Рыбин, Ю. В. Советские асы на Харрикейнах в годы Второй Мировой Войны / Юрий Рыбин . – [Б. м. ] : Osprey Publishing, 2012. – 97 с. : ил., портр. – Англ. яз.

Sgt N D Bryzzhanov of 769th IAP, 122nd IAD of the Air Defence Forces hit a tractor while landing on 20 March 1942. Note the RAF presentation titling SKYLARK II just aft of the cockpit That month, prior to his death, Safonov had reported shooting down five enemy aircraft, and Petr Sgibnev had recorded his tenth victory. On 30 May a Luftwaffe strike force ofJu 88s from II./KG 30, escorted by a large force of Bf 109s and Bf 110s, targeted vessels of PQ-16 whilst they were at anchor in Kola Gulf. A total of 37 Soviet fighters from the Northern Fleet Air Force, the 14th Air Army and 122nd IAD took off to intercept them. Although some of the enemy bombers were scattered by Soviet fighters, individual Ju 88s managed to break through the dense anti-aircraft fire and the fighter shield to drop their bombs. Most fell into the water and exploded harmlessly, but one 500 kg (1100 lb) bomb detonated near the 6187-ton American vessel Deer Lodge, damaging its hull. The ship remained afloat, but had to be given assistance to move to shallow water. The Northern Fleet pilots, together with a group of 13 Hurricanes from 78th IAP, intercepted six Ju 88s and two Bf 110s. According to Northern Fleet Air Force Headquarters operations report No 0138 of 19 May 1942; ‘Sgibnev attacked one Ju 88 from above and behind, opening fire with four machine guns from a distance of 300-100 m. The aircraft caught fire and crashed near lake Kilp-Yavr. Babiy attacked another Ju 88 from above and behind, opening fire with four to five long bursts from a distance of 200-100 m. The aircraft entered a steep dive and crashed into the ground six kilometres [four miles] southwest of Lake Dolgoe. Bershanskiy attacked a Ju 88 from directly behind its tail and opened fire with five bursts. The aircraft caught fire and crashed five kilometres [three miles] south of Kyadel-Yavr. Doroshin shot down a Ju 88 and Dilanyan shot down a single Me 110. The fall of these aircraft is confirmed by air defence posts and verified from the air by the regimental commander.’ 78th IAP pilots participating in this battle claimed four Ju 88s and a Bf 110 destroyed. At the same time the pilots of 122nd IAD and the 14th Army Air Force, who also played a part in countering the raid, © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com AR CT IC WAR HOTS UP