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.

C HA PTE R F IV E 86 ground targets and shipping. Strelnikov achieved further success in this new role, and on 21 July 1944 he was made a squadron commander. All his combat successes were listed in the recommendation for his award of the title of HSU, dated 22 October. It stated; ‘For the 150 combat sorties he has carried out and for the six enemy aircraft that he has personally shot down; for the two minesweepers, patrol launch, 600-ton self-propelled barge, 50-ton motorboat, 70-ton SKA motorboat, 600-ton tug and two barges that he has personally sunk; for the suppression of an enemy gun battery; for the two ammunition dumps he set on fire; for the two enemy barges he sank as part o f a group; for the patrol ship and enemy launch he personally damaged; for leading the squadron which inflicted such damage on the enemy; and for the personal example of bravery, courage and heroism in air combat, he is worthy of this high governmental award.’ Vasiliy Strelnikov also received the Order o f Lenin and the Order of the Red Banner three times, on 2 October 1943, 4 June 1944 and 16 October 1944. Post-war, he was awarded the Order of the October Revolution and served with Black Sea Fleet naval aviation. In March 1955 he completed courses on the development o f the officer corps at the Air Force Academy and on 24 April 1975 he was awarded the title o f Lieutenant General of Aviation. The title of Pilot Emeritus followed in 1981. Strelnikov died on 23 October 1993, having retained fond memories o f flying the Hurricane to the end o f his days. In his memoirs he had this to say o f the British fighter; ‘I began my service in 1940 as a graduate o f the naval aviation academy and left in 1981 as a Lieutenant General o f Aviation. During my years of service I became familiar with the greatest variety o f aircraft types, from training biplanes to supersonic bombers. But I remember with special affection the one which was simple by today’s standards — the Hurricane. It was in this very aircraft that I encountered war at a time when the combat potential o f the Luftwaffe was at its zenith during the most difficult years for our country, 1942-43. I recorded victories in it and stayed alive when I was shot down. This is undoubtedly due to this rugged and reliable British aircraft.’ Vice-Admiral Vasiliy Strelnikov served as a fighter pilot flying Hurricanes in the polar region between December 1942 and December 1943, claiming five victories w ith the aircraft. He retained fond memories of the British fighter © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com