to land his damaged aircraft, he crashed into a riverbank and was killed.

Legacy

Honors and Recognition

Nikolai Krasnov received numerous honors, including the Order of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner, two Orders of the Patriotic War (1st Class), and the Order of Alexander Nevsky. Streets and a microdistrict in Perm, as well as a street in Gorokhovets, are named after him, and memorial plaques commemorate his life in Perm.

Aviation