Kapitan Sergey S Shchirov
 

This pilot flew with the 18, 518 and 267 IAP during WW2. Post-war he appears to have fallen foul of the dreaded Beria and was possibly executed. Does anyone know the details of his flying career? He flew Yak-1 and Yak-3, was a Captain by 1943 and a squadron commander the following year. He is credited with 18 or 21 victories. In Stalin's Falcons he is credited with 18 victories by January 1943, but seems to have been flying in combat for some time after this.

regards

Keith

Re: Kapitan Sergey S Shchirov
 

Just found more information on him. He was imprisoned but later released after Beria's fall. Apparently he joined the 267 IAP in 1944 after falling foul of Beria. He chose to return to combat flying despite being offered a staff post. Russian ace lists have him with 18 kills, his Yak-3 shows 21.