German Forces

Pilot Vasily Bolshakov

Olga Shirnina

Vasily Bolshakov, pilot of 44 high-speed bomber regiment of the 2nd air division. Calmness, courage and heroism in every flight. Bolshakov twice, and sometimes thrice, attacks the target and leaves for the safe territory only after making sure that the task is completed. 08/13/1941 Bolshakov’s plane was attacked by enemy fighters, as a result of which the pilot was injured in the right eye, but managed to land the burning plane on his territory and save the life of the crew.