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Vasiliy FedorenkoNavigator of the 979th Fighter Aviation Regiment
Date of Birth: 31.12.1913
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
Biography of Vasily Fedorenko
Vasily Ivanovich Fedorenko was born on December 31, 1913, in Kharkov, in a working-class family. He completed his education, graduating from the 7th grade and the vocational school at the Kharkov Wagon Repair Plant. He worked as a winder. In 1935, he joined the Red Army and graduated from the Chuguev Military Aviation School for Pilots in 1938. From September 1942, he served in the active army and participated in the spring battles in the Kuban sky. By May 1943, he was a navigator in the 979th Fighter Aviation Regiment (230th Assault Aviation Division, 4th Air Army, North Caucasus Front). During his service, Captain V.I. Fedorenko completed 116 combat sorties and personally shot down 10 enemy aircraft and 2 more in a group. On May 24, 1943, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage and military valor displayed in battles against the enemy.
Early Life and Career
Vasily Fedorenko was born into a working-class family in Kharkov. He joined aviation through the Komsomol call-up and started as an engine mechanic at an aeroclub. In 1935, he took to the skies as a pilot. After some time, he was selected as one of the top cadets and sent to flight school. In 1938, he graduated from the Chuguev Military Aviation School and served as a pilot-instructor at the Kachinskaya, Chitinskaya, and Batayskaya military aviation pilot schools.
War Years
Since the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Fedorenko had been eager to join the front but was repeatedly refused as he was needed to train fighter pilots. However, he eventually achieved his goal. In September 1942, he was sent to the active army and arrived on the front lines during the intense and bloodshed battles for the Caucasus in the autumn of 1942. As an instructor and squadron leader of the pilot school, he had extensive experience in high-altitude flights, a thorough knowledge of aircraft, and a high level of aviation culture. He proved himself to be an outstanding commander and a fearless pilot. From his first combat missions, Vasily carefully observed the enemy, studying their behavior and testing his tactical maneuvers in practice.
In the museum of the combat fame of his unit, there are memories of the former commissar of the fighter aviation regiment, retired Major A. Zhuravlev. Here is what he writes: "Navigator of the regiment Senior Lieutenant Vasily Ivanovich Fedorenko showed examples of courage and heroism in aerial combat. He soon became one of the best pilots on the front, and legends were spread about his iron will and courage. On the ground, he was remarkably good-natured and friendly. With broad shoulders and gray eyes sparkling with a smile, he became the soul of the regiment. Our pilots loved him, and the enemies feared him..."
In one of the aerial battles, Fedorenko led a group of four LaGG-3 aircraft. Over the Kadyorok stanitsa, their group was attacked by a formation of six Me-109 aircraft. However, the enemy failed to catch them off guard. Fedorenko deciphered the intentions of the fascists and, on his command, the group successfully maneuvered and attacked the "Messers" from two directions. One enemy aircraft started smoking and rapidly lost altitude, while another was damaged and turned away. The remaining enemy aircraft scattered. What initially seemed like an unfavorable situation for our pilots ended in their victory.
On December 12, 1942, a formation of seven fighters led by Fedorenko engaged in a battle with twelve "Messers" and shot down three of them, forcing the others to retreat.
In 1943, the fighter aviation regiment in which Fedorenko served was stationed in the Kuban region. They flew combat missions every day, with various tasks such as providing cover for ground troops, escorting bomber raids, or engaging in free hunts. Vasily was the first among the Kuban pilots to master the vertical maneuver on the LaGG-3 aircraft.
In the breaks between battles, he kept a diary, with sparse but vivid entries that cannot be read without emotion: "April 9. Arrived in Kuban. Conducting combat operations here. Today we provided cover for the forward defense line of our troops near the Krymskaya stanitsa. We encountered two Me-109s. Our group of four aircraft surrounded them and I was fortunate enough to shoot down one.
April 11. Once again flew to provide cover for our troops near Krymskaya. There were no enemy bombers. We encountered 20 Me-109 aircraft. We were 12 LaGG-3s. Aerial combat ensued at different altitudes. They maneuvered vertically, trying to break up our group into subgroups to make it easier to deal with us. But we didn't fall for their trap. Our pilots fought compactly, bravely, skillfully maneuvering and firing accurately. I managed to hit one "Messer" in the cockpit. It immediately spiraled down... Syrtlanov shot down another one. He's a great Tatar! Brave, persistent, and stubborn in battle... After that, the Germans fled, unable to clear the way for their bombers.
May 6, our troops captured the Krymskaya stanitsa! We managed to break off a piece from the enemy's "Blue Line." This is pleasing to us, as it is our share of victory...
In one of the aerial battles, his wingman, Junior Lieutenant N. Syrtlanov, was killed. Vasily vowed to avenge him and kept his word. The next day, he shot down two enemy aircraft in one battle. After this mission, he wrote to his family: "I remembered my son Yurka - he's turning 4 years old soon. How I long to live to the day when there is no war! For this, I fight the fascists today, otherwise they will destroy me, my family, Yurka, and all the people dear to my heart. I have 10 confirmed kills to my name. Is it enough? No, it's still not enough! I am burning with the desire to shoot down more to bring victory closer to my Motherland, which I love like a mother."
His personal combat record continued to grow. By May 1943, Captain V.I. Fedorenko had completed 116 combat sorties, engaged in 51 aerial battles, and personally shot down 10 enemy aircraft and 2 more in a group. By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on May 24, 1943, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The whole regiment celebrated this event as a great holiday. The hero was celebrated, admired, and taken as an example.
Ahead of Vasily, there were many more aerial clashes and new victories. The talented and brave pilot continued to destroy the enemy with accurate fire. However, he did not live to see the Great Victory. On September 22, 1943, he made his last combat sortie. Retired Major A.M. Zhuravlev tells the story: "Approaching the front line, our formation of six suddenly came under attack from an enemy fighter group that appeared from behind the clouds and the direction of the sun. Four Messers, one after another, dived steeply to attack the leader - Captain Fedorenko. When one "Messer" passed by, Fedorenko shot it down. But at the same time, two more "Messers" attacked our pilot. The commander's plane shuddered... dived and disappeared behind the hills... - The commander was shot down! - Major Andrey Khvostov shouted over the radio, flying next to Fedorenko... Our group of five "hawks" rushed into battle. Soon, two more fascists found their grave on the Taman Peninsula."
In total, he fought for a year. During this time, he completed 169 combat sorties, engaged in 52 aerial battles, and shot down 13 enemy aircraft personally and 5 in a group. The Hero was laid to rest on the central square of the Krasnoarmeyskaya stanitsa in the Krasnoarmeysky District of the Krasnodar Krai. By the order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR, Captain V.I. Fedorenko was forever listed in the records of the 1st Squadron of the Fighter Aviation Regiment for his courage and heroism displayed in battles against the fascist invaders.
Talented and courageous pilot Vasily Fedorenko did not reach Berlin. However, he did everything to bring the long-awaited day of Victory closer.
