Vinogradov, Vasily Aleksandrovich

From OnAirpower.org

Name:	Vinogradov, Vasily Aleksandrovich
Years:	1905-1962
Rank:	Lt. Gen.
Nationality:	Soviet

[edit] Biography

Vinogradov joined the Red Army in 1920 and served in the infantry during the Russian Civil War^[1].

His association with the air forces began in 1925, when he became a motor specialist at the Leningrad Air Force Military Theory School. From 1928-1930 he served as an instructor pilot at the 2nd Military Pilot's School in Borisoglebsk, followed by a tour as commander of an aviation unit at the 6th Military Pilot's School in Serpukhov from 1930-1933^[1].

From 1933-1938 he served as commander of the 18th Army Reconnaissance Squadron and the 7th Light Bomber Squadron. Starting in 1938 he commanded an aviation regiment in the city of Kursk. In August, 1940 he became commander of the 31st and 33rd Aviation Divisions in the Far East Military District^[1].

Shortly after the start of Operation Barbarossa, in October, 1941 Vinogradov became commander of air forces for the 25th Army, part of the Far Eastern Front. In March, 1942 he became commander of air forces for the 1st Red Banner Army, also part of the Far Eastern Front. In September, 1942 Vinogradov became commander of the newly formed 10th Air Army, created from air units of the 25th Army's air forces^[1]. During all of these periods the air forces of the Far Eastern Front were primarily engaged in training units destined for combat on the Soviet-German front.

Vinogradov's first actual combat experience came in July, 1944 as commander of the 1st Mixed Aviation Corps, part of the 6th Air Army in the 1st Belorussian Front. He was judged to be ineffective as a combat commander by the commander of the 6th Air Army, and he was sent back to the Far Eastern Front after only a few months. In September, 1944 he was made commander of the Far Eastern Front's 9th Air Army. During reorganizations in April, 1945 Vinogradov was demoted to the position of Deputy Commander of the 9th Air Army^[1].

During Operation August Storm Vinogradov redeemed himself as a combat commander, and was awarded an Order of the Red Banner. He remained deputy commander of the 9th Air Army through the end of World War II^[1].