Ilya Shmelyov

Ilya Shmelyov
Native name
Илья Васильевич Шмелёв
Born2 August [O.S. 20 July] 1917
Moscow, Moscow Governorate, Russian Empire
Died25 December 1979 (aged 62)
Moscow, RSFSR, USSR
AllegianceSoviet Union Soviet Union
Service / branch Soviet Air Force
Years of service1938—1957
RankColonel
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsHero of the Soviet Union

Ilya Vasilyevich Shmelyov (Russian: Илья Васильевич Шмелёв; 2 August [O.S. 20 July] 1917 — 25 December 1979) was a Soviet fighter pilot during World War II. Awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union on 23 August 1943 for his initial victories, by the end of the war his tally stood at an estimated 27 solo and 10 shared shootdowns, although more conservative estimates put the figure at 26 solo and one shared.[1]

References

  1. ^ Bykov, Mikhail (2014). Все асы Сталина. 1936–1953 [Aces of Stalin. 1936–1953]. Moscow: Yauza. pp. 1355–1356. ISBN 978-5-9955-0712-3. OCLC 879321002.
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