In the initial period of the war, our fighter aircraft suffered heavy losses and were often unable to cover Soviet troops at the front line and in the front line. Taking advantage of this, German fighter-bombers, dive bombers and attack aircraft inflicted heavy losses Soviet troops and columns of refugees. Infantry units on the march, railway trains on haul routes, and transport convoys especially suffered greatly from the raids. The situation was further aggravated by the acute shortage of anti-aircraft weapons intended to directly cover troops. The pre-war Soviet industry did not have time to fully equip the troops with the necessary anti-aircraft weapons; air defense units of the regimental and divisional level as of June 22, 1941 were only 61% equipped with anti-aircraft machine gun installations. For the most part, the troops had rifle-caliber installations based on the Maxim machine gun. The share of large-caliber 12.7-mm machine guns at the beginning of the war was very small.

In 1941, the main military air defense system was the quadruple 7.62-mm M4 anti-aircraft machine gun mount. 1931 The installation consisted of four Maxim machine guns mod. 1910/30 g, mounted on an anti-aircraft machine in one plane. For better cooling of machine gun barrels during intense shooting, a forced water circulation device was used. With good fire density, the M4 anti-aircraft gun was too heavy. Its mass in combat position, together with a forced water cooling system and a welded frame for installation in a car body, reached 400 kg.

The quad mount was typically installed on semi-trucks, on railroad platforms, and even in horse-drawn sleighs. In February 1943, 7.62-mm machine gun mounts were removed from the anti-aircraft regiments and anti-aircraft divisions of the High Command Reserve as obsolete. They were replaced by more effective 12.7 mm heavy machine guns, but in secondary sectors of the front the surviving M4s were used until the end of hostilities. Throughout the war, anti-aircraft Maxims were part of machine-gun platoons on anti-aircraft armored trains and were installed on anti-aircraft platforms that covered echelons and individual stations.

Twin anti-aircraft gun mod. 1930

In addition to quadruple installations, by the beginning of the war the troops had twin units in smaller quantities. 1930 and single anti-aircraft guns mod. 1928. During their creation, Maxim infantry machine guns were also used. All of them were water-cooled, and the rate of fire was 600 rounds/min per barrel. The table range for hitting air targets was 1500 m. In practice, the effective firing range against aircraft did not exceed 800 m. Quite often, Maxim machine guns on anti-aircraft machines were forced to be used on the front line to repel enemy infantry attacks. In this case, standard rack sights for infantry machine guns were used for shooting.

Calculation of anti-aircraft installation arr. 1928 fires at an air target in the Stalingrad area

A common disadvantage of anti-aircraft installations based on the Maxim machine gun was excessive weight and an unacceptably long time for transferring from traveling to combat position. Before repelling an enemy air raid, it was necessary to fill the casing with water, otherwise the barrel would quickly overheat and the machine gun could not fire.

In the 30s, a special anti-aircraft machine was produced for cavalry units, mounted on a machine-gun cart. The disadvantage of such a machine was the limited possible sector of anti-aircraft fire. In this regard, to provide cover from air strikes, the cavalrymen needed anti-aircraft machine guns with all-round fire. But since the quad M4 was excessively heavy and bulky, twin installations mod. 1930

Maxim machine guns mod. 1910/30, on a universal tripod-wheeled machine of the S.V. system. Vladimir arr. 1931, which allowed firing at both ground and air targets.

Maxim machine gun on a universal machine S.V. Vladimir arr. 1931

The machine gun was equipped with a ring anti-aircraft sight, which allowed firing at aircraft flying at speeds of up to 320 km/h at an altitude of up to 1500 m. However, at the forefront, as a rule, they did not bother with its installation and fired at aircraft using a standard rack-mount sight, which of course reduced the effectiveness anti-aircraft fire. However, mass production of machine guns on a universal machine began only in 1939. Due to the great complexity of Vladimirov’s machines, not many were produced. For this reason, there were many times fewer of them in the troops than machine guns on the A.A. wheeled machine. Sokolova arr. 1910. However, Maxim machine guns on a universal machine were used throughout the war.

In order to somehow protect themselves from air strikes, the troops created improvised anti-aircraft installations. Most often, Maxim machine guns mounted on homemade swivels or simply cart wheels with an axle dug into the ground were used for this purpose.

DT-29 machine gun in anti-aircraft firing position on a BA-64 light armored car

In the initial period of the war, some Soviet armored vehicles were equipped with P-40 anti-aircraft turrets with DT-29 machine guns. The tank version was created taking into account the installation of a machine gun in a cramped fighting compartment. Instead of a wooden butt, there was a retractable metal one. The casing, designed to protect the shooter’s hands from burns on the barrel, was removed from the DT-29 machine gun; this made it possible to reduce the dimensions and improve cooling.

According to regulatory documents, one fighting machine in a tank or armored car company should have been equipped with an additional anti-aircraft machine gun. The first anti-aircraft turrets on T-26 tanks were tested during the fighting in Spain. Due to ease of installation and simplicity of design, the P-40 turrets received enough widespread. They were also installed on armored trains, armored cars, motorcycles and off-road vehicles GAZ-64 and GAZ-67. Compared to the DA-27, the effectiveness of anti-aircraft fire from the turret version of the DT-29 was higher, which was due to better stability, the possibility of all-round fire, a more capacious disk for 63 rounds and the presence of a special anti-aircraft ring sight. The best training of tank crews when firing at aircraft played an important role.

P-40 turret with DT-29 machine gun on an armored car

In the fall of 1941, the design bureau of the Kovrov plant experimentally created a quadruple anti-aircraft installation of DT-29 machine guns. The machine guns were mounted horizontally in two rows on a Kolesnikov machine. The total rate of fire was 2400 rounds/min. However, based on the test results, the installation was not transferred to mass production.

By June 1941, a significant amount of obsolete equipment had accumulated in warehouses. aviation machine guns YES, YES-2 and PV-1. The first two had much in common with the infantry DP-27, and the second was a Maxim machine gun adapted for use in aviation, with air cooling and an increased rate of fire to 750 rounds/min. As for YES and YES-2, then uniform standard they were not installed for use as anti-aircraft guns.

One of the options for an anti-aircraft machine gun installation using DA-2

The machine guns were mounted on turrets or simple swivels, created at former civilian enterprises or in weapons workshops in the front-line zone.

A preserved DA-2 anti-aircraft gun on display at the museum

The use of Degtyarev aircraft machine guns was facilitated by the fact that they were initially equipped with sights designed for firing at quickly moving air targets.

Since the operating principle of the DA and DA-2 automation did not differ from the DP-27 and DT-29, surrogate anti-aircraft guns were quickly adopted by the troops. The machine guns were equipped with 63-round discs. Noticeable external difference YES from the DT-29 was that instead of a stock, a notched wooden pistol grip and rear grip were installed. The twin DA-2 had a shortened shoulder rest. The twin machine guns were equipped with large flame arresters to prevent the shooter from being blinded.

ShKAS anti-aircraft gun in a weapons workshop

Single and twin ShKASs were mounted on tripod machines made in weapons workshops, providing all-round firing and height adjustment. Responsibilities for firing and maintaining machine gun installations, as a rule, were assigned to aviation technicians and gunsmiths.

In 1939, to replace the Maxim machine gun, the DS-39 heavy machine gun, developed by V.A., began to arrive in the troops. Degtyarev. Compared to Maxim's machine gun, the new machine gun was much lighter. For shooting at air targets, designer G.S. Garanin developed an anti-aircraft tripod machine gun for the machine gun.

DS-39 on an anti-aircraft tripod machine

Externally, the DS-39 resembles a smaller-sized DShK heavy machine gun. Compared to the Maxim machine gun, the DS-39 machine gun was much lighter and air-cooled; after intense shooting, its barrel could be quickly replaced with a spare one. The machine gun was equipped with a switch for the rate of fire at ground (600 rounds/min) and air targets (1200 rounds/min). Before the war, Degtyarev created a quadruple anti-aircraft gun, which was tested in the back of a lorry, but it was not mass-produced.

However, for all its advantages, the DS-39 could not supplant the outdated Maxim machine gun. The military themselves are partly to blame for this, as they are not ready to give up cloth machine gun belts, which ensured unification with the machine guns already available in the troops. Initially, Degtyarev designed his heavy machine gun for a metal belt, and the transition to canvas had a negative impact on the reliability of the automation. In addition, DS-39 turned out to be more sensitive to low temperatures and dustiness. Degtyarev guaranteed that his heavy machine gun could be brought to an acceptable level of operational reliability, but in June 1941, mass production of the DS-39 was stopped and the assembly of Maxim machine guns returned.

The Soviet leadership was well aware of the need to replace Maxim machine guns. Although the existing heavy machine guns allowed intense fire and were well mastered and loved by the troops, their excessive weight made it difficult to escort the advancing infantry. While our troops were fighting defensive battles, this was not so critical, but with the transition to offensive operations, all the shortcomings of the outdated heavy machine gun were fully revealed.

In 1943, the SG-43, designed by P.M., won the competition for a new heavy machine gun. Goryunova. Unlike the Maxim, the new machine gun had a replaceable air-cooled barrel. The machine gun was mounted on a Degtyarev wheeled machine, or on a Sidorenko-Malinovsky machine. Both options made it possible to fire at ground and air targets.

SG-43, prepared for anti-aircraft shooting

The machine gun's accessories included an anti-aircraft sight, designed for firing at air targets moving at speeds of up to 600 km/h at ranges of up to 1000 m.

In addition to domestic anti-aircraft machine guns, the Red Army used foreign models during the war - captured and supplied under Lend-Lease: American 7.62 mm Browning M1919A4, 12.7 mm Browning M2, 7.62 and 7.7 mm British Vickers machine guns , as well as captured 7.92 mm machine guns MG-13, MG-15, MG-34 and MG-42.

Red Army soldiers capture a Bf 109 pilot who made an emergency landing

To reduce losses, German pilots were forced to increase the bombing altitude, and during heavy rifle and machine-gun fire from the ground, avoid attack attacks using machine-gun and cannon weapons.

Fw 190, which made an emergency landing in the Soviet rear

Anti-tank rifles were significantly superior in firing range and destructive effect if they hit the target to all other types of infantry weapons. small arms. Even the heaviest armor of the Hs-129 and Fw 190F attack aircraft could not save you from heavy 14.5 mm bullets. Notable losses from Soviet anti-tank missile fire in 1942 were suffered by Ju 87 dive bombers.

Downed Ju 87

Using anti-tank rifles, it was repeatedly possible to shoot down Fw 189 reconnaissance spotters, especially hated by our infantry, whose pilots held an altitude of more than 1000 m - outside the zone of effective rifle fire.

This is how military correspondent Lieutenant P. Kozlov described such an episode in the newspaper of the 236th Infantry Division “For the Glory of the Motherland” dated May 25, 1944:

“All the fighters quickly dispersed and lay down. Machine gunners, armor piercers, everything. Those who had a weapon adapted it to shoot at an airplane. Having made a circle over the bridgehead, the “frame” continued its course. Red Army soldiers etc. Drozhak and Lebed mounted an anti-tank rifle designed by Simonov on a hillock and waited for the right moment to open fire. The Focke-Wulf was approaching their defense area.
Taking a lead of 3 pieces, Drozhak fired several shots. Smoke from thermite bullets' explosions lay ahead of the fascist vulture.
Then Drozhak took a lead of 1.5 figures less and fired.
The enemy plane shuddered slightly and looked sideways. And a few seconds later the “frame” began to smoke and flew down like a burning torch.
- Hooray! - the soldiers shouted with joy, - “Focke-Wulf” is burning...
This example convincingly shows that infantry weapons can successfully repel enemy air raids. In this case, it is necessary to comply with the following requirements: be calm, take cover in a crevice in time, and disguise yourself. And as soon as the plane descends, conduct targeted fire at it.
Armor-piercers Drozhak and Lebed received gratitude from the unit commander and were presented with government awards.”

From the first days of the Great Patriotic War, our ground troops We felt the power of attacks from German tanks and aircraft. The insufficiency of anti-tank and air defense systems in the Red Army units immediately became evident. The main burden of the fight against the air enemy fell on the military air defense, which consisted of army air defense regiments (three four-gun batteries of 37-mm cannons and two companies of DShK anti-aircraft machine guns) and separate anti-aircraft artillery divisions (twelve 37-mm cannons) rifle divisions, it should be noted that before In 1944, shortages in units were a constant norm. By the beginning of the battle on the Kursk Bulge, according to the state, our tank corps had only one anti-aircraft artillery regiment (16 DShK and 16 37-mm guns) to cover 180-200 tanks, and brigades of 9-12 DShK for 53-65 combat tanks. cars The brigade was supposed to have a company of 9-12 large-caliber anti-aircraft machine guns DShK or quad Maximum, mounted on trucks. In practice, often the brigade did not have anti-aircraft machine guns at all or there was a large shortage of them. So, on June 28, 1943, the 180th brigade had no anti-aircraft weapons at all, and the 192nd brigade had 3 DShKs. http://militera.lib.ru/h/zamulin_vn/02.html

But if for anti-tank weapons we had designs that were quite suitable in terms of efficiency and mastery of production, and the main issue was the resumption of their production (erroneously stopped before the war) in sufficient quantities, then the air defense of the troops found itself in a more disastrous state. Small-caliber automatic anti-aircraft guns those capable of effectively fighting low-altitude air enemies were clearly not enough. There were two reasons - the 37-mm gun 61-K mod. 1939 was adopted too late, and the 25-mm automatic anti-aircraft gun mod. 1940 appeared even later and until 1943 the production of these guns was extremely small. The second reason was that anti-aircraft guns are the most advanced and complex look artillery, which significantly complicated development in production.

The situation was aggravated by the problem of mass evacuation of industry, which led to a breakdown in connections between suppliers, the cessation of certain production facilities for a certain period, and a generally slow increase in output at new locations of enterprises. Soviet anti-aircraft guns were quite modern and in no way inferior to German or British guns; their main drawback was their lack of production and small number of troops.

The shortage of all air defense systems in the troops was very, very large.

The most likely means of combating attack aircraft and dive bombers in the front-line zone was anti-aircraft machine guns. At this stage, designers could design and manufacture anti-aircraft installations only on the basis small arms. Moreover, the production of machine guns was in a slightly better position than that of artillery system manufacturers. However, it should be noted that the availability and production of ZPU at the beginning of the war were clearly not sufficient. The shortage of installations in air defense units alone was estimated at approximately 3,000 units.

Fundamentally suitable for military air defense purposes there were only two machine guns - the Maxim and the DShK. Aviation ShVAK and ShKAS and later UBS were used only in “handicraft” versions.

For the "Maxim" there already existed anti-aircraft machine gun installations (ZPU), created in variants - single, twin and quadruple installations. The latter - model 1931 - had a sufficient density of fire in the range of up to 500 m. But the power of the rifle cartridge when operating against modern air targets was clearly evident. insufficient Already in the middle of the war, it became clear that the increase in speed, as well as the increase in security and survivability of aviation, did not allow the ZPU, created on the basis of Maxim rifle-caliber machine guns, to effectively fight enemy combat aircraft. However, despite the fact that since February 1943, 7.62-mm quadruple anti-aircraft launchers designed by Tokarev were withdrawn as obsolete from the anti-aircraft regiments of the RGK anti-aircraft divisions, the installations fought in the active army until the very end of the war. The installation weighed about half a ton. and to increase mobility they were mounted on trucks. Self-propelled units with DShK were also used - mainly GAZ-AA or ZiS trucks mounted in the back on a DShK anti-aircraft machine.

But even in this form they were suitable only for air defense of near rear stationary objects - airfields, headquarters, transport hubs and storage points. In advanced combat formations of troops, due to the limited maneuverability of the base chassis and the absolute vulnerability of crews, it was impossible to use ZPU

The natural solution seemed to be to place the DShK on a protected self-propelled base of a light tank. At the same time, the possibility of creating multi-barrel installations was facilitated and the problems of increasing transportable ammunition were simplified. To implement the project in the second half of 1942, the factories developed and manufactured three samples self-propelled units based on light tanks that were in production. Plant No. 37 NKTP presented their competitive proposals - in two versions - based on the T-60 and T-70 chassis and GAZ - based on the T-70M. http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/WWII/T90/t90 .php Upon completion of the tests, the “anti-aircraft” light tanks on the T-60 and T-70 chassis remained experimental, as did the multi-barrel installations (built 12.7-mm anti-aircraft installations found limited use - Moscow air defense). The failures of the built installations were associated, first of all, with the power supply system, which did not allow changing the direction of supply (from left to right).

The created samples of mobile anti-aircraft guns were not accepted for service and did not go into mass production. The only SPAAGs in service with the Red Army were the American quad 12.7-mm M2NV “Browning” installations of the M-17 type, created on the basis of the half-tracked M3 armored personnel carriers. The M2NV “Browning” heavy machine guns were also used in tank and mechanized units of the Red Army; they were supplied mainly as weapons American tanks and armored personnel carrier. The characteristics of the weapon were close to those of the DShK, with the exception of the more powerful shot of the Soviet machine gun.

The serial twin machine-gun ZSU M13 (1942) on the chassis of the half-track armored personnel carrier M3 carried the Maxson turret. At the same time, the M45 “Maxson” turret with quad machine guns and an electric drive was installed on the chassis of half-track armored personnel carriers. These ZSUs were designated M16 and M17 (a total of 1,273 were delivered to the Red Army). The quadruple installation of 12.7mm Brownings with mechanized aiming at the target ensured very high density and accuracy of fire. The shooting accuracy of anti-aircraft machine gun installations depends to a very large extent on the properties of the platform on which they are installed; from sighting devices and shooting devices; and also on the working conditions of the crew, their training; on the target parameters and some other factors.
The highest practical rate of fire in anti-aircraft machine gun mounts is provided by belt feed, which makes it possible to conduct continuous accompanying fire for 15 - 20 seconds. This duration of firing approximately corresponds to the longest time a flying aircraft spends in the area of ​​actual fire from the installation. bratishka.ru/archiv/2007/11/2007_11_8.php

The M45 “Maxson” mechanized installation in combat position (with a gunner) weighed about 960 kg, provided all-round fire, with good hit accuracy at heights up to 1000 m and elevation angles up to +90 degrees, declination - up to -10 degrees, stepless guidance with speed up to 60 degrees/s in both planes. It consisted of a fixed base and a rotating turret, rotating on ball bearings and a gasoline-electric power drive. The sight is a Mk-IX collimator sight with an illuminated reticle.

M3 armored personnel carriers armed with a 12.7mm M2NV “Browning” machine gun, which had good mobility and reliability, were in service with reconnaissance and headquarters units. ZSUs based on the M3 armored personnel carrier were also used mainly for the defense of military air defense facilities - headquarters, bridges, transport hubs, etc. Accompanied by supply columns or direct air defense of troops, such ZSUs were used sporadically. Nevertheless, vehicle losses in the Red Army decreased from 14.1% in 1942 to 3.9% in 1945, from total number vehicles received by the troops. Despite the shortage and problems with equipping with modern equipment, the anti-aircraft artillery of the fronts and the RVGK divisions attached to them made a significant contribution to the overall victory in the Great Patriotic War. During the war, 21,645 aircraft were shot down by ground-based military air defense systems, of which: FOR medium caliber - 4,047 aircraft; FOR small caliber - 14657 aircraft; anti-aircraft machine guns - 2401 aircraft; rifle and machine gun fire - 540 aircraft, which amounted to 33% of the total number of Luftwaffe aircraft.

During the war, severe combat trials fell on the local air defense. She endured them with honor. Rear workers, fighters and commanders of the anti-aircraft defense did everything to minimize losses among the population, material damage during bombings, quickly eliminate their consequences. The contribution of local air defense soldiers to the victory over the enemy is significant.

It is estimated that during the war, Nazi aircraft carried out more than 30 thousand group and single raids on cities and rear targets. At the same time, about 600 thousand high-explosive and almost 1 million incendiary bombs were dropped. A number of large cities were subjected to intense shelling. However, the anti-aircraft defense soldiers managed to minimize the damaging effects of enemy bombs and shells. MPVO formations provided assistance to 185 thousand citizens in the affected areas. Over 100 thousand “lighters” alone were extinguished, more than 90 thousand fires and fires were eliminated, and 32 thousand serious accidents at national economic facilities were prevented.

Moscow survived 141 air raids. The Nazis dropped more than 100 thousand incendiary and 1,600 high-explosive bombs, but the enemy did not manage to disrupt the smooth working rhythm of the city for a single day, and losses from the raids were reduced to a minimum. During the war, 652 air raid alarms sounded in Leningrad. They lasted a total of 724 hours and 29 minutes. The enemy dropped about 5 thousand high-explosive and more than 100 thousand incendiary bombs and fired 150 thousand artillery shells. Soldiers of the Moscow Defense Ministry of the city of Lenin eliminated over 30 thousand lesions, dismantled 6540 rubble, removed over 3000 buildings damaged from the rubble, and provided medical assistance to almost 25 thousand wounded. They also built bomb shelters, pillboxes, bunkers, anti-tank ditches, delivered water to bakeries, peat, firewood and coal to power plants, and repaired city utilities. By the end of 1942, almost every second Leningrader was an air defense fighter.

A huge number of people, both adults and teenagers, were involved in the Stalingrad air defense. There was not a family in the city whose member was not a member of one of the MPVO units. On all the streets, in courtyards, in city gardens and parks, at tram stops, in the territories of enterprises, cracks were dug and dugouts were built. By the beginning of August 1942, 174 thousand linear meters of cracks had been dug in the city; at least 350 thousand people could hide in them, and on the defensive contours of the city, with the participation of anti-aircraft defense formations, 5,250 pillboxes and bunkers, about 14 thousand reinforced concrete and armored metal firing points were built. Soldiers of the Sevastopol Air Defense Forces made heroic efforts to clear the rubble under which people were trapped, extinguished fires, restored water supply, electricity, telephone communications, and helped the victims. During the day on June 18, 1942, several hundred high-explosive bombs and more than 10 thousand incendiary bombs were dropped on Murmansk. 800 residential buildings burned down and a large number of production and office premises.

The losses were great, and yet the enemy did not reach their goal. He was powerless to break the resistance of the city's defenders. The bombing had not yet ended, and the MPVO formations rushed to eliminate its consequences and save people. About two and a half thousand air defense soldiers took part in this operation. By evening the fires were extinguished. It was possible to save a significant part of the city, the port, the ship repair plant, the fish factory, and the railway station. During the war years, MPVO pyrotechnicians neutralized over 430 thousand unexploded bombs and almost 2.5 million shells and mines. Thus, officer I. Kharchenko did not go on attacks, did not storm enemy fortifications, but at every step of his long front-line journey he accomplished feats. Behind a short time he neutralized 1,245 bombs and 2,500 shells and mines. For his work, the brave patriot was the first among pyrotechnicians Soviet army in November 1944 he was awarded the title of Hero Soviet Union.

Air Defense Forces during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945)Teacher: Sergey Mavrin
Valerievich
Performed by: Vernokhaeva A.N. and
Tkachenko A. Yu.
"A" stream. 12th group of the Faculty of Medicine.
year 2012

Air defense - a set of measures to ensure protection
(defense) from enemy air attack weapons
April 8 Day of Air Defense Forces (Day of Air Defense Forces)
In April 1942, the Moscow Air Defense Front was formed, and in Leningrad and
Baku has created an air defense army. The first operational units appeared
Air Defense Forces.
In June 1943, the Office of the Commander of the Territory Air Defense Forces
the country was disbanded. After the reorganizations, by April
In 1944, the Western and Eastern Fronts were created, as well as
Transcaucasian air defense zone, which in the same year were reorganized into
Northern, Southern and Transcaucasian air defense fronts.
The air defense troops defending Moscow were reorganized into the Special
Moscow Air Defense Army. On far east in March 1945 there were
Three air defense armies were created: Primorskaya, Priamurskaya, Transbaikalskaya.

On November 9, 1941, the position of Commander of the Air Defense Forces of the country was introduced and Major General Gromadin was appointed to it.

The war caught the air defense troops during the period of their rearmament. The anti-aircraft artillery still had few new 37-mm automatic and 85-mm anti-aircraft guns. IN

YAK-1
MIG-3

At the beginning of massive fascist air raids, these formations included over 600 fighters, more than 1,000 medium and small guns.

Gas transport for aerostat

The air defense troops defending Moscow destroyed 738 enemy aircraft. In addition, the 6th Fighter Aviation Corps carried out assault strikes,

balloon - a lighter-than-air aircraft that uses the lifting force of gas (or heated air) enclosed in a shell to fly

Widely used for protection
cities, industrial areas,
factories, government buildings
naval bases, etc. from
air attacks.
For precision bombing aircraft
forced to stoop low and
fly directly over
object. It is in such
places, directly above the roofs of buildings,
over bridges, over factories
pipes and launched balloons
barriers, preventing enemy
bombers to hit
object a barrage of fire.

The action of the barrage balloons was designed to damage aircraft in the event of a collision with cables, shells, or suspended on trams.

Observation balloon

By type of filling, balloons are divided into:
gas - charliers,
thermal - hot air balloons,
combined - rosiers.
The height of the balloon “hovering”
was calculated very accurately.
The enemy plane could not fly up
under a balloon: when bombing with
such a low height car would
just covered with a blast wave from
own bombs. What if the plane
dropped bombs from above, they
destroyed the balloon (it also absorbed
and fragments), which is soft
collapsed on or near an object
him. Even when the balloon was hanging on
high altitude high, the pilot is not
could fly under him: they interfered
cables holding the air
giant.

devices for cutting cables of barrage balloons

the Germans tried very hard to protect their own
airplanes from “attacks” of balloons. On
The bombers were equipped with paravanes.
A paravane is a triangle of cables,
connecting the nose of the aircraft (extended
with a special pole) and the ends of its wings.
The balloon cable simply slipped off
aircraft without clinging to the propellers or
other protruding parts.
There were other solutions. On the wings
installed blades for cutting cables
(they helped, frankly speaking, weakly), but
airplanes were equipped with squibs for
setting fire to balloons.

Balloon ready to launch
barriers in front of the Bolshoi
theater in Moscow

In addition to trucks, Katyushas were also equipped with water transport - armored boats and specialized vessels to support naval landings

Katyusha
unofficial Soviet collective name for domestic military
BM-13 rocket launchers (rocket artillery vehicles.)
1941 - the first salvo of the famous Katyushas thundered. In 1921, developers N.I. Tikhomirov, V.A.
Artemiev
-

Another, exotic version. The guides on which the projectiles were mounted were called ramps. We'll lift a forty-two-kilogram projectile

Another option is that the name is associated with the “K” index on the mortar body - the installations were produced by the Kalinin plant (according to another source

"Night Witches"

46th Guards Taman Red Banner Order of Suvorov 3rd
degree night bomber aviation regiment (46th Guards NBP)
- women's aviation regiment as part of the USSR Air Force during
Great Patriotic War.
During the war years, 23 servicemen of the regiment were awarded the rank
Hero of the Soviet Union

Sebrova Irina Fedorovna Guard senior lieutenant 1004 combat missions.

Guard senior lieutenant Natalya Fedorovna Meklin - 980 combat missions. Awarded on February 23, 1945.

Aronova Raisa Ermolaevna Guard senior lieutenant 960 combat missions. Awarded May 15, 1946.

During the war, they were organizationally formed as a branch of the air defense forces, anti-aircraft
artillery and fighter aircraft.
During the Second World War, the Air Defense Forces successfully completed their tasks. They
ensured the defense of industry and communications, allowing a breakthrough to
objects only individual aircraft, as a result of which there were
short-term shutdowns of enterprises and disruptions in train traffic
on certain sections of railways.
Carrying out their tasks, the Air Defense Forces of the country destroyed 7313
aircraft of fascist German aviation, of which 4168 by IA forces and
3145 anti-aircraft artillery, machine-gun fire and barrage balloons.
Over 80,000 soldiers, sergeants, officers and generals of the Air Defense Forces were
awarded orders and medals, and 92 soldiers were awarded high ranks
Hero of the Soviet Union and 1 - twice.

During the Great Patriotic War, designed to protect large administrative and political centers, the most important industrial areas, communications and other strategic objects in the theater of war and in the rear of the country from enemy air strikes.

Air defense fronts were created on the basis of GKO regulations, depending on the operational-strategic tasks being solved, the developing situation, and the available air defense forces and means. The front covered the frontal air defense area from air strikes and was reinforced with forces and means based on the importance of the defended areas and objects and the actions of the opposing enemy.

The air defense front included: an air defense army (zone), an air defense air fighter army, up to 8 air defense corps (corps areas), 1–2 historical aviation corps, up to 7 air defense divisions, up to 12 historical aviation divisions, dept. air defense brigade. In carrying out their tasks, the formations and formations of air defense fronts interacted with the air defense forces of the fronts, and in the coastal areas - with the fleets.

During various periods of the war, 8 air defense fronts operated.

Eastern Air Defense Front formed on June 29, 1943 by dividing the country's air defense forces into Western and Eastern Air Defense F. The front carried out air defense of the most important centers of the Urals, Middle and Lower Volga, the Caucasus and Transcaucasia. The Eastern Air Defense Front included: Transcaucasian air defense zone (including 2 brigades of the Baku Air Defense Army), 2 corps, 4 division and 1 brigade areas Air defense, 8th historical aviation air defense corps, 6 historical aviation air defense divisions, training units (447 fighters, 3259 ordnance, 1814 machine guns, 1142 searchlights and 491 barrage balloons).

Active defense of owls. troops in Battle of Kursk 1943 and subsequent offensive operations forced the Nazis. the command sent the main forces of its aviation to support ground troops, as a result of which, from July 1943, the activity of enemy aviation against deep rear targets sharply decreased, and massive raids on industrial and economic centers ceased. This led to a decrease in the intensity of combat operations of formations and units of the Eastern Air Defense Front, and it essentially became a strategic reserve of the country's Air Defense Forces. On March 29, 1944, the control of the Eastern Air Defense Front was reorganized into the directorate of the Southern Air Defense Front. Commanded by: General-Regiment. artillery G.S. Zashikhin.

Transcaucasian Air Defense Front had 2 formations, formed 5/6/1943. From 29.6.1943 it was included in the Eastern Air Defense Front, with renaming on 10.7.1943 to the Transcaucasian Air Defense Zone. Re-formed on March 29, 1944. It included the Baku Air Defense Army, 2 air defense brigades, the historical aviation corps and an air defense division (326 fighters, 1229 anti-aircraft guns, over 350 anti-aircraft machine guns, about 300 searchlights and about 200 barrage balloons). The main task of the Transcaucasian Air Defense Front was air cover of the Baku region and the oil fields of the Apsheron Peninsula. The front mainly fought against enemy aerial reconnaissance. Was a Reserve VGK rates(over 200 units and formations were transferred to strengthen neighboring air defense fronts). Disbanded in April 1945. Commanded by – Lieutenant General. artillery P.E. Gudymenko.

Western Air Defense Front had 2 formations, formed on June 29, 1943 by dividing the country's air defense forces into the Western and Eastern air defense fronts. Front troops covered Moscow, Murmansk, Moscow and Yaroslavl industrial areas, etc. The Western Air Defense Front included the Special Moscow Air Defense Army, 3 corps, 8 divisional air defense regions (1012 fighters, 4172 ordnance, 2280 machine guns, 1573 searchlights and 1834 barrage balloons ).

From Sep. 1943 to March 1944 the front was transferred from the Eastern Front to the air defense of St. 100 dept. air defense units. IN summer-autumn campaign 1943 and the winter-spring campaign of 1944, troops of the Western Air Defense Front shot down St. 1200 German s-comrade On March 29, 1944, by decision of the State Defense Committee, the Northern Air Defense Front was formed on the basis of the Western Air Defense Front. 12/24/1944 The Western Air Defense Front was restored consisting of 5 corps, 4 air defense divisions and 8 historical air defense divisions. It operated until the end of the war, protecting troops and objects in the front line from enemy air strikes. Troops of the Western Air Defense Front were also involved in covering front groupings in Sov operations. troops (including the Vistula-Oder and Berlin operations of 1945). Commanded by: Regiment General. M.S. Gromadin (June 1943 – March 1944), Regiment General. artillery D.A. Zhuravlev (Dec. 1944 – May 1945).

Moscow Air Defense Front formed on April 5, 1942 on the basis of the Moscow Air Defense Corps District for the purpose of air defense of Moscow and its units important objects Central industrial region from the attacks of the Nazis. aviation. The Moscow Air Defense Front included the 6th Historical Aviation Air Defense Corps (23 regiments, 8 air-based areas), 19 anti-aircraft regiments (artillery, machine gun and searchlight), 13 departments. anti-aircraft artillery divisions, 3 anti-aircraft machine gun and 3 searchlight regiments, 2 VNOS regiments, 2 barrage balloon regiments, dep. communications battalion, training units (about 500 fighters, 1,560 ordnance, 430 machine guns, 1,300 searchlights, 1,060 barrage balloons).

Front troops ensured that enemy air raids on the capital were repelled, causing significant damage to it. At the same time, units of the Moscow Air Defense Front covered communications, supply bases and troop groups of the North-Western, Kalinin, Western and Bryansk fronts. In the spring of 1943, significant front forces were involved in the air defense of troop groups and rear facilities in the Kursk region. On June 29, 1943, the Moscow Air Defense Front was transformed into the Special Moscow Air Defense Army, which became part of the Western Air Defense Front. Commanded by Lieutenant General. artillery D.A. Zhuravlev.

Northern Air Defense Front formed on March 29, 1944 on the basis of the Eastern and Western Air Defense Fronts. It included the Special Moscow Air Defense Army, 3 corps, 7 divisions, 12th division. ist.-aviation division and dept. air defense brigade (1,150 fighters, approximately 5,600 ordnance, 2,750 machine guns, approximately 1,700 searchlights and 1,650 barrage balloons). The front operated from Barents Sea to the line Kuibyshev, Kursk, Lutsk, covering Moscow, the Central Industrial Region, Murmansk, communications of front troops and important objects of the front-line zone in the western and northwestern directions from enemy air strikes.

The troops of the Northern Air Defense Front contributed to the successful conduct of the operations of the Red Army in the summer-autumn campaign of 1944, and destroyed 320 enemy forces only during the preparation and conduct of the Belarusian operation of 1944. Of the 117 raids by enemy aircraft on objects and communications in the front-line zone, only in 7 cases did they manage to break through to targets and strike them. 12/24/1944 The Northern Air Defense Front was transformed into the Western Air Defense Front, part of the forces was transferred to the Central Air Defense Front. Commanded by: General-Regiment. M.S. Whopper.

Central Air Defense Front formed on December 24, 1944 on the basis of the Special Moscow Air Defense Army and part of the forces of the Northern Air Defense Front. The front troops were entrusted with the tasks of air defense of Moscow, Leningrad, Murmansk, facilities of the Central Industrial Region, Upper and Middle Volga from enemy air strikes. The front existed until the end of the war. Commanded by: General-Regiment. M.S. Whopper.

Southwestern Air Defense Front formed on December 24, 1944 on the basis of the Southern Air Defense Front. The front included 7 corps and 4 air defense divisions, 2 historical aviation corps and 6 historical aviation divisions (over 800 fighters, about 4600 ordnance and 2800 machine guns, 1000 searchlights and over 200 barrage balloons). The front troops were entrusted with the tasks of air defense of the most important industrial regions and facilities in the south of the USSR, as well as communications and supply bases. Commanded by: General-Regiment. artillery G.S. Zashikhin.

Southern Air Defense Front formed on March 29, 1944 on the basis of the Eastern and Western Air Defense Front. It was entrusted with air defense of administrative-political, industrial-economic centers and regions of the south of the USSR, covering communications and supply bases for the active army, as well as building up the air defense system during the offensive operations of the Red Army in the southwestern direction. The front included 7 corps and 3 air defense divisions, 2 historical aviation corps and 7 historical aviation divisions (917 fighters, 4346 ordnance, 866 searchlights, 296 barrage balloons). The troops of the Southern Air Defense Front took an active part in the summer-autumn campaign of 1944. 12/24/1944 The Southern Air Defense Front was transformed into the Southwestern Air Defense Front. Commanded by: General-Regiment. artillery G.S. Zashikhin.

In October 1945 they were reorganized into air defense districts.