Golovanov, Alexander Evgenevich

From OnAirpower.org

Name:	Golovanov, Alexander Evgenevich (Голованов, Александр Евгеньевич)
Years:	1904-1975
Rank:	Chief Marshal of Aviation
Nationality:	Soviet
Remarks:	Commander of Soviet long range aviation during World War II

1 Biography
2 Publications
3 Sources
4 References

[edit] Biography

Golovanov was born on August 8, 1904 (July 25, 1904 according to the Julian Calendar) in the city of Nizhni Novgorod^[1].

He joined the Red Army in 1919 and participated in the Russian Civil War in the reconnaissance section of the 59th Rifle Regiment. He was demobilized in September, 1920^[1].

In 1924 he began working for the OGPU (a forerunner of the KGB). He served in the Special Department of the OGPU in the Moscow Military District starting in October, 1925, and in the city of Alma Ata from August, 1930^[1].

In December, 1931, Golovanov began working in the People's Committee for Heavy Industry while simultaneously studying flying at an aeroclub^[1].

Upon completion of his flight training, Golovanov began work as a pilot in the Civil Air Fleet (GVF). In September, 1934 he became commander of the Special Section for Heavy Aircraft, and in 1938 became Chief Pilot of Aeroflot^[1].

He participated in the Battle of Khalkhin-Gol and the Soviet-Finnish War. In February, 1941, he became commander of the Air Force's (VVS) 212th Long Range Bomber Regiment^[1].

After the start of the war, in August 1941 Golovanov became commander of the 81st Long Range Bomber Division, subordinated directly to the Stavka of the Supreme High Command. Under his command, the Division bombed Berlin, Konigsberg, Danzig, Ploesti, and other targets^[1].

In February, 1942 Golovanov was named commander of Long Range Aviation^[1].

On August 3, 1943 he received the rank Marshal of Aviation^[2], becoming the youngest person in the history of the Soviet Union to hold that rank. On August 19, 1944, he received the rank Chief Marshal of Aviation, making him equal in rank to Alexander Novikov, the Commander of the Soviet Air Forces at the time^[3].

Golovanov was removed from his post as commander of Long Range Aviation in 1948. He went on to attend the General Staff Academy and served briefly as commander of an Airborne Corps before going into the reserves in 1953^[2].