Heroic pilot Nikolai Dmitrievich Gulaev. Gulaev Nikolai Dmitrievich - the best sniper pilot of the twentieth century

Born on February 26, 1918 in the village of Aksai, now the city of Aksai, Rostov region, in a working-class family. He graduated from 7 classes of junior high school and a factory school. For some time he worked as a mechanic at one of the Rostov factories. In the evenings I studied at the flying club. In the Red Army since 1938. He graduated from the Stalingrad Military Aviation School in 1940.

Since July 1942, Lieutenant N.D. Gulaev has been in the active army. Until May 1942 he served in the 423rd IAP; to January 1943 - in the 487th IAP; from February to August 1944 - in the 27th IAP (129th Guards IAP).

Historians of military art call Gulaev “the best sniper pilot twentieth century,” meticulously calculating that for 57 personally shot down enemy aircraft, he spent 69 air battles (effectiveness - 0.82). For Kozhedub it was 0.51, and for the much-touted German ace Hartmann it was 0.4. Another achievement of Gulaev will remain unshakable, apparently forever: 42 victories in a row in 42 fights. According to the testimony of his colleagues, he had much more actual victories, but he “gave them away” to family comrades whose children were starving in the rear: after all, they paid well for downed enemy planes back then. Landing after a successful battle, he sometimes said: “Chalk up the downed fascist to my wingman, he was the one who destroyed him.”

Vyacheslav Vorobyov,
Professor of the State Academy of Slavic Culture

By July 1943, deputy squadron commander of the 27th Air Defense Fighter Aviation Regiment (205th Fighter Aviation Division, 7th Fighter Aviation Corps, 2nd Air Army, Voronezh Front) Senior Lieutenant N.D. Gulaev made 95 combat missions, He personally destroyed 13 enemy aircraft and 5 in a group with his comrades.

On September 28, 1943, for the courage and bravery shown in battles with enemies, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

On July 1, 1944, for 125 successful sorties and 42 air battles, in which 42 enemy aircraft were shot down personally and 3 in a group, squadron commander of the 129th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (205th Fighter Aviation Division, 7th Fighter Air Corps, 5 1st Air Army, 2nd Ukrainian Front) Guard Captain N.D. Gulaev was awarded the second Gold Star medal.

After the war, he held command positions in the Air Defense Forces. He was one of the first to master the control of a jet aircraft. In 1950 he graduated from the Air Force Engineering Academy named after. Zhukovsky, and in 1960 - the Military Academy of the General Staff. In 1956 he was a delegate to the 20th Congress of the CPSU. Since 1972, the General has been an aviation colonel. Since 1979 - retired. Lived in Moscow. Died September 27, 1985.

Awarded the orders of: Lenin (twice), October Revolution, Red Banner (four times), Patriotic War 1st degree (twice), Red Star (twice); medals. A bronze bust is installed in his homeland, a memorial plaque is in Rostov-on-Don.

Even among far from ordinary fighter pilots, the figure of Nikolai Gulaev stands out for its colorfulness. Only he, a man of unparalleled courage, managed to carry out 10 highly effective battles, winning 2 of his victories by ramming. His modesty in public and in self-esteem was discordant with his exceptionally persistent, aggressive manner of conducting air combat, and he carried his honesty and openness with boyish spontaneity throughout his life, retaining some youthful prejudices to the end.

In 1918, the first child was born to the family of a mechanic at the Krasny Aksai plant, Dmitry Semenovich Gulaev. The son was named Nikolai. He grew up inquisitive, persistent, loved sports and was fond of swimming. He often competed in competitions for the honor of his school. What distinguished Nikolai from his peers was his enormous diligence. He loved his father very much and imitated him in everything. And Dmitry Semyonovich was a good worker, one of the factory’s leading workers.

When Nikolai graduated from school, there was no problem choosing a life path. He firmly decided, like his father, to become a mechanic. Having gone to Rostov-on-Don, he was admitted to the FZU school. After studying for 2 years and receiving the profession of a mechanic, Nikolai went to work at the Rostov Emalposuda plant.

While still studying at the college, the young man became interested in aviation sports and at the very end of his studies he applied to the flying club. When he came to the plant, he did not give up his hobby and after his work shift he regularly went to classes. Apparently, during this period, the young worker had a desire to become a professional pilot. The plant helped him, and in 1938 Gulaev left to study at a military aviation school. In December 1940, having graduated with the rank of Junior Lieutenant, he arrived for further service in the 423rd Air Regiment. A few months later, near Mogilev, the young pilot will receive the news of the beginning of the war.

But he did not have to enter the battle immediately. By order of the commander, he flew to another airfield to receive new, more advanced aircraft, and then took up the air defense of an industrial center far from the front line. In March 1942, Nikolai Gulaev, among the 10 best pilots, was sent to the defense of Borisoglebsk. There, the main enemy air raids took place at night, and he had to retrain for night work.

In June 1942, Gulaev was transferred to the 487th Air Regiment, where soon, on August 3, 1942, he took part in his first battle. He won his first victory without orders, taking off at night for the first time in his life, amid the howl of an air raid raid and encouraging remarks from mechanics. He got lucky. Against the background of the lunar sky, he saw silhouettes familiar from the tables and diagrams - Heinkels. Speeding up the engine of his "Yak", he approached the enemy vehicle so that the flaming engine exhaust became clearly visible, and pressed the triggers. The turn turned out to be successful: the track sparkled with fast red arrows, suddenly blossoming into a growing fiery tail in the night. The bomber slid onto the wing, which was spewing out crimson clouds of burning fuel, and, spinning randomly, rushed to the ground... The commander's reaction to his victory was extraordinary: Nikolai was announced a punishment and presented with a reward. Thus began one of the brightest military destinies in our aviation.

It was everyday fighting. Gulaev gained experience. Now he acted more competently, boldly and decisively. One day, a group of fighters under the command of Gulaev, flying out on patrol, met more than 20 Ju-87s going without cover to attack our troops. In the ensuing battle, Nikolai shot down the leader of the enemy group, and his pilots shot down 2 more planes. The rest began to hastily flee behind the front line, randomly dropping bombs. A little later, a new group of Ju-87s appeared - 36 aircraft, now guarded by 18 Me-109s. Despite the enemy's huge advantage in strength, our pilots attacked them, crashed into a Ju-87 formation and shot down 5 enemy aircraft, forcing the rest to flee.

In February 1943, after completing the flight commander course, Lieutenant N.D. Gulaev was sent to the 27th Fighter Aviation Regiment. As part of this regiment, he lived his “stellar” year, shooting down more than 50 enemy vehicles in the air, “creating” a dozen aces, becoming twice a Hero of the Soviet Union.

It is not customary to talk about Gulaev’s “school,” but his special, inspired and risky, outwardly completely devoid of any practicality, manner of fighting makes him at least a “symbol” of the romantic trend in the art of aerial combat. Like no one else, he knew how to be effective: on May 30, 1944, he shot down 5 planes; twice (07/5/1943, 04/25/1944) he scored 4 victories per day, three more times (07/7/1943, 07/12/1943, 04/18/1944) he destroyed 3 aircraft and in 6 battles (05/14/1943, 10/24/1943, 10/28/1943, 12/15/1943, 12/17/1943, 01/8/1944) did a double. It has 8 twin-engine bombers (5 He-111 and 4 Ju-88), 3 “frame” FW-189 spotters, 14 “Stuka” Ju-87 dive bombers. Such a significant distribution of trophies is not typical for front-line aviation pilots, whose list of victories was mainly made up of fighter aircraft.

Pilot of the 27th Fighter Aviation Regiment (205th Fighter Aviation Division, 2nd Air Army, Voronezh Front) Senior Lieutenant N.D. Gulaev especially distinguished himself at the Kursk Bulge in the Belgorod region. On the eve of the Battle of Kursk, the Luftwaffe concentrated about 1,000 aircraft there to support its 4th Panzer Army under General Hoth and Task Force Kempf. Along with new armored vehicles, the Wehrmacht for the first time widely used the latest FW-190 A-4, A-5 and A-6 fighters, which usually carried 4 - 6 cannons and 2 machine guns.

In the first battle on May 14, 1943, repelling a raid on the Grushka airfield, Nikolai single-handedly entered into battle with 3 Ju-87 bombers, covered by 4 Me-109s. Having accelerated the plane at low altitude, Nikolai made a “slide” and, approaching the lead bomber, shot it down in the first burst.

The shooter of the second Junkers opened fire on him. Then Gulaev shot him down too. He tried to attack the third, but ran out of ammunition, and then Nikolai decided to ram him. With the left wing of his Yak-1, he hit the right plane of the Junkers and it fell apart. The uncontrollable fighter went into a tailspin. After several attempts, Gulaev managed to level the plane and land it at the leading edge.

The infantrymen of the 52nd Infantry Division - witnesses to this heroic feat - carried the pilot out of the cockpit in their arms, thinking that he was wounded. But the brave fighter did not receive a single scratch. They took the pilot to the airfield in their car.

Arriving at the regiment, Nikolai Dmitrievich did not say a single word about the feat accomplished. Only a few hours later, from a report from the infantrymen, the aviators learned about his courage. At the meeting dedicated to this event, Gulaev did not say much:

In my place, each of you would do exactly the same. It’s just a pity that he remained “horseless”...

The commander immediately ordered the pilot to be given a new car, and on the same day he again participated in the battle... For this feat, N.D. Gulaev was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

The awareness of his own authority not only strengthened his confidence, but significantly increased his internal discipline and self-control, and increased his demands on himself. He carefully studied the literature that came into his hands, if time permitted, he could spend hours discussing the vicissitudes of conducted or imagined air battles. Now he wins victories in every second of his interceptions: on May 22 he shoots down a Ju-88, on the 29th - a Ju-87, on June 8 and 25 - 2 Me-109s.

Gulaev marked the beginning of the Battle of Kursk, which became the bloodiest day of the Second World War, with 4 personal victories won in 6 sorties to cover airfields. The next day, Gulaev shot down an FW-190, on July 7 - a Ju-87, as well as an Hs-126 and FW-189, recorded as group victories, on the 8th - an Me-109, on the 12th - 2 Ju-87s. On July 12, Nikolai Gulaev made his “double”, having already been appointed commander of the 2nd squadron of the 27th fighter aviation regiment.

One day, four fighters, led by Gulaev, had a very successful battle. Suddenly and boldly they attacked a large group of 100 enemy aircraft. Having disrupted the battle formation, shooting down 4 bombers and 2 fighters, all four returned safely to their airfield. On the same day, Gulaev’s unit made several combat missions and destroyed 16 enemy aircraft. On July 9, in the Belgorod area, Nikolai Gulaev made his second ram and again landed safely by parachute. In total, on the Kursk Bulge, he destroyed 17 enemy aircraft.

By mid-July, when the greatly depleted regiment was withdrawn from the front for replenishment and rearmament, its flight record book stated that by that time it had made 147 landings on the Yak-1 and 4 landings on the Yak-7.

On August 9, 1943, after a brief briefing, he made his first flight in an Airacobra. On the very first combat mission in the new vehicle, Nikolai destroyed another Laptezhnik, two days later he shot down a Ju-88 with a powerful burst into the cockpit, the next day - 2 Me-109, October 29 - another Messer and ended the month by shooting down a modified Ne- 111 with enhanced weapons and armor. Let us note that Gulaev did not win all his victories in the “free hunt” mode: most of his combat sorties were recorded as covering ground troops, less often - airfields or crossings; he also officially has up to 10 interceptions and reconnaissance missions.

On September 28, 1943, for the courage and courage shown in battles with enemies, Nikolai Dmitrievich Gulaev was awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union. By that time, he already had 27 enemy aircraft shot down. At a meeting in the regiment, Hero gave his comrades his word to double this number. In the front-line newspaper "Wings of Victory" Nikolai published a series of articles about best practices. In one of them he wrote:

“Even though you have won several victories, do not think that you have already achieved perfection, that you have become a first-class fighter pilot. While you are sitting and self-confidently counting your victories, the enemy will overtake you, he will find something new that you missed due to your arrogance, and in the next in a duel he will catch you in a cunning maneuver."

Do not rest on your laurels, constantly and persistently improve - this is what Nikolai Gulaev called his comrades to do. And he himself served as an example of a creatively thinking air combat master.

In November 1943, from the Zelenaya airfield, not far from Pyatikhatki, he managed to destroy 2 reconnaissance spotter FW-189 “frames” that were especially hated by the soldiers and on the last day of the month shot down his 3rd Heinkel-111. In the New Year's battles for Kirovograd, Gulaev won 3 double victories and shot down another Ju-88.

At the beginning of 1944, Gulaev became a squadron commander and took part in the liberation of Right Bank Ukraine. On January 8, four fighters under his command, covering ground troops, attacked a large group of enemy bombers and fighters (up to 50 aircraft). Using cloud cover, our pilots suddenly shot down 4 German planes from the very first attack. In this short-lived battle, Nikolai Gulaev destroyed 2 enemy vehicles.

He also fought a remarkable battle in the spring of 1944. In those days, troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front crossed the Prut River and created a bridgehead on its western bank. On March 5, six Airacobras under the command of Gulaev flew out to cover our ground forces. Soon the pilots discovered a large group of enemy aircraft. The bombers marched in three nines in a wedge formation, guarded by 8 fighters. The command came from the ground: “Intercept the enemy and under no circumstances allow him to reach our defense line.”

Having assessed the situation, Gulaev made a daring decision: he himself, as part of two pairs, would attack the bombers, and Pyotr Nikiforov’s pair would engage the covering fighters in battle, thereby facilitating the execution of the main task - the destruction of the bombers.

Yes, it was a risk, but a sober risk, based on precise calculations and the confidence of the squadron commander N.D. Gulaev in the skill of his subordinates, in their courage.

The task assigned to the leader of the pair, Nikiforov, was especially difficult. The success of the planned battle depended on how it was carried out. But Gulaev knew Nikiforov’s skill very well and relied on him. And not in vain. This couple did a great job. She boldly attacked enemy fighters and engaged them in battle. The enemy quickly became unable to provide cover for his bombers.

Meanwhile, Gulaev and his wingmen quickly crashed into the battle formations of the bombers and, one after another, set fire to 3 enemy aircraft. Coming out of the attack, Nikolai saw the enemy in a panic throwing bombs anywhere and turning back. Taking advantage of the enemy's confusion, the four made a second approach to the departing aircraft.

In this battle, in 4 minutes of battle, our pilots destroyed 11 enemy vehicles, 5 of them personally by Gulaev. The main task - to prevent the enemy from dropping bombs on our troops - was successfully completed.
During the Korsun - Shevchenko operation and near Uman, he shot down an Me-109, FW-189 and a transport Ju-52.

In March 1944, Guard Captain N.D. Gulaev was granted leave to travel to his homeland... His mother and sister survived the occupation, but his father, a quiet man who was always busy with housework, was hanged by the Nazis.

The previously cheerful and mischievous squadron commander returned to his unit gloomy and unsociable. In April 1944, he was especially indomitable; never before had he sought meetings with the enemy with such tenacity and fury, and never before or after this period had he managed to shoot down 10 enemy aircraft in 2 weeks. At the same time, he carried out 2 of his super-effective battles: on April 18, covering ground troops in the Cher area, he shot down 2 Ju-87s and Me-109s, and on the 25th, near Dubossary, he pretty much pinched the Fokkers, destroying 4 enemy vehicles. This is how Gulaev himself recalled this fight a year later:

“At 15:30, 6 Airacobra aircraft took off under my command to cover ground troops in the area of ​​the bridgehead. Having gained an altitude of about 4000 meters along the route, I arrived in the given area and established contact with the guidance radio station. When performing the task, I walked with the right around, going 10 kilometers deep into enemy territory.

Having made two circles and passed with a heading of 260 - 270°, I discovered a group of aircraft flying under the clouds with a heading of 90°, at an altitude of 2000 to 2500 meters in a column formation consisting of three nines. The battle formation of the nines was a wedge. Above and behind us were, apparently belatedly, 8 Me-109s. Having caught up on oncoming courses, I attacked one group with two pairs with a right turn at an angle of 2/4 from a distance of 150 - 200 meters and shot down one FW-190. When exiting the attack with a combat turn to the right, I again attacked the FW-190, which caught fire and went into a steep dive towards the ground.

Due to the surprise of the attack, the first nine lost 4 FW-190s: I shot down 2 and one each by Lieutenant Bookchin, my wingman, and Senior Lieutenant Kozlov. The enemy, seeing the burning planes, began to leave with a right turn with a heading of 230 - 250°. When turning around, one plane turned on my stomach, I opened fire with lightning speed and shot down the 3rd FW-190...

At the same time, I saw a burning Me-109, shot down by Captain Nikiforov. Soon, scattered enemy planes and pairs began to approach the site of the air battle again. But the enemy, apparently, had little faith in their own strength, since the FW-190 aircraft had 37-mm outboard cannons, which did not allow them to fight on vertical lines, but forced them to take the defensive. The actions of the German pilots were uncertain; they opened fire from long distances.

Still having superiority in altitude and speed, we continued to fight, despite the imminent depletion of fuel and ammunition. Junior Lieutenant Gurov attacked the Me-109 head-on on a collision course; As a result of the attack, the plane tilted sharply, started smoking, went into a vertical dive and crashed into the ground not far from our radio station. At this time I was attacked by 2 Me-109s from above - from behind; but thanks to my wingman, who warned me in a timely manner, I managed to escape from the impact with a quick movement of the rudders. When leaving towards the clouds, one FW-190 fell on me from the clouds, exposing its tail, as a result of which it was shot down. Thus, another downed plane appeared on my account - the fourth.

The battle was heating up. Senior Lieutenant Kozlov, with an energetic turn, managed to get behind the Me-109 and, from a distance of 100 - 150 meters, light it with a short burst. Junior Lieutenant Akinshin, wingman of Captain Nikiforov, shot down one Me-109 on a turn, from a distance of 50 - 70 meters. Due to the running out of fuel and ammunition, I asked the corps commander for help. The commander, who was at the radio guidance station, lifted 18 Airacobra aircraft into the air from the nearest airfield. Less than 3-4 minutes passed before these planes entered the battle, which made the situation easier for our six.

My ammunition was completely spent, but I did not leave the battle, but made false attacks, scaring the German pilots. My wingman managed to shoot down another FW-190 in one such false attack, following me. Our six returned to their airfield without losses or significant damage... In this air battle, 7 FW-190s and 4 Me-109s were shot down."

When reading the passage, there is a feeling of organic ease with which Gulaev conducts an air battle. Everything flows as if by itself: “one plane exposed my stomach,” another “fell out of the clouds, exposing its tail,” and one manages to escape from the blow of a pair of Me-109s with “a quick movement of the rudders.” This external lightness is probably a manifestation of the highest skill and art, be it an air battle, a piece of music or a sports match.

Short, strong (due to his athletic training), with golden eyes, agile “like mercury,” quick with a sharp word and always ready for daring youth, Nikolai Gulaev was a born air fighter. His exceptional talent was even more fully manifested in a highly organized and strong regiment, which was the 129th Sandomierz Order of Alexander Nevsky and Bohdan Khmelnitsky Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. The regiment's pilots shot down about 500 enemy aircraft in air battles, among them were 13 Heroes of the Soviet Union. The regiment was commanded by famous aces - V. I. Bobrov, and from February 1944 - V. A. Figichev.

Gulaev was constantly looking for new methods of air combat, fought bravely, imposing his will on the enemy. He often took risks based on a solid knowledge of technology and tactics, and precise calculations. Many times he had the opportunity to accompany groups of our bombers flying on missions deep behind enemy lines.

The aviation regiment was located at the field airfield of Right Bank Ukraine. It was warm spring days. One morning a German fighter appeared over the airfield. As soon as our planes took off, he flew away without accepting the fight. And the next day at the same time he appeared again. And again he quickly flew away, seeing our planes. This went on for 3 - 4 days. At the same time, the German pilot always appeared with special precision: exactly at 11 o’clock.

The regiment commander summoned Gulaev and demanded an end to the German pilot’s morning walks. Nikolai decided to shoot him down at any cost. In the morning I went to my plane and at 10:50 am I started the engine. He took off, gained altitude and, moving a little to the side, began to wait.

At exactly 11:00 an uninvited guest appeared over the airfield. Gulaev rushed at the enemy, pointing the car directly at the head. The distance was quickly closing. The enemy was the first to falter - he turned sharply to the side, but did not retreat. Turning sharply, Gulaev tried to take an advantageous position and get behind the enemy. Failed. Skillfully performing various maneuvers, he escaped the attack. Chasing each other, the planes either soared skyward or went into a dive.

Finally, Gulaev managed to construct his maneuver in such a way that he ended up in the enemy’s tail. The “Ace of Spades”, painted on the side of the enemy plane, appeared in the crosshairs. Fire! And the enemy plane, sharply nodding, fell down. But the pilot managed to jump out with a parachute almost at the very ground. Nikolai circled him until he landed. It was 11:14 am.

After some time, the German pilot was taken to headquarters. It turned out to be the Colonel, on whose jacket there were four Iron Crosses. He turned out to be quite talkative: “I was in France, Italy. I was lucky everywhere, but here, on the Russian front, I was shot down. I would like to see the one who did it...” They called Gulaev. The German ace expected to see a giant, a kind of “Russian bear”, and in front of him stood a young, not very tall man...

On May 30, 1944, over Skuleni, N.D. Gulaev shoots down 5 enemy aircraft in one day: Hs-126, 2 Me-109, Ju-88 and Ju-87. At the same time, he shot down a Ju-87 and a Me-109 in one attack with his “signature move”: sharply turning the Cobra after a deadly burst at the Junkers to meet the fighter attacking it. He himself was seriously wounded in the right arm; concentrating all his strength and will, he managed to bring the fighter to his airfield, taxied to the parking lot and lost consciousness. He came to his senses only in the hospital, after the operation. Here I learned that he had been awarded the title of twice Hero of the Soviet Union.

Nikolai Gulaev made his last combat flight from the Turbya airfield in Poland on August 14, 1944, already as a Guard major, navigator of the 129th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. The day before, for 3 days in a row - August 10, 11, 12, he shot down one plane each in battle.

At the beginning of September 1944, N.D. Gulaev was forcibly sent to study. The outcome of the war was already clear to everyone, and they tried to protect the famous aces by ordering them to the Air Force Academy. Thus, the war ended unexpectedly for him...

According to official data from the Guard, Major N.D. Gulaev completed 250 combat missions. In 49 air battles he shot down 57 aircraft personally and 3 in a group. [ M. Yu. Bykov in his research points to 55 personal and 5 group victories. ] Its “productivity”, 4 sorties per shot down, became one of the highest in Soviet fighter aviation.

The brave air fighter fought on the Stalingrad, Voronezh, 1st and 2nd Ukrainian fronts. He took part in the battles of Stalingrad, Belgorod, on the Oryol-Kursk Bulge, and liberated Right Bank Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Romania, and Czechoslovakia. He was an ordinary pilot, flight commander, deputy commander and squadron commander, regiment navigator, deputy regiment commander.

After the end of the war, Nikolai Dmitrievich continued to serve in aviation. In 1950 he graduated from the Air Force Academy. He commanded a regiment and, from 1954, an aviation division in Yaroslavl, then in Yelets.

Gulaev knew Vladimir Vysotsky well; he, at the invitation of the commander, spoke in 1968 at the Army House of Officers in Arkhangelsk, which was greatly disapproved of by big people in the party power. There is a version that his famous songs “Death of a Fighter (I am the Yak Fighter...)” and “Song

In 1960 he graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff. In 1961, he was appointed commander of the corps in Rzhev, and in 1964 - 1974 he commanded the 10th Air Army, based near Arkhangelsk. In 1972, he was awarded the rank of Colonel General of Aviation. In 1974, N.D. Gulaev was appointed head of combat training of the country's air defense forces.

He mastered many types of jet combat vehicles. He flew the MiG-21 until 1967, until P. Batitsky, at that time the commander-in-chief of the country's air defense, forbade him to fly. In 1979, N.D. Gulaev was dismissed. A talented military leader, he did not come to court at a time when it was not business qualities that were valued at the top. Having a hard time experiencing his removal from service, he died in Moscow on September 27, 1985.

February 26, 2018 marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nikolai Dmitrievich Gulaev, the famous fighter pilot, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, the third of the Soviet aces in terms of the number of personally shot down aircraft during the Great Patriotic War. He had 55, according to other sources, 57 personal victories, and another 5 victories in the group. It so happens that today much less is known about Gulaev than about two other famous Soviet fighter pilots: Ivan Kozhedub and Alexander Pokryshkin.

And if in terms of the number of personally shot down planes Nikolai Gulaev was inferior to some Soviet aces, then in terms of his efficiency - the ratio of the number of enemy planes shot down to the number of air battles conducted - he was the best fighter pilot of the Second World War among all the warring countries. According to researchers' calculations, for Ivan Kozhedub this efficiency indicator was 0.5, for the famous German ace Eric Hartmann - 0.4, while for Gulaev - 0.8. Almost every air battle he carried out ended with an enemy plane being shot down. Nikolai Gulaev was an extremely productive Soviet ace. Three times in one day he managed to shoot down 4 enemy aircraft at once, twice - 3 aircraft and 7 times - two enemy vehicles per day.

The future ace pilot Nikolai Gulaev was born on February 26, 1918 in the village of Aksayskaya (today it is the city of Aksay in the Rostov region) into a family of ordinary workers, Russian by nationality. After graduating from 7 classes of junior high school and the FZU (factory apprenticeship) school, Gulaev worked for some time as a mechanic at a factory in Rostov. At the same time, like many Soviet young men, Nikolai Gulaev became imbued with a love of the sky; during the day he worked at the enterprise, and in the evenings he attended classes at the flying club. In many ways, these activities predetermined his future fate.

In 1938, Gulaev was drafted into the Red Army, and classes at the flying club helped him in the army. He was sent for further training to the Stalingrad Aviation School, which he successfully graduated in 1940. The future ace pilot met the Great Patriotic War as part of the air defense aviation. The regiment in which Gulaev served provided protection to an industrial facility located far from the front line, so his combat debut was postponed until August 1942.

The first star on board Gulaev's fighter appeared on August 3, 1942. He shot down his first plane in the sky near Stalingrad. Already his first combat mission was unusual. The pilot, who at that time did not have permission to fly in the dark, voluntarily took his fighter into the night sky, where he shot down a German Heinkel-111 bomber. In his first battle, in unusual conditions and without the help of searchlights, he shot down an enemy plane. For his unauthorized departure, the young officer was “rewarded” with a reprimand, but was also nominated for an award, and then promoted.

Fighter pilot Nikolai Gulaev especially distinguished himself during the battles in the Kursk Bulge area near Belgorod. Several very successful battles with his participation took place here. In the first battle in this direction on May 14, 1943, repelling an enemy raid on the Grushka airfield, Gulaev single-handedly entered into battle with three Ju-87 dive bombers, which were covered by 4 Me-109 fighters. The Soviet ace approached the lead bomber at low altitude and shot it down with the first burst; the gunner of the second bomber managed to open fire, but Gulaev shot it down too. After that, he tried to attack the third Junkers, but he ran out of ammunition, so he decided to ram the enemy. With the left wing of his Yak-1 fighter, Gulaev hit the right plane of the Ju-87, after which it fell apart. The impact sent the Yak-1 into a tailspin; the pilot managed to return the vehicle to control near the ground and land the plane near the front line at the location of our rifle division. Having arrived at the regiment from a flight in which three bombers were shot down, Nikolai Gulaev again flew out on a combat mission, but on a different plane. For this feat he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

Nikolai Gulaev in January 1944 in his Airacobra

At the beginning of July 1943, four fighters, led by Nikolai Gulaev, carried out a sudden and very bold attack on a large group of enemy aircraft, which included up to 100 aircraft. Having disrupted the enemy's battle formations, the fighter pilots were able to shoot down 4 bombers and 2 fighters, after which all four returned safely to their airfield. On the same day, Gulaev’s flight made several more combat sorties, shooting down a total of 16 enemy aircraft.

Already on July 9, 1943, Nikolai Gulaev made his second air ram in the Belgorod area. After that, he had to leave his plane by parachute. July 1943 turned out to be extremely productive for Gulaev. The following information was recorded in his flight book for this month: July 5 - 6 sorties, 4 victories, July 6 - Focke-Wulf 190 shot down, July 7 - 3 enemy aircraft shot down as part of a group, July 8 - Me -109", July 12 - two Yu-87 bombers were shot down.

A month later, he retrains for the Airacobra fighter, which is new to him, and on his first flight he shoots down a German bomber, and literally two days later another bomb carrier - a Ju-88. Even then it could be said that his list of victories was not typical for the majority of front-line aviation pilots, whose list of victories consisted mainly of enemy fighters. At the same time, it is worth remembering that Nikolai Gulaev was almost never in the so-called “free hunt” mode, which, with the proper skill of the pilots, and Gulaev’s skill was certainly present in abundance, made it possible to significantly increase the score of aerial victories. Gulaev's combat missions were mainly to cover ground targets: airfields, railway junctions, crossings.

Already on September 28, 1943, Senior Lieutenant Nikolai Dmitrievich Gulaev, deputy commander of the 27th Fighter Aviation Regiment (205th Fighter Aviation Division), was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal. By that time, he had already completed 95 combat missions and personally shot down 13 enemy aircraft and 5 more vehicles in the group.

Nikolai Gulaev in the cockpit of his Airacobra

At the beginning of 1944, Gulaev was already commanding a squadron. Together with his pilots, he takes part in the battles for the liberation of Right Bank Ukraine. In the spring of 1944, he conducted his most productive air battle. In the skies over Romania over the Prut River, Nikolai Gulaev, at the head of six P-39 Airacobra fighters, attacks a large group of enemy bombers - 27 aircraft, accompanied by 8 fighters. In four minutes of battle, Soviet pilots shot down 11 enemy aircraft, 5 of which were personally shot down by Nikolai Gulaev.

On May 30, 1944, over Skulany, Nikolai shot down 4 enemy aircraft in one day, while he shot down a Yu-87 bomber and a Me-109 fighter in one battle. In the same battle, the Soviet ace himself was seriously wounded in his right hand. Concentrating all his willpower, he managed to bring the fighter to his airfield, landed the car, taxied to the parking lot and lost consciousness there. The hero came to his senses only in the hospital, where he underwent surgery.

On July 1, 1944, Guard Captain Nikolai Gulaev was awarded the second star of the Hero of the Soviet Union. He learned about the next award after returning from a combat mission. The renowned ace finished his combat work at the front in August 1944, when, despite protests, he was sent to study at the academy. This was the desire of the country’s leadership, who wanted to preserve the color of our aviation, as well as give heroic officers the opportunity to receive an education at the Air Force Academy. By that time, he had already personally shot down 55 enemy aircraft in 69 air battles, which allowed him to set an absolute record for combat effectiveness for a fighter pilot. “He was a truly outstanding pilot,” aviation historian Nikolai Bodrikhin told RIA Novosti reporters. - For example, he won more victories over twin-engine aircraft than anyone else. The same Kozhedub shot down only 5 such aircraft, and Gulaeva had more than 10 “twin-engine” aircraft.

Despite his truly outstanding successes in the sky, Nikolai Gulaev was not able to gain the fame that went to his eminent colleagues - two Soviet aces - Ivan Kozhedub and Alexander Pokryshkin. Historians believe that the difficult character of the hero was largely the reason. Some sources said that Gulaev was already awarded the third star of the Hero of the Soviet Union in 1944, but the performance was canceled because the pilot allegedly caused a brawl in a Moscow restaurant. This did not prevent the hero pilot from graduating from the N. E. Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy in 1950, and from the Military Academy of the General Staff in 1960. Moreover, in the post-war years, Gulaev was one of the first Soviet pilots to master the control of a jet fighter.

After the end of the Great Patriotic War, Nikolai Gulaev commanded an aviation division in Yaroslavl at various times, and then managed to rise to the rank of commander of the 10th Air Defense Army with headquarters in Arkhangelsk. Colleagues of the hero pilot in the 10th Air Defense Army recalled that the general did not perceive his life in the north of the country as an exile and always devoted himself entirely to military service - the volume of tasks assigned to him was enormous. According to the recollections of his colleagues, there were still rumors among the officers of his army that Gulaev had high-ranking ill-wishers in Moscow. He could well have become the commander-in-chief of the air defense forces, but someone was slowing down his career advancement. Perhaps Nikolai Gulaev’s front-line straightforwardness and his reluctance to grovel before his superiors played a role.

Colonel Georgy Madlitsky, a former headquarters officer of the 10th Air Defense Army, noted: “Gulaev had the highest authority, although he did not like to talk about his military exploits. On the one hand, he was a very demanding and tough officer who could not stand idlers and slobs in the army. On the other hand, he treated people with great attention, trying in every way to help them, improve their living conditions and service.” “Just imagine, in 1968 he personally invited Vladimir Vysotsky to our “village”, who spoke at the House of Officers, it was a great and memorable event,” recalls Georgy Madlitsky.

Bust of the hero of the Soviet Union Nikolai Gulaev in the city of Aksai

Nikolai Gulaev commanded the 10th Air Defense Army from 1966 to 1974, by which time he was already a colonel general. In 1974, he was appointed to the post of head of the combat training department of the country's air defense forces. Formally, this could be considered a promotion, but in fact it meant the general’s honorable resignation. This event was preceded by an unpleasant episode. In 1973, Norwegian environmentalists contacted Moscow, reporting that the personnel of the 10th Army were engaged in poaching and shooting polar bears. In fact, according to Georgy Madlitsky, Gulaev gave orders to shoot bears as they approached units after two cases of polar bears attacking soldiers. As a result, Gulaev was summoned to a party commission in Moscow for analysis, where the general again demonstrated his character, unable to restrain himself and declaring: “I ask those who were at the front to stand up.” Only a few rose..."

Colonel General Nikolai Dmitrievich Gulaev retired in 1979 and lived in Moscow. Died on September 27, 1985 at the age of 67. Today, in the hero’s homeland in the city of Aksai, there is a street named after him, and a bust of the hero has been installed in Aksai. Not long ago, veterans of this army installed a memorial plaque on the house in Arkhangelsk, in which the colonel general lived when he headed the 10th Air Defense Army. Every year on May 9, fresh flowers appear near her...

Information sources:
https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20180226/1515171440.html
http://www.aif.ru/society/people/neistovyy_gulaev_..._letchika_vtoroy_mirovoy_voyny
http://gorodskoyportal.ru/news/russia/42611329/
Open source materials

GULAYEV Nikolay Dmitrievich (February 26, 1918, Aksayskaya village, Cherkassy District of the Don Army Region, now the city of Aksay, Rostov Region - September 27, 1985, Moscow) - pilot, twice Hero of the Soviet Union (1943, 1944), Colonel General of Aviation (1972). In February 1955 - September 1958 - commander of the 133rd Air Defense Fighter Aviation Division (Yaroslavl).

Born into a Don Cossack family. Russian. In 1934 he graduated from the 7th grade of school in the village of Aksayskaya, in 1935 - from the FZU school in Rostov-on-Don. In 1935-1938 he worked as a toolmaker at the Rostov enamelware factory. In 1938 he graduated from the Rostov Aero Club.

In the army since December 1938. In December 1940 he graduated from the Stalingrad Military Aviation School. He served in the Air Force as a pilot in a fighter aviation regiment (in the Western Special Military District).

In June 1941 - pilot of the 162nd Fighter Aviation Regiment (Western Front), did not fly combat missions. In July-September 1941, he underwent retraining in the 13th reserve fighter aviation regiment (city of Kuznetsk, Penza region). In April-August 1942 - flight commander of the 423rd Air Defense Fighter Aviation Regiment, in August-October 1942 - flight commander of the 487th Air Defense Fighter Aviation Regiment. On MiG-3 and Yak-7B fighters, he participated in air cover of important strategic facilities in the Gorky and Voronezh-Borisoglebsk air defense regions. In January 1943, he graduated from the advanced training courses for air squadron navigators at the 3rd reserve aviation brigade (city of Saratov).

In May 1943 - August 1944 - deputy commander and commander of an air squadron, navigator of the 27th (from October 1943 - 129th Guards) Fighter Aviation Regiment (205th Fighter Aviation Division, 5th Fighter Aviation Corps, 2nd Air Army ). He fought on the Voronezh, Stepnoy, 2nd and 1st Ukrainian fronts. Participated in the Battle of Kursk and the Battle of the Dnieper, Kirovograd, Korsun-Shevchenko, Uman-Botosha and Lvov-Sandomierz operations. On May 14, 1943, near the village of Kryukovo (Yakovlevsky district, Belgorod region), a Yak-1 fighter rammed an enemy Yu-87 bomber, after which it escaped by parachute. In total, during the war he made 205 combat missions on MiG-3, Yak-7B, Yak-1 and R-39 Airacobra fighters, in 69 air battles he personally shot down 55 (one of them with a ram) and as part of a group of 5 enemy aircraft.

For courage and heroism shown in battles with the Nazi invaders, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of September 28, 1943, to senior lieutenant Gulaev Nikolai Dmitrievich awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 1, 1944, Guard Captain Gulaev Nikolay Dmitrievich awarded the second Gold Star medal.

In 1950 he graduated from the Air Force Academy (Monino). In 1950-1951 - commander of the fighter aviation regiment of the Higher Officer Flight Tactical Courses (city of Taganrog, Rostov Region). From 1951 - senior pilot-inspector for combat training of the Inspectorate of the Air Defense Forces of the Border Line, in June-December 1952 - senior pilot-inspector for piloting techniques of the Main Directorate for the organization of air defense in the countries of people's democracy. In 1952-1955 - senior pilot-inspector of the combat training department of the country's Air Defense Fighter Aviation. In February 1955 - September 1958 - commander of the 133rd Air Defense Fighter Aviation Division (Yaroslavl).

In 1960 he graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff. In May 1960 - December 1963 - commander of the 15th air defense division (city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan), in December 1963 - November 1966 - commander of the 2nd air defense corps (city of Rzhev, now Tver region). From November 1966 - 1st Deputy Commander, and from September 1968 - November 1974 - Commander of the 10th Separate Air Defense Army (Arkhangelsk).

In 1974-1976 - Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the country's Air Defense Forces for combat training, in 1976-1979 - Assistant Commander of the Moscow Air Defense District for armaments. Since November 1979, Colonel General of Aviation N.D. Gulaev has been in reserve.

Deputy of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR of the 8th convocation (1971−1975).

Awarded two Orders of Lenin (09.28.1943; 10.8.1943), the Order of the October Revolution (03.4.1975), 4 Orders of the Red Banner (05.15.1943; 01.21.1944; 04.29.1957; 02.23.1971), 2 Orders of the Patriotic War wars 1 1st degree (10/22/1944; 03/11/1985), 2 Orders of the Red Star (02/22/1955; 10/26/1955), medal “For Military Merit” (06/20/1949), other medals, Romanian Order of Tudor Vladimirescu 2nd degree , foreign medals.

A bronze bust of N. D. Gulaev was installed in the city of Aksai, Rostov region. In the cities of Moscow, Arkhangelsk and Yaroslavl, memorial plaques are installed on the houses in which he lived. A street and a gymnasium in the city of Aksai, as well as a street and a children's health camp in the city of Anapa, Krasnodar Territory, are named after him.

Nikolai Gulaev was one of the three most successful pilots of the Great Patriotic War. There were 57 stars on board his plane. That’s exactly how many enemy vehicles Gulaev shot down. He remained in history as a twice Hero of the Soviet Union. But in fact, Nikolai Dmitrievich was nominated for the 3rd Golden Star.

Departure without permission

Nikolai was the first-born of the Gulaevs, ordinary workers who lived in the village of Aksai, Rostov region. Nikolai, like many of his peers, became interested in airplanes in his youth and even attended classes at a local flying club. When the time came for military service, Gulaev decided to become a pilot. In 1938, he entered the aviation school in Stalingrad. After 2 years, Gulaev graduated from it and met the war with the rank of lieutenant.
It is interesting that Nikolai Gulaev made his first successful flight without even having the appropriate clearance. On an August night in 1942 near Stalingrad, a pilot shot down an enemy plane. Returning back, he first received a reprimand, and then a promotion and reward. How a person with no experience, who had no idea what altitude to gain, was able to destroy an enemy plane in the dark remains a mystery.

The daring character of a twice hero

Meanwhile, it is in the action described above that the pilot’s character is clearly visible. Journalist Sergei Domoroschenov, who studied the biography of the ace, said in one program that Gulaev was distinguished by his impudent disposition. It was this quality that later became the reason for depriving the pilot of the 3rd Golden Star.
For the first time, Gulaev received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and the Gold Star medal in September 1943. By that time, he already had 13 German aircraft on his personal account. A year later, Nikolai Gulaev shot down 42 enemy vehicles and received a second similar award. It is noteworthy that in one of the battles in 4 minutes he destroyed 11 enemy aircraft at once.

Scandal in the capital's restaurant

In the summer of 1944, Gulaev was recalled to Moscow to study at the Air Force Academy. Then, along with Nikolai Dmitrievich, several more equally talented pilots arrived in the capital. By the end of the war, the authorities decided to save their lives for peacetime and subsequent service in leadership positions. Before starting his studies, Gulaev had to receive his 3rd Gold Star. The decree on this had already been promulgated, but the irreconcilable character of the pilot turned out to be stronger than the craving for glory.
According to one of the versions put forward by journalist Andrei Sidorchik, upon arriving in Moscow, Gulaev decided to go with his comrades to the restaurant of the hotel of the same name. However, a restaurant employee informed the pilots that there were no more seats in the hall. To his misfortune, Nikolai Dmitrievich noticed among the visitors Romanian military personnel, who, as you know, were allies of Germany for some time. Gulaev got angry and started a scandal. After the command learned about what had happened, the order to reward the air ace was withdrawn.

After the war

Gulaev graduated from the academy after the war. He lived for several years in Yaroslavl, where he commanded the 133rd Aviation Fighter Division. Since the mid-1960s, Nikolai Dmitrievich led the 10th Air Defense Army in Arkhangelsk, which at that time was considered one of the strongest in the world. In 1979, already being a colonel general, Gulaev resigned. After 6 years, the brilliant pilot passed away.