Novikov Alexey Ivanovich Hero of the Russian Federation. Alexei Novikov: Hero of Russia with God's help

List of famous air victories by A. I. Novikov:

Born November 7, 1916 - exactly one year before the October Revolution, in Moscow in a working class family. He graduated from 7 classes and school FZU. In the flying club he learned to fly a glider and a U-2 plane. After graduating from the Ulyanovsk Pilot Instructor School in 1936, he worked at the flying club. Since 1939 he was in the Red Army, in the same year he graduated from the 2nd Borisoglebsk Red Banner Military Aviation Pilot School named after V.P. Chkalov. He served near Lutsk as deputy head of the courses for flight commanders of the 205th Fighter Aviation Division.

Since June 22, 1941, Senior Lieutenant A. I. Novikov has been in the army. Until January 1943, he fought as part of the 17th IAP, flew the I-16, LaGG-3, Yak-1 and Aerocobra; then - in the Office of the 278th IAD and the 3rd IAK, where he flew exclusively on Yaks.

By August 1942, the squadron commander of the 17th Fighter Aviation Regiment (205th Fighter Aviation Division, 2nd Air Army, Voronezh Front), Captain A.I. them 1 ram).

On February 4, 1943, for courage and military prowess shown in battles with enemies, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

At the beginning of 1943 he was appointed deputy commander of the 3rd IAK for fire training. In the regiments of the corps, he organized demonstration battles, organized conferences, taught young pilots by personal example. Fought in the skies of Kuban, Crimea, Lithuania, Poland. Lieutenant Colonel A. I. Novikov fought his last battle on May 2, 1945 over Berlin.

In total, during the war he made about 500 sorties, shot down 22 enemy aircraft personally and 5 as part of a group.

After the war he continued to serve in the Air Force. In 1960 he graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff. Since 1970, Major General of Aviation A.I. Novikov has been retired. Lived and worked in Moscow. Died October 23, 1986.

Awarded with orders: Lenin, Red Banner (three times), Patriotic War 1st degree (twice), Red Star (four times); medals.

Great Patriotic War Aleksey Novikov met near Lutsk, at the divisional courses of the commanders of the units. On the first day of the war he carried out several sorties. On the same day, he also opened his combat account, shooting down 2 enemy aircraft at once: first, the Hs-126 spotter, and then the Ju-88 bomber.

At the same time, the Junkers he shot down fell directly onto a warehouse with gasoline, located slightly away from their airfield. Novikov was very upset and after landing he was waiting for a stern conversation with his superiors. But everything worked out: it turned out that an order had already been received to relocate the regiment to a new airfield, and the warehouse was to be destroyed. So Novikov actually carried out this order, although not knowing that ...

Novikov began flying when he was barely 16 years old. At first he jumped with a parachute, then he flew on the U-2, on a glider in the Osoaviakhimov circle. After graduating from the Ulyanovsk school of instructors - pilots, he began working in an aeroclub. But the instructor's work did not satisfy, speed attracted. And Novikov decided to become a fighter. Graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School.

The command noticed in him an irrepressible passion for flying, praised him for the filigree performance of aerobatic maneuvers. And in shooting, few even of the instructors could compare with him. The cloth cone, which was fastened with a long halyard to the towing aircraft, after firing it in the air, literally turned into a sieve.

How useful was the pilot's sniper training now, when he had to shoot not at a harmless and unrequited cloth bag filled with air during the flight, but at the planes snarling back fire, which were controlled by German pilots who had gained experience in air battles in the west. Gifted with natural observation, the ability to think analytically, Novikov quickly figured out the habits of enemy pilots and began to impose his tactics on them in every air battle. And it was built on surprise, swiftness, combat audacity, calculated to stun the enemy and cause confusion in his ranks.

That's right, taking into account the psychological nuances, he soon dumped the seasoned German intelligence officers. Approaching the enemy aircraft at close range, Alexey hit the gunner's cockpit and killed him, and when the crew lost their protection, he calmly and prudently finished off the scout. After several bursts, he smoked thickly, fell on the wing and soon crashed into the ground.

There were many brave pilots in the fighter aviation regiment, in which Novikov fought. And yet the most responsible tasks were most often entrusted to him. The regiment commander also named Novikov's last name when in the summer of 1941 they called from the headquarters of the 40th Army and ordered to reconnoiter one of the sections of the railway in the Lgov region, along which the enemy at that time was intensively throwing reserves to the front line.

Alexei flew out as part of the link. The pilots carefully probed the given section of the road, breaking through the clouds, descended over the railway junction, examined it and transmitted by radio that it was packed with echelons, indicated the estimated number and nature of the cargo. After that, the brave trio attacked the enemy, bringing down rocket and cannon shells into the very thick of the trains. Flames shot up over the cars, a big fire broke out at the station, and it was out of order for a long time. Everything that could burn - burned down. Apparently, a lot of wagons with ammunition have accumulated on the tracks ...

The number of enemy planes shot down by him grew quite quickly. At the beginning of 1942, Novikov on the I-16 managed to shoot down the Me-109 with a large ace painted on the fuselage with yellow paint. The pilot of the Messer he shot down was captured and turned out to be quite a well-known aces. In the summer of the same year, on the Voronezh front, Alexei destroyed another enemy aircraft with a ramming blow. After the ram, he jumped out with a parachute. And by August 1942, he had already made 242 sorties, having spent 34 air battles, shot down 11 enemy aircraft.

Aleksey Novikov also moved quickly in the service. At first he was a flight commander, then he began to command a squadron, at the same time performing the duties of a regiment navigator.

By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated February 4, 1943, for the exemplary performance of the combat missions of the command on the front of the struggle against the Nazi invaders and the courage and heroism shown at the same time, Captain Novikov Alexei Ivanovich was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal "(No. 782).

In the spring of 1943, it was decided to appoint Novikov as commander of a fighter aviation regiment. For this, he had all the data: he participated in the battles near Stalingrad, received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, had a commanding will, and he was an excellent mentor for young people. A strong instructor's sourdough has remained in it since the pre-war period.

But General E. Ya. Savitsky, who at that time was forming the 3rd Fighter Aviation Corps, intervened in the matter. He knew Novikov from the regiment that was part of his division. Therefore, I decided to appoint Alexei as my assistant in the airborne rifle service. Savitsky's calculation was simple: such an experienced fighter as Novikov would be an indispensable assistant in training unexplored youth. And Savitsky understood people well.

Savitsky's request was not immediately respected. But in the end he got his way. So Novikov became the head of "fire and smoke", as the position of assistant commander for airborne rifle service was jokingly called during the war. In this position, Alexey "passed" until the very victory.

In the regiments of the 3rd Aviation Corps, Novikov spent days and nights, arranged demonstration battles, organized conferences, in a word, did everything to teach young pilots to win over the enemy as quickly as possible.

The former commander of the 3rd IAK, Air Marshal E. Ya. Savitsky, recalls:

"Once, having been on my instructions in one of the regiments, the flight crew of which carried in last days unjustifiably large losses, Novikov ended the report with an unexpected request:

Allow me, comrade general, to conduct a training and demonstration battle. The pilots have potential opportunities to improve the situation, but they still do not know how to use them. An illustrative example is needed.

I don't understand what are you talking about? - I was surprised. - What special permission do you need? If you want to conduct a mock battle, then conduct it. Choose who you see fit as your "opponents", well, and spin over the airfield as much as you need.

That's how it is, Comrade General, - Novikov hesitates. - Only here we decided to spin not over our airfield, but together with the Germans.

I don't understand anything! Explain thoroughly.

The usual training battle, comrade general, will not do much in this case. Although the pilots are from the replenishment, although they are young, they fly well, even great, one might say, they fly. Therefore, I think there is no need to demonstrate my personal piloting technique to them. Another thing, if in battle with a real enemy. How best to attack, from what distance to open fire, well, and everything else ... Allow me, in a word, to fly with a group on a combat mission, and then conduct a "training - demonstration" battle. Much more visually.

Novikov's proposal puzzled me at first. War, of course, is a school, but not to the same extent ... And will anything come of Novikov's undertaking? It’s necessary to come up with this: the enemy into transfer assistants combat experience take!

What's the difference, Comrade General? Novikov objected. - Whether to send the fascist to the other world with spectators or without them. Yes, and my wards will not sit in the stalls, but in the cabins of the Yakov - they will help out, if anything ...

In short, Novikov persuaded me. They decided that he would take eight young pilots with him, whose task was not to get involved in battle without the order of the leader, and to carefully observe his actions.

The air also rose. At the direction of the ground guidance point, they immediately went to the Junkers column - there was no need to look for the enemy in those days, the sky was full of enemy aircraft. 12 enemy dive bombers Ju-87 were, as usual, in tight formation; it’s easier for air gunners to organize barrage fire from an attack by fighters. True, for some reason one Junkers kept on the outskirts, either lagged behind, or something else ... In a word, you can’t imagine a better target for an attack. But Novikov acted differently. The fight, he decided, should be 100 percent demonstrative.

Attack the flagship! - Novikov reported on the radio.

Having dispersed the car and using the advantage in height, he dived on the leader of the bomber column. The maneuver turned out to be so swift and precisely calculated that air gunners from neighboring vehicles opened indiscriminate fire only at the moment when the Yak passed almost next to the Junkers flagship. It seemed like another second, and the planes would collide in the air, but the track had already slashed across the cockpit of the German bomber, and he, thrown aside and shrouded in clouds of black smoke, fell on the wing. And Novikov, coming out of the attack and approaching his wards, gave the command:

Do like me!

His eight immediately turned from observers into active participants in the fight. Encouraged by the example of their leader, the Yaks quickly forced the enemy to flee.

After landing, Novikov immediately - as they say, in hot pursuit - arranged an analysis of the "training - demonstrative" battle, explaining in detail what exactly led to the quick success.

If I had struck not at the flagship, but at the lagging Laptezhnik, the German air gunners would have had time to set up barrage fire. This is first. Secondly, the Junkers must be attacked on the move and at maximum speed, in which case the shooter will either not have time to open fire, or will not be able to aim it, - standing at the blackboard with a hastily chalked battle diagram, Novikov bent his fingers. - And thirdly, you need to hit from a short distance, but in such a way as not to get into the explosion zone if the shells hit the bomb load ... Well, you yourself saw the rest. Any questions?

There were no questions. The spectators and at the same time the participants in the battle being analyzed looked at their mentor with admiration: the Hero of the Soviet Union, Major Novikov, gave them one of the most convincing and intelligible lessons that one could imagine."

HEAD OF "FIRE AND SMOKE".

At the field airfield, which is located near one of the small villages near Lutsk, the 89th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 205th Aviation Division was usually based in the summer. On the eve of the war, divisional courses were also located there, at which unit commanders were trained.

On one side of the airfield, a boundless expanse of apple and cherry orchards went to the garrison, on the other, a pine forest stood like a wall. The crowns of spreading trees covered the rows of canvas tents from the heat of the sun, in which the flight and technical staff were located. Actually, in the daytime, except for those on duty and orderlies, there was no one in the camp. Summer is the time of the most intense study in the air, and everyone was at the airfield from dawn to dusk.

By Sunday, the tent city was empty. Pilots, engineers, technicians went to the city to their families. Only the duty unit remained in the camp, and those who, according to the state, are supposed to support both the regiment and the courses in readiness for all sorts of surprises. The border is at hand, anything can happen. German air reconnaissance has recently become so insolent that they violated the border almost daily, leaving a white trail in the blue Soviet sky.

On the eve of the next day of rest, the head of the courses warned his deputy Alexei Novikov:

Stay for me. There is nothing for you to do in the city anyway. In which case - urgently for me. You know the address.

On the eve of the birth, Alexei's wife Marina left for Moscow to visit relatives. Novikov had the opportunity to spend Sunday morning fishing. Not far from the airfield, in the thickets of willows, a stream with surprisingly clear water slowly meandered. Minnows, roaches darted about in it, and often small crucians also shone with golden scales.

Fishing gave Alexei great pleasure. He liked to watch how nature wakes up from a short night's sleep, how a milky muslin of fog floats over the river, listen to the flooding trills of birds hiding in the bushes, admire how, over all this wondrous splendor, a crimson-red disk of the sun floats majestically, slowly, the peaks light up with a bright flame pines and pyramidal poplars.

On that Sunday, Alexei came to the river with a friend who was the same avid fisherman as he himself, do not feed bread - just let me sit with a fishing rod. Along with fishing tackle, the pilots also took headsets with them - so that they were nearby in case of an alarm.

And they weren't wrong. As soon as they threw the fishing rods and, having frozen, began to watch the floats, a long-drawn-out howl of a siren was heard from the side of the airfield.

Again anxiety, be it wrong, - Alexei muttered with annoyance. - They won't let you sleep or go fishing. Let's run, sticking out our tongue, trample in the ranks, listen to another instruction - and hang up. How many times did it happen?

Before the war, in fact, training alarms were arranged quite often. But this time the siren wailed longer than usual.

Eh, there's something wrong here! Novikov was alarmed. - We reel the fishing rods.

Aleksey jumped up impetuously and, leaving the fishing tackle in the bushes, was the first to run in the direction from where the siren was heard. He was seized by a disturbing foreboding: no, this is not a training alarm. With a sensitive ear, the pilot caught a rumble growing in the western side of the sky. There were planes. But whose? Their? Aliens?

Together with the pilots of the duty unit, Alexei ran up to his "Ishachka", as the I-16 fighter was lovingly called then, at the command of the officer on duty, he quickly threw the straps of the parachute lying on the grass under the wing of the aircraft over his shoulders, clicked the locks of the carbines and in one fell swoop found himself in the pilot's cabin.

Everything is fine? He looked sternly at the mechanic.

All right, commander! he answered.

At this time, it was already possible to distinguish with the naked eye: nine bombers were approaching. Somewhere, even on the way to the airfield, there were several explosions.

Fascists, Commander! - peering at the planes, said the mechanic.

A car, a starter, drove up to Novikov’s fighter, rumbling with strain, vigorously turned the propeller, and the engine, picking up speed, hummed in a bass voice. Novikov immediately taxied to the start and soon took off. But it was not possible to engage in battle with the enemy. Enemy bombers, having dumped their cargo on the outskirts of the airfield and without causing much harm, turned around, managed to leave.

Disturbing, like the sound of an alarm bell, the word "war" flew around the tent city. Although recently the war has been spoken of more and more often, but the mind could not reconcile that it would start so suddenly that it had already begun...

Novikov returned from the flight angry and upset. The first sortie, but the enemy did not have to meet. Just taxied to the parking lot, the unit commander, who had returned from Lutsk, ran up.

Refuel faster, go accompany the bombers! - he loudly commanded the pilots clustered around the planes.

Soon, bombers appeared a little away from the airfield, heading west. Novikov caught up with them quickly and, together with other fighters, began to barrage over them. Now he already felt more confident, was ready at any moment to join the battle.

Behind state border. "But why don't the fascists shoot?" thought Novikov. "Have they really become so confident in their own strength that they consider it superfluous to take any measures against an air attack?"

Along the highway, stretching for more than one kilometer, a column of tanks, trucks, gas tanks moved slowly. The bombers descended, and only then did the jam-packed highway bristle with fire. Novikov could clearly see how the multi-colored paths of bullets and shells streak the sky blue. However, this did not prevent the bombers from dropping their cargo on the enemy column.

The appearance of Soviet bombers was a complete surprise for the enemy. Tanks and vehicles did not even try to get off the roadside and disperse. For this they paid the price. The column was enveloped in stinking smoke, fiery flashes shot up. "Well done, bombers!" - exulted Novikov. It was the first time he had seen how his friends in battle formation worked. He himself could not resist the temptation to descend and slash with fire at enemy vehicles.

Already above his territory, Novikov noticed a plane above him. It followed the same course as the Soviet fighter. "Henschel-126," Novikov determined from the configuration of the machine. - On reconnaissance, bastard, he went. "After a successful assault on the enemy column, the pilot was seized with such excitement that he, without hesitation, increased the engine speed to the maximum and rushed in pursuit. The pilot had one thought: to shoot down, by all means shoot down the fascist spy!

The scout, sensing danger, began to turn around. Novikov, coming up to a distance of 40 - 50 meters, took out a fascist intelligence officer in a long line. Down, somersaulting, smoldering debris rained down. In this blow, the pilot put all the fury of revenge that burned him. The pilot's eyes shone feverishly, his heart beat intoxicated. First victory! The first fascist bastard he shot down!

But even after this flight, the fighters failed to rest. A command was received from the division headquarters: to relocate to the main airfield in Lutsk.

Rising into the air, the pilots saw that a new wave of enemy bombers was rolling in from the west. German command was in a hurry to fully use the surprise attack factor and continued to build up strikes, not particularly caring about air cover. In the camp of the enemy, apparently, they believed that in the border zone Soviet aviation already destroyed and can not offer serious resistance. That is why the bombers went without cover.

The Germans did not immediately notice our fighters. Those were taller, hidden by the blinding rays of the sun. The attack of our planes turned out to be sudden. Novikov, having developed great speed on a dive, aimed his "Ishak" at the lead "Junkers" and, approaching him from behind, activated the weapon. In a long burst, he set fire to the bomber. Novikov saw the Junkers pull toward the ground, leaving stinking smoke in the sky.

But the pilot's jubilation was short-lived. He was immediately taken aback. The flaming bomber fell right into the warehouse, where the fuel tanks were whitening. "Well, there will be fireworks!" As soon as the pilot thought about it, a crimson-red mushroom-shaped column soared below. Where a minute ago huge white tanks were peacefully blasting, a sea of ​​fire raged.

“What have I done?” Novikov lamented. “After all, it was my fault that the entire stock of gasoline of the neighbors, the scouts, burned out in an instant. What will they fly on?

At the airfield, the commander, having built the pilots, asked:

Whose plane crashed into the gas depot?

Fascist, - followed the answer.

That's not what I'm asking about, - the commander abruptly interrupted. - Who dumped?

Everyone was silent. Procrastinated with the answer and Novikov. He thought that he would be severely punished for the burnt gas depot, and maybe even put on trial. Then he stepped forward decisively.

The commander smiled sparingly, slowly walked along the line. He approached Novikov and, no longer in the usual manner, slapped him on the shoulder and said:

Again he measured ten steps, stopped and, as if continuing his thought, said, referring to the pilots standing in the ranks:

That's the way to beat the Nazis! - Flashing his eyes in the direction of Novikov, he asked: - Tell your comrades at your leisure how you ruined a bomber and a scout. It will be useful.

Novikov began flying when he was barely 16 years old. At first he jumped with a parachute, then he flew on the U-2, on a glider in the Osoaviakhimov flying club. After graduating from the Ulyanovsk school of instructors - pilots, he began working in an aeroclub. But the instructor's work did not satisfy, speed attracted. And Novikov decided to become a fighter. Graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School.

The command noticed in him an irrepressible passion for flying, praised him for the filigree performance of aerobatic maneuvers. And in shooting, few even of the instructors could compare with him. The cloth cone, which was fastened with a long halyard to the towing aircraft, after firing it in the air, literally turned into a sieve.

Or something, give him less cartridges, - employees of the weapons service complained to the commander about Novikov. - So he will let us in the world. You won't get enough cones ...

How useful the pilot’s sniper skills are now, when you have to shoot not at a harmless and unrequited cloth bag filled with air during the flight, but at the planes snarling with fire, which were controlled by fascist pilots who had gained experience in air battles in the west. Gifted with natural observation, the ability to think analytically, Novikov quickly figured out the habit of the Nazi pilots and imposed his tactics on them in every air battle. And it was built on surprise, swiftness, combat audacity, designed to stun the enemy.

When you attack suddenly and approach the enemy at high speed, his soul goes into his heels from fear, - he later taught young pilots. - Where is he to conduct aimed fire?

Psychology. Clear?

That's right, taking into account the psychological nuances, he soon dumped the seasoned fascist intelligence officers. Approaching the plane at close range, Novikov hit the rear gunner's cockpit, killed him, and when the crew lost their protection, he calmly, prudently finished off the plane.

At first, he fired a burst of bullets over the top of the scout to force him into a landing. But he did not obey. Then Novikov fired at the plane. He smoked and, describing a curve in the sky, fell to the ground ...

In the fighter aviation regiment, in which Novikov fought, there were many brave aces. And yet the most responsible tasks were most often entrusted to him. The regiment commander also named Novikov's last name when they called from the headquarters of the 40th Army and ordered to reconnoiter one of the sections of the railway, along which the Germans at that time were intensively throwing reserves to the front line.

Special attention to the Lgov railway junction! - warned from headquarters.

For insurance, the commander decided to allocate 2 more aircraft.

Select the pilots at your own discretion,” he said to Novikov.

Everyone was eager for this responsible task, but Novikov chose Volosyuk and Petrov. With them, he had more than once been able to fight in air battles with the enemy, he could safely rely on them.

Air scouts were not allowed to unmask themselves, get involved in battle. Their job is to take a good look at the indicated object, remember everything and report clearly, delivering the captured film intact and safe.

Novikov flew out for reconnaissance, accompanied by two wingmen. He carefully felt the given section of the road, breaking through the clouds, descended over the railway junction, examined it and transmitted by radio that it was packed with echelons, indicated the expected number and nature of the cargo.

Reconnaissance has been completed, and you can return to the airfield. But Novikov could not resist and retreated from the rule of the scout. Painfully tempting was the goal. "Until the bombers or attack aircraft arrive, the situation may change," he estimated. "But we have rockets at the ready and guns at the ready."

Attention, we attack! - he commanded the followers and, turning around, was the first to fire rocket and cannon shells into the very thick of the trains. Volosyuk and Petrov used up the ammunition for the purpose. Flames shot up over the wagons. Before heading home, the pilots once again walked over the station and fired at it from machine guns from a low altitude.

Undercover intelligence later reported: after an attack by three fighter planes, a large fire broke out at the station, and it was out of order for a long time. Everything that could burn, burned. The rest was mangled, crushed, scattered by explosions. Apparently, a lot of wagons with explosives and ammunition have accumulated at the station.

At the beginning of 1942, a Messerschmitt began to appear at high altitude under the cover of fighters over the airfield where the regiment was located, with an ace painted on the fuselage in yellow paint. The "ace" usually did not get involved in a fight, he acted cautiously. One of ours will separate from the group, gape - the "ace" is right there. It will rush from a height like a kite and remove an onlooker from the sky with the first burst.

More than one plane has become his victim. It was not possible to bring down the yellow "ace". As soon as he felt that the situation was not in his favor, he immediately turned around and flew away. The wolf habits of the fascist began to affect the mood of the pilots, especially the young ones. True, no one openly expressed fears, but in their hearts they were afraid to meet the ace. Already very lightning-fast acted "ace", hit without a miss.

The fact that a hardened fascist ace appeared on this sector of the front was also known at the headquarters of the Air Army. In a telephone conversation, the commander first of all asked:

And what, the yellow "ace" is still alive?

Alive, damn him, - they answered him with annoyance.

How do you protect him. Break up sorry? - the question sounded clearly with a trick.

Novikov knew about the cunning and cautious ace, but there was no chance to meet him in the air. Once, Novikov, paired with Lieutenant Korotaev, accompanied attack aircraft to the front line of the enemy’s defense. On the way to the target, six "Messers" fell out from behind the clouds. The pair remained in the upper echelon, and the four set their sights on the "humpbacks" - this is how the Il-2 aircraft was dubbed at the front for the cockpit protruding upwards.

Novikov and Korotaev managed to cut off the enemy. But the Nazis did not calm down, launched a new attack. Soviet fighters did not allow them to approach the attack aircraft this time either. At some point, Korotaev lagged behind the leader. Novikov was alone. And at that moment he noticed how one of those who were patrolling under the clouds rushed at him from a height. Novikov managed to maneuver, "Messer" slipped past without opening fire. The keen eye of the Soviet pilot caught a glimpse of a yellow spot on his fuselage. "So this is the" ace "!" - he noted to himself and tensed up in anticipation of a new fight with the vaunted ace. The pilot was seized with fighting excitement. Korotaev, meanwhile, took, as expected, his place - behind the command vehicle.

Watch over Me! Novikov warned the follower. - I'm attacking the "ace"!

- "Ace"? - Korotaev was choking. - I'm watching.

In the first attack, it was not possible to get the "ace" with cannon fire. Apparently, the distance between the planes turned out to be greater than required, or maybe it let know the excitement that involuntarily seized Novikov. The fascist, probably, also understood that he was not a novice. And, following his habit, he chose not to put himself in danger of a skillfully maneuvering Soviet pilot, he decided not to get involved in a fight anymore.

But Novikov acted differently. “The cannon didn’t get it - they’ll get the eres,” he thought about the rockets suspended under the planes of the aircraft, and rushed after the “ace”. Catching at some point the fascist ace in the crosshairs of the sight, Novikov pressed the projectile launch buttons. This time the fascist did not leave. Alexei saw how the enemy plane was thrown up by the blast wave, heeled. But after a while he again took a horizontal position. True, not for long. Here it again began to decline sharply and, against the backdrop of the forest, disappeared from sight. Novikov did not pursue him. There were still five fascist fighters in the air, and the fuel was coming to an end.

Aleksey found out the fate of the "ace" only in the evening. They called from the headquarters of the Air Army and conveyed the congratulations of the commander. Not reaching the front line, the "ace" landed on the fuselage, the pilot was taken prisoner.

Novikov saw the German pilot when he was already being interrogated.

That's who shot you down, - they explained to the fascist, pointing to Alexei.

Opponents' eyes crossed. The German's gaze gleamed with cold steel, but then went out. In front of him stood a medium-sized, broad-shouldered Captain, his gaze direct and resolute.

The number of enemy planes shot down by Novikov grew rapidly. He moved up the ranks just as quickly. At first he was a flight commander, then he began to command a squadron, at the same time performing the duties of a regiment navigator, and in early 1943 it was decided to appoint Novikov as commander of a fighter regiment. For this, he had all the data: he participated in the battles near Stalingrad, received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, had a commanding will, and he was an excellent mentor for young people. A strong instructor's sourdough has remained in it since the pre-war period.

But General E. Ya. Savitsky, who at that time was forming the 3rd Fighter Aviation Corps, intervened in the matter. He knew Novikov from the regiment that was part of his division. Therefore, he asked to appoint Captain A.I. Novikov as his assistant in the airborne rifle service. Savitsky's calculation was simple: such an experienced fighter as Novikov would be an indispensable assistant in training unexplored youth. And the general understood people well.

Savitsky's request was not immediately respected. But in the end he got his way. So Novikov became the head of "fire and smoke", as the post of assistant commander for airborne rifle service was jokingly called during the war. In this position, Alexei "passed" until the victory.

In the regiments of the aviation corps, Novikov spent days and nights, arranged demonstration battles, organized conferences, in a word, did everything to teach young pilots to win over the enemy as quickly as possible.

Once Novikov asked the corps commander for permission to fly to Bolshoy Tokmak. There was a fighter regiment in which things were going badly. Probably, the reason was that the old, experienced flight crew gradually either went out of action, or left for other units with a promotion. Instead, "green" youth arrived. There is more than enough anger for a fight with the enemy, and the cat wept for combat skills.

There is an intention to hold a demonstrative air battle for the youth, - suggested Novikov. - Not educational, but real, - he explained.

The general looked at him slyly, remarked:

Look, don't be embarrassed.

Novikov arrived in that regiment, asked the commander, who himself had been there for a week without a year, to gather the pilots.

I won’t give a lecture on air combat tactics,” he told the audience. - Let us comprehend this wisdom in practice. We're leaving for a mission tomorrow. I will attack the bombers first. And you see what and how. Then, at my command, enter the battle yourself.

The decision of the head of the "fire and smoke" was boldly bold, and it is unlikely that anyone else, unsure of their abilities, would have taken such a step. After all, if you fail to shoot down a fascist plane, and even worse, if you yourself suffer from its fire, consider that your authority will be hopelessly lost, even though you are an assistant corps commander. Pilots are such a people that they do not tolerate bragging, no matter who it comes from. After the embarrassment, you can’t prove to anyone that you had good intentions, but the circumstances, they say, did not allow you to achieve victory.

But Novikov had no doubt that he would be able to demonstrate air combat techniques to young people. The fighters were fitted with 37mm cannons. One or two shells were enough to bring down any bomber. You just need to get as close to the enemy as possible and give an aimed burst. The pilot was afraid of something else: what if the weather would turn up, and enemy bombers would not appear tomorrow? However, the "heavenly office" did not disappoint. The next day the sky cleared of clouds, shone bright blue.

It happened just as he expected. More than 10 Junkers were approaching Bolshoy Tokmak. The planes flew in close combat formation, only one lagged behind a little. His task, obviously, included photographing the results of the bombing of the entire group. Noticing the enemy, Novikov reported this by radio to the commander of the air division, Colonel Lisin, who was at the guidance point.

I wish you success! - he briefly admonished.

Young pilots expected that the head of the "fire and smoke" would attack the "Junkers" that had lagged behind, because it was easier to deal with him. But Novikov chose another option. After waiting for the bombers to approach, he mentally ordered himself: "Well, Alyokha, no fluff or feathers to you!" - and abruptly rushed to the leader of the group. The dive speed increased rapidly. When the enemy was in the crosshairs of the sight, the Captain fired a short burst of shells at him. One of them, apparently, hit the gas tank, because the Junkers immediately flared up and was enveloped in black smoke. Novikov's plane also melted in smoke.

The pilots with whom Alexei flew on a mission later said:

The impression was that Novikov crashed into a bomber. But when they saw how he fell out of the smoky cloud and rushed up again, it was relieved from the heart. The head of "fire and smoke" is alive!

Approaching the young pilots, the captain ordered:

Now you attack. Get closer to the enemy. Don't waste ammo.

With the loss of the leading formation of the fascist bombers, it disintegrated, and it was already easier to fight with them ...

On the way back, glancing briefly to the left, Novikov simply gasped: the wing was black, as if smeared with soot. What kind of obsession? The pilot rubbed his eyes - did something happen to his vision? But no, the wing did not change color after that. It turns out that he, on his plane, approached the bomber so close that when the gas tank of the bomber exploded, the soot from the flashed gasoline settled on the wing.

When the planes landed, almost the entire airfield people ran to the Novikov fighter. It is interesting to look at the car next to which the bomber exploded. The aircraft technician, shaking his head, drew a finger over the soot: "Hitler kaput!". And Novikov undertook this sweepingly.

So the head of "fire and smoke" gave a practical lesson to the unfired youth. After that, the pilots began to act more decisively, and things in the regiment went more smoothly.

Air combat is a task with many unknowns. Every moment of it is unexpected. Under these conditions, the decisive role is played by the ability of the pilot to quickly respond to a changing situation, make such a decision, which at the moment is the only correct one, and boldly, without hesitation, carry it out. It was these qualities that were inherent in Alexei Novikov, which ensured his victory in battle.

However, everything happened. In one of the air battles, fortune changed Novikov. It happened at a meeting with 5 Me-109. The Nazis were the first to impose a fight, desperately pressing. At some point, Novikov's wingman broke away from him, and the leader's plane was without cover. One of the Messers hurried to take advantage of this and hit the Soviet car at close range. Shell fragments damaged the Yak's water cooling system. The cockpit filled with hot steam. Breath intercepted, glass of the review closed as if with cotton wool.

With a powerful jerk, Novikov tore off the cockpit canopy, and immediately a stream of air picked up a leather tablet lying on his knees and threw it out. Behind the fighter was a white plume of steam. The Germans did not pursue him, believing that the Soviet pilot was finished.

But no wonder Novikov was considered a master of maneuver and aerobatics. He put the car on his stomach in a field. True, at the last moment she almost scapotted, burying her nose in a ditch. The pilot hit his head hard on the dashboard and lost consciousness. Recovering himself, he got out of the cab, felt his sore forehead, and ran his hand over his face. Blood was seeping from a wound under his right eye.

A flash lit up the thought: “What was in the tablet? A flight map,” the pilot began to recall. “But nothing secret was listed on it. Even if it falls into the hands of the enemy, he will not extract values ​​for himself from this card. Alyosha? But there, apart from tender words addressed to them and curses against the Nazis, there was nothing. Yes, there was still a photograph in the tablet, - he recalled. - That's a pity for her. A photojournalist took Novikov when he was presented with another military award. "However, why worry about the tablet," he reasoned. "It's important, the bones are intact and the head is on the shoulders. The plane will be repaired in a couple of days. Everything else is nothing. And I'll write another letter home."

Over time, he began to forget about the tablet. But one day the chief of staff of the corps called him and seriously asked:

Why didn't you report that you were not alive?

Novikov was so taken aback:

How is it not alive? Who said?

Nah, read...

Novikov shrugged his shoulders in bewilderment. Silently taking the envelope, he pulled out a written piece of paper from it, immediately recognized by the handwriting: a letter from Marina.

“Dear Comrade Commander,” it said, “Today I received a note from a woman I didn’t know, a teacher. She says that she witnessed an air battle, she herself saw how the plane crashed. On the second day, rural children found a leather bag in the field and brought to her teacher. In the bag was a photograph of my husband Alexei Ivanovich Novikov and his letter, which he did not have time to send. The teacher sent it all to me. I am in grief and despair. So Alyosha died? Why don't you tell me about this?"

The uneven lines of the letter jumped in the eyes of Alexei Novikov. He realized what a grief his wife brought the news from an unfamiliar woman.

N-yes! Novikov said thoughtfully, putting the paper back into the envelope.

Here's "n-yes" for you. See what you've done? The chief of staff tapped the tip of his pencil on the table, got up, and in a tone that brooked no objection, said:

Sit down at the table and write, calm your wife down. Better yet, send a telegram. After all, she only needs two words from you: alive, healthy.

Novikov sent both the telegram and the letter on the same day. The letter was gentle, playful, with poems that he liked to compose in his spare time. He wanted Marina to smile after reading the letter, so that she would immediately have a good mood, there would be no trace of her former sadness. The dogfight that the village teacher observed, as described by Alexei, was easy. And then he didn’t fall at all, but was forced to sit in the field, because the engine went haywire ...

In general, everything happened in the war. Once one of his friends, a great artist for all sorts of wood crafts, gave Alexei a mouthpiece on his birthday - a simple craft made from an apple tree knot. The longitudinal hole where the cigarette was inserted, the master burned with a red-hot nail. This mouthpiece was the envy of many pilots. The owner was very proud of him and usually wore it in the left pocket of his tunic. He smokes, cleans it and puts it back in his pocket so as not to lose it.

And then one day, returning from a combat mission, when he shot down another plane, Novikov took out the coveted mouthpiece, mechanically, without looking, inserted a sleeve filled with tobacco into it, brought a match. But what is the occasion? Something whistles in the mouthpiece, clunks, but the smoke does not stretch. He put an expensive gift in his palm and sees: the mouthpiece is split. Where, when, under what circumstances? Novikov did not immediately guess about this. A young pilot standing nearby remarked:

Comrade Captain, there is a hole in your tunic.

Where? Novikov bent his forehead.

Yes, here, here, - he pointed with his finger at the torn hole in the left pocket of the tunic.

Wow! Alex was surprised. - Now it is clear. The fascist almost killed me, but the mouthpiece saved me. Look: a fragment of the projectile passed tangentially through the matter, split the mouthpiece. It was then that I felt something push in my chest. Wow...

And as soon as the fragment hit a little to the left - and goodbye, youth, - another pilot suggested.

It's like giving a drink, ”Novikov agreed.

The pilots surrounded the captain, in turn examining with interest the mouthpiece that had been injured in the battle.

It should be sent to the museum, - someone made a suggestion.

Eh no! Novikov shook his head. - I will keep it as a military relic. He saved my life.

Alexei carefully wrapped the mouthpiece in a piece of paper and put it back in his pocket. An expensive gift is still kept in his family.

At the end of the war, the 3rd Fighter Aviation Corps moved to Berlin. The enemy fought in agony. The German command desperately threw the last reserves into battle. Stubborn battles were fought on the ground and in the air. But the balance of power was no longer what it was at the beginning of the war. Soviet aviation reigned supreme in the air. One of the fighter regiments of the corps was located at the Dalgov airfield. Nearby was the headquarters of the corps.

The last days of the war were coming. The enemy fought back, intending to surrender to the Americans or the British. On May 2, 1945, at dawn, a group of Nazi troops broke through from Berlin and moved along the road that passed by the Dalgov airfield. The enemy group was spotted in time. It was necessary to report the enemy's breakthrough to the neighboring division, located at the Elstal airfield.

The corps commander decided to send his assistant for air-rifle training to the division.

Novikov! he called through open door to the room opposite. - Take my car to the airfield. One leg here, the other there. My plane was in the hangar. Roll it out and blow it to Elstal. You will give the order to the division commander, Lieutenant Colonel Orlov.

There is! - only Novikov managed to answer and without delay grabbed the headset and rushed to the exit.

There was a fight at the airport. Soviet soldiers held back the onslaught of the fascists who broke through. Where by dashes, where by crawling Novikov reached the hangar, jumped into the cockpit of the Komkor fighter, started the engine and rushed at full throttle through the open gates to the runway. The Germans, noticing the unexpectedly appeared aircraft, intensified the shelling. Sultans from mine explosions surrounded the plane, it seemed that he could not break through. However, he rushed uncontrollably forward and soon rose into the air.

All this happened in front of the aviators, who had just beaten off the onslaught of enemies. Surprised by the daring courage of the pilot, they wondered who it could be. One of the officers who were here asked his comrade:

Do you know who took off so famously?

Didn't he notice the Lieutenant Colonel running towards the hangar?

Noticed. Such a big man, he has the Star of the Hero.

So this is the assistant commander for "fire and smoke."

And what is this position, or are you kidding, commander? someone asked.

Position. And almost the most important in the building.

Well then it's clear. Looks like the eagle is the head of "fire and smoke."