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Alexander Pokryshkin. Photo by Mil.ru.

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Alexander Pokryshkin

Alexander Pokryshkin was a Soviet fighter pilot during the Second World War. He features in the list of World War II Soviet aces as one of the highest-scoring military aviators. His kills are estimated to be about 49 although the total is contested by many historians.

 He was also the highest-scoring pilot ever to fly an American aircraft. He flew the Bell P-39 Airacobra in 1942, an American-made fighter aircraft during World War II.

Pokryshkin was known for his intelligence, creativity, and brilliant strategy in air combat. His innovative spirit made him clash severally with some of his seniors, who accused him of insubordination.

He earned the title Hero of the Soviet Union thrice! Pokryshkin is regarded as a war hero who brilliantly and fearlessly fought for the Soviet Union. Here are the top 10 amazing facts about Alexander.

1. Alexander Pokryshkin first trained as an aircraft mechanic

Vocational technical student Alexander Pokryshkin. Photo by Unknown author.

He was an avid learner as a child and even earned the nickname ‘Engineer’. He grew up in a poor neighborhood in Novosibirsk, in Russian Empire. At the age of 12, he dreamt of flying aircraft after watching a local air show.

After earning a degree at a technical college and working at a local munitions factory, he volunteered for the army. He was subsequently enrolled at an aviation school.

This was where his dream would come true but in a sudden turn of events, the school was shut down. Students were transferred for training as aircraft mechanics.

He excelled as a mechanic and rose through the ranks quite steadily. He graduated in 1933 and by December 1934, he was the Senior Aviation Mechanic of the 74^th Rifle Division. He maintained the position until 1938.

2. He supposedly passed a yearly civilian pilot program in only 17 days

In the winter of 1938, Alexander Pokryshkin, determined to enter flight school, successfully outwitted the authorities. He passed a yearly civilian pilot program in just 17 days.

That meant he was now eligible to attend flight school.  He immediately left for the train station and was soon off to flight school. He graduated in 1939, with top honors and joined the 55^th Fighter Regiment as a senior lieutenant.

3. Alexander Pokryshkin mistakenly shot down a Soviet aircraft

A view of a Soviet fighter-bomber. Photo by Unknown author.

His first engagement in air combat was a terrible experience. A new aircraft bomber type was in use by the Soviet army but it had been kept secret even from other Soviet fighter pilots.

Alexander, seeing one of these, mistook it for an enemy aircraft. He had not seen such a type of bomber before. He shot it down, only noticing the Soviet red stars on its wings as it crashed. Luckily, only the navigator was killed.

4. He was critical of the Soviet air Combat doctrine

Having engaged with powerful German machinery in the first few weeks of the war, Alexander Pokryshkin concluded that the Soviet combat doctrine was outdated and incomparable to the enemy.

It was a difficult time in war for him, faced with constant retreat orders, poor or no communication from the headquarters, and a superior opponent.

He began drafting his ideas for air combat in his notebooks. During training, he was always at loggerheads with the regiment’s commander, Isayev.

Isayev could barely stand Pokryshkin’s criticism of the Soviet Combat methods. He fabricated charges of insubordination and cowardice against Pokryshkin.

He was consequently removed from the regiment’s headquarters and grounded. Luckily for him, however, he was soon vindicated and reinstated.

5. He is credited for the Soviet Air Force’s first great victory in the Second World War

In 1943, the Kuban region, east of Crimea was a hot zone for air combat between the Soviet air force and the Crimean-based Luftwaffe Geschwader, the German air combat branch.

Pokryshkin’s regiment was engaged in fierce fighting with the powerful German units such as JG 52 and JG 3 fighters.

 His innovative tactics in air combat came in handy. He employed the ‘pendulum’ flight pattern, where several different fighter types were stacked in altitude to control the airspace.

 He used ground-based radar and an advanced central ground control system. These contributed to the Soviet’s impressive victory over the Luftwaffe.

6. Alexander Pokryshkin received the Hero of the Soviet Union award thrice

Thrice Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Ivanovich Pokryshkin. Photo by Unknown author.

The award was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union. It was awarded to individuals such as members of the armed forces for heroic feats in service to the State.

Pokryshkin was named Hero of the Soviet Union in May 1943, August 1943, and August 1944.

 After his first in May 1943, he was promoted to Major, becoming commander of his squadron. He was the first individual to receive the award three times and is the only Soviet fighter to receive it three times during wartime.

7. He was barred from flying later in his career

By 1944, he had become a famous hero. He was not allowed to fly often for fear of him being killed. He was offered a desk job but he rejected it, preferring to stay in his regiment and rank.

He directed his regiment’s fighters over the radio from the bunker. He would however still circumvent his seniors and fly occasionally.

8. He was one of the highest-scoring Soviet Fighter pilots

Alexander Pokryshkin. Photo by Unknown author.

Despite the numerous disadvantages that the Soviet army faced in World War II, Alexander scored a high number of kills in air combat. The numbers vary from one historian to another, and their accuracy is contested.

His memoirs record a higher estimate than those recently given by historians. Russian historian, Mikhail Bykov, credits him with 43 individual and 3 shared victories.

Thomas Polak places the number at 53 solo and 6 shared victory in a 1999 book. In a 2017 book, Andrey Simonov, a Russian aviation historian, credits him with 45 solo and 4 shared kills.

9. He was appointed President of DOSAAF in 1972

This was his highest position and he maintained it until 1981. The DOSAAF was a paramilitary organization mandated to train young civilians for service in the Air Force. It was mainly a civilian organization.

DOSAAF was a Russian acronym for ‘Volunteer Society for Cooperation with the Army, Aviation and Navy.’ Its main goal was to prepare reserves for the armed forces.

10. He is a recipient of numerous awards and honors

Stamp of Russia showing monument to Alexander Pokryshkin in Novosibirsk. Photo by Russian Post.

The most notable of course is the Hero of the Soviet Union, which he received three times. He was awarded six Orders of Lenin, Order of the October Revolution in 1973, Order of the Red Banner (1943), Order of the Red Star (1947, 1955), Distinguished Service Medal (USA), Order of Karl Marx (East Germany) and Medal for Combat Service. The list is long, proof of his exemplary service and skill.

The minor planet 3348 Pokryshkin, discovered in 1978 is named after him. A street and subway station in his hometown are also named after him.