Vladimir Levitan Ace pilot, guard captain, Hero of the Soviet Union. Date of Birth: 01.05.1918 Country: Ukraine

Biography of Vladimir Levitan

Vladimir Levitan was born on May 1, 1918, in the village of Zherebets, now part of the Tokmak district of the Zaporizhia region, in a working-class family. He completed 7 classes of an incomplete secondary school and worked as a turner while studying at an aeroclub. In 1937, he joined the Red Army and graduated from the Sevastopol Military Aviation School of Pilots in 1939.

During the Great Patriotic War, Levitan served in the 264th, 170th, and 166th (later the 88th Guards) Fighter Aviation Regiments. At the beginning of the war, he flew LaGG-3 during the day and I-16 at night. Levitan was shot down three times during the war. The first time, he landed his damaged aircraft in the Azov Sea and was rescued by fishermen. The second time, his plane caught fire from an anti-aircraft shell near Rostov, and he had to parachute. The third time, after a fierce battle, he managed to land his damaged plane on his own territory.

Levitan's combat achievements were recognized in his flight book, which stated that he personally "dispersed and destroyed up to 250 enemy soldiers and officers, 25 trucks with cargo, 20 wagons with cargo, one steam locomotive in a train, an anti-aircraft battery, a fuel tanker, and a bridge over the river" during the two-month battles in Kuban.

In June 1943, on the eve of the Battle of Kursk, Levitan led a group of six LaGG-3 fighters against 18 enemy bombers protected by nine Me-109s. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Levitan courageously attacked the bombers, damaging one and setting it on fire. Levitan and his wingman continued to attack the bombers, shooting down another one and damaging one more. The enemy formation scattered and dropped their bombs before retreating. This was just one of the many aerial battles Levitan fought during the war.

On August 11, 1943, Levitan's combat biography reached its peak. Leading a formation of six La-5 fighters, he encountered 30 enemy bombers accompanied by eight fighters. Levitan immediately engaged the enemy formation and shot down two Ju-87 bombers in the first attack. His comrades drove off the remaining enemy aircraft. Two hours later, another alert was issued. This time, Levitan's squadron attacked a group of 15 Ju-87 dive bombers protected by 15 Me-109s. Once again, Levitan managed to destroy two bombers. This success, shooting down four enemy planes in one day, was acknowledged by the command, and Levitan's portrait appeared on the cover of the "Ogoniok" magazine.

By June 1944, as the commander of the 88th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, Guards Captain V. S. Levitan had completed 291 combat missions, participated in 64 aerial battles, and personally shot down 19 enemy planes and 4 more as part of a group. On October 26, 1944, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage and bravery in combat. On January 19, 1945, while escorting a group of Pe-2 bombers southwest of Krakow, Levitan shot down an FW-190. This was his last enemy aircraft destroyed during the war.

After the war, Levitan served in the Air Force until 1959. He flew various aircraft types, with his last one being the Yak-17. He held the positions of commander of the 979th Fighter Aviation Regiment, chief of staff of the Air Army, and deputy chief of staff of the Air Army. Levitan then worked at the "Kommunar" factory in Zaporizhia and was one of the creators of the city's network of service stations for Zhiguli cars. He was awarded the Orders of Lenin, Red Banner (twice), Kutuzov 3rd Class, Patriotic War 1st Class, and Red Star, as well as several medals. Levitan passed away in September 2000.

Throughout his service in the Great Patriotic War, Vladimir Levitan completed 352 (according to other sources, 326) successful combat missions, participated in over 100 aerial battles, personally shot down 20 enemy planes, and destroyed 12 more as part of a group.