Pavel Plotnikov
 4. 3. 1920 - 14. 12. 2000Pavel Plotnikov was a bomber pilot of the 1st Guards Bomber Air Division of the 2nd Ukrainian Front. He was born on March 4, 1920 in Gonba, Altai Territory in a peasant family. Russian. A member of the CPSU (B) since 1944. After graduating from Barnaul School no.27 he worked as an electrical fitter at a railroad car repair plant and at the same time was engaged in a flying club. Joined the Red Army in 1938. In 1940 he graduated from the Military Aviation School. Was as a common pilot when the Great Patriotic War started, then a unit commander and squadron, made 343 sorties. He participated in battles in the South, the Trans-Caucasus, Voronezh, Steppe, 1st and 2nd Ukrainian Fronts. Shot down three enemy planes, sank six military transports, destroyed 7 enemy trains, 3 railway bridges, over two hundred and fifty vehicles, a large number of guns, tanks, and other combat materiel. Deputy Squadron Commander of the 82nd Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment (the 1st Guards Bomber Air Division, the 2nd Guards Bomber Aviation Corps, the 5th Air Army, the 2nd Ukrainian Front), Guards Lieutenant P. Plotnikov made 225 sorties and shot down three enemy planes by May 1944. By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on August 19, 1944 Pavel Plotnikov was awarded the honorary title of Hero of the Soviet Union, the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal (# 4277). Squadron of the 81st Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment (the 1st Guards Bomber Air Division, the 6th Guards Bomber Air Corps, the 2nd Air Army, the 1st Ukrainian Front), Guards Captain Plotnikov made 80 sorties more by March 1945. By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet dated 27 June 1945 for new combat feats, his courage and heroism displayed in battles against the Nazi invaders, Pavel Plotnikov was awarded the second Gold Star medal (# 57). In 1951, P. Plotnikov graduated from the Red Banner Air Force Academy, and in 1960 - the General Staff Academy. Prior to 1975, he served in command and staff positions in the army and the central office of the Soviet Air Force. Lived in Moscow. Died on December 14, 2000. He was buried at Ivankovskoe cemetery in Vidnoe, Moscow region. Air Force Major General (1966), Honored Military Pilot of the USSR (1966). He was awarded the Order of Lenin (1944), three Orders of the Red Banner (1942, 1943, 1955), the Order of Alexander Nevsky (1945), two 1st Class Orders of the Patriotic War (1943, 1985), the Order of the Red Star (1956), and medals. A bronze bust of Hero was installed on Liberty Square in Barnaul in 1953. |