Nikolay Lunin Submariner, captain of the 2nd rank, commander of the K-21 Date of Birth: 21.08.1907

1. Early Life and Education
2. Naval Career
3. Arrest and Rehabilitation
4. World War II and Submarine Command
5. Post-War Career
6. Honors and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Nikolai Alexandrovich Lunin, a renowned submariner and captain of the legendary submarine "K-21," was born on August 21, 1907, in Odessa, Ukraine. He attended secondary school before enrolling in the Sedov Rostov Maritime College in 1922. Upon completing his studies, he was assigned to the training sailing ship "Vega," where he soon rose to the rank of captain.

Naval Career

In 1935, Nikolai Lunin joined the Soviet Navy after serving for seven years on the "Vega." He graduated from the commander classes of the Submarine Training Detachment in 1937 and became assistant commander of the submarine "Shch-314" on the Baltic Fleet. In October 1938, he was promoted to commander of the submarine "Shch-404" on the Northern Fleet.

Arrest and Rehabilitation

Nikolai Lunin was arrested in October 1938 and dismissed from the Navy. However, he was rehabilitated and reinstated in the Navy in 1939 with the rank of captain-lieutenant. Until April 1940, he served at the disposal of the Northern Fleet commander.

World War II and Submarine Command

In April 1940, Lunin took command of the new submarine "Shch-421," which had an inexperienced crew. By the end of 1940, the submarine had completed its combat training, and it distinguished itself during the Northern Fleet exercises just before the start of the Great Patriotic War.

On June 22, 1941, the first day of the war, Nikolai Lunin set out on his submarine to disrupt enemy communications. By February 1942, his crew had successfully sunk seven enemy transports. For his leadership and heroism, Lunin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on April 3, 1942. The "Shch-421" also received the Order of the Red Banner.

From March 4, 1942, Nikolai Lunin commanded the cruiser submarine "K-21." On July 5, 1942, the submarine launched a famous attack on the German battleship "Tirpitz." The attack damaged the ship's engines, forcing it to abandon its plan to intercept the Allied convoy "PQ-17."

Post-War Career

After the war, Captain 1st Rank Nikolai Lunin commanded a division of submarines in the Northern Fleet. In March 1944, he became a student at the Naval Academy, graduating in 1946 with the rank of counter-admiral. He subsequently held various command positions with the submarine fleet and the Navy headquarters. In 1962, Counter-Admiral Nikolai Lunin retired.

Honors and Legacy

Nikolai Lunin was awarded numerous honors, including two Orders of Lenin, three Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of Ushakov 2nd class, the Order of the Patriotic War 1st class, the Order of the Red Star, and foreign decorations. He was also awarded the Order of the British Empire 4th class and an honorary weapon.

Nikolai Lunin's memory is preserved in various memorials and monuments, such as the Glory Monument in a military town of the Northern Fleet, memorial plaques in Rostov and Polarny, and streets named after him in Polarny and Odessa. The submarine memorial "K-21" in Severomorsk is dedicated to Lunin's legendary crew.