515th IAP and intensity of air combat

[keith A]

This unit made 70 confirmed claims in WW2 according to sources. 34 were claimed in January-February 1945, and 13 in March 1945, leaving just 23 in the period 1942-44, of which according to the information I have Stepan Bahayev had made 10 (including shares)! This makes little sense given that the unit seems to have fought over Stalingrad and in other major combats since 1942. It boast several aces whose individual claimed are in excess of 70. Can anyone explain this?

By the way the aces are Nikolenkov (14), Tyulkin (14), Tryasak (11), Brentses (10), Gubich (9), Kuzmin (7), Maryn (6), Sorokin (6). Given that these are only the aces, this argues that they served in other units before or after 515, or their tallies are suspect and that shared/individual claims have been misreported.

Without the amendment of pilots scoring with other units you reduce the tally to assume the total is the first figure and reduce this by shared victories we are still in excess of 70....?

[Nikita Egorov]

Keith,

According to Bykov-Anokhin all fighters regiments book, 515 IAP's final score was 249 planes destroyed in the air plus 9 on the ground. Devided by years: 1941 - 36 air victories, 1942 - 37, 1943 - 86, 1944 - 38, 1945 - 52 (air) + 9 (ground).

Originally Posted by keith A

This unit made 70 confirmed claims in WW2 according to sources. 34 were claimed in January-February 1945, and 13 in March 1945, leaving just 23 in the period 1942-44, of which according to the information I have Stepan Bahayev had made 10 (including shares)! This makes little sense given that the unit seems to have fought over Stalingrad and in other major combats since 1942. It boast several aces whose individual claimed are in excess of 70. Can anyone explain this?

By the way the aces are Nikolenkov (14), Tyulkin (14), Tryasak (11), Brentses (10), Gubich (9), Kuzmin (7), Maryn (6), Sorokin (6). Given that these are only the aces, this argues that they served in other units before or after 515, or their tallies are suspect and that shared/individual claims have been misreported.

Without the amendment of pilots scoring with other units you reduce the tally to assume the total is the first figure and reduce this by shared victories we are still in excess of 70....?

[keith A]

Many thanks, Nikita

[keith A]

I assumed they weren't in action in 1941 because the accounts indicate thet Stalingrad was their first action. Did they fly Yak-1 in 1941?

[Nikita Egorov]

Keith,

They were in action starting from October 1941, as part of 2 RAG (Reserve Air Group) (Writing from my memory, do not have the book at hand now). 515 IAP's parent 12 IAP started combat activities earlier in summer.
In 1941 they were also equipped with Yak-1s. Resumed flying Yak-1s in 206 IAD and 268 IAD in 1942. Reequipped with Yak-7b as part of 227 ShAD and 294 IAD in 1943.

[keith A]

Blimey! It just shows how out of date our English language sources are! I just wish the Bykov-Anokhov book was available in English. We are crying out for source works but left with pre-cold war stuff which isn't good enough...

[Paul Thompson]

Hello Keith,

I've sent you a PM about this unit.

Regards,

Paul