Ivan Konstantinovich Golovatyuk

[Laurent Rizzotti]

I would like to know a little more about this pilot. I have found the following:

Major Ivan Konstantinovich Golovatyuk of 66th GvIAP was killed in action on 10 October 1944 while his unit was with the 1st Baltic Front. He was a Yak pilot and an ace with at least 15 victories according to Internet sites and 5 victories according to Polak’s book.
Source: "Stalin's Falcons" and Internet (including Russian sites)

I would like to know details of his loss.

Thanks in advance

[Nikita Egorov]

Dear Laurent,

According to 4 GIAD documents, Major Golovatiuk navigator of 66 GIAP lost his life in airial combat with several Fw-190 off coast. His plane was seen burning in the air and afterwards nothing is known about his fate. Presumably he crashed into the Baltic sea.
As regards to his victory tally, that is yet unclear issue. He surely shot down more than 10 enemy planes. But the exect number is unknown.

BR.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Nikita

Do you have a time for the air battle ? JG 54 claimed a lot of victories in the area in the morning (between 9h00 and 10h30 German time) but the Fw190 may also have been a SG unit.

I think this pilot was flying a Yak-9 at this time. Can you confirm this ?

Thanks again

[Nikita Egorov]

Dear Lorent,

I have checked my TsAMO material. So, on October 10, 1944 6 Yak-3s of 66 GIAP headed by major Vitkovskiy covered troops in the vicinity of Kretinga-Memel. In the area of patrol they met 6 Fw-190. One of them attacked Golovatuik's Yak, which spinned uncontrolled to the earth. Soviet pilots saw him managed to regain controll of the plane on the low altitude. But nothig more is known about Golovatuik after that. Later in the course of the battle one of the participants saw white parachute in the area of this combat. Soviets claimed 4 Fw-190, including one which shot down Golovatuik.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks a lot, Nikita