Kirill A. Evstigneyev

Infobox Military Person
name=Kirill A. YevstigneyevSoviet Air Force VVS
lived=birth date|1917|02|17 – death date and age|1996|08|29|1917|02|17
placeofbirth= Khokhly , Shumikhin region, Kurgan province, Russian Empire
placeofdeath= Moscow, Soviet Union


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=flagicon|Soviet Union Soviet Union
branch=
serviceyears=1938-1972
rank= Major General (1966)
commands=178th GuIAP (1945)
unit=240th IAP(Fighter Air Regiment), 178th GuIAP (Guard Fighter Air Regiment)
battles=World War II
awards=Hero of the Soviet Union (2) Order of Lenin (2) Orders of the Red Banner(4) Order of Suvorov 3d class Order of the Patriotic War First Class & 2d class Order of the Red Star medals
relations=
laterwork=

Kirill Alekseyevich Yevstigneyev (Russian: Кирилл Алексеевич Евстигнеев) (17 February 1917 – 29 August 1996), Guard Captain, Russian fighter pilot in the Second World War. Evstigneyev was one of the top Soviet fighter ace in the WWII.

Early life

Kirill Yevstigneyev was born on 17 February, 1917, in the village Khokhly of the now Shumikhin region of the Kurgan province. His parents were peasant. Russian. He finished 7 classes of Shumikhin secondary school. He entered into the Chelyabinsk industrial school, where was obtained the turner. He worked on Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant and learned in the Aeroclub.

Military career

In September 1938 Yevstigneyev joined the Red Army. In 1941 he graduated from The Bijsk military school of pilots, which was being located in Amur region in Serashevo station, he was left work as pilot's instructor. At the end of 1942 he was directed to Moscow at the disposal of the Main Staff VVS for the distillation of the of the lend-lease US aircraft of Bell P-39 Airacobra from US.

World War II

At the fronts of World War II from 17 March, 1943.

Evstigneyev gained his first victory Messerschmitt Bf 109 "Messer" 28 March 1943 near village Urazovo, Belgorod province. At the same day he shot down his first Junkers Ju 87"Stuka" . On 12 April 1943 Evstigneyev brought down Messerschmitt Bf 110. Three weeks later Kirill A. Evstigneyev became a Fighter ace - 6 May 1943 he killed Junkers Ju 88 and Messerschmitt Bf 110. Evstigneyev claimed 6 victories in the sky above the Battle of Kursk. On 7 July, 1943, he brought down the leader of ten enemy bombers. Next day he battled against 9 Ju.87 dive-bombers and again brought down their leader. After this, pursuing the outgoing enemy he drove in into the earth the second bomber. During the same day Kirill brought down one additional "Stuka". On 9 July Evstigneyev brought down Bf.109, 13 and 16 July - again according to one "Messer".

On 5 August, 1943, in the composition of group of eighth fighter aircraft he departed to the protection of Soviet troops on the approaches to Belgorod. In the dog fight he was injured into both feet. In medsanbat (field hospital) he dissuaded doctor from the amputation of his foot. Ninth day after this incident he ran out from the hospital with the crutches!!! He passed thirty five kilometers to the nearest aerodrome, he was from there crossed into his Fighter Air Regiment. Month again he went with the squadron to the combat mission. The first time to the aircraft he reached with the crutches.

Senior Lieutenant Evstigneyev to November 1943 completed 144 combat mission, brought down 23 enemy aircraft and had a share in 3.

On 2 August, 1944, the squadron commander 240 Fighter Air Regiment (302nd Fighter Air Division, Fighter Air Corps, 5th Air Army, 2nd Ukrainian Front) Senior Lieutenant Kiril A. Yevstigneyev was awarded the Title Hero of the Soviet Union with the presentation of the Order of Lenin and medal "Gold star" (№ 2284).

Guards captain Yevstigneyev to October 1944 completed 83 additional combat mission, brought down 20 aircraft.

On 23 February, 1945, the squadron commander of 178th Guard Fighter Air Regiment (14th Guard Fighter Air Division, 3rd Guard Fighter Air Corps, 5th Air Army, 2nd Ukrainian Front) guards captain Kirill A. Yevstigneyev was awarded second Title Hero of the Soviet Union with the medal "Gold star" (№4039).

Kirill A. Yevstigneyev finished WWII by the commander of 178th Guard Fighter Air Regiment. He conducted last battle in the sky of Hungary.

Evstigneyev's WWII record:

* more than 300 combat missions
* 120 aerial engagements
* 53 enemy aircraft shot down + 3 shared

After WWII

In 1949 he finished Tactical Aviation Courses, into 1955 - Military Aviation Academy, in 1960 - Military Academy of General Staff (High Commandґs Academy). Major General of aviation (1966). Since 1972 - in the reserve. He lived in Moscow, where he passed away on 29 August, 1996. He is buried in Moscow on the Kuntsevskoe cemetery.

Awards and decorations

Kirill A. Yevstigneyev awards:
* 2 Hero of the Soviet Union
* 2 Order of Lenin
* 4 Order of the Red Banner
* Order of Suvorov 3rd class,
* Order of the Patriotic War1st and 2nd class
* Order of the Red Star
* numerous medals
* 2 foreign Orders.

In the city Shumikha of the Kurgan province was established the bronze bust of Kirill A. Yevstigneev.

References