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  #1  
Old 11th May 2012, 17:24
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Spanish pilots in russia

hello, anyone has any information of the claims of the Spanish pilots with the VVS in Russia. The only place i found some information in internet is this:
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/ of the biplane aces.
regards.
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  #2  
Old 30th May 2012, 17:47
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Re: Spanish pilots in russia

i found this:
The German attack on the Soviet Union surprised the three ancient Spanish pilots Republican military aviation, Antonio Arias Arias, Sunday Lario Bonilla and Juan Sanchez, who were studying in Moscow and decided to join the Red Army.

The initiative to enlist in the Soviet ranks was initially rejected by the military ranks, but after insisting finally received permission to join a military unit of the NKVD. For the time had achieved the target. However, the aspirations of exercise as pilots within the Soviet air forces vanished.

While they were waiting for a final destination, the military leaders had taken note of their status as veterans in military aviation pilots Republican. In view of that charge to the three Spanish riders prepare a report if they had located other comrades. Once the work had brought together a small group of airmen who previously developed various jobs in factories in the area of ​​Moscow and Gorky. Thus, in high school units of the NKVD were presenting pilots Rodrigo Vicente Beltran, Francisco Benito, Fernando Carrera White, Severino Burgueño, Ladislao Espes Duarte, Alfredo Fernandez Villalon, Antonio Garcia Cano, Manuel Leon, Francisco Meroño Pellicer, Isidoro Najera Montejo, Francisco Paredes, Pascual José Santamaría, and several specialists from the step of land.

In August 1941, they were all taken to the Chkalov airfield, located a few kilometers from Moscow. After the investigation stage, in late August were ordered to move to a distant airfield nestled in the Urals. Aramil It was in Sverdlovsk, which welcomed the new base facilities NII-VVS (Scientific Experimental Institute of the Air Force) when they were evacuated before the German advance. The next day the Spanish staff was caught up on the mission they were assigned. Organized as a guerrilla air attack should the German rear. This may provide an excellent means of camouflage as multiple copies acquired in 1940, and the models belonging Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3, Messerschmitt Bf 110 C-4, Junkers Ju 88 K-1 and Dornier Do 215 B-3. The life of this project was short, so the Spanish pilots marched Bykovo aerodrome intended to participate in the defense of Moscow, as part of the 1st Brigade air until the end of 1942.

Then spread continued to serve in different units of the VVS, along with other Spanish riders who had gradually been incorporated. His combat experience was high. Some of them had held positions of importance in front of the flight units of the Republican Air Force. Such was the case of Jose Maria Bravo, Ladislao Duarte Leopoldo Zarauza Morquillas or Manuel. Most of the Spanish aviators framed in the regiments fought game, manning I-153, I-16, MIG-3, Yak-1, Yak-7, La-5, P-39, P-40, Hurricane and Spitfire.

At least, Antonio Arias, Vicente Beltran, Jose Maria Bravo, Antonio Garcia, Juan Lario, José Luis Larranaga and Jose Pascual Francisco Santamaria Meroño exceeded the category of "aces". Others went into action on aircraft flying Pe-2 and IL-2 with the regiments of assault. Part and the group were Marciano Ten, Alfonso Garcia, Celestino Martinez, Anselmo Sepulveda and Leoncio Velasco. On the other hand, Francisco Benito, Carlos Garcia, Francisco Gaspar and Jose Sanchez were accomplished pilots versatile U-2 biplane at night harassment missions.

Luis Lavin Lavin, born in Bilbao, was a so-called war children evacuated to the USSR in 1937. In October 1940, with eight identical Spanish origin, began to study for qualification as a pilot in a flying club in Moscow. At 15, he could achieve their purpose by adding two years to his age. Apart from Lavin, the small group consisted of Ignacio Aguirregoicoa, Isaiah Albístegui, Cianca Ramón, Antonio Lecumberri, José Luis Larranaga, Eugenio Prieto, Tomas Suarez and Antonio Uribe. Albisteui Except that would not end the course of flight, in April 1941 joined the rest of the top aviation academy Chkalov in Borisoglebsk. From then leave for the front lines to join their respective destinations.

Lavin and Lecumberri they would in April 1942, serving in the 826 th Regiment equipped with fighter Polikarpov I-16. Subsequently, the unit merged with the 907 th Regiment, Lavin being framed in the end to the war in Germany, flying in a Lavochkin La-5FN. During the interim, had been killed in combat Aguirregoicoa, Larrañaga and Uribe.

Approximately a total of 88 Spanish pilots have served in the Soviet armed forces in both flight units and in the ground, along the Second World War. About twenty were killed during the fighting. Demobilization took place in 1948. Some return to Spain later, but most decided to live in the Soviet Union.
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Old 30th May 2012, 17:49
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Re: Spanish pilots in russia

Antonio Arias Arias

Born in Madrid on April 29, 1915. He participated in the October 1934 revolution, for which he was incarcerated but pardoned after the elections of February 1936. When civil war broke out he joined the armed militias that caused the failure of the military uprising in Madrid, after participating in the fighting in the Sierra de Madrid.

In November, aims to participate in a pilot course, still recovering from wounds suffered in combat in Madrid. Past evidence is part of the first group of students trained in Kirovabad, returning to Spain in June, conducts training in the Carmolí. In August 1937, is intended for the 1st Squadron is being reorganized in Liria. In November he joined the 4th Squadron sent Manuel Zarauza, squadron command passing in July 1938, reaching the rank of captain, and going to France in February 1939.

Interned by the French in the concentration camps of Argeles and Gurs, emigrated to the USSR in August 1939. There he worked as a mechanic at the Kharkov tractor factory. World War II surprised where he was studying in Moscow, joining the Soviet Army with another group of Spanish. Participates in the defense of Moscow as a pilot of the Air Brigade. In June 1942 passed a regiment located in the city of Vologda, which would fight as squadron leader until the end of the war.

In 1948 he was discharged from the army and goes to live in Minsk, returning to Spain in 1990.
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Old 30th May 2012, 17:54
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Re: Spanish pilots in russia

Juan Sanchez Lario

Born in Madrid in 1918. Part of the second contingent of pilots sent to Russia. Incorporated on 12 January 1938 to the 4th of Chato, passing the 2nd few days later. In May the Group became the Grumman 28 Delfin, with just war. He was promoted to sergeant and lieutenant on the 03/30/38 20/11/37.

At the end of the Civil War went to France where he remained in various concentration camps until the end of May 1939 he emigrated to the Soviet Union where he participated in the defense of Moscow from the Caucasus front and then participating in the battle of Stalingrad.

In January 1957 he returned to Spain, taking up residence in Madrid.
************************************************
Zarauza Manuel Clavero

Born in the town of Santona on November 3, 1917. Zarauza Manuel joined the Republican Air Force in November 1936 as a volunteer soldier, graduating as a fighter pilot in flight school of Santiago de la Ribera, after which he was promoted to sergeant and assigned to a squadron of biplanes I-15 "Chato "at that time commanded by Manuel Aguirre, and May 24, 1937 was sent to the Northern Zone, along with other pilots who later would become aces.

In 1938 he was transferred to the front of Catalonia, and when it was sinking hopelessly Zarauza decided to take refuge in France with his plane to prevent both fall into the hands of the enemy where he was interned in the camp of Argeles-Sur-Mer.

After spending some time in France, could move to the Soviet Union taking up residence in Kharkov, where he worked until the German troops were approaching the city, and was evacuated along with other Spanish riders. Zarauza volunteered in the Red Army, which became a Soviet Air Force, which fought reaching the rank of colonel. Died on October 12, 1942, in Baku while conducting a mock battle with Sergeant Sasha Riápishevt newcomer to his unit, smashing both I-16, which fell to the ground. Zarauza had more than 30 aerial victories (10 in Spain) and had participated in hundreds of aerial warfare.
***********************************************
Meroño Francisco Pellicer

Meroño Francisco Pellicer was born on June 17, 1917, in the town of Mula, Murcia province. Very soon he was orphaned, his mother's side, and knew very early in his teens, which means hard work and exploitative, but accepted it well, because I had to help his father to keep four sisters, who were much his junior.

One of those early days of the war, Francisco Meroño a teenager was injured by a "crazy ball" on one leg. Just recovered, left and headed for Madrid, without documentation or political backing. Fate brought him to the airfield "Four Winds" of Madrid, and so began her dream come true of becoming a pilot.

The chimera of his childhood ended with the forced departure to France through the Pyrenees and the fall in a concentration camp. Fate away, not knowing for how long, his homeland, his family and his companions. He was released after the concentration camp, had to emigrate to the USSR, where he worked in an automobile factory and met his future wife.

After Germany's attack on the USSR, voluntarily entered the ranks of the Red Army. After the first day he was summoned by the Soviet authorities, along with 18 other Spanish pilots, to train and perform special tasks, flying German aircraft, the Soviets had prior to World War as a result of exchange of material bélico.Durante three first months of ongoing operations, piloting fighter aircraft type YAK YAK-7-I and simultaneously trains in the German fighter Messerschmitt BF-109. When Moscow is under siege, is involved in air defense until the end of March 1942, driving a Soviet fighter MIG-3. Below is featured in the company of Fernando Carrera White and Rodrigo Vicente Beltran Tula sector of the Central Front.

He flew in many types of Soviet fighters, defended the skies of Moscow, Tula, and Stalingrad. In the nearly two years of "work" in the sky Soviet alemanes.Posteriormente knocked seven aircraft in the summer of 1943, he and his colleagues, would fight in the Battle of Kursk, but in the early days of fighting, was shot down Meroño by friendly fire due to a confusion on the crossfire, and when dropped by parachute, was seriously wounded in the left leg and chest. He fell into a Russian front, and his uniform abroad, mistaken for a German or Italian pilot, they would kill him, but first tried to revive him for questioning. Once recovered, to understand what they were talking together the soldiers, the repressed tacos a hail of Russian people used only very low culture, and that was precisely what saved his life. Within six months of recovery, is intended as an instructor at a flight school, whose task is surprised at the end of the war.

In the late 80's, despite living abroad, the Spanish government awarded him the rank of colonel being recognized officially as a retired colonel with the use of Aviation Weapon Spanish Armed Forces.
He died on July 17, 1995 in Moscow, because of a myocardial infarction.
************************************************** *
Jose Maria Bravo

Born in Madrid on April 8, 1917. From child receives a comprehensive training that enables student exchange in Germany. Engineering student in Madrid, the outbreak of the Civil War in Santander surprised, posing as a volunteer at the airfield of La Albericia, where he made his first flights. On November 6 departed by ship to France and returned to Spain in Barcelona, ​​where the call is presented to pilots that at that time was under way, giving up a place in the first year of observers. In December 1936 Kirovad leaves for Russia, under the command of Manuel Cascón. Selected as a fighter pilot, he returned to Spain in June 1937, having been appointed after March 31 and April 30, Sgt. It is intended for the 1st Squadron Chatos doing some services at the battle of Brunete. Soon changed to the 1st Squadron Flies that was reorganized in Los Llanos. Belchite combat and soon became chief of patrol. In December 1937 Claudin going to send the 1st Squadron and Bravo becomes the second head of the Squadron.

In April 1938 he was appointed head of the 3rd Squadron, was promoted to Captain in May. The 3rd Squadron operates from Sagunto whole campaign of Castellón, in El Vendrell when the attack on the bridgehead Balaguer, and based on Camporrobles in the days of the final attack in Valencia before he had spent some time in Alicante, as a defender of the port . In the first weeks of the Battle of the Ebro operates from Pla de Cabra, after a brief stay in Vendrell. On August 27 he was appointed deputy head of Group 21. Border Crossings in early February and after passing through the fields of Argeles and Gurs accepted the offer to go to the USSR in July 1939.

Goes to study at the School of Engineering Kharkov. At the beginning of the German invasion of Russia in June 1941 entered into a guerrilla unit until his move to the aircraft in mid-1942. During the World War, the Spanish regrouped in the VPO spend to defend the strategic oil reserves in Baku Soviet. Stalin in flight escorted to the Tehran conference, and would be forced to graduate with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Soviet Air Force in 1948, being demobilized the Spanish on the grounds of desertion of a Spanish Turkey in a Yak 10. Being informed of the demobilization, and Lieutenant Colonel Bravo is faced with the Soviet command saying: "If it was a Ukrainian defector ..... ¿Desmovilizaríais all Ukrainians?"

He returned to Spain in 1960 to care for their parents, which was not allowed to fly or to teach. Until his death on December 26, 2009, with 12 confirmed and 11 probable kills, Colonel Jose Maria Bravo was the greatest living ace Spanish Aviation.
************************************************** ******

Luis Lavin Lavin

Luis Lavin Lavin was born in Bilbao on March 10, 1925. The son of a known militant communist, his mother was a friend of Dolores Ibarruri, 'The Passion'. The Spanish race would change his life forever. The night he came to fetch him to embark for the USSR was three days before the fall of Bilbao. The got into a car and drove to the harbor. Since then not again hear from his family until 1957.

After a stop in France and weathered a storm, a ship full of exiles landed in Leningrad. A quick move to Crimea allows small children enjoy the war have been stolen. In October, children are sent to Moscow to begin his studies. The next three years passed between lessons and military training. Meanwhile, the Republic crumbles and the possibility of returning to Euskadi vanish. The Second World War looms just around the corner. About 40 'children' Basques-some are 20 years-are volunteering to join the Air Force.

The Soviets do not support Spanish drivers, even those who just fight in the skies Peninsula. That's when fate smiles for the first time Lavin. Through the mediation of Antonio Uribe, brother of a former minister of the Republic, the Academy accepts pilots Kiev young Basques. Lavin falsifies documents and adds two years of a stroke at his age. On April 22, 1941, at age 16, the pilot begins his preparation Bilbao. Only eight companions completed the course: Aguirregoicoa, Uribe himself, Prieto, Cianca, Lekumberri, Suarez, Larrañaga and Lavin. The eight Basque fulfill his dream of flying.

Served in the Ukrainian town of Voronezh, the rout of the Red Army in early Germanic offensive leads to the front line where the Basques. Interestingly, the first combat Lavin will not be air, but person to person. Bilbao and Aguirregoicoa driver involved in an ambush on an armored column of Germans. Lavin would not shoot a gun, the rest of the war was spent serving dangerous air missions. On several occasions he opened fire, but never managed to bring him down. However, death flew twice, in two horrific landings. In one of them almost got fried, part of the fuel fell on his face and body.

In 1945, following World War II, the pilot of the Red Army received several awards for his heroic actions during the war. He returned to Spain in 1993. Today comes each week to the offices of Caritas in Nules (Castellón) to receive food. In fact, the ace of air combat and the man who now seeks furniture and clothes in the trash are the same person: Luis Lavin Lavin, 80, the sole survivor of the eight Basques who fought in the Soviet aviation.

the only i don´t find are the claims with VVS
regards
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  #5  
Old 30th May 2012, 22:09
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Re: Spanish pilots in russia

- мл.л-т Leoncio Velasco Hernans? (№19372) He belonged to Soviet 17 VA (3rd Ukrainian Front), 136 ShAD, 989 ShAP. On March 8, 1945 over Belsőbáránd, Hungary at 11.2O his IL-2/m3 Sturmovik (Marking No.38, S/N: 11467 (from Factory No. 1., Kuybishev), was damaged by flak. He landed on his airfield on one wheel. Plane left the landing strip and broke beyond repair. His gunner was ст.с-т Однокольцев Александр Александрович. A few days later, on March 14, 1945 his new IL-2/m3 Sturmovik (Marking No.26) was also damaged by flak over Hungary.

- Celestino Martínez Fierros (№19353, - 1915-1945) was killed on March 9, 1945 in Hungary. He also belonged to Soviet 17 VA (3rd Ukrainian Front), 136 ShAD, 989 ShAP. His IL-2/m3 Sturmovik (Marking No.19, S/N: 10586 (from Factory No. 1., Kuybishev), Engine No. 256838) was downed by flak near Káloz while attacking German tanks. His gunner was мл.с-т Вельмезов Василий Кузьмич, both MIA (KIA).

- Bartolomeo Massa was pilot on a Po-2 night bomber of 5 VA (2nd Ukrainian Front), 312. NBAD, 930 NBAP, 3rd squadron. His plane was damaged near Budapest, Hungary in the night of November 9/10, 1944. His navigator was ст.л-т Дубовиченко Иван Илларионович. Crew OK.

I hope this helps.

Gabor
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Old 31st May 2012, 01:54
Laurent Rizzotti Laurent Rizzotti is offline
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Re: Spanish pilots in russia

Hello Gabor, do you know the name and/or location of the airfield where Velasco crash-landed his damaged Il-2 on 8 March 1945 (and probably where 989 ShAP was based) ?

Thanks in advance
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Old 31st May 2012, 03:44
HGabor HGabor is offline
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Re: Spanish pilots in russia

I think at that time 989 ShAP was still stationing at Kiskunlacháza (Budapest-S). Velasco's IL-2/m3, No. 11467 plane was also damaged on January 14, 1945 and was repaired overnight by his mechanic, техник-лейтенант Унгвицкий Евгений Александрович.

Gabor

Last edited by HGabor; 18th February 2014 at 04:03.
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Old 3rd June 2012, 12:58
HGabor HGabor is offline
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Re: Spanish pilots in russia

Folks,

Along Celestino Martínez Fierros, the 989. ShAP has lost two more IL-2s on March 9, 1945. In fact they lost 3-3 IL-2s on both March 8 and 9, 1945:

March 8, 1945:

1. IL-2, Tactical marking: unknown, S/N: 10016, Engine No. 255509 – piloted by мл.л-т Горкин Иван Семенович – Kiskunlacháza airfield, belly landed after Belsőbáránd target
2. IL-2, Tactical marking: No.38, S/N: 11467, Engine No. unknown – piloted by мл.л-т Leoncio Velasco Hernans – Kiskunlacháza airfield, landing accident, due to flak after Belsőbáránd target
3. IL-2, Tactical marking: No.30, S/N: 11560, Engine No. 244184 – piloted by гв.мл.л-т Буряковский Иван Кириллович - Rácalmás-NW, 1-2 km (~Downed by Pottyondy László szds. (Bf 109G, Hungarian 101/8. squadron) at 16.34)

March 9, 1945:

1. IL-2, Tactical marking: No.19, S/N: 10586, Engine No. 256838 – piloted by л-т Celestino Martínez Fierros – Flak, Káloz area
2. IL-2, Tactical marking: unknown, S/N: 11395, Engine No. 251852 – piloted by мл.л-т Терешин Сергей Семенович - Pusztaszabolcs railway station-NW, 5 km (belly landed, - repaired later)
3. IL-2, Tactical marking: No.32, S/N: 11477, Engine No. 259391 – piloted by мл.л-т Нелазский Герман Васильевич – Flak, Káloz area

Soviet 17 VA has suffered heavy losses in March, 1945 in order to stop Germany’s last big Panzer (counter) offensive of WWII (“Frühlingserwachen”, - started on March 6, 1945) between Lake Balaton and Lake Velentsei.


(Altogether the 989. ShAP has lost 56 IL-2 Shturmoviks in Hungary, plus finally 2 more in Austria.)

Gabor
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  #9  
Old 19th June 2013, 16:41
Juantxu
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Re: Spanish pilots in russia

I am looking for any kind of data and information about one Spanish pilot, named Hector Lahoz Alvaro, who died in the Russian front probably 1942.

May someone help me?

Best wishes!
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