Nikolay Naumchik Fighter pilot Date of Birth: 15.07.1916 Country: Ukraine

1. Biography of Nikolai Naumchik
2. The Transformation into a Guards Unit
3. Achievements as a Squadron Commander
4. Heroic Actions in Battle
5. Hero of the Soviet Union
6. Post-War Life

Biography of Nikolai Naumchik

Nikolai K. Naumchik was born on July 15, 1916, in the city of Minsk, in a working-class family. He completed 7 grades of an incomplete secondary school and the branch of the Minsk Aero Club in Borisov in 1937. He worked at an auto park in the city of Borisov, Minsk Oblast. In 1937, he joined the ranks of the Red Army and a year later graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation Pilot School. He fought in the battles of the Great Patriotic War from July 1941. As part of the 8th Fighter Aviation Regiment (later becoming the 42nd Guards), he fought on the Southern, North Caucasus, and Transcaucasian fronts. He participated in battles in Ukraine and the North Caucasus.

The Transformation into a Guards Unit

On January 1, 1943, the offensive of the Northern group of Soviet forces began with the goal of driving the enemy out of the Caucasus. On the same day, the 1st German Tank Army began to retreat, and the Soviet troops, having crossed the Terek River, pursued the enemy on the entire front. On January 7, the aircraft of the 8th Fighter Aviation Regiment landed at the Mozdok airfield, where they became part of the 216th Fighter Aviation Division. The front-line routine began... The news of the transformation of the regiment into the 42nd Guards was caught by the aviators at the Zhuravskaya airfield. The order of the People's Commissar of Defense No. 64 of February 8, 1943, was broadcasted on the radio and printed in central and army newspapers. In the evening, when the entire personnel of the regiment gathered at the airfield, the new commander, Guards Lieutenant Colonel G. K. Garbanets, opened a meeting. There were many who wanted to speak. The commander of the 2nd squadron, Guards Captain Naumchik, who had 3 combat orders on his chest, declared: "By the will of the party and the government, from today we bear the honorary title of Guards. But an even greater honor is to justify this title with combat deeds on the front in the fight against the German invaders. Let's swear, comrades, to strike the enemy with tripled force, to strike him mercilessly and without misses, to strike in a Guards manner!"

Achievements as a Squadron Commander

By that time, Squadron Commander of the 42nd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (216th Mixed Aviation Division, 4th Air Army, North Caucasus Front), Guards Captain N. K. Naumchik had made 270 combat sorties, shot down 8 enemy aircraft in 39 air battles personally, and another 8 as part of a group. Through strafing attacks on airfields, he personally destroyed 1 aircraft and 2 more as part of a group. By March 1943, the Supreme High Command withdrew the Northern group of troops from the composition of the Transcaucasian Front and transformed it into an independent North Caucasus Front. During these days, the pilots of the 42nd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment had to change airfields frequently. They fought with determination and high skill against the enemy.

Heroic Actions in Battle

On March 14, 1943, seven Yak-1 fighters, under the command of Squadron Leader Naumchik, took off for a free hunt. In the Temryuk area, the leader discovered an airfield where 5 reconnaissance aircraft FW-189 and 2 transport Ju-52 were located. Our pilots rushed to attack. Within a few minutes, all 7 enemy aircraft were engulfed in flames. Meanwhile, German fighters appeared. Six Me-109F attacked our group from above. Naumchik pulled his subordinates to climb vertically. Skillfully using the maneuverable qualities of the Yak-1 aircraft, our pilots neutralized the enemy's advantage in altitude and seized the initiative in the battle. Two Messerschmitts were forced to crash into the ground. The enemy called for another group for support over the radio. About 20 aircraft were swirling in the air. Commander Naumchik attacked the leading enemy group and shot him down with accurate bursts. This further inspired the Guards. In the next attack, 2 more enemy aircraft were shot down, and then one more. This determined the outcome of the battle. Unable to withstand the unified attacks of the Guards, the enemy retreated to their territory. Upon returning to the airfield, Naumchik reported to the regiment commander: "During the 'free hunt,' the group destroyed 12 enemy aircraft: 7 burned on the ground, 5 in the air!"

Hero of the Soviet Union

Soon, on May 1, 1943, for courage and military valor shown in battles against the enemy, Squadron Leader Naumchik Nikolai Kuzmich was awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Post-War Life

After the war, Nikolai Kuzmich continued to serve in the Air Force. In 1946, he successfully graduated from the Military Air Academy. From 1957, Guards Colonel N. K. Naumchik was in reserve. He spent his last years in the city of Chernigov. He was awarded the Orders of Lenin (twice), the Red Banner (three times), the Patriotic War 1st Class (twice), the Red Star, and various medals.