Konokotin, Viktor Petrovich
From OnAirpower.org
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[edit] Biography
Konokotin joined the Red Army in 1918. He completed the Soviet Airship Course and became an instructor in the 21st Airship Detachment. During the Russian Civil War he served in the 11th, 16th, and 21st Airship Detachments[1]. On October 30, 1919, Konokotin shot down an enemy aircraft from his airship using a hand-held Chauchat light machine gun, for which he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner[1].
After the war he completed courses at the Advanced Military Airship School and the Pilot-Observer's school. He later served as a navigator in a heavy bomber unit[1].
In the 1930s he became an instructor at the Zhukovskii Military Air Academy and later became Chair of Air Force Tactics at the Soviet General Staff Academy[1][2].
During World War II Konokotin continued to serve as an instructor at the General Staff Academy[2].
In 1946 he received the rank of Major General, and soon after that retired[2].
[edit] Sources
- Red Aviator Konokotin at Green World an article by A. A. Liverovskii about Konokotin, particularly during the Russian Civil War (in Russian)
- Konokotin at The Russian Civil War Forum a forum post with background information about Konokotin (in Russian)
