Serov, Anatolii Konstantinovich
From OnAirpower.org
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[edit] Biography
Serov joined the Red Army in 1929. He completed the Volsk Military Theory School for Pilots in June, 1930, and then went to the Orenburg Military Pilots School, which he finished in December, 1931[1].
After completing flight school Serov was assigned to the 1st Independent Red Banner Fighter Squadron, stationed at Gatchina airfield outside of Leningrad. In August, 1933 he transferred to the 26th Fighter Squadron, stationed in Khabarovsk. He became a flight commander in 1934, and a section commander in 1935 with a promotion to Sr. Lieutenant[1].
In 1936, he began work as a test pilot at the Air Force Test Center (NII)[2].
From May 26, 1937 to January 21, 1938 Serov served as a volunteer in the Spanish Civil War under the pseudonym "Rodrigo Mateo". He commanded a section, a squadron, and starting in November, 1937 an Air Group. During his time in Spain he flew 240 combat sorties, engaged in 38 dogfights, and scored eight individual victories plus seven shared[1].
[edit] Sources
- Serov, Anatolii Konstantinovich at Hero Aviators of the Soviet Union 1934-1941 (in Russian)
- Serov, Anatolii Konstantinovich at National Heroes (Герои Страны) (in Russian)
