Pyatykhin, Ivan Gavrilovich
From OnAirpower.org
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[edit] Biography
Pyatykhin joined the Red Army in September, 1922 and served in both the infantry and the cavalry. In 1925 he graduated from the Ivanovo-Voznesensk Command Staff School[1].
He completed the Orenburg Military Pilot and Pilot-Observer School in 1930. In September, 1930, he joined the 26th Independent Light Bomber Aviation Squadron as a pilot-observer. He became assistant commander and chief of staff for the 69th Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Unit in March, 1932, commander of the 2nd Independent Aviation Unit in Mach, 1934, commander of the 35th Bomber Aviation Squadron (part of the 18th Heavy Bomber Aviation Brigade) in January, 1935, commander of the 3rd Fast Bomber Aviation Squadron in November, 1937, commander of the 58th Fast Bomber Regiment in April, 1938, and commander of the 15th Heavy Bomber Aviation Brigade in September, 1938. He participated in the Soviet-Finnish War as commander of the 15th Heavy Bomber Aviation Brigade, and competed 25 combat sorties. For his service during the conflict, he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union[2].
In April, 1940, Pyatykhin became commander of air forces for the 14th Army, followed by command positions in the 1st, 4th, and 75th Mixed Aviation Divisions in the Baltic Military District[2].
At the start of Operation Barbarossa, Pyatykhin participated in defensive operations in the North-Western Front. In July, 1941, he became commander of air forces for the Orel Military District. In August, 1941, he became commander of air forces for the Southern Urals Military District. In July, 1942, he became commander of the 15th Air Army. In March, 1943, Pyatykhin was removed from his command position due to an incident involving the loss of eight Pe-2 bombers, and demoted to the position of deputy commander of the 1st Air Army. In November, 1943, he was assigned to duty as the commander of air forces for one of the interior military districts, and held that position for the remainder of the war[2].
[edit] Sources
- Pyatykhin, Ivan Gavrilovich at National Heroes (in Russian)
