Pavel Marakulin and Usik

[HGabor]

Sometime in february, 1945 Pavel Marakulin with his gunner, Usik -just like a Japanese Kamikaze- crashed in an approaching German Panther tank with their burning Il-2 Sturmovik near Szekesfehervar to save their belly landed commander's (German Petrovics Odnocenov's) life. The tank exploded with their plane, and Odnocenov with his gunner was saved, returned to the Soviet side. (He was later KIA on March 8, 1945)

For their sacrifice they awarded the Title of the HSU. Both Il-2 planes belonged to the 2nd squadron of the 951st ShAP, 17th VA.

What was the exact date of their death?

Thanks,

Gabor

[Carl-Fredrik Geust]

The date of Jn.Lt. Pavel Alekseyevich Marakulin´s taran at Sekesfehervar was 22 December 1944. He was however not awarded the HSU, but got posthumously "only" the Order of the Patriotic war (2 class), no awards of Sreg. Usik are known. Source: vol.3 of the "taran encyclopedia" published by the Soviet AF Academy in 1984-85,
Carl

[HGabor]

Hi Carl,

thank you so much for this extremely important data. This date helped me to identify the pilots who were involved in this battle form "the other" side. It is so interesting though that this incident happened still in 1944, since so far all of Odnocenov's and Marakulin's biographies I read stated February, 1945, - without the day. (Maybe this was wrong.)

Although it is not related to this particular incident, but please tell me if you have any data on another interesting Taran event (because I couldn't find it listed in the Taran lists I know): La-5 pilot, Nikolay Selivanov from the Soviet 194. IAD rammed a Junkers plane and destroyed it in March, 1945, near the Drava river.


Can you tell me to which of the 3 IAPs of the 194. IAD did Selivanov belong to? 530th? 848th? 56th? Where did these planes crash exactly? (BTW, Selivanov survived, OK)

Many thanks,

Gabor

[Carl-Fredrik Geust]

Gabor,
concerning Selivanov the Soviet taran book does unfortunately not give any more facts than you already have:
- st.lt. L. (sic!) Selivanov, 194 IAD, 17 VA downed a Junkers-bomber by "taran" in March 1945 in the Dol´ni Mikolats-Valpovo area (near river Drava). Selivanov escaped by parchute.
Carl

[HGabor]

Thanks Carl,

I really appreciate it.

Gabor

[Carl-Fredrik Geust]

Thank you Gabor for your kind words. It is really a pleasure to dig into one´s library when you get positive feedback. I have so many times answered various questions on different boards (in some cases requiring extensive reserach) - without getting even the most simple "thank you". So, it was really a pleasure for me, especially now when I realize that the matter is important for you,
all the best
Carl

[HGabor]

Thanks Carl. If you give me an e-mail address in private, I can send you some documents which will explain why your data was so important for me. Thanks,

Gabor