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Stanislav YazvinskyRetired colonel, spacecraft tester
Date of Birth: 04.09.1923
Country:  Belarus |
Content:
Biography of Stanislav Yazvinsky
Early Life and Military CareerStanislav Yazvinsky was born on September 4, 1923, in the town of Starye Dorogi in the Minsk region of Belarus. His father, Gavril Antonovich, was the 25th child in a family of foresters and worked as a district veterinarian. His mother, Maria Eduardovna, was a homemaker.
Yazvinsky's childhood was spent in the Belarusian countryside. In his later years of schooling, he developed a passion for aviation and began training at the Mogilev Aeroclub. When World War II broke out, Yazvinsky found himself in the cockpit of a combat aircraft. He quickly mastered the fearsome Il-2 attack aircraft and joined a bomber squadron.
During a combat mission near Kharkov, Yazvinsky was seriously injured when an enemy anti-aircraft shell pierced the plane's oil system and shattered the cockpit windshield. Although he recovered from his injuries, he was no longer able to fly due to medical restrictions. In 1942, he joined the 225th separate sapper battalion of the 124th infantry division.
Heroic Actions and Post-War Life
Yazvinsky's battalion played a crucial role in clearing minefields and building command posts during the Battle of Stalingrad. He personally destroyed two German tanks and narrowly escaped being buried alive when a third tank was immobilized. After the Battle of Stalingrad, the 50th Guards Rifle Division, which Yazvinsky was a part of, advanced towards Morozovsk, participating in the "Bagration" offensive.
After the war, Yazvinsky had a chance encounter with Vasily Stalin, the son of Joseph Stalin, whom he had saved during the war. He subsequently joined the Air Force's combat training department and worked under General Stalin's command. Yazvinsky took part in the preparation of air parades and later became involved in testing jet fighters. However, his association with the Stalin family drew the attention of the KGB, resulting in the loss of his flight logs and literary works.
Yazvinsky's expertise in bomb development caught the attention of Marshal Mikhail Nedelin, commander of the Missile Forces. He was soon allowed to conduct independent tests of rockets and spacecraft. In October 1960, during the test of a rocket designed by Sergey Korolev, Yazvinsky survived a catastrophic explosion that claimed the lives of Marshal Nedelin and several others. Although he suffered serious injuries, including the loss of a lung, he returned to active duty after six months and continued his work with Korolev and the first cosmonauts.
Later Life and Legacy
After his retirement, Colonel Stanislav Yazvinsky continued to live a vibrant and creative life. He developed a passion for literature and wrote "Notes of an Engineer-Tester" as well as numerous essays and articles on the country's space achievements. He also dedicated his writing to the memories and experiences of the war.
Yazvinsky currently resides in Moscow, where he is recognized for his distinguished service and has been honored with over 20 orders and medals. His contributions to the military and space exploration have left a lasting impact on the history of his country.
