Pavel kamozin. Kamozin, Pavel Mikhailovich Pilot Kamozin twice hero of the Soviet Union

Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin is one of the most productive pilots of the Second World War. In the pre-war period, a simple Bryansk worker, a modest and short guy in the sky, as if by magic, turned into a formidable and invincible ace, which even the famous German aviators could not resist. His special talent was the ability to calculate the battle like a huge chess game several steps ahead and each time to find new unpredictable combinations of air combat.

Pavel Kamozin was born on July 16, 1917 in the city of Bezhitsa (now the region of Bryansk). After completing six classes of secondary school in 1931, he entered a factory school. For the first time, his flying abilities manifested themselves in 1934 in the flying club at the Krasny Profintern plant (today it is the Bryansk machine-building plant), in which the young Kamozin got a job as a mechanic. In the evenings, the guy always went to the club, where he spent all his free time. The instructors immediately noted his outstanding flying skills. Since 1937, Kamozin served in the ranks of the Red Army, and in 1938 he became a graduate of the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School, named after the famous Valery Chkalov. After graduation, he stayed to work there as an instructor pilot.

Pavel Mikhailovich met the war as a junior lieutenant in the reserve aviation regiment of the Kiev military district, which later became part of the Southwestern Front. Immediately after the rally held on the parade ground, at which the German invasion was announced, Kamozin turned to the command with a request to send him to the front. He did not have to wait long, already on June 23 he had a chance to engage in his first air battle with the enemy. Subordinate to Kamozin, who was appointed flight commander, were seven I-16 fighters. Their duties included patrolling the airspace over the Black Sea coast and providing cover for the landing of paratroopers. The patrol proceeded calmly until, unexpectedly, six German "Messers" appeared on the horizon. The enemy was confidently moving towards a rapprochement, Kamozin ordered the pilots he led to close in a tight formation and prepare for an attack.

Pavel always showed brilliant results when shooting in training battles, but everything was not real there, for the first time there was a real enemy in front of him. Later Kamozin admitted that doubts seized him for a second. Only remembering his own words, which he said to his disciples that “the price of even a moment's delay can be his own life,” Paul stopped hesitating and, letting the enemy as close as possible, opened fire. Victory in that battle remained with him, however, during his baptism of fire, Kamozin was seriously wounded in the leg. The bullet pierced his foot right through. During the treatment, Pavel had to leave the front and go to the hospital in the rear. Then part of it was sent for retraining for flights on new LaGG-3 fighters. From the end of December 1941 to October 1942, Kamozin, as a pilot of the 253rd reserve aviation regiment, mastered the technique of piloting the LaGG-3, while managing to train young pilots. More than forty aviators were produced by him during this time. And finally, a year later, Pavel returned to combat.

In the memorable battle over the village of Shahumyan, Kamozin acted as a flight commander, consisting of five aircraft of the 246th Aviation Regiment (LaGG-3) and two Yak-1s, which were part of the 518th Aviation Regiment. On October 7, 1942, this group of fighters began to carry out a mission, which consisted of covering parts of the eighteenth army. Lined up in two tiers, the Soviet planes clashed with the outnumbered German aviation group, consisting of eleven Ju-87 dive bombers, four 110th "Messers" and six Me-109s covering them. According to Kamozin's plan, the five "LaGGs" rushed towards the German fighters, and a pair of "Yaks" fell on the Ju-87s that had begun bombing. A battle ensued, which the pilots call a "dog dump", when the order of battle disintegrates and everyone acts independently. Soon the battle turned to bends, where the domestic LaGGs had an advantage over the Me-109. Despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, in ten minutes of the air duel the pilots who entered the Kamozin group managed to destroy eight German aircraft, three of which were shot down by the flight commander himself. However, the victory was not easy, our losses amounted to four aircraft.

It was during this period that Pavel also manages to take part in air operations together with the pilot who became famous in the pre-war period - Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Leontyevich Kalarash, whom he considered one of his teachers. The brave fighter pilot was killed in one of the battles in November 1942. But Pavel Mikhailovich always remembered and loved to repeat to his students his words that "a pilot's heart must be made of steel, so courageous that it does not tremble, even if the seat on the plane has a wooden back."

At the end of 1942, Kamozin was appointed deputy squadron of the 269th Fighter Aviation Regiment. During the first month of fighting after his return to the front, the brave pilot manages to shoot down four Nazi aircraft, among which was the well-equipped Do-217. By the beginning of March 1943, the number of enemy aircraft destroyed by Pavel reached twelve. They were shot down in twenty-three air battles. By that time, he had eighty-two sorties on his account. The victories strengthened Kamozin's confidence in his abilities, made him famous, helped strengthen his commanding authority.

In the spring of 1943, after heavy battles with the enemy, the 269th regiment lost a significant part of the equipment, and therefore was sent to the rear and disbanded. On May 1, 1943, Pavel Kamozin was awarded the title "Hero of the Soviet Union" for his courage, resourcefulness and heroism in battles with the Nazis. He was awarded the Order of Lenin, as well as the "Gold Star" of the Hero. With each of his subsequent actions, the pilot confirmed that he had received this title not in vain. After the regiment was disbanded, being in the rear in the summer of 1943, Kamozin was among the first to master a new American-made P-39 fighter called "Airacobra" army. In the very first battle, Kamozin shot down a German reconnaissance aircraft FW-189, but his Airacobra received serious damage from anti-aircraft artillery fire and the pilot had to urgently land the fighter in a neutral zone, and then independently get to the trenches of Soviet units.

It should be noted that in addition to patrolling territories, covering Soviet ground units and attack aircraft, Kamozin often had to make reconnaissance missions. The data he received during the flights was always confirmed and helped to destroy significant enemy forces. So in January 1943, at the Krasnodar airfield, the pilot managed to find enemy aircraft numbering about fifty units. After an urgent report from Pavel about the find, the Soviet attack aircraft that took off were able to destroy about two dozen fascist aircraft. Soon, having appreciated the skill of an experienced pilot, the command appoints Pavel Kamozin as the squadron commander.
Another notable battle took place when Kamozin's group of five fighters, returning to base, found thirteen Junkers flying out to bombard our units. Suddenly attacking enemy aircraft, the pilots forced the Germans to bomb a little earlier than the intended target. As a result, part of the bombs fell on the positions of the Nazis. A confused, scattered group of German planes tried to turn around and leave, but Kamozin had completely different plans. In that battle, he personally shot down one enemy aircraft and knocked out two others. His subordinates quickly got their bearings, too, who disabled two more German bombers.

Co-workers respected and loved Pavel Mikhailovich, admiring his fighting skills. The special audacity and assertiveness of Kamozin in the conduct of air battles always brought results. He did not frighten the Nazis, he beat them with a short aiming burst from close range, shot them point-blank. Soon this handwriting became recognizable in the camp of the enemy, the German pilots shuddered at the very thought of meeting him. The dedication and talent of Kamozin was especially vividly manifested in the fierce battles for the liberation of glorious Sevastopol, when his squadron shot down sixty-four enemy aircraft, and nineteen of them were destroyed by the commander himself.

Here is what one of his colleagues wrote about Kamozin: “He saw very far away. You are flying with him, and he says: “Look, a couple of Fokkers, you look - and you don’t see. And only later a couple appears. And in aviation, whoever saw it first wins. He has more chances. The ability to gain great height. As Pokryshkin said: height, speed, maneuver and fire. If there is an altitude, then any speed can be accelerated. Whoever has height always dives and gains speed. And since there is speed, then any maneuver can be done at the expense of it ... ”.

The day of December 31, 1943 became significant for Pavel Mikhailovich. Kamozin and his permanent wingman Vladimir Ladykin, who had taken off for reconnaissance, were already returning home, but they noticed a group of six German Me-109 fighters accompanying a transport plane in the area of ​​the village of Seven Kolodezey. The thought immediately arose in Paul's head that such an honor would not have been awarded to an ordinary load. Having approached at maximum speed and not allowing the guarding "messengers" to come to their senses, Kamozin walked in a long line over the guarded transport vehicle, which immediately banked and began to fall. And two Soviet fighters quickly disappeared into the evening sky. And only three months later, Pavel learned that on board the plane he had shot down, German generals were flying to celebrate the New Year, carrying honorary awards for especially distinguished soldiers. The Nazis' holiday was ruined, and mourning was declared in the German troops for several days.

Kamozin's bold attacks and successes could not but go unnoticed in the enemy's camp. The destruction of a group of high-ranking Fritzes overwhelmed the patience of the German command. A real hunt was announced for the brave pilot, according to some sources, one of the most experienced fighters of the "diamond" squadron of Goering, the first pilot in the world who won more than two hundred victories, a pilot named Hermann Graf, was instructed to destroy him. He distinguished himself in battles in the skies of Western and Eastern Europe, his style was characterized by particular aggressiveness and ruthlessness. On account of the "Ace of Diamonds" there were dozens of shot down Soviet aircraft, he commanded an entire tactical school for retraining German pilots arriving from the front. Having learned about the plans of the Nazis, the Soviet commanders hastened to warn Kamozin. The authorities told him directly: “The best pilots from the aerobatics school in Berlin have announced a hunt for you. Colonel Graf was ordered to destroy Chief Lieutenant Kamozin by any means. You are allowed not to fly for ten, fifteen, twenty days, to rest ”. The short, stocky Pavel calmly answered: "Why should he hunt for me, and not I for him, for this Count?" The authorities answered: "We cannot order you, the pilot must make his own decision."

Realizing well that the battle would be far from easy, and the destruction of the Count could significantly affect the morale of German aviators and soldiers, Kamozin began to prepare for a meeting with the enemy, studying his tactics at his leisure, assessing all the known strengths and weaknesses, working with his wards and agreeing with them about all the details of interaction in battle.

And the meeting between Kamozin and the Count did take place. It happened when four Soviet fighters were returning from patrols to their airfield. The Soviet pilots, like the German ones, knew well all the callsigns of especially famous aces like Pokryshkin. Despite the fact that very little was said on the radio when the air battle was going on, everything was "direct." Our ground service managed to warn Pavel in time about the appearance of the Graf, and the pilot decided not to evade the attack. An original and bold plan for the destruction of the enemy has long matured in Paul's head. Leaving a couple of his wingmen behind, he ordered them to climb to a height of six and a half thousand meters and carefully watch around. And he went on. The count gained an altitude of about five thousand meters, Kamozin was three or four hundred meters lower, circling, as close as possible to the enemy. His idea was to expose himself to harm. As the experienced pilot expected, Graf was tempted by the opportunity to follow him, and as soon as the chance presented itself, he immediately attacked the Soviet fighter. Pavel began to leave from under the fire, abruptly, in the manner of Pokryshkin, removed the gas and left the field of vision of the German pilot, who decided that he was continuing to go at high speed. After that, Kamozin made a controlled barrel and went out for a couple of hundred meters in the tail of the Graf's plane, attacking it on the move. Switching attention to defense, the German began to sharply go up, gaining height, but there a pair of Kamozin's slaves were already waiting for him. Seeing them, the Count turned down again, and Paul's fighter pierced the German plane, which began to fall apart right in the air.

For a long time, our pilots considered the German colonel dead, but it turned out that he managed to jump out at low altitude with a parachute. When news of this reached Goering, he sent the pilot an order to return to school with the words: "You cannot be left there anymore, otherwise they will finally be shot down and that's it." And Pavel Kamozin wrote a letter to his family that day: “The time is hot now. Every day, there are intense battles. We have learned to hate the enemy and ruthlessly destroy him. "

The fighting technique that the squadron commander loved to use was always distinguished by daring, overwhelming attacks. Having perfectly mastered all the aerobatics, Kamozin knew how to quickly navigate the current situation and choose the most suitable techniques. He daily improved in his business, the high skill of the pilot helped not only to successfully fight a dangerous, insidious and well-prepared enemy, but also more than once saved the lives of his comrades. In one of the battles, the young commander's charge, Lieutenant Toichkin, missed the moment when one of the enemy's "messengers" settled in the tail of his plane and prepared for an attack. But Kamozin managed to open fire a moment before the Germans and thereby saved the pilot's life. After this air battle, Pavel was presented to the Order of the Patriotic War of the 1st degree. At the beginning of the winter of 1944, in fierce battles with German aircraft, the pilot managed to shoot down two more German aces. By the summer of 1944, in the individual standings of Pavel Kamozin, who had already become captain, there were twenty-nine enemy aircraft shot down, thirteen units were destroyed by groups with his participation. At that time, he conducted fifty-six air battles and made one hundred and thirty-one sorties. For high merits on July 1, 1944, the government presented him to the second "Golden Star" of the Hero.

In early 1944, the army newspaper Krylya Sovetov wrote a commendable article about the heroic pilot, trying to analyze what Pavel's strength is and why he fights more successfully than others. At the end of the article, it was noted that "every fighter should be equal to Kamozin, whose keen eye always manages to be the first to find the enemy."

However, among the valiant and victorious pages of the biography of the brave fighter, there were both difficult periods and outright failures. A couple of times he had to land a burning car, barely reaching his territory. Once he "splashed down" a shot down fighter into the water at sea. He was rescued by the staff of the medical post located on the Tuzlinskaya spit. There was also nosing (turning the fighter onto its back over the warhead) on the runway split by shells. Miraculously surviving, Pavel always managed to find ways out of even the most difficult situations, analyze what happened to him and draw the right conclusions. And as if, ironically, he could not find a common language only with his superiors. And during the war years in the flight troops there was an order to punish pilots for the slightest violation of discipline, regardless of their merits, up to and including dismissal from the army. In 1944, the immediate leadership wrote a memo to Pavel, after which he was first removed from the position of squadron commander, and later, after the war, he was completely dismissed from the army.

On January 20, 1945, Pavel Kamozin in his "Aircobra" suffered another accident, the engine stalled, and the car slowly fell to the ground. The pilot was fantastically lucky, he survived, but received very serious injuries to his lower body, which threatened him with amputation of his left leg. However, risking his life, Pavel Mikhailovich insisted on preserving the limb, his willpower helped to avoid the operation, after which he would have remained a cripple. Kamozin met the victorious May day in the hospital ward.

After the end of the war, since 1946, Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin continued to work, but already in civil aviation, teaching young pilots. This brave man passed away on November 24, 1983. The hometown of Bryansk remembers its heroic compatriot - a bronze bust of the hero has been installed in one of the parks, and since 1985 the aviation club, in which Kamozin once worked, bears his name. In addition, one of the streets of the city was named after the talented hero-pilot, and a museum of Pavel Kamozin was founded at school number 11.

Fighting on the North Caucasian, Transcaucasian, Southern and other fronts, Pavel Kamozin made about two hundred sorties, won forty-nine victories in merciless air battles: he personally destroyed thirty-six enemy aircraft and thirteen together with his comrades. Many historians claim that thirty-six planes are far from all that were actually shot down by a brilliant pilot ...

Sources of information:
-http: //www.warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp? Hero_id = 1108
-http: //airaces.narod.ru/all1/kamozin1.htm
-http: //www.airwar.ru/history/aces/ace2ww/pilots/kamozin.html
-http: //www.peoples.ru/military/hero/pavel_kamozin/

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The frontline fate of this pilot was bright and unique, like the fate of any great warrior. In its "twist" the intrigue of his military life sometimes resembles the plot of an exciting adventure film.

According to his comrades, Kamozin was an extremely modest man, small in stature, very shy by nature. He used to come to the dining room and sit quietly in a corner. Sits and waits for the waitress to notice him. He himself will never dare to call out to her. But in the air, he was a brave pilot who knew no fear.

The comrades loved and respected Pavel Mikhailovich and there was no man in the regiment who did not admire his combat skills. He somehow boldly and energetically fought air battles and always won victories. His handwriting was quickly recognized by enemy pilots, shuddering at the thought of meeting an air sniper.

Pavel Kamozin was born in the city of Bezhitsa, which is now part of the Bryansk line. After graduating from 6 classes, he entered the FZU, and in 1934, while working as a mechanic at the Krasny Profintern plant, he achieved admission to the flying club. As one of the most gifted counts, he was left there by the pilot-instructor. In 1938 he graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation Pilot School.

Kamozin met the war in parts of the Kiev Special Military District. On June 23, on an I-16 aircraft, he made his first combat flight, was wounded in the foot right through. As part of his unit, he was sent for retraining for the new LaGG-3 fighter, and again his graceful error-free piloting did not go unnoticed: Kamozin was appointed an instructor. He had a chance to return to the front only a year later. He was appointed flight commander.

On October 7, 1942, in the afternoon, the pilots of the 246th IAP had to endure a very tense battle. A mixed group of 5 LaGG-3s of this and a pair of Yak-1s from the 518th IAP flew to cover the troops of the 18th Army. The group was led by the flight commander, junior lieutenant P. M. Kamozin. Two groups approached the patrolling area: below, at an altitude of 2000 meters, a pair of Yak-1 and 500 - 600 meters higher - 5 LaGG-3. Communication between the groups was maintained by radio.

At 14:25, 10 kilometers from the eastern village of Shahumyan, a large group of enemy aircraft was seen: 11 Ju-87 dive bombers, 4 Me-110 fighter-bomber and 6 Me-109 fighters covering them. Kamozin ordered the wingmen to close the formation and prepare for the attack. Five "LaGGs" rushed towards the enemy fighters. Catching the leader of the first pair of "Messers" in sight, Kamozin from 200 meters hit the cockpit and engine of the enemy aircraft from a cannon and a machine gun. The Me-109 capsized and dashed to the ground. Almost immediately, his partner began to fall behind him, shot down by one of Kamozin's wingmen, who, wasting no time, rushed to attack the next pair of Me-109s. Having approached the enemy's plane, he shot it down with a mark with a burst.

Meanwhile, a pair of Yaks attacked the Ju-87s in the bombing circle. Lieutenant S. M. Kolesnikov and senior sergeant F. B. Varfolomeev destroyed the Junkers, but they themselves were shot down. In the midst of the battle, reinforcements approached the enemy: 6 - 7 Me-109 (according to other sources, 15 - 16). Begins what the pilots call a "dump for dogs." The battle formation finally disintegrated, each pilot acted independently. Gradually, the battle turned to bends, where the LaGGs had some advantages over the Me-109. After a well-aimed blow, Toichkina dashed another Messer to the ground like a torch, and soon another flared up. But our pilots also had a hard time. With a sharp decline, junior lieutenant AI Dagayev took his wrecked car towards the sea, senior sergeant KK Pozdnyakov jumped out of the cockpit of the burning LaGG by parachute.

The entire air battle lasted 10 minutes. Despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, Soviet pilots shot down 8 German aircraft (6 Me-109 and 2 Ju-87). In this battle, 3 enemy vehicles were destroyed by Kamozin, 2 by Toichkin and 1 each by Varfolomeev, Kalmykov and Kolesnikov. Our losses are 4 aircraft. Flight commander A. Dagaev did not return.

When Kamozin landed and got out of the cockpit, the regiment commander, Colonel Smirnov, and Pavel firmly approached the plane.

This victory over the enemy instilled confidence in Kamozin in his abilities. His commanding authority was strengthened. Subordinates saw in him a person who can be relied on in difficult times. During the first month of the fighting, Pavel shot down 4 enemy aircraft. Several times he had a chance to fly out on combat missions together with Dmitry Karalash - in the pre-war time a famous test pilot, brave air fighters who earned the title of Hero of the Soviet Union during the war years and died in one of the battles. Pavel Kamozin liked to repeat the words of Lieutenant Colonel Kalarash: "A pilot must have a heart made of steel, then even with a wooden seat back he will not flinch in battle." This was Pavel Kamozin himself ...

Soon after the landmark battle, Kamozin was appointed deputy squadron commander in the 296th IAP. After heavy fighting, the regiment, which had lost a significant part of its military equipment, was sent to the rear for reorganization. And then the fighting began again.

6 Soviet fighters led by Pavel Kamozin accompanied a group of bombers. In the target area, our pilots were attacked by enemy fighters. Despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, Kamozin bravely led his group into battle. One after another followed the attacks of our pilots. Choosing a convenient moment, Pavel rushed to one of the Me-109s. When the command of the commander reached the wingmen: "Cover!" - he was already next to the German. Aiming fire - and "Messer" flew down. And again the attack. Only a few minutes passed, and the second Me-109, engulfed in flames, collapsed to the ground. The wingmen did not lag behind their commander, who at that moment shot down the third enemy vehicle. Having suffered losses, the enemy was forced to withdraw from the battle.

Junior Lieutenant Kamozin performed combat missions not only to cover our attack aircraft and ground troops. He was also a good scout. During the combat work, there was no case that the data delivered to him was not confirmed.

On January 10, 1943, during a reconnaissance flight, Kamozin discovered up to 50 enemy aircraft at an airfield in Krasnodar. He immediately reported this to the command. After a while, our attack aircraft took off. According to the data delivered by Kamozin that day, about 20 enemy aircraft were destroyed.

Once, 5 Soviet fighters, returning from a combat mission, found a group of 13 Junkers on their way to bomb our troops. Junior Lieutenant Kamozin suddenly attacked and scattered enemy aircraft, forcing them to drop bombs on their own troops. "Junkers" began to turn around and leave, but did not have time. With a well-aimed blow, Pavel knocked down one of them and knocked out 2 others. His wingmen shot down 2 more aircraft.

The skill of the pilot grew rapidly, and soon Kamozin was entrusted with the command of the squadron. His military glory multiplied in the battles for the liberation of Sevastopol. The squadron, which he commanded, destroyed 63 enemy aircraft in the sultry Crimean sky. Personally, Pavel Kamozin shot down 12 enemy aircraft.

For exemplary performance of combat missions of the command, courage, courage and heroism shown in the fight against the German fascist invaders, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 1, 1943, Junior Lieutenant Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and the Gold medal Star "(No. 1148) ..

Pavel Kamozin performed many feats during the war. Operational duty officer of the Southern Front headquarters, pilot - instructor, flight commander, deputy squadron commander, squadron commander - this is his track record from the beginning of the war until May 1, 1943, when Kamozin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for military merits.

By the summer of 1943, Senior Lieutenant Kamozin had flown more than 100 combat missions on LaGG-3, scored 17 personal victories - the second result shown in the Soviet Air Force on this type of vehicle (the first was at A. Kulagin).

In the summer of 1943, one of the first in the reserve regiment to master new equipment (the R-39 Airacobra fighter), Pavel obtained permission to go to the front. He was assigned to the 66th Aviation Regiment (329th Fighter Aviation Division, 4th Air Force) and new battles soon began. In the very first combat sortie in a new regiment, on a new Aircobra for himself, Kamozin knocks down an FW-189 - a "frame" hanging over the leading edge, while his plane was seriously damaged by the fierce fire of anti-aircraft artillery, and the pilot landed it on neutral, right at the trenches of their outposts ...

His talent was especially vividly manifested in the battles for the Crimea. Only in the battles for Sevastopol, the pilots of his squadron shot down 64 enemy aircraft, 19 of them wrote down the squadron commander.

At the end of 1943, in a heavy battle over Kerch, he destroyed 2 enemy fighters. The second plane was shot down by a burning car. At low altitude, Kamozin left the plane, tearing the exhaust ring on a parachute, and after a few seconds fell into cold water. He swam out and was picked up by the sailors. On January 12, 1944, in 2 sorties, he managed to destroy 2 Junkers, thereby bringing the number of cars he personally shot down to 30.

Our paratroopers landed in the area of ​​Kerch and Eltingen, still occupied by the enemy. They captured a small bridgehead and established themselves there. This hard-won piece of land was shot through by the enemy, who in any way tried to throw the paratroopers into the sea. Even He-111 bombers appeared from somewhere above the bridgehead, which no one had ever seen at the Crimean airfields.

On the last day of 1943, Pavel Kamozin, together with his wingman Vladimir Ladykin, flew out for reconnaissance. The task before them was to establish the base of the Heinkels. When our pilots were returning to the airfield, over the village of Seven Kolodezey, they noticed a transport plane, which, as in a parade, was going under an escort 6 Me-109. Kamozin immediately had a decision - to attack on the move. Having passed the command to the follower, Pavel rushed to the goal at maximum speed. The security fighters did not have time to come to their senses, as a long line pierced the transporter guarded by them. Smoke, he rolled over and randomly went to the ground. And Kamozin and his partner seemed to dissolve in the deepening evening twilight ...

Only more than 3 months later, after the liberation of Crimea, it became known that there were 18 German generals on board the plane shot down by Kamozin. They carried with them the Iron Crosses, which were to be presented to the most distinguished warriors. But instead of the planned New Year's celebrations and awards, it turned out to be mourning. According to the villagers, the Germans wore black armbands on their sleeves for a whole week ...

With stunning, daring attacks, Captain Kamozin often caught his opponents by surprise. He perfectly mastered the technique of piloting and from any aerobatics he knew how to choose the most profitable at the right time. At times, it seemed that the target itself fell under his smashing tracks.

With each day of the war, Kamozin's combat and command experience was enriched, but he was still distinguished by his modesty and hard work. He strove to use the slightest opportunity to improve his flight and fire skills. How many times has it rescued Kamozin and his comrades in battle! Pavel's comrades recalled how he once saved Lieutenant Toichkin from the inevitable death. The young pilot did not notice how the Messer was attached to his tail. A second, then another - and Toichkin's plane will fly to the ground, engulfed in flames. But the enemy's sighting turn did not follow: at the last moment, the fascist was shot down by Pavel Kamozin. For this feat, the pilot was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree.

Kamozin fought many battles with a numerically superior enemy. Once the five headed by him entered the battle with 27 Me-109 fighters. With the first turn, Pavel knocked down the presenter. Left without a leader, the enemy broke the formation, began to interfere with each other. Kamozin, instantly assessing the situation, decided to bring the battle to a victorious end. Skillfully leading the actions of his subordinates, he achieved his goal - 8 aircraft were destroyed by our pilots in this battle, without losing a single one of theirs!

There were also failures in his life. I had to "splash" the shot down fighter into the sea (it was rescued by a medical post from the Tuzla spit), "pull" a car engulfed in flames behind the front line to the location of my troops, nape on the runway broken by shells and simply fall along with the car after the engine failed ... ... The enemy was strong and cunning, victories were not easy. But Paul knew how to draw the right conclusions from any success or failure, analyze the current situation and choose the right decisions to successfully beat the enemy.

January 12, 1944. On this day, Senior Lieutenant Pavel Kamozin made several combat missions. As always, he appeared at exactly the specified time in the patrol area and, at the first signal from the guidance station, confidently rushed at the enemy. 13 Junkers went in two groups under the cover of 4 Me-109. The first group was attacked in the forehead by Lieutenant Colonel Smirnov, the second in the tail - by Senior Lieutenant Kamozin. The attack of both was crowned with success. And that other was shot down one by one enemy aircraft. After that, Kamozin started a fight with a pair of Me-109s, but they hurried to escape, not accepting the call of the Soviet ace.

In the second sortie, Pavel Kamozin, at the head of a group of fighters, again covered the Soviet ground forces. German bombers decided to pass the front line under the clouds to avoid encountering Soviet fighters. But Pavel Kamozin and his fighting friends were on the alert. They managed to unravel the plan of the enemy and met the Nazis as they emerged from the clouds with well-aimed crushing attacks. Kamozin was the first to attack the flagship of the enemy group and almost point-blank shot him with dagger bursts. "Junkers" caught fire and, rolling onto the wing, flew down. Struck down by the pilot Vladykin, another enemy vehicle fell to the ground. But the battle did not subside, the battle continued.

At this time, the guidance station transmitted to Kamozin: "On low level flight, another group of bombers is going under you. Intercept!" Senior Lieutenant Kamozin rushed to intercept the second group of bombers. On the way, he met 2 "Messers" and attacked one of them on the move. The enemy car caught fire. Then Kamozin rushed to repel the raid of bombers.

On that day, in stubborn and fierce air battles, Pavel Kamozin shot down 2 German cars. On account of the Hero there were 30 personally shot down enemy aircraft. Army newspaper "Wings of the Soviets" these days called on its pages:

"Fighter, fight like Pavel Kamozin! Why does Kamozin fight more successfully than others, what is his strength? It lies in the swiftness of the attack. The chances of victory in battle are with the pilot who is the first to notice the enemy. Kamozin understands this perfectly well. His keen eye is always seeks and is the first to find the enemy. It is with this that the brave pilot creates an advantage over the enemy. "

The newspaper explained that a skillful search for a goal, of course, does not mean victory. She, as you know, does not come herself. It is won by Pavel Kamozin thanks to another remarkable quality - the skill of attack. Persistence in achieving the goal, audacity, exceptional accuracy of fire, skillful maneuver - this is what ensures the success of a brave fighter pilot.

Pavel Kamozin has always been faithful to the tried and tested rule of a fighter - ace: he beat the enemy from close range, with a short aiming burst. He did not frighten the Nazis, but shot them point-blank. This is how he destroyed 5 enemy aircraft in the last battles.

By the middle of the summer of 1944, the squadron commander of the 66th Fighter Aviation Regiment, Captain P.M.Kamozin, made 131 successful combat missions, participated in 56 air battles, in which he personally shot down 29 enemy aircraft and 13 as part of a group.

By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 1, 1944, Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was awarded the second Gold Star medal (No. 23).

In one of the last air battles, Pavel Kamozin found himself in an extremely difficult position. He alone had to go into battle and fight with a group of FW-190 fighters. But even in this position, Kamozin did not defend himself, but attacked, attacked. The Soviet pilot held out in an unequal battle and emerged victorious, shooting down 2 Fokkers.

In 1944, Kamozin was removed from the post of squadron commander of the 66th regiment and transferred to the post of deputy squadron commander in the 101st Guards IAP. Boris Stepanovich Dementyev, a former pilot of this regiment, recalls:

“When we flew to the front at the end of 1944, the weather was lousy. Kamozin and his squadron sat in Bobruisk, and they sat there for a long time. Of course, he had a weakness - he liked to bind him by the collar, but he was a disciplined, competent man, who fought skillfully and bravely, who knew how to manage people.

I remember once he was replaced by a four. We fly up to the front line. From the guidance station they say: "Kamozin, carefully. A couple of" Masses "flew out. -" Okay, let them go. " ". - "I see, let him come in." And not a word more. Usually in battle there are some commands, checkmate, but here it is quiet. I look - where he goes, I don't see the planes yet - it's still far away. A minute and a half pass, and I heard him say: "Look, the" thin "is on fire. You came in, you know ..." And that's it. Then I myself saw a smoky trail. So calmly he took it off.

He was honest and always spoke the truth in the face. This did not like the chief of staff of the regiment, Major Geiko, with whom they constantly quarreled. After the war, there was such an indication that pilots who violate discipline, regardless of their merits, can be dismissed from the army. Apparently, Geiko wrote a memo to Kamozin, and Krasovsky signed an order to fire him under item "e". As one of our pilots said, point "e" means "eat it yourself." This means that you are fired without a pension, and you will not be hired in civilian life. Already in 1948, I personally heard Krasovsky tell the regiment commander Pavlikov that he was deceived and he fired Kamozin, in fact, out of libel. We kept in touch with him. At first, he was not taken anywhere. There was such a bike that he, twice a Hero, sat on the steps of the building of the People's Commissariat of Defense and asked for alms, but when we met with him, he said that this was not the case, but he walked a lot with his superiors. Then he got a job at the Civil Air Fleet. "

Pavel Kamozin fought a lot of air battles as part of the 101st Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment in tandem with Junior Lieutenant V. Maslov (115 sorties, 5 personally shot down planes). In his military life, Kamozin spent more than 60 air battles, defeating the Messers and Fokkers, Junkers and Heinkels.

On January 20, 1945, when performing another combat flight due to a break in the engine connecting rod, the motor of his "Airacobra" stalled, and the car fell to the ground, scraping and falling apart ... uneven, rugged terrain ...

He never fully recovered from the injuries sustained in this accident. Doctors insisted on the amputation of his left leg, but intransigence, courage and willpower allowed Kamozin to avoid this crippling operation. He met Victory Day in the hospital ...

Fighting on the South, Transcaucasian, North Caucasian and other fronts, Major P. M. Kamozin flew about 200 combat missions, won 49 victories in fierce air battles - he shot down 36 enemy aircraft personally and 13 in a group with his comrades. In the group - because he was not only an ace pilot, but also a commander who led young fighters into battle. And 36 enemy aircraft, which were on his personal account, were far from all that he shot down in reality ...

After the war, Pavel Mikhailovich was demobilized. He worked in the Civil Air Force. Conducted social work. He died in Bryansk on November 24, 1983. Buried at the Soviet cemetery.

The people have not forgotten their Hero. A bronze bust of twice Hero of the Soviet Union P.M. Kamozin was installed in Bryansk. In 1985, by a decree of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR, his name was given to the Bryansk Aviation and Sports Club DOSAAF, a member of this club Pavel Mikhailovich was since 1934. One of the streets of the city of Bryansk bears the name of the Hero, and the Museum of the Hero is opened in the city secondary school No. 11.

List of all known victories of the Guard Major P.M. Kamozin:
(From the book by M. Yu. Bykov - "Victory of Stalin's Falcons". Publisher "Yauza - EKSMO", 2008.)

Plan:

Introduction

• 1 Biography
• 2 Combat path in the Great Patriotic War
• 3 Awards
• 4 Memory
Literature
Notes (edit)

Introduction

Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin (July 3 (16), 1917 ( 19170716 ) - November 24, 1983) - Soviet fighter pilot, squadron commander, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, captain.

1. Biography

Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was born on July 16, 1917 in the city of Bezhitsa (now a district of the city of Bryansk) in a working class family.

In 1931 he graduated from 6 classes of school and entered the factory school (FZU). After graduating from college, he worked as a mechanic at the Krasny Profintern plant (now Bryansk Machine-Building Plant OJSC). In 1934 he began to study at the Bezhitsa flying club. In the Red Army since 1937. In 1938 he graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School of Pilots (now the Borisoglebsk Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots), after which he worked as an instructor pilot.

2. Combat path in the Great Patriotic War

The flight commander, junior lieutenant P. M. Kamozin made his first combat sortie in the Great Patriotic War on June 23, 1941, in an I-16 fighter. In this battle he was wounded in the foot. After the hospital, he worked at the headquarters of the 44th Fighter Division.

On August 5, 1941, he was allowed to fly by the medical board and until December 27, 1941 as part of the 275th Bomber Aviation Regiment.

From December 27, 1941 to October 1942, he was a pilot, then an instructor pilot of the 253rd Reserve Aviation Regiment. During this time, not only he himself perfectly mastered the technique of piloting the LaGG-3 aircraft, but also taught and graduated 40 pilots.

After repeated requests, he was sent to the front. From October to December 1942 - flight commander in the 246th Fighter Aviation Regiment. In the very first air battle on the Tuapse direction, near the village of Shaumyan, he personally shot down 3 Hitlerite Me-109 F fighters. Also during October, it knocks down a Do-217 bomber armed with four cannons and six machine guns.

From December 18, 1942 - deputy squadron commander of the 269th Fighter Aviation Regiment.

By the end of March 1943, junior lieutenant Kamozin made 82 sorties to escort bombers, cover troops, reconnaissance and ground attack. In 23 air battles he personally shot down 12 enemy aircraft.

By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 1, 1943, for courage and courage shown in battles with the Nazi invaders, Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

After retraining for the Airacobra aircraft, he was assigned to the 66th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 329th Fighter Division and soon became squadron commander. In the battles for Sevastopol, the pilots of Kamozin's squadron shot down 64 enemy aircraft, 19 of which were personally shot down by the squadron commander.

On December 31, 1943, while returning from aerial reconnaissance, Kamozin discovered an enemy transport aircraft, accompanied by a large number of fighters. He attacked and shot him down. The plane killed 18 German generals who were heading to Sevastopol.

On January 20, 1945, while performing a combat mission, it crashed due to engine failure: the plane crashed, Kamozin was badly injured and was in the hospital for a long time.

In total, during the Great Patriotic War, Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin completed 186 sorties, conducted 90 air battles and personally shot down 35 enemy aircraft (Me-109 - 17, Yu-87 - 10, FV-190 - 2, Me-110 - 1, Do- 217 - 1, FV-189 - 1, Yu-88 - 1, Yu-52 - 1, He-111 - 1). He shot down 13 more planes as part of a group.

After the war, from 1946 he worked in civil aviation. He lived in the city of Bryansk.

3. Awards

• medal "Gold Star" of the Hero of the Soviet Union No. 1148
• medal "Gold Star" of the Hero of the Soviet Union No. 23
• The order of Lenin
• 2 Orders of the Red Banner
• Order of Alexander Nevsky
• Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree
• medals

4. Memory

Honorary Citizen of Bryansk (1966). A bronze bust of P.M. Kamozin (sculptor M.G. Manizer, 1955) was installed in the park near the Palace of Culture of the BMZ. The name of P.M. Kamozin was assigned to the aviation-sports club and the street in Bezhitsa (until 1983 - Hospital). The Museum of the Hero was opened in the Bryansk secondary school No. 11.

Literature

• G.K. Reimers, M.P. Kamozin"Attention! Kamozin is in the sky! " - Bryansk: ZAO "Chitai-Gorod" Publishing House, 2007. ISBN 978-5-901-964-47-7

Categories: Alphabetically, Cavaliers of the Order of the Red Banner, Cavaliers of the Order of Lenin, Born in 1917, Cavaliers of the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, Awarded the medal Thirty years of victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941 1945, Awarded with the medal 60 years of the Armed Forces of the USSR,

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Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin (July 3 / July 16 ( 19170716 ) - November 24) - Soviet fighter pilot, squadron commander, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, captain.

Biography

Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was born on July 16, 1917 in the city of Bezhitsa (now a district of the city of Bryansk) in a working class family. In 1931 he graduated from the 6th grade of the school and entered the school of factory apprenticeship (FZU). After graduating from college, he worked as a mechanic at the Krasny Profintern plant (now Bryansk Machine-Building Plant OJSC). In 1934 he began to study at the Bezhitsa flying club. In the Red Army since 1937. In 1938 he graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School of Pilots (now the Borisoglebsk Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots), after which he worked as an instructor pilot.

Combat path in the Great Patriotic War

The flight commander, junior lieutenant P. M. Kamozin made his first sortie in the Great Patriotic War on June 23, 1941, in an I-16 fighter. In this battle he was wounded in the foot. After the hospital he worked at the headquarters of the 44th Fighter Division.

On August 5, 1941, he was allowed to fly by the medical board and until December 27, 1941 he served in the 275th Bomber Aviation Regiment.

From December 27, 1941 to October 1942, he was a pilot, then an instructor pilot of the 253rd Reserve Aviation Regiment. During this time, not only he himself perfectly mastered the technique of piloting the LaGG-3 aircraft, but also taught and graduated 40 pilots.

After repeated requests, he was sent to the front. From October to December 1942 - flight commander in the 246th Fighter Aviation Regiment. In the very first air battle on the Tuapse direction near the village of Shaumyan, he personally shot down 3 German Bf-109 F fighters. Also during October, it knocks down a Do-217 bomber armed with four cannons and six machine guns.

From December 18, 1942 - deputy squadron commander of the 269th Fighter Aviation Regiment.

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An excerpt characterizing Kamozin, Pavel Mikhailovich