[Nikita Egorov]

Starting from beginning of the war and up to the end of 1942 people, who was in charge of ideological work had even different rank system. This happened because communist organisation in army had a so colled "two way controll system". Thus, having regimental commander at the head of regiment was not enough and politruk polka (who oftenly had a rank of politruk or starshiy politruk) also supervised ideological work. By the end of 1942 all this "party ranks" were dropped. This was linked to major reorganisation in VVS. All "party ranks" were made ordinary army ranks. As an example "Batalyonnyi Komissar" became "major". Many personalities obtained equal army ranks and became regimental commanders, escadrilya commanders and occupied other command positions. At the same time positions of "political officers" remained and their duties were carried by the same people, who has ideological background or education.
As regards to membership in the communist party. This was cosidered as great honor and surely the majority of commanders were members. Membership also could be given as a sort of award to distinguished pilots. A true hero must be a member of party only in this case his name was subjected to wide spread popularity. Otherwise, and there are lots of examples, real front pilots, who had victories and vast combat experience, but also disciplinary or other "problems" were ignored in terms of awards or commemoration because of their non party status.