Astakhov, Fyodr Alekseevich
From OnAirpower.org
|
|
[edit] Biography
Astakhov began serving in the Russian military in 1913, as a private in an airship company. He completed the Kachinsk Military Aviation School in 1916[1].
Astakhov joined the Red Army in 1918 and served during the Russian Civil War, initially as part of the 1st Tulsk and 1st Kaluzhska Aviation Groups in the 5th Army of the Eastern Front, fighting against the forces of Admiral Kolchak. In 1919, he became commander of the 1st Siberian Aviation Group on the Eastern Front, and in 1920 became overall commander of air forces in Siberia. In 1923, Astakhov became commander of air forces in the Caucasus Red Banner Army[1].
From 1924 to 1930, Astakhov served as commander of the aviation schools in Serpukhov and Orenburg. In 1930, he became commander of an aviation brigade. From 1933 to 1935, he served as assistant commander of air forces in the Volga Military District, and from 1935-36 as assistant commander of the Red Army Air Forces. In 1936, he became commander of an aviation corps. From 1937 to 1940, he served as commander of air forces in the Kiev Special Military District. From 1940-41, he served as deputy chief of staff for Red Army Air Forces[1]. He was promoted to the rank of Lt. Gen. of Aviation on June 4, 1940[2].
After the start of Operation Barbarossa, Astakhov became commander of air forces for the South-Western Front. In May, 1942 he became simultaneously commander of the Civil Air Fleet and a deputy commander of the Red Army Air Forces. In August, 1943, while still holding the position of commander of the Civil Air Fleet, he also became deputy commander of Long Range Aviation. From December, 1944 through the end of the war he served solely as commander of the Civil Air Fleet[1].
[edit] Sources
- Astakhov, Fyodr Alekseevich at Khronos.ru (in Russian)
- Astakhov, Fyodr Alekseevich at Russian Ministry of Defense (in Russian)
- Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of Marshal of Aviation F. A. Astakhov's Birth by Reshetnikov, V., Voenno-Istoricheskij Zhurnal, 1982 No. 2
