Denisov, Sergei Prokofevich
From OnAirpower.org
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[edit] Biography
Denisov joined the Red Army in 1929 and completed flight school in 1931[1].
In 1936-37, Denisov served as a volunteer fighter pilot in the Spanish Civil War. He commanded a fighter group, and later a fighter brigade. He completed over 200 combat sorties, and shot down 13 enemy aircraft individually, and 6 shared. For his service in Spain, he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union on July 4, 1937[1].
After returning from Spain, Denisov became commander of the 2nd Special Purpose Aviation Division in 1938. In 1939, he participated in the Battle of Khalkhin-Gol. He also completed the Command Staff Development Course at the General Staff Academy in 1939[1].
He participated in the Soviet-Finnish War as commander of air forces for the 7th Army. For his service in that war, and in particular action against the Mannerheim Line, he was awarded a second Hero of the Soviet Union. He was only the fifth person to receive the award twice, and the last two-time recipient prior to World War II[1].
In April, 1940, Denisov became commander of air forces in the Transcaucasus Military District[1].
Denisov was promoted to the rank of Lt. Gen. of Aviation on June 4, 1940[2].
After the start of Operation Barbarossa, in August, 1941, Denisov became commander of the Kachinsk Military Aviation School. From February, 1943 to February, 1944 he served as commander of the 283rd Fighter Aviation Division in the 16th Air Army. From February, 1944 through the end of the War, he served in Air Force headquarters[1].
[edit] Sources
- Denisov, Sergei Prokofevich at National Heroes (in Russian)
- Denisov, Sergei Prokofevich at Peoples.ru (in Russian)
- Denisov, Sergei Prokofevich at airaces.narod.ru (in Russian)
- Denisov, Sergei Prokofevich at Aviator Heroes of the Soviet Union, 1934-41 (in Russian)
