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Vasilij GrechishnikovBomber pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Great Patriotic War
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Biography of Vasily Grechishnikov
Vasily Grechishnikov was a bomber pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union, and a Hero of the Great Patriotic War. He was awarded the Orders of Lenin and the Red Banner. Grechishnikov was born into a working-class family in Russia and joined the Red Army in 1931. He became a member of the Communist Party in 1932. After graduating from the Stalin Naval Aviation School in Eisk, he participated in the Soviet-Finnish War. Grechishnikov served as the commander of a squadron in the 1st Minelayer-Torpedo Aviation Regiment of the Baltic Fleet Air Force.
During the early morning of June 24, 1941, Grechishnikov and his squadron were sent to destroy a German naval landing detected twenty miles north of Libau. However, due to inaccurate reconnaissance information, the squadron ended up targeting the port of Memel where German ships were stationed. Two aircraft did not return to the airfield. In the following days, Grechishnikov's squadron conducted bombing raids on airfields in Lahti and Lappeenranta, destroying more than a dozen enemy aircraft.
On June 28 and 29, 1941, Grechishnikov's squadron bombed a gun factory in Turku and conducted intense reconnaissance in the Baltic Sea. They also laid mines from the air in the harbors of Kotka, Turku, and Helsinki during the night. On June 30, more than a hundred aircraft from the 8th Bombing Aviation Brigade of the Baltic Fleet Air Force were deployed to the Daugavpils area to destroy a bridge over the Daugava River and eliminate tanks and enemy forces attempting to cross the river. The mission was successful, but at a high cost.
The naval pilots, displaying composure, courage, and heroism, not only had to bomb enemy military formations but also defend themselves against German fighters attacking from all directions. Fifteen enemy aircraft were shot down by the aerial gunners. However, the Soviet losses were three times greater. Grechishnikov's aircraft was also hit during the battle, but he managed to cross the front line and make an emergency landing near the Plussa railway station.
As German forces finally crossed the Western Dvina and reached the Luga defensive line, the Baltic Fleet Air Force, in cooperation with the Northwestern Front, conducted airstrikes on enemy tanks and forces in the Luga, Osmino, Samro Lake, and Kingisepp areas. The crews made three to four sorties per day. Even those tasked with reconnaissance in the Baltic Sea had to first bomb enemy troops along the front line.
Reconnaissance flights lasted up to six hours or more. During daylight, the scouts were often intercepted by enemy fighters. Five crews did not return from their missions.
On July 12, 1941, aerial reconnaissance detected a large enemy convoy. Grechishnikov's 1st Minelayer-Torpedo Aviation Regiment received orders to bomb the enemy transports.
According to Lieutenant General Kholkov's recollection: "No matter how quickly the personnel prepared for takeoff, the crews were able to take off only at 9:20 pm, already in the twilight. Twelve IL-4 aircraft took off, each carrying three FAB-500 bombs. Our flagship crew led the formation. The entire staff of the aviation group was prepared for a night flight as part of the squadron.
Our route: Bezzabotnoye - Kotly - Parnu - Irben Strait, and then along the coast of Latvia to the south, towards Libau.
The weather was difficult until we reached the Gulf of Riga. Cumulus clouds with a lower edge at 200 meters covered the entire route. There was a drizzle at times. We were flying below the clouds. The aircraft were heavily jostled. Lightning was visible in the south. Visibility sharply deteriorated.
Piloting the aircraft was difficult, especially considering that the flight was conducted in formation without navigation lights turned on.
We had to rely solely on visual detection of targets. However, the enemy ships and transports were sailing without lights, camouflaged, in complete radio silence. It became clear that it was impossible to locate the convoy in the dark night.
According to the established rule, we flew to the front line and dropped our bomb load on the enemy.
Three hours and forty minutes after takeoff, the squadron landed back at the airfield.
Before we could report to the regiment's command post, we received orders from the brigade headquarters for our aviation group to take off again with the same mission...
And so, at 1:40 am, on July 13, the squadron took off and followed the same route over the sea. Again, not finding anything, we returned to our airfield, first flying over the front line and dropping bombs on the enemy.
However, at that moment, the squadron was alerted that the enemy convoy was entering the Gulf of Riga. We were given the command to take off again.
- The mission remains the same.
The squadron was exhausted from fatigue. Their eyes were inflamed, and their faces covered in red spots. Something was not right with Grechishnikov. He had received bad news about his mother being tortured by the Nazis in his hometown of Nikolaev.
- Yes, it is difficult for you, Vasily, I sympathize with your sorrow, - said the commissar. - You have a score to settle with the Germans for your mother.
- Only for my mother, Comrade Commissar? What about my wife? What about my children? - And Grechishnikov recounted another tragic story. In June, he was on vacation with his wife and children in the Belarusian village of Petrikov. On the 22nd, he received an urgent telegram recalling him to the unit. His wife, Ksenia, and their two children stayed with her parents. The village was quickly occupied by the Germans. What happened to his wife and children? Were they still alive?
- Many troubles have fallen upon you, - sighed the commissar. - Perhaps it is not advisable for you to fly in such condition today? Calm down, regain your composure, and then, on the second mission...
- No, Comrade Battalion Commissar! - Grechishnikov burst out. - What you have gone through, Comrade Grechishnikov, is a tragedy. Your family's safety must be your priority. Allow yourself time to mourn and heal. We will find another pilot to take your place for this mission.
- No, you're wrong, Comrade Battalion Commissar! I must fly. The Germans must pay for what they have done. I will avenge my mother and protect my wife and children by fighting them in the sky.
