Born on July 16, 1917 in the city of Bezhitsa (now within the boundaries of Bryansk), in a working-class family. Graduated from 6th grade in 1931. He worked as a mechanic at the Krasny Profintern plant. Since 1937 in the ranks of the Red Army. In 1938 he graduated from the Borisoglebsk Red Banner Military Aviation Pilot School named after. V. P. Chkalova.
Since June 1941, junior lieutenant P. M. Kamozin has been in the active army. Until November 1942 he served in the 246th IAP, until May 1943 - in the 269th IAP, from October 1943 to December 1944 - in the 66th IAP, until May 1945 - in the 101st Guards IAP.
To the map of 1943, the deputy squadron commander of the 269th Fighter Aviation Regiment (236th Fighter Aviation Division, 5th Air Army, North Caucasus Front), junior lieutenant P. M. Kamozin, made 82 combat sorties to escort bombers, cover troops, reconnaissance and attack. In 23 air battles he personally shot down 12 enemy aircraft.
On May 1, 1943, for courage and military valor shown in battles with enemies, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
July 1, 1944, squadron commander of the 66th Fighter Aviation Regiment (329th Fighter Aviation Division, 4th Air Army, 2nd Belorussian Front) Captain P. M. Kamozin, for 131 successful combat missions and participation in 56 air battles , in which he personally shot down 29 enemy aircraft and 13 as part of a group, was awarded the second Gold Star medal.
In total he completed about 200 combat missions. Having carried out 63 air battles, he shot down 36 enemy aircraft personally and 13 as part of a group.
On January 20, 1945, he was in a plane crash and was seriously injured. After recovery, he was demobilized for health reasons. Since 1946 he worked in Civil Aviation. Died November 24, 1983. He was buried in Bryansk. A bronze bust was installed in his homeland. Several books have been written about the life and military activities of P. M. Kamozin.
Awarded the orders of Lenin, the Red Banner (twice), Alexander Nevsky, and the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree; medals.
* * *The front-line fate of this pilot was bright and unique, like the fate of any great warrior. In its “twist”, the intrigue of his military life sometimes resembles the plot of an exciting adventure film.
According to his comrades, Kamozin was an exceptionally modest man, small in stature, and very shy by nature. He used to come to the dining room and sit quietly in a corner. He sits and waits for the waitress to notice him. He himself will never dare to call her. But in the air, he was a brave pilot who knew no fear.
His comrades loved and respected Pavel Mikhailovich, and there was not a person in the regiment who did not admire his combat skills. He somehow fought air battles with a special boldness and assertiveness and always won victories. Enemy pilots quickly recognized his handwriting, shuddering at the thought of meeting an aerial sniper.
Pavel Kamozin was born in the city of Bezhitsa, which today is part of Bryansk. After graduating from 6 classes, he entered the FZU, and in 1934, while working as a mechanic at the Krasny Profintern plant, he achieved admission to the flying club. As one of the most gifted accountants, he was left there as an instructor pilot. In 1938, he graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation Pilot School.
Kamozin met the war in units of the Kyiv Special Military District. On June 23, he made his first combat flight on an I-16 plane and was wounded in the foot. As part of his unit, he was sent to retrain on the new LaGG-3 fighter, and again his graceful, error-free piloting did not go unnoticed: Kamozin was appointed instructor. He had a chance to return to the front only a year later. He was appointed flight commander.
On October 7, 1942, in the afternoon, the pilots of the 246th IAP had to endure a very intense battle. A mixed group of 5 LaGG-3s from this and a pair of Yak-1s from the 518th IAP flew to cover the troops of the 18th Army. The group was led by flight commander, junior lieutenant P. M. Kamozin. Two groups approached the patrol area: below, at an altitude of 2000 meters, a pair of Yak-1s and 500 - 600 meters above - 5 LaGG-3s. Communication between the groups was maintained via radio.
At 14:25, 10 kilometers east of the village of Shaumyan, a large group of enemy aircraft was spotted: 11 Ju-87 dive bombers, 4 Me-110 fighter bombers and 6 Me-109 fighters covering them. Kamozin ordered his followers to close formation and prepare for the attack. Five LaGGs rushed towards the enemy fighters. Having caught the leader of the first pair of Messers in his sights, Kamozin fired from a cannon and machine gun at the cockpit and engine of the enemy aircraft from 200 meters. The Me-109 overturned and corkscrewed towards the ground. Almost immediately his partner began to fall after him, shot down by one of Kamozin’s wingmen, who, without wasting time, rushed to attack the next pair of Me-109s. Having approached the enemy plane, he shot it down with a well-aimed burst.
Meanwhile, a pair of Yaks attacked the Ju-87s that had formed a bombing circle. Lieutenant S.M. Kolesnikov and Senior Sergeant F.B. Varfolomeev destroyed each Junkers, but they themselves were shot down. At the height of the battle, reinforcements approached the enemy: 6 - 7 Me-109 (according to other sources, 15 - 16). What the pilots call a “dog dump” began. The battle formation finally fell apart, each pilot acted independently. Gradually the battle shifted to turns, where the LaGGs had some advantages over the Me-109. After a well-aimed blow, another Messer corkscrewed toward the ground like a torch, and soon another flared up. But it wasn’t easy for our pilots either. With a sharp decline, junior lieutenant A.I. Dagaev took his damaged car towards the sea, senior sergeant K.K. Pozdnyakov jumped out of the cabin of the burning LaGG by parachute.
The entire air battle lasted 10 minutes. Despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, Soviet pilots shot down 8 German aircraft (6 Me-109 and 2 Ju-87). In this battle, 3 enemy vehicles were destroyed by Kamozin, 2 by Toichkin, and 1 each by Varfolomeev, Kalmykov and Kolesnikov. Our losses are 4 aircraft. Flight commander A. Dagaev did not return.
When Kamozin landed and climbed out of the cockpit, the regiment commander, Colonel Smirnov, and Pavel approached the plane.
This victory over the enemy instilled confidence in Kamozin in his abilities. His commanding authority grew stronger. His subordinates saw in him a person they could rely on in difficult times. During the first month of fighting, Pavel shot down 4 enemy aircraft. Several times he had the opportunity to fly out on combat missions together with Dmitry Karalash - a famous pre-war test pilot, a brave air fighter who earned the title of Hero of the Soviet Union during the war and died in one of the battles. Pavel Kamozin liked to repeat the words of Lieutenant Colonel Kalarash: “A pilot must have a heart of steel, then even with a wooden seat back he will not flinch in battle.” That was Pavel Kamozin himself...
Soon after the significant battle, Kamozin was appointed deputy squadron commander in the 296th IAP. After heavy fighting, the regiment, which had lost a significant part of its military equipment, was sent to the rear for reorganization. And then the fighting began again.
6 Soviet fighters under the leadership of Pavel Kamozin accompanied the group of bombers. In the target area, our pilots were attacked by enemy fighters. Despite the enemy's numerical superiority, Kamozin boldly led his group into battle. Our pilots attacked one after another. Choosing an opportune moment, Pavel rushed at one of the Me-109s. When the commander’s command reached his wingmen: “Cover!”, he was already next to the German. A targeted burst - and the Messer flew down. And again the attack. Only a few minutes passed, and the second Me-109, engulfed in flames, crashed to the ground. The wingmen, who at that moment shot down the third enemy vehicle, did not lag behind their commander. Having suffered losses, the enemy was forced to withdraw from the battle.
Junior Lieutenant Kamozin carried out combat missions not only to cover our attack aircraft and ground troops. He was also a good intelligence officer. During combat work there was no case when the data delivered to him was not confirmed.
On January 10, 1943, during a reconnaissance flight, Kamozin discovered up to 50 enemy aircraft at the airfield in Krasnodar. He immediately reported this to the command. After some time, our attack aircraft took off. According to data delivered by Kamozin on this day, about 20 enemy aircraft were destroyed.
One day, 5 Soviet fighters, returning from a combat mission, discovered a group of 13 Junkers en route to bomb our troops. Junior Lieutenant Kamozin suddenly attacked and scattered enemy aircraft, forcing them to drop bombs on their own troops. The Junkers began to turn around and leave, but did not have time. With a well-aimed blow, Pavel knocked down one of them and knocked out 2 others. His wingmen shot down 2 more planes.
The pilot's skill grew rapidly, and soon Kamozin was entrusted with command of the squadron. His military glory increased in the battles for the liberation of Sevastopol. The squadron he commanded destroyed 63 enemy aircraft in the hot Crimean skies. Personally, Pavel Kamozin shot down 12 enemy aircraft.
For the exemplary performance of combat missions of the command, courage, bravery and heroism shown in the fight against the Nazi invaders, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated May 1, 1943, junior lieutenant Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold medal. Star" (No. 1148)..
Pavel Kamozin accomplished many feats during the war. Operational duty officer of the Southern Front headquarters, instructor pilot, flight commander, deputy squadron commander, squadron commander - this is his service record from the beginning of the war until May 1, 1943, when Kamozin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for military services.
By the summer of 1943, Senior Lieutenant Kamozin had completed more than 100 combat missions in the LaGG-3 and scored 17 personal victories - the second result shown in the Soviet Air Force in a vehicle of this type (the first was by A. Kulagin).
In the summer of 1943, being one of the first in the reserve regiment to master new technology (the R-39 Airacobra fighter), Pavel obtained permission to go to the front. He was assigned to the 66th Aviation Regiment (329th Fighter Division, 4th Air Force) and soon new battles began. On the very first combat flight in the new regiment, on the new Airacobra, Kamozin shoots down the FW-189 - the “frame” hanging over the front edge, while his plane was seriously damaged by fierce anti-aircraft artillery fire, and the pilot landed it on neutral, right next to the trenches of your military outpost...
His talent was especially evident in the battles for Crimea. In the battles for Sevastopol alone, the pilots of his squadron shot down 64 enemy aircraft, 19 of which were chalked up by the squadron commander.
At the end of 1943, in a heavy battle over Kerch, he destroyed 2 enemy fighters. The second plane was shot down while the car was on fire. At low altitude, Kamozin left the plane, tearing the pilot ring on the parachute, and a few seconds later fell into cold water. He swam out and was picked up by sailors. On January 12, 1944, in 2 missions, he managed to destroy 2 Junkers, thereby bringing the number of vehicles he personally shot down to 30.
Our paratroopers landed in the area of Kerch and Eltingen, still occupied by the enemy. They captured a small bridgehead and entrenched themselves there. This hard-won piece of land was shot right through by the enemy, who in any way sought to throw the paratroopers into the sea. From somewhere above the bridgehead even He-111 bombers appeared, which no one had ever seen at Crimean airfields before.
On the last day of 1943, Pavel Kamozin, together with his wingman Vladimir Ladykin, flew out on reconnaissance. They were faced with the task of establishing the location of the Heinkels. When our pilots were returning to the airfield, over the village of Seven Wells they noticed a transport plane, which, as if at a parade, was escorted by 6 Me-109s. Kamozin immediately came up with a decision - to attack on the move. Having given the command to his wingman, Pavel rushed towards the goal at maximum speed. The security fighters did not have time to come to their senses when a long line of fire pierced the transporter they were guarding. Smoking, he turned over and walked randomly towards the ground. And Kamozin and his partner seemed to disappear into the thickening evening twilight...
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Only more than 3 months later, after the liberation of Crimea, it became known that there were 18 German generals on board the plane shot down by Kamozin. They carried with them Iron Crosses, which were to be awarded to the most distinguished warriors. But instead of the planned New Year's celebrations and awards, it turned out to be mourning. According to village residents, for a whole week the Germans wore black armbands...
With stunning, daring attacks, Captain Kamozin often caught his opponents by surprise. He was fluent in piloting technique and knew how to choose the most advantageous one from any aerobatic maneuver at the right moment. At times it seemed that the target itself fell under its striking routes.
With every day of the war, Kamozin’s combat and command experience was enriched, but he was still distinguished by his modesty and hard work. He sought to use the slightest opportunity to improve his flying and fire skills. How many times has it helped Kamozin and his comrades in battle! Pavel's comrades recalled how he once saved Lieutenant Toichkin from imminent death. The young pilot did not notice how the Messer came up behind him. A second, another - and Toichkin’s plane will fly to the ground, engulfed in flames. But the enemy’s targeted burst did not follow: at the last moment the fascist was shot down by Pavel Kamozin. For this feat, the pilot was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree.
Kamozin fought many battles with a numerically superior enemy. One day, the five he led entered into battle with 27 Me-109 fighters. With the first burst, Pavel knocked down the leader. Left without a leader, the enemy broke formation and began to interfere with each other. Kamozin, instantly assessing the situation, decided to bring the fight to a victorious end. Skillfully directing the actions of his subordinates, he achieved his goal - our pilots destroyed 8 aircraft in this battle, without losing a single one of their own!
There were failures in his life. I had to “drop down” a downed fighter into the sea (he was rescued by a medical post from the Tuzla Spit), “pull” a car engulfed in flames behind the front line to the location of friendly troops, put the hood on a runway damaged by shells and simply fall along with the car after an engine failure... Anything could happen . The enemy was strong and cunning, victories were not easy. But Pavel knew how to draw the right conclusions from any success or failure, analyze the current situation and choose the right decisions that would allow him to successfully defeat the enemy.
January 12, 1944. On this day, Senior Lieutenant Pavel Kamozin made several combat missions. As always, he appeared at exactly the specified time in the patrol area and, at the first signal from the guidance station, confidently rushed towards the enemy. 13 Junkers sailed in two groups under the cover of 4 Me-109s. The first group was attacked head-on by Lieutenant Colonel Smirnov, the second group was attacked in the rear by Senior Lieutenant Kamozin. Both attacks were successful. And the other one shot down one enemy plane. After this, Kamozin started a fight with a pair of Me-109s, but they hastened to escape, not accepting the challenge of the Soviet ace.
On the second sortie, Pavel Kamozin, at the head of a group of fighters, again covered the Soviet ground forces. The German bombers decided to pass the front line under the clouds to avoid meeting the Soviet fighters. But Pavel Kamozin and his fighting friends were on the alert. They managed to unravel the enemy's plan and met the Nazis as they emerged from the clouds with well-aimed, crushing attacks. Kamozin was the first to attack the flagship of the enemy group and shot him almost point-blank with dagger bursts. The Junkers caught fire and, falling onto its wing, flew down. Killed by pilot Vladykin, another enemy vehicle fell to the ground. But the battle did not subside, the battle continued.
At this time, the guidance station transmitted to Kamozin: “Another group of bombers is flying below you at low level. Intercept!” Senior Lieutenant Kamozin rushed to intercept the second group of bombers. On the way, he met 2 Messers and immediately attacked one of them. The enemy vehicle caught fire. Then Kamozin rushed to repel the bomber raid.
That day, in stubborn and brutal air battles, Pavel Kamozin shot down 2 German vehicles. The Hero now has 30 personally shot down enemy aircraft. The army newspaper "Wings of the Soviets" these days called on its pages:
“Fighter, fight like Pavel Kamozin! Why does Kamozin fight more successfully than others, what is his strength? It lies in the swiftness of the attack. The pilot who is the first to notice the enemy has a chance of winning in battle. Kamozin understands this very well. His keen eye is always seeks and finds the enemy first. This is how a brave pilot creates an advantage over the enemy.”
The newspaper explained that a skillful search for a target, of course, does not mean victory. As you know, she doesn’t come on her own. It is won by Pavel Kamozin thanks to another remarkable quality - attacking skill. Persistence in achieving a goal, audacity, exceptional fire accuracy, skillful maneuver - this is what ensures success for a brave fighter pilot.
Pavel Kamozin was always faithful to the proven rule of the ace fighter: he hit the enemy at close range, with a short aimed burst. He did not scare the Nazis, but shot them point-blank. This is exactly how he destroyed 5 enemy aircraft in the last battles.
By mid-summer 1944, the squadron commander of the 66th Fighter Aviation Regiment, Captain P. M. Kamozin, made 131 successful combat missions, participated in 56 air battles, in which he personally shot down 29 enemy aircraft and 13 as part of a group.
By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated July 1, 1944, Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was awarded the second Gold Star medal (No. 23).
In one of the last air battles, Pavel Kamozin found himself in an exceptionally difficult position. He alone had to enter the battle and fight with a group of FW-190 fighters. But even in this situation, Kamozin did not defend, but attacked, attacked. The Soviet pilot survived the unequal battle and emerged victorious, having shot down 2 Fokkers.
In 1944, Kamozin was removed from the post of squadron commander of the 66th regiment and transferred to the post of deputy squadron commander in the 101st Guards IAP. The former pilot of this regiment, Boris Stepanovich Dementyev, recalls:
“When we flew to the front at the end of 1944, the weather was lousy. Kamozin and his squadron landed in Bobruisk, and they sat there for a long time. The food chief did not feed them well. For this he beat him. After that, he was transferred as deputy squadron commander to Morozov Of course, he had a weakness - he liked to prick people by the collar, but he was a disciplined, competent man who fought skillfully and bravely and knew how to manage people.
I remember once they replaced his four. We approach the front line. From the guidance station they report: “Kamozin, pay attention. A couple of Messovs have taken off.” “Okay, let them go.” Then there is silence. We approach, gain altitude, have established contact with the guidance station. We hear: “Pasha, look, the thin one is coming.” ". - “I see, let him come in.” And not another word. Usually in battle there are some commands, checkmate, but here it’s quiet. I look where he walks, I don’t see any planes yet - it’s still far away. A minute and a half passes, and I hear him say: “There, the “thin one” is burning. I came in, you understand...” And that’s all. That’s when I saw the smoke trail myself. So calmly he took it off.
He was honest and always spoke the truth to his face. The regimental chief of staff, Major Geiko, did not like this, with whom they constantly quarreled. After the war, there was an instruction that pilots who violated discipline, regardless of their merits, could be dismissed from the army. Apparently, Geiko wrote a report on Kamozin, and Krasovsky signed an order to fire him under clause “e”. As one of our pilots said, point “e” means “eat yourself.” This means that you will be fired without a pension and will not be hired as a civilian. Already in 1948, I personally heard Krasovsky tell the regiment commander Pavlikov that he had been deceived and had fired Kamozin, in fact, through slander. We kept in touch with him. At first they didn’t take him anywhere. There was a story that he, twice a Hero, sat on the steps of the People's Commissariat of Defense building and begged for alms, but when we met with him, he said that this did not happen, but he went around a lot with his superiors. Then, after all, he got a job in the Civil Air Fleet."
Pavel Kamozin conducted many air battles as part of the 101st Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, paired with junior lieutenant V. Maslov (115 combat missions, 5 personally shot down aircraft). In his military life, Kamozin fought more than 60 air battles, won victories over Messers and Fokkers, Junkers and Heinkels.
On January 20, 1945, during the next combat mission, due to a break in the engine connecting rod, the engine of his Airacobra stalled, and the car fell to the ground, capped and falling apart... Pavel found the strength to get out of the wreckage, with signs to prohibit his wingman from landing on uneven, very rough terrain...
He was never able to fully recover from the injuries received in this accident. Doctors insisted on amputating his left leg, but inflexibility, courage and willpower allowed Kamozin to avoid this crippling operation. He celebrated Victory Day in the hospital...
Fighting on the Southern, Transcaucasian, North Caucasian and other fronts, Guard Major P.M. Kamozin made about 200 sorties, won 49 victories in fierce air battles - he shot down 36 enemy aircraft personally and 13 in a group with his comrades. In the group - because he was not only an ace pilot, but also a commander who led young fighters into battle. And the 36 enemy aircraft that were on his personal account were far from all that he actually shot down...
After the war, Pavel Mikhailovich was demobilized. Worked in the Civil Air Fleet. Conducted social work. He died in Bryansk on November 24, 1983. He was buried at the Soviet Cemetery.
The people have not forgotten their Hero. A bronze bust of twice Hero of the Soviet Union P. M. Kamozin was installed in Bryansk. In 1985, by a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR, his name was assigned to the Bryansk Aviation Sports Club DOSAAF, Pavel Mikhailovich has been a member of this club since 1934. One of the streets of the city of Bryansk bears the name of the Hero, and a Hero Museum is opened in the city secondary school No. 11.
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List of all known victories of the Guard of Major P. M. Kamozin:
(From the book by M. Yu. Bykov - “Victories of Stalin’s Falcons”. Published by “YAUZA - EKSMO”, 2008.)
| № p/p | Date | Downed aircraft | Air battle location (victory) | Their aircraft |
| 1 | 07.10.1942 | 3 Me-109 | Shaumyan | I-16, LaGG-3, P-39 Airacobra. |
| 2 | 10/16/1942 | 1 FW-189 | north - east Goytkh | |
| 3 | 02/15/1943 | 1 Me-109 | north - app. high 307.2 (Kuban) | |
| 4 | 02/19/1943 | 1 Ju-87 | north - app. high 497 (Kuban) | |
| 5 | 02/22/1943 | 1 Me-109 | north Gostogaevsky | |
| 6 | 1 Me-109 | north Methodius | ||
| 7 | 03/13/1943 | 1 Ju-87 | Myskhako | |
| 8 | 03/20/1943 | 1 Ju-52 | eastern Chikona | |
| 9 | 03/22/1943 | 1 FW-189 | north - east Crimean | |
| 10 | November 21, 1943 | 1 Me-109 | high 175.4 (Crimea) | |
| 11 | November 25, 1943 | 1 Me-109 | Bagerovo | |
| 12 | 12/04/1943 | 1 Me-109 | north - east Eltigen | |
| 13 | 1 Me-109 | Tuzla braid | ||
| 14 | 05.12.1943 | 1 Me-109 | eastern Yanysh - Takyl | |
| 15 | 1 Ju-87 | Eltigen | ||
| 16 | 1 Me-109 | Commune | ||
| 17 | 12/31/1943 | 1 transport | eastern Mesnechi | |
| 18 | 01/01/1944 | 1 Me-109 | zap. Kerch | |
| 19 | 01/04/1944 | 1 Me-109 | southwest Kerch | |
| 20 | 01/09/1944 | 1 Non-111 (in pair - 1/2) | Bagerovo | |
| 21 | 01/11/1944 | 1 Ju-87 | north Bulganak | |
| 22 | 1 Me-109 | eastern Bagerovo | ||
| 23 | 1 Ju-87 | north - app. Bulganak | ||
| 24 | 01/12/1944 | 1 Ju-87 | north - app. Caterlez | |
| 25 | 1 Ju-87 | Maly Babchik | ||
| 26 | 01/23/1944 | 1 Me-109 | Mithridates | |
| 27 | 01/24/1944 | 1 Me-109 (in pairs - 1/2) | Kezy | |
| 28 | 1 Me-109 | Kezy | ||
| 29 | 01/26/1944 | 1 FW-190 | zap. Kerch | |
| 30 | 01/27/1944 | 1 FW-190 | zap. Caterlez | |
| 31 | 1 Me-109 | zap. Eltigen | ||
| 32 | 01/28/1944 | 1 Me-109 | north - app. Kerch | |
| 33 | 03/22/1944 | 1 Ju-87 | zap. m. Tarkhan | |
| 34 | 02/20/1945 | 2 FW-190 | Chersk | |
Total aircraft shot down - 36 + 13 [36 + 2]; combat sorties - 188; air battles - 63. |
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Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin.
I would like to especially note this legendary man, an ace pilot, with a difficult character and a lot of rumors and legends existing about him. I had occasion to visit his house, although, unfortunately, after his death. I knew many of his descendants, his children and grandchildren well.
Where is truth and where is fiction is no longer clear, relatives told one thing, on the Internet they write a little differently...
Twice Hero of the Soviet Union, fighter pilot Pavel Kamozin. According to the stories of his relatives, they wanted to nominate him for the third Golden Star, but his violent temper did not allow this to happen. Here we can also add a special attitude towards vodka, to be honest, he was a drinker. But he didn’t lose his face or his dignity either.
Kamozin and 18 generals.
One day, at the very end of 1943, Pavel Kamozin, already a Hero at that time, was patrolling the airspace not far from the front line. And he noticed a German transport plane accompanied by a considerable escort of fighters. Such a solid convoy interested the pilot; he attacked the transport ship, shot it down and, escaping pursuit, disappeared into the clouds. The next day, an excited regiment commander ran into the dining room where Kamozin was sitting with his comrades.
- Do you know who you hit?!
It turned out that eighteen German generals were flying on the transport plane.
“Now,” said the commander, “you can ask for any reward.” What do you want?
“A box of vodka,” Kamozin answered.
The political officer then grumbled about the pilot’s lack of consciousness. Nevertheless, they gave me a box of vodka.
Kamozin and "Yuberas"
After this incident, Hitler declared almost all-German mourning, and declared Kamozin his personal enemy. And to destroy Kamozin, one of the best German aces, Goering’s favorite Hermann Graf, was specially dispatched. At that time, the count of this super-ace (or “Uberas”, in German) exceeded 200 aircraft shot down. A retreat is necessary here. When the combat performance of Nazi pilots was made public at one time, the public was shocked. The best Soviet fighters had dozens of enemy kills, while for the Germans a hundred victories were almost commonplace. The reasons for this imbalance are analyzed by military historian Alexey Isaev in the book “Ten Myths of the Second World War.” In particular, Soviet and German pilots were given different tasks. If the enemy’s aces were allowed to engage in purely “aerial hunting,” then ours more often interacted with ground troops and carried out attacks on ground targets. In the book named, by the way, there is a statement on this matter by the wingman of that same Count, Alfred Grislavsky.
Kamozin and Gagarin.
The duel between Kamozin and Graf was somewhat reminiscent of the confrontation in Stalingrad between the sniper Zaitsev and his fascist counterpart. In addition, Kamozin also had to perform direct combat work. In the end, Pavel Mikhailovich suddenly attacked the noble “Fritz”, and he had to escape by parachute.
As you know, after the war, Pavel Kamozin worked at the Bryansk airfield in Bordovichi, training personnel for civil aviation. As in battles, in peaceful life he worked conscientiously. And he didn’t stand up to his superiors. The authorities, of course, had no tenderness for the obstinate hero.
Yuri Gagarin once visited Bryansk. The first cosmonaut on Earth was nominated to the Supreme Council and came to meet with voters. At a meeting in the regional committee, Kamozin was introduced to Gagarin among the respected people of the region. There were a lot of names, so Yuri Alekseevich remembered not even the last name, but the awards - twice Heroes do not meet every day.
After all the “formal” conversations, as usual, there was an “informal” one - dinner at the “Cranes” restaurant. Kamozin did not make it into the circle of the chosen ones. And Gagarin, who was not having much fun sitting at the table in the circle of his fellow members, remembered his fellow pilot. He asked why he was not among the table mates. The regional committee officials who were “in the wings” rushed as fast as they could to Pavel Mikhailovich’s home. They apologized for a long time, explained - there was, they say, a mistake... Then Gagarin and Kamozin rested for a long time, almost until the morning, in each other’s company. They later said about Kamozin that he could have a drink with both the janitor and the first cosmonaut.
Camosin and bust.
Such sociability and democracy gave rise to another legend, unfortunately, perhaps the most common. As if Kamozin liked to drink near his own bust, which was used to honor the pilot as a twice Hero. Almost clinked glasses with the monument. And he even hit empty bottles on the statue’s head. And that the police often had to calm down the riot of a respected person. There are even echoes of this legend in Andrei Razbash’s documentary “Wings”.
Everyone who knew Kamozin unanimously states: this is nonsense. Yes, he was not an ascetic or a teetotaler. But, firstly, the body was strong and resistant to alcohol. And most importantly, he knew his norm. Vomited himself. There was never any talk of drunken outrages leading to unconsciousness.
Other interesting information about Kamozin..
In total, during the Great Patriotic War, Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin completed 186 missions, conducted 90 air battles and personally shot down 35 enemy aircraft (Me-109 - 17, Yu-87 - 10, FV-190 - 2, Me-110 - 1, Do- 217 - 1, FV-189 - 1, Yu-88 - 1, Yu-52 - 1, Xe-111 - 1). He shot down 13 more planes as part of the group.
After one of the flights, he came for lunch, and the cook stole his food. For this, Kamozin threw him into the hot cauldron of the field kitchen - the cook was boiled alive. This incident was reported to Stalin, who told him not to be suspended from flying, but not to be promoted in rank. Kamozin ended the war with the rank of captain, and died in this rank, although he had 45 downed enemy aircraft. For his toughness in battle, he received the nickname “beast” from the Germans.
Sources of materials: wikipedia.org. russian7.ru. gazeta.aif.ru
Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was born on July 16, 1917 in the city of Bezhitsa (now a district of Bryansk) into a working-class family.
In 1931, he graduated from the 6th grade of school and entered the factory school (FZU). After graduating from college, he worked as a mechanic at the Krasny Profintern plant (now Bryansk Machine-Building Plant OJSC). In 1934 he began studying at the Bezhitsa flying club. In the Red Army since 1937. In 1938 he graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School of Pilots (now the Borisoglebsk Higher Military Aviation School), after which he worked as an instructor pilot.
Combat path in the Great Patriotic War
His first combat mission in the Great Patriotic War, flight commander, junior lieutenant P.M. Kamozin flew on June 23, 1941 on the I-16 fighter. In this battle he was wounded in the foot. After the hospital, he worked at the headquarters of the 44th Fighter Division.
On August 5, 1941, he was cleared to fly by the medical board and served with the 275th Bomber Regiment until December 27, 1941.
From December 27, 1941 to October 1942 - pilot, then pilot-instructor of the 253rd reserve aviation regiment. During this time, he not only perfectly mastered the technique of piloting the LaGG-3 aircraft, but also taught and graduated 40 pilots.
After repeated requests, he was sent to the front. From October to December 1942 - flight commander in the 246th Fighter Aviation Regiment. In the very first air battle in the Tuapse direction, near the village, Shaumyan personally shot down 3 Nazi Me-109 F fighters. Also during October, a Do-217 bomber armed with four cannons and six machine guns was shot down.
From December 18, 1942 - deputy squadron commander of the 269th Fighter Aviation Regiment.
Best of the day
By the end of March 1943, Junior Lieutenant Kamozin flew 82 combat missions to escort bombers, cover troops, reconnaissance and attack. In 23 air battles, he personally shot down 12 enemy aircraft.
By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated May 1, 1943, Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the courage and bravery shown in battles with the Nazi invaders.
After retraining for the Airacobra aircraft, he is assigned to the 66th Fighter Wing of the 329th Fighter Division and soon becomes a squadron commander. In the battles for Sevastopol, the pilots of Kamozin’s squadron shot down 64 enemy aircraft, 19 of which were shot down personally by the squadron commander.
On December 31, 1943, while returning from aerial reconnaissance, Kamozin discovered an enemy transport aircraft accompanied by a large number of fighters. He attacked him and knocked him down. 18 German generals who were heading to Sevastopol were killed on the plane.
On January 20, 1945, while performing a combat mission, he suffered an accident due to engine failure: the plane crashed, Kamozin was seriously injured and was in the hospital for a long time.
In total, during the Great Patriotic War, Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin completed 186 sorties, conducted 90 air battles and personally shot down 35 enemy aircraft (Me-109 - 17, Yu-87 - 10, FV-190 - 2, Me-110 - 1, Do- 217 - 1, FV-189 - 1, Yu-88 - 1, Yu-52 - 1, Xe-111 - 1). He shot down 13 more planes as part of the group.
After the war, he worked in civil aviation from 1946. Lived in the city of Bryansk.
Awards
Medal "Golden Star" of Hero of the Soviet Union No. 1148
Gold Star medal of Hero of the Soviet Union No. 23
The order of Lenin
2 Orders of the Red Banner
Order of Alexander Nevsky
Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree
Memory
Honorary citizen of Bryansk. One of the streets of the city bears the name of P. M. Kamozin. A Hero Museum has been opened in Bryansk secondary school No. 11. A bronze bust of Kamozin is installed at the Palace of Culture of Bryansk Mechanical Engineers.
Born on July 16, 1917 in the city of Bezhitsa (now within the city of Bryansk) in a working-class family. Russian. Member of the CPSU since 1943. Graduated from 6th grade in 1931. He worked as a mechanic at the Bezhitsky plant "Red Profintern". In the Soviet Army since 1937. He graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School in 1938. He participated in the Great Patriotic War from June 1941. Deputy squadron commander of the 269th Fighter Aviation Regiment (236th Fighter Aviation Division, 5th Air Army, North Caucasus Front), junior lieutenant Kamozin, by March 1943, had made 82 combat missions to escort bombers; covering troops, reconnaissance and attack of the enemy. In 23 air battles he shot down 12 enemy aircraft. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded on May 1, 1943. The second Gold Star medal was awarded to the squadron commander of the 66th Fighter Aviation Regiment (329th Fighter Aviation Division, 4th Air Army, 2nd Belorussian Front) on 07/01/1944 for 131 combat missions and participation in 56 air battles in which he personally shot down 29 enemy aircraft and 13 in the group. Since 1946 he worked in civil aviation. He was awarded the Order of Lenin, 2 Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of Alexander Nevsky, the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, and medals. Died on November 24, 1983. He was buried in Bryansk. A bronze bust of Kamozin was installed in his homeland.
The price of a second. Kamozin Pavel Mikhailovich.
Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was born in 1917 in the city of Bezhitsa (now one of the districts of the city of Bryansk), Bryansk region, into a working-class family. Russian by nationality. Member of the CPSU since 1943. In the past, he was a mechanic at the Bezhitsk plant "Red Profintern". Without interrupting his work, he studied at the regional flying club, then entered the Borisoglebsk military aviation school. In the Soviet Army since 1938. From the first days of the Great Patriotic War he was at the front. He took part in battles on the Southern, Transcaucasian, North Caucasian and other fronts. In total, during the war years he personally shot down 35 enemy aircraft and 13 aircraft in group battles. He finished the war with the rank of guard captain. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated May 1, 1943, Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. On July 1, 1944, for new military exploits, he was awarded a second Gold Star medal. He was also awarded many orders and medals. After the end of the war, the famous Soviet pilot was demobilized from the army and returned to his hometown. Now P. M. Kamozin lives in Bryansk, works in civil aviation.
The war found Junior Lieutenant Kamozin in the reserve aviation regiment, as an instructor pilot. On June 22, a combat alarm sounded over the military camp. The familiar voice of the announcer announced on the radio that Nazi Germany had treacherously attacked the Soviet Union.
A short rally on the parade ground. Incendiary, angry speech of the commissioner. Hundreds of stern faces, eyes burning with hatred. The united impulse of patriots - into battle, to the front!
After the rally, Junior Lieutenant Kamozin turned to the regiment commander with a request to second him to the active army. The commander, after listening carefully to the pilot, said:
I also want to go to the front. But for now we are needed here.
Kamozin became convinced of the truth of the commander’s words in the very first days of the war. They flew day and night. The retraining of pilots was carried out according to an accelerated program. And yet the thought of the front did not leave Kamozin for a minute.
And then one day a messenger from headquarters approached him:
To the regiment commander!
The commander smiled warmly at the pilot when he crossed the threshold of the office.
“I envy you, Kamozin,” he said to the aviator. - In a week you will be at the front. The order has already been signed. You received good training from us, we have high hopes for you.
Thank you, Comrade Major! - That was all the junior lieutenant could say.
In October 1942, Pavel Kamozin arrived at the combat unit. The fighter pilot was appointed flight commander. Front-line life began, full of risk and unforeseen dangers. On the second day of his stay in the regiment, he was sent to carry out a combat mission.
Seven fighters, led by junior lieutenant Kamozin, patrolled over the Black Sea coast, covering the landing. From time to time, the group commander banked the plane from wing to wing and vigilantly inspected the airspace. Vineyard plantations, mountain rivers and lakes, and serpentine ribbons of highways floated below. In the distance a light strip of sea could be seen. But six Messerschmitts emerged from behind the clouds. They confidently moved towards rapprochement. Kamozin ordered his followers to close formation and prepare for the attack.
The first air battle with a real enemy. Kamozin had been preparing for it since the day he first sat in the cockpit. He learned to destroy the enemy in flight school and in the reserve regiment. He was an excellent cone shooter and target shooter on the range. Will your hand tremble now?
There is only one thought in the pilot’s head - to win, to win the first battle. 500... 200... 100 meters to the Messerschmitts... It's time to open fire. The hand did not tremble, the trained eye did not fail. The first attack is the first victory!
The Nazis, having suffered losses, called for reinforcements from the nearest airfield. Soon, another 15 Messerschmitts arrived at the battlefield. The triple superiority did not frighten the Soviet fighters. One after another, two more planes, shot down by Pavel Kamozin, fall to the ground. The followers do not lag behind the commander. They boldly attack the fascists and do not give them a second of respite.
It's time to return to the airfield. Fuel is running low. The pilot was jubilant. In the first battle - three enemy planes shot down! When Kamozin landed and climbed out of the cockpit, the regiment commander, Colonel Smirnov, approached the plane and kissed the young pilot deeply.
The victory over the enemy instilled confidence in Pavel Kamozin in his abilities. His commanding authority grew stronger. His subordinates saw in him a person they could rely on in difficult times.
The military glory of Pavel Kamozin increased in the battles for the liberation of Sevastopol. The squadron he commanded destroyed 63 Nazi planes in the hot Crimean skies. Pavel Kamozin personally shot down 19 enemy aircraft. The Kamozinites had no losses of their own. The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR awarded the pilot the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Often flying out on "free hunts", the squadron commander did not miss a single opportunity to fight the enemy, destroy him or put him to flight. This time, too, while flying behind the Nazis’ rear, Pavel Kamozin noticed a heavy Nazi plane on the horizon. He walked to the front line, accompanied by six Messerschmitts.
“An ordinary bomber will not be covered by six fighters,” the Soviet pilot thought and signaled to his wingman to prepare for an attack.
Kamozin did not count on an easy victory. I knew that the Nazis would fight to the last. I gained altitude, came in from the direction of the sun and threw the plane into a dive. If you don’t shoot down the first attack, the enemy will leave: the covering fighters will not allow a second strike. The enemy vehicle is getting closer and closer. Kamozin already clearly distinguishes the spider swastika and still does not press the trigger. Now his wingman will catch up with him, and together they will strike the enemy. A burst, another, a third... The bomber began to smoke and sharply began to descend. The Messerschmitts darted in different directions. And Kamozin and his wingman went to their territory.
A few days later, a message came to the regiment headquarters that Pavel Kamozin and his wingman had shot down a plane on which a group of fascist generals and officers was flying. They brought iron crosses from Berlin to be awarded to “especially distinguished” soldiers and officers of the active army. In front-line units, on the occasion of the death of the generals, the Nazi command declared mourning.
The death of a group of senior fascist generals caused a commotion at the headquarters of Hitler's command. The order was given to destroy the Russian ace Pavel Kamozin by any means necessary. An experienced pilot, widely known in fascist aviation under the nickname “Count”, was transferred from Goering’s “diamond” squadron to the front where Kamozin fought. He carried out hundreds of combat missions, fighting the British in the skies of Norway. He shot defenseless women and children from the air on the roads of France, bombed Soviet hospitals in Minsk, and received personal gratitude from Goering for the mass extermination of refugees on the roads of Ukraine. It was he who was instructed to “remove” Kamozin.
The insidious plan of the Nazis became known to the Soviet command. An urgent encryption message was sent to the regiment where Pavel Kamozin served. Colonel Smirnov, having familiarized himself with the document, summoned Pavel Kamozin. The pilot, after listening to the commander, said that from now on he would increase vigilance, but refused special security.
The regiment commander and commissar looked at each other. They were happy with their pet. You can rest assured about him: he will be able to stand up for himself and for the honor of Soviet weapons.
To destroy the “Count,” the commissar noted, “means to knock out the “diamond” spirit from the fascists, to win a great moral victory over the enemy.
From the regimental headquarters, Pavel Kamozin went to the gunsmiths. There were no combat missions expected that day, and he decided to check the plane with them and re-shoot the weapons.
With every day of the war, Kamozin’s combat and command experience was enriched, but he was still distinguished by his modesty and hard work. He sought to use the slightest opportunity to improve his flying and fire skills. How many times has it helped Kamozin and his comrades in battle! Pavel remembered how he once saved Lieutenant Toichkin from imminent death. The young pilot did not notice how a Nazi fell behind him. A second, another - and Toichkin’s plane will fly to the ground, engulfed in flames. But the enemy’s targeted line did not follow: at the last moment the fascist was escorted by Pavel Kamozin.
For this feat, the pilot was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree.
In battle, seconds matter, Pavel Kamozin always told young pilots. - The price of a second is life!
And so, preparing for a meeting with the fascist ace, Pavel Kamozin studied the enemy’s tactics, his strengths and vulnerabilities. But "The Count" hasn't shown up yet. Apparently, he also did not waste time and watched Kamozin’s actions from the side.
Combat tension increased every day. Pavel Kamozin felt that the “Count” was walking somewhere nearby and was about to show his claws. One evening, when the squadron commander was returning from a combat mission to the airfield, he was told on the radio:
"Count" in the air.
The squadron commander, noticing the enemy, raised his four to a height of 6500 meters. Yes, “The Count” foresaw a lot. I chose the moment when Kamozin was already returning from a combat mission. This means I’m tired and running out of fuel. Conducted an air battle. This means there is little ammunition. The situation was not in Kamozin’s favor, and he could have avoided the fight. But the squadron commander, decisively giving orders to his wingmen, was already in the starting position for the first attack.
Kamozin came up with an original plan for the battle. Kamozin’s wingmen were surprised to see how close the commander passed by the “Count” and how sluggishly he made a combat turn. The fascist was seduced by the ease of prey and rushed after Kamozin. Two reserve planes, located slightly higher than the main crew, rushed towards the “Count”. The Nazi interrupted the attack and began to defend himself, losing sight of Kamozin.
Without wasting a second, Kamozin gained altitude and, when the “Graf” made another turn, he threw the plane into a dive and pulled the trigger. The line was precise and devastating. The fascist plane began to fall apart in the air. This was the end of the "Graf" - the pride of Hermann Goering's "diamond" squadron.
At the airfield, the air division commander was waiting for Pavel Kamozin and his wingmen. The general, who had turned gray in battle, warmly thanked the Kamozins for their courage and bravery.
That day, Pavel Kamozin wrote to his family: “Time is hot at the front. Every day there are intense air battles. We have learned to hate the enemy and destroy him mercilessly.”
This battle was one of the heaviest air battles in which Pavel Kamozin took part. In the group he led there were only 5 Laggs, while against them there were 18 Messerschmitts and 7 Heinkels. The Kamozins knew that victory in this battle depended on how each of the five Soviet pilots would fight. No one thought of retreating or avoiding meeting the enemy. Everyone wanted one thing - to destroy the Nazis and put them to flight. Kamozin closed the group more tightly and attacked the enemy first. One after another, friendly, daring attacks by Soviet pilots followed. And when, after the second strike, three Messerschmitts fell to the ground (two were shot down by Kamozin, one by Lieutenant Toichkin), the enemy began to fight uncertainly and began to turn. This difficult battle lasted 30 minutes. The Nazis lost six aircraft. The Soviet pilots no longer had ammunition, but they did not stop their attacks until the remaining 19 Nazis were the first to leave the battle area.
Pavel Kamozin loved to repeat the words of his friend, hero pilot Lieutenant Colonel Kalarash: “A pilot must have a heart of steel, then even with a wooden seat back he will not flinch in battle.” That was Pavel Kamozin himself...
January 12, 1944. On this day, Senior Lieutenant Pavel Kamozin made several combat missions. As always, he appeared at exactly the specified time in the patrol area and, at the first signal from the guidance station, confidently rushed towards the enemy.
13 Junkers marched in two groups under the cover of four Messerschmitts. The first group was attacked head-on by Lieutenant Colonel Smirnov, the second group was attacked in the rear by Senior Lieutenant Kamozin. Both attacks were successful. And the other one shot down one enemy plane.
After this, Senior Lieutenant Kamozin started a battle with two Messerschmitts, but they hastened to escape, not accepting the challenge of the Soviet ace.
On the second sortie, Pavel Kamozin, at the head of a group of fighters, again covered the Soviet ground forces. The German bombers decided to pass the front line under the clouds to avoid meeting the Soviet fighters. But Pavel Kamozin and his fighting friends were on the alert. They managed to unravel the enemy's plan and met the Nazis as they emerged from the clouds with well-aimed, crushing attacks. Kamozin was the first to attack the flagship of the enemy group and shot him almost point-blank with dagger bursts. The Junkers caught fire and, falling onto its wing, flew down. Killed by pilot Vladykin, another enemy aircraft fell to the ground. But the battle did not subside, the battle continued.
At this time, the guidance station transmitted to Kamozin: “Another group of bombers is flying under you at low level. Intercept!”
Senior Lieutenant Kamozin rushed to intercept the second group of bombers. On the way, he met two Messerschmitts and immediately attacked one of them. The enemy vehicle caught fire. Then Kamozin rushed to repel the bomber raid.
In stubborn and brutal air battles, Pavel Kamozin shot down two German vehicles on January 12, 1944. The hero has personally shot down 30 enemy aircraft. The army newspaper “Wings of the Soviets” these days called on its pages: “Fighter, fight like Pavel Kamozin!”
“Why does Kamozin fight more successfully than others, what is his strength?” - the newspaper asked. And she answered: “It lies in the swiftness of the attack. The chance of victory in battle is with the pilot who is the first to notice the enemy. Kamozin understands this very well. His keen eye always seeks and is the first to find the enemy. It is by this that a brave pilot creates an advantage over the enemy.”
The newspaper explained that a skillful search for a target, of course, does not mean victory. As you know, she doesn’t come on her own. It is won by Pavel Kamozin thanks to another remarkable quality - attacking skill. Perseverance in achieving the goal, audacity, exceptional accuracy of fire, skillful maneuver - this is what ensures success for a brave fighter pilot.
Pavel Kamozin is faithful to the proven rule of the ace fighter: he hits the enemy from close range, with a short aimed burst. He does not scare the fascist, but shoots him point-blank. This is how he destroyed five enemy aircraft in the last battles.
In one of the last air battles, Pavel Kamozin found himself in an exceptionally difficult position. He alone had to enter the battle and fight with a group of fascist fighters. But even in this situation, Kamozin did not defend, but attacked, attacked. The Soviet pilot survived the unequal battle and emerged victorious. Two fascists found their death in the Crimean sky.
Pavel Kamozin tirelessly improved his combat skills, increasing his knowledge, skills, and combat skills from victory to victory. He taught his wingman, junior lieutenant Vladykin, not to break away from the leader in battle, to be his reliable protection in the air and his faithful friend and comrade on the ground.
Fighter pilot Pavel Kamozin embodied an example of a skillful, brave and daring air fighter. Our flying youth were brought up on his glorious military deeds.
Captain Kamozin fought in the most critical sectors of the front, and always found himself where it was more difficult. Until the end of the war, he shot down a total of 35 fascist aircraft personally and 13 in group air battles. The Soviet government awarded the winged warrior the second gold medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union.
Twice Hero of the Soviet Union Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin did not part with aviation. He works fruitfully in the Civil Air Fleet of the USSR. Fellow countrymen from the city of Bezhitsa know him as an active public figure, a man of great soul.
People of immortal feat. Essays on twice,
three times and four times Heroes of the Soviet Union, 1975
Plan:
- Introduction
- 1 Biography
- 2 Combat path in the Great Patriotic War
- 3 Awards
- 4 Memory Literature
Notes
Introduction
Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin (July 3 (16), 1917( 19170716 ) - November 24, 1983) - Soviet fighter pilot, squadron commander, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, captain.
1. Biography
Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was born on July 16, 1917 in the city of Bezhitsa (now a district of Bryansk) into a working-class family.
In 1931, he graduated from the 6th grade of school and entered the factory school (FZU). After graduating from college, he worked as a mechanic at the Krasny Profintern plant (now Bryansk Machine-Building Plant OJSC). In 1934 he began studying at the Bezhitsa flying club. In the Red Army since 1937. In 1938 he graduated from the Borisoglebsk Military Aviation School of Pilots (now the Borisoglebsk Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots), after which he worked as an instructor pilot.
2. Combat path in the Great Patriotic War
Flight commander, junior lieutenant P. M. Kamozin made his first combat flight in the Great Patriotic War on June 23, 1941 on an I-16 fighter. In this battle he was wounded in the foot. After the hospital, he worked at the headquarters of the 44th Fighter Division.
On August 5, 1941, he was cleared to fly by the medical board and served with the 275th Bomber Regiment until December 27, 1941.
From December 27, 1941 to October 1942 - pilot, then pilot-instructor of the 253rd reserve aviation regiment. During this time, he not only perfectly mastered the technique of piloting the LaGG-3 aircraft, but also taught and graduated 40 pilots.
After repeated requests, he was sent to the front. From October to December 1942 - flight commander in the 246th Fighter Aviation Regiment. In the first air battle in the Tuapse direction, near the village, Shaumyan personally shot down 3 Nazi Me-109 F fighters. Also during October, a Do-217 bomber armed with four cannons and six machine guns was shot down.
From December 18, 1942 - deputy squadron commander of the 269th Fighter Aviation Regiment.
By the end of March 1943, Junior Lieutenant Kamozin flew 82 combat missions to escort bombers, cover troops, reconnaissance and attack. In 23 air battles, he personally shot down 12 enemy aircraft.
By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated May 1, 1943, Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the courage and bravery shown in battles with the Nazi invaders.
After retraining for the Airacobra aircraft, he is assigned to the 66th Fighter Wing of the 329th Fighter Division and soon becomes a squadron commander. In the battles for Sevastopol, the pilots of Kamozin’s squadron shot down 64 enemy aircraft, 19 of which were shot down personally by the squadron commander.
On December 31, 1943, while returning from aerial reconnaissance, Kamozin discovered an enemy transport aircraft accompanied by a large number of fighters. He attacked him and knocked him down. 18 German generals who were heading to Sevastopol were killed on the plane.
On January 20, 1945, while performing a combat mission, he suffered an accident due to engine failure: the plane crashed, Kamozin was seriously injured and was in the hospital for a long time.
In total, during the Great Patriotic War, Pavel Mikhailovich Kamozin completed 186 sorties, conducted 90 air battles and personally shot down 35 enemy aircraft (Me-109 - 17, Yu-87 - 10, FV-190 - 2, Me-110 - 1, Do- 217 - 1, FV-189 - 1, Yu-88 - 1, Yu-52 - 1, Xe-111 - 1). He shot down 13 more planes as part of the group.
After the war, he worked in civil aviation from 1946. Lived in the city of Bryansk.
3. Awards
- Gold Star medal of Hero of the Soviet Union No. 1148
- Gold Star medal of Hero of the Soviet Union No. 23
- The order of Lenin
- 2 Orders of the Red Banner
- Order of Alexander Nevsky
- Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree
- medals
4. Memory
Honorary citizen of Bryansk (1966). In the park near the Palace of Culture BMZ there is a bronze bust of P. M. Kamozin (sculptor M. G. Manizer, 1955). The name of P. M. Kamozin was given to an aviation sports club and a street in Bezhitsa (until 1983 - Bolnichnaya). A Hero Museum has been opened in Bryansk secondary school No. 11.
Literature
- G. K. Reimers, M. P. Kamozin"Attention! Kamozin is in the sky! - Bryansk: ZAO Publishing House “Chitai-Gorod”, 2007. ISBN 978-5-901-964-47-7
This abstract is based on an article from Russian Wikipedia. Synchronization completed 07/11/11 04:35:08
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Categories: Personalities in alphabetical order, Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner, Recipients of the Order of Lenin, Born in 1917, Recipients of the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, Recipients of the medal Thirty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, Recipients of the medal 60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR,