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Petr KolomiecFighter pilot
Country:
 Ukraine |
Content:
Biography of Petr Kolomiets
Early Life and Military CareerPetr Leonidovich Kolomiets was born in 1917 in the village of Zhavinka, now part of Chernigovskiy District, Chernigov Oblast, into a working-class family. He received his secondary education and joined the Military-Naval Fleet in 1936. Kolomiets graduated from the Eisk Military Aviation School for Naval Aviators.
In January 1942, he joined the active army and fought in the Arctic. In May, he was appointed as a flight leader. Initially, Kolomiets flew American P-40 "Kittyhawk" fighters, later transitioning to the P-39 "Airacobra." He was known for his fearlessness, precise calculations, boldness in battle, and ability to quickly assess the situation and make the right decisions.
Heroic Exploits
One day, our radars detected a large group of enemy bombers heading towards one of the Northern Fleet bases. Kolomiets led a group of eight fighters to intercept them. On his first attack, he shot down one of the bombers. After turning around, he launched another attack, resulting in the destruction of a second enemy aircraft. In this engagement, our pilots destroyed a total of six enemy planes.
In another battle, Kolomiets shot down four enemy aircraft but was also hit, forcing him to eject and land in the Barents Sea. He spent over two hours in an inflatable boat until he was rescued by our boats.
On May 23, 1943, Kolomiets achieved another victory, shooting down an enemy plane. By mid-October 1944, as the commander of the 2nd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment named after B. F. Safonov (6th Fighter Aviation Division, Northern Fleet Air Force), Captain Kolomiets had completed 118 combat sorties, engaged in 38 aerial battles, shot down 13 enemy planes, participated in 6 bombing missions, and 11 ground attacks against enemy forces and ships.
Post-War Life and Legacy
On November 5, 1945, Petr L. Kolomiets was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage and military valor displayed in battles against the enemy. Overall, he destroyed 18 enemy aircraft (some sources mention 13 individual and 5 group victories).
During the Great Patriotic War, three of Petr Kolomiets' brothers also fought against the enemy, with three of them returning home victorious. The oldest brother, Grigory Leontievich, tragically died on the front.
After the war, Petr Leontievich continued to serve in the Naval Aviation. In 1949, he graduated from the Military Air Academy. From 1954, Lieutenant Colonel P. L. Kolomiets served in the reserves. He was awarded the Orders of Lenin (twice), the Red Banner (twice), the Red Star, and several medals.
He lived in Kiev and dedicated himself to military-patriotic work with young people, frequently visiting schools and various enterprises in the city. Petr Kolomiets passed away on December 24, 1974. A bust in his honor was installed on the territory of the Northern Fleet Aviation Museum in Safonovo, Murmansk Oblast. His name was given to a long-range interceptor MiG-31 from the 174th Guards Red Banner Fighter Aviation Pechenga Regiment named after the twice Hero of the Soviet Union B. F. Safonov.
