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Petr KudarFighter pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Great Patriotic War
Date of Birth: 05.10.1913
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
Biography of Petr Kudar
Petr Kudar was a fighter pilot, a Hero of the Soviet Union, and a Hero of the Great Patriotic War. He was awarded the Orders of Lenin and the Red Banner. Kudar was born into a peasant family and was of Ukrainian descent. He completed his education at the Berdyansk Industrial Technical School in 1934 and worked as a technician. He joined the Red Army in 1935 and graduated from the Chuguev Military Aviation School for Pilots in 1938. Kudar participated in the Great Patriotic War from August 1941 and served as the commander of the 249th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 44th Fighter Aviation Division of the 6th Army of the Southwest Front.
Combat Actions and Achievements
On August 22, 1941, Kudar carried out his first combat mission. On October 11, 1941, he led a group of five aircraft to attack enemy motorized infantry and artillery on the march. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire, Kudar personally destroyed six vehicles and up to 40 infantrymen with four direct hits from bombs. He also disabled two field artillery pieces and led the group in four to five attacks on enemy infantry concentrations near Sahnovshchyna, resulting in the destruction of up to 350 enemy soldiers and officers by machine gun fire. Displaying skillful maneuvering, Kudar successfully led his squadron out of the enemy's defensive fire zone and safely returned to his airfield.
By November 1941, Lieutenant Kudar had flown 155 combat missions, including 90 ground attack missions, four escort missions, five reconnaissance missions, and 56 patrol missions. He personally destroyed 12 tanks, 150 vehicles with cargo and soldiers, up to 800 infantrymen, and disabled up to five artillery guns and 80 mounted horses. Over the course of two months of combat, Kudar's squadron completed 431 combat missions and destroyed 730 vehicles, 4,670 enemy soldiers and officers, 603 wagons, 17 tanks, and 24 field and anti-aircraft artillery guns. For their successful combat actions against the enemy, the entire flight crew of Kudar's squadron was recommended for government awards and received monetary rewards ranging from 6,500 to 11,500 rubles.
Legacy
Tragically, Petr Kudar died on October 30, 1941, while carrying out a combat mission. On November 20, 1941, he was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his exemplary execution of combat missions and the courage and heroism he demonstrated in the fight against German invaders. A monument was erected in the city of Svatovo, Voroshilovgrad Oblast, and a bust of the Hero was installed in Novoalekseyevka to commemorate Petr Kudar's bravery and sacrifice.
