Nikolay Zhugan Major General of the Soviet Army Date of Birth: 23.02.1917 Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Education
2. World War II
3. Bombing Raids and Recognition
4. Distinguished Service
5. Post-War Career and Retirement

Early Life and Education

Nikolai Pavolovich Zhugan was born on February 23, 1917, in Nikolaevsk, Odessa Oblast, Ukraine. His parents were Pavel Arsentievich Zhugan and Akulina Grigorievna Zhugan.

In 1934, Zhugan graduated from a seven-year school and enrolled in the Odessa Catering Technical College. In 1936, he became a cadet in the Kharkiv School of Pilots of the Osoaviakhim (Society for Assistance to Defense, Aviation, and Chemical Construction). From 1937 to 1938, he attended the Odessa Military School of Pilots.

World War II

Zhugan entered the war with some aviation experience. On June 28, 1941, during his sixth combat mission, he encountered a powerful thunderstorm front. The Gruppe of five Il-4 aircraft, with Captain N. Modestov as the leader, was forced to act independently while navigating the storm.

Zhugan's aircraft was struck by lightning and lost its tail assembly. He ordered his crew to bail out, and with great effort, he extracted himself from the cockpit and was ejected from the aircraft. He was forced to land on a potato field, suffering a severe ankle sprain.

Zhugan eventually reunited with his crew and was evacuated to a hospital train, where he spent two weeks recovering. He then rejoined his regiment, which had relocated to Yelets.

Bombing Raids and Recognition

In 1942, long-range bombers were tasked with targeting major industrial targets in East Prussia. Zhugan's unit played a crucial role in supporting ground troops near Stalingrad, bombing railway stations, airfields, and troop concentrations.

In July 1943, Zhugan was part of a mission to bomb Berlin. Despite facing heavy anti-aircraft fire and enemy interceptors, Zhugan's aircraft reached its target and successfully dropped its payload.

Distinguished Service

For his bravery and outstanding performance during the war, Zhugan was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in August 1944. He had flown 242 combat sorties by that time.

Zhugan's honors did not end there. He also received two Orders of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of Alexander Nevsky, the Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class, the Order of the Red Star, and was named an Honorary Citizen of Krasnodar.

Post-War Career and Retirement

After the war, Zhugan continued his military career. He graduated from the Higher Officer Flight-Technical School in 1949 and the Higher Academic Courses at the Military Academy of the General Staff in 1958. He commanded a bomber aviation division.

In 1960, Major General of Aviation Nikolai Pavolovich Zhugan retired from military service. He lived in Krasnodar until the end of his days.