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Petr PilytovPilot
Date of Birth: 23.12.1906
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Service
- Labor and Service in the Red Army
- Aviation Career
- Flying Career and Combat Experience
- World War II
- Hero of the Soviet Union
- Post-War Career and Legacy
Early Life and Military Service
Birth and Childhood in the Russian CountrysidePyotr Andreevich Pilyutov was born on December 23, 1906, in the rural village of Luchina in the Gomel Oblast of Belarus. His early life was marked by hardship and the loss of his mother at the age of eight.
Labor and Service in the Red Army
Driven by a desire to earn a living, Pilyutov moved to the city of Asha at the age of fourteen and found work as a hammer boy in a metal factory. Two years later, he mastered the trade of locksmith-fitter. In 1924, he joined the metallurgical plant in the nearby city of Asha.
In 1928, Pilyutov enrolled in the Red Army, initially serving as a communications specialist. Inspired by a presentation by a representative of the Leningrad Aviation-Technical School, he set his sights on becoming an aviation technician.
Aviation Career
Training and Early AccomplishmentsIn 1930, Pilyutov enrolled in the Leningrad Aviation-Technical School and graduated two years later. He was assigned to the 40th Leningrad Aviation Squadron, based in the Far East.
In February 1934, Pilyutov was tasked with preparing an aircraft for a rescue mission on the frozen Chukchi Peninsula. As an aviation mechanic, he played a crucial role in the successful recovery of the Chelyuskin expedition members.
Flying Career and Combat Experience
Inspired by his experiences in the rescue mission, Pilyutov applied to the Kachin School of Pilots and graduated in 1935. He returned to the Far East and progressed through the ranks from ordinary pilot to flight commander. In 1936, he made history by shooting down a Japanese fighter that had violated Soviet airspace while piloting a reconnaissance aircraft.
Pilyutov participated in the battles at Lake Khasan in 1938 and the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-1940. At the outbreak of World War II, he found himself in Leningrad, where he commanded a group of pilots training on the new MiG-3 fighter.
World War II
Defense of Leningrad and the "Road of Life"When Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union, Pilyutov was assigned to the 154th Fighter Aviation Regiment as squadron commander. In November 1941, with the start of the Siege of Leningrad, he played a vital role in protecting the "Road of Life," the ice road over Lake Ladoga that supplied the besieged city.
On December 17, 1941, Pilyutov single-handedly escorted a group of transport aircraft carrying women and children out of Leningrad. Despite being outnumbered by enemy fighters, he shot down two German Messerschmitt Bf 109s while receiving 21 wounds himself.
Hero of the Soviet Union
For his extraordinary bravery and skill, Pilyutov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union on February 10, 1942. He went on to command the 29th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment and became a flight inspector for the 13th Air Army.
By the end of the war, Pilyutov had flown over 400 combat missions, engaged in over 70 air battles, and shot down a total of 23 enemy aircraft (17 solo and 6 in a group). His contributions to the defense of Leningrad earned him the admiration and respect of his peers and the gratitude of the city's residents.
Post-War Career and Legacy
After the war, Pilyutov continued to serve in the Soviet Air Force until his retirement in 1955 with the rank of Colonel. He devoted his life to public service and education, working with youth and sharing his wartime experiences.
Pilyutov passed away in Leningrad on March 24, 1960, leaving behind a legacy of valor and determination. His name is commemorated in a park in Asha and a street in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg). His story continues to inspire generations of young people in Russia.
