Mikhail Baranov
Encyclopedia
Mikhail Dmitrievich Baranov (in Russian: Михаил Дмитриевич Баранов) (born 21 October 1921 - died 15 January 1943) was a WWII Soviet pilot, who during the early stages of the Battle of Stalingrad
became the leading Soviet ace of 1942 with 21 aerial victories (other sources credit him with 24). he died in an accident on 15 January 1943 while testing a Yak-1 fighter.
, and participated in Leningrad's central aeroclub.
In October 1938 Baranov graduated as a pilot, with distinction, and was encouraged by the aeroclub's authorities to pursue a career as a military airman. With such support Baranov attended the Military School of Chugevkaya, where he graduated on October 1940 with the rank of Mladshiy Leytenant. Initially assigned to serve in 271 IAP (Baltic Military Region), he was later sent to 183 IAP in Southern Ukraine.
fighter, Baranov claimed his two first victories on 22 and 28 September (one Bf.109 each) but no actual German losses match those claims. On 30 October 1941 he intercepted a Henschel Hs.126 on an artillery correction mission escorted by a quartet of Messerschmitts. Baranov shot down both the Henschel and a Bf.109. Later that same day shot down a Junkers Ju.88 who's crew was captured. Luftwaffe records confirms a 40% damage on Hs.126 B-1 W.Nr. 3457 of 3.(H)/32, and the loss of Bf.109F-4 W.Nr.5288 of Oberleutant Walter Höckner (Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 77, an experte with 68 victories), and Ju.88A-5 W.Nr. 4037 of 1./KG 77
Mikhail Baranov repeated this feat on 8 November 1941, shooting down a Henschel aircraft and one of the escorting Bf.109s. - his victims were probably Hs.126 B W.Nr. 3412 and the Bf.109F-4 of 27-kill ace Oberleutnant Kurt Schade (Gruppenadjutant of III./JG 52). Shortly afterwards Baranov was shot down by five Bf.109s and fell, wounded, behind enemy lines. In spite of a broken leg he evaded German troops and reached the Soviet lines. Recovered from his wounds Baranov added a Ju.88 and a Hs.126 to his score on 24 December 1941 and 17 February 1942 respectively.
supporting the drive of the German 6th Army towards Stalingrad across the river Don bend.
Among Baranov's daily adversaries were experienced elite fighter units like JG 3, II./JG 52 and I./JG 53, and the Ju.87s of StG 2. On 22 July Baranov claimed a Bf.109 (almost certainly Bf.109F-4/R1 of Unteroffizier Johann Dowoby of 5./JG 52, who perished), his first victory during the Battle of Stalingrad
, followed by a second Messerschmitt on the 24th. On 25 July 1942 the commander of Luftflotte 4, Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen, sent the Stukas of I. and II./StG 2, escorted by Italian Macchi C.200 fighters, to suppress Soviet strongholds along the Chir river, and Baranov's 183 IAP intercepted. In the ensuing dogfight Mikhail Baranov shot down a Stuka and a Macchi C.200
- probably the Ju.87D-3 of Oberleutnant Martin Möbus
(Staffelkapitän of 4./StG 2, Knight's Cross
holder) and the Macchi of Sottotenente Gino Lionello (21 Gruppo Caccia). Both airmen were injured.
Two days later on 27 July, Baranov claimed three more victories - two Messerschmitt fighters and a Stuka, followed by a third Ju.87 on 4 August, and two Bf.109s on the 5th. At that time his score stood at 21.
Two of his victims that day can be corroborated - the Ju.87D-3 W.Nr. 2293 of Unteroffizier Herbert Oswald (4./StG 2, POW) and Bf.109G-2 W.Nr. 13480 of 8-kill ace Leutnant Hans Röhrig
(3./JG 53. Röhrig later would claim 67 more victories. Other German losses match Baranov's claims, but the Luftwaffe reported them as accidental or downed by anti-aircraft fire.
Baranov not only was a prominent ace, but also a capable leader: inspiring the men of 183 IAP's to score some 35 victories 1 July to 8 August 1942, more the remaining four regiments of the 269 IAD (6, 148, 254 and 864 IAPs) scored in total; 32. The 183 IAP however lost 12 Yak-1s (the whole division lost 47 Yaks and LaGGs).
On 12 August Baranov was awarded with the Zolotaya Zvezda (Golden Star), receiving the Title of Geroy Sovietskogo Soyuza (Hero of the Soviet Union
) and the Order of Lenin
. Now a national hero, he performed several publicity tours to front-line aerodromes, training schools and factories to boost moral.
to be a member of his all-ace unit, the 9 GIAP. On 15 January 1943 while testing a new Yak-1 recently arrived from the factory, he suffered a technical problem and had to perform an emergency landing. He requested permission to fly another Yak-1 and while performing aerobatic figures at 3,000 meters, his aircraft rolled inverted and plunged to the ground, killing the pilot. The cause is still unknown.
(**) = Overclaim. Not known German combat loss match this claim.
Note: In many of the dates when Baranov made his claims but no German losses in air combat are reported, in fact the Luftwaffe suffered losses, but credited them to accidents or flak.
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad in southwestern Russia. The battle took place between 23 August 1942 and 2 February 1943...
became the leading Soviet ace of 1942 with 21 aerial victories (other sources credit him with 24). he died in an accident on 15 January 1943 while testing a Yak-1 fighter.
Early life
Baranov was born on 21 October 1921 in the small town of Gronye, in the Leningradskiy Oblast. After finishing the 9th year of school in 1937, he went to work to the factory Kirov in Leningrad. Simultaneously Baranov joined the DOSAAFDOSAAF
DOSAAF was a paramilitary society in the Soviet Union, Voluntary Society for Cooperation with the Army, Aviation, and Fleet . The society was preserved in a number of post-Soviet Republics, e.g., in Russia and Belarus...
, and participated in Leningrad's central aeroclub.
In October 1938 Baranov graduated as a pilot, with distinction, and was encouraged by the aeroclub's authorities to pursue a career as a military airman. With such support Baranov attended the Military School of Chugevkaya, where he graduated on October 1940 with the rank of Mladshiy Leytenant. Initially assigned to serve in 271 IAP (Baltic Military Region), he was later sent to 183 IAP in Southern Ukraine.
First victories
Flying a Yakovlev Yak-1Yakovlev Yak-1
The Yakovlev Yak-1 was a World War II Soviet fighter aircraft. Produced from early 1940, it was a single-seat monoplane with a composite structure and wooden wings....
fighter, Baranov claimed his two first victories on 22 and 28 September (one Bf.109 each) but no actual German losses match those claims. On 30 October 1941 he intercepted a Henschel Hs.126 on an artillery correction mission escorted by a quartet of Messerschmitts. Baranov shot down both the Henschel and a Bf.109. Later that same day shot down a Junkers Ju.88 who's crew was captured. Luftwaffe records confirms a 40% damage on Hs.126 B-1 W.Nr. 3457 of 3.(H)/32, and the loss of Bf.109F-4 W.Nr.5288 of Oberleutant Walter Höckner (Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 77, an experte with 68 victories), and Ju.88A-5 W.Nr. 4037 of 1./KG 77
Mikhail Baranov repeated this feat on 8 November 1941, shooting down a Henschel aircraft and one of the escorting Bf.109s. - his victims were probably Hs.126 B W.Nr. 3412 and the Bf.109F-4 of 27-kill ace Oberleutnant Kurt Schade (Gruppenadjutant of III./JG 52). Shortly afterwards Baranov was shot down by five Bf.109s and fell, wounded, behind enemy lines. In spite of a broken leg he evaded German troops and reached the Soviet lines. Recovered from his wounds Baranov added a Ju.88 and a Hs.126 to his score on 24 December 1941 and 17 February 1942 respectively.
Battle of Stalingrad
Baranov's unit -183 IAP (Istrevitelnyy Aviatsionyy Polk = Fighter Aviation Regiment) of the 269 IAD (Istrevitelnaya Aviatsionnaya Diviziya = Fighter Aviation Division)- was part of the 8 VA (Vozdushnaya Armiya = Air Army). In mid July 1942 the 8 VA faced the brunt of the assault of Luftflotte 4Luftflotte 4
Luftflotte 4 was one of the primary divisions of the German Luftwaffe in World War II. It was formed on March 18, 1939 from Luftwaffenkommando Österreich in Vienna. The Luftflotte was redesignated on April 21, 1945 to Luftwaffenkommando 4, and became subordinated to Luftflotte 6. It was the...
supporting the drive of the German 6th Army towards Stalingrad across the river Don bend.
Among Baranov's daily adversaries were experienced elite fighter units like JG 3, II./JG 52 and I./JG 53, and the Ju.87s of StG 2. On 22 July Baranov claimed a Bf.109 (almost certainly Bf.109F-4/R1 of Unteroffizier Johann Dowoby of 5./JG 52, who perished), his first victory during the Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad in southwestern Russia. The battle took place between 23 August 1942 and 2 February 1943...
, followed by a second Messerschmitt on the 24th. On 25 July 1942 the commander of Luftflotte 4, Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen, sent the Stukas of I. and II./StG 2, escorted by Italian Macchi C.200 fighters, to suppress Soviet strongholds along the Chir river, and Baranov's 183 IAP intercepted. In the ensuing dogfight Mikhail Baranov shot down a Stuka and a Macchi C.200
Macchi C.200
The Macchi C.200 Saetta was a World War II fighter aircraft built by Aeronautica Macchi in Italy, and used in various forms throughout the Regia Aeronautica . The MC.200 had excellent manoeuvrability and general flying characteristics left little to be desired...
- probably the Ju.87D-3 of Oberleutnant Martin Möbus
Martin Möbus
Martin Möbus was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or...
(Staffelkapitän of 4./StG 2, Knight's Cross
Knight's Cross
Knight's Cross refers to a distinguishing grade or level of various orders that denotes bravery and leadership on the battlefield....
holder) and the Macchi of Sottotenente Gino Lionello (21 Gruppo Caccia). Both airmen were injured.
Two days later on 27 July, Baranov claimed three more victories - two Messerschmitt fighters and a Stuka, followed by a third Ju.87 on 4 August, and two Bf.109s on the 5th. At that time his score stood at 21.
Aerial battle on 6 August 1942
At dawn on 6 August 1942 three Yak-1s of 183 IAP took off to escort Il-2s of 504 ShAP, attacking targets near Abganerovo. Those aircraft were flown by Baranov and his wingmen Leytenant Yudin and Serzhant Savinov. Almost reaching the target they met two dozen Stukas escorted by four Messerschmitts. Baranov performed a head-on attack shooting down one of the Bf.109s. While his wingmen engaged the remaining German fighters Baranov pursued the Ju.87s and downed one (the crew was captured), and forcing the remaining to drop their ordinance prematurely. Baranov and his wingmen returned with the Il-2s in time to engage another group of Bf.109s. Baranov managed to shot down two of them, but run out of ammo, ramming a third Bf.109 (this event is known in Russian as taran). One of his legs was severely injured.Two of his victims that day can be corroborated - the Ju.87D-3 W.Nr. 2293 of Unteroffizier Herbert Oswald (4./StG 2, POW) and Bf.109G-2 W.Nr. 13480 of 8-kill ace Leutnant Hans Röhrig
Hans Röhrig
Hans Röhrig was a former German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross during World War II. Hans Röhrig was credited with 75 victories. He recorded 56 victories over the Eastern front and 19 victories recorded over the Western front.-In the War:Hans Röhrig was first assigned to...
(3./JG 53. Röhrig later would claim 67 more victories. Other German losses match Baranov's claims, but the Luftwaffe reported them as accidental or downed by anti-aircraft fire.
Baranov not only was a prominent ace, but also a capable leader: inspiring the men of 183 IAP's to score some 35 victories 1 July to 8 August 1942, more the remaining four regiments of the 269 IAD (6, 148, 254 and 864 IAPs) scored in total; 32. The 183 IAP however lost 12 Yak-1s (the whole division lost 47 Yaks and LaGGs).
On 12 August Baranov was awarded with the Zolotaya Zvezda (Golden Star), receiving the Title of Geroy Sovietskogo Soyuza (Hero of the Soviet Union
Hero of the Soviet Union
The title Hero of the Soviet Union was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded personally or collectively for heroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society.-Overview:...
) and the Order of Lenin
Order of Lenin
The Order of Lenin , named after the leader of the Russian October Revolution, was the highest decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union...
. Now a national hero, he performed several publicity tours to front-line aerodromes, training schools and factories to boost moral.
Tragic Death
By late 1942 Baranov had recovered from his wound and was allowed to return to combat duties. He was picked by regimental commander Lev ShestakovLev Shestakov
Lev Lvovich Shestakov was a Soviet military aviator and the Red Air Force's leading ace in the Spanish Civil War.-Career:Upon graduating from military college in 1936 he applied for combat in Spain, joining a Spanish Republican Air Force fighter squadron in 1937...
to be a member of his all-ace unit, the 9 GIAP. On 15 January 1943 while testing a new Yak-1 recently arrived from the factory, he suffered a technical problem and had to perform an emergency landing. He requested permission to fly another Yak-1 and while performing aerobatic figures at 3,000 meters, his aircraft rolled inverted and plunged to the ground, killing the pilot. The cause is still unknown.
List of victories
| Date (dd.mm.yyyy) | Soviet Unit | Aircraft flown | Enemy Aircraft | Pilot & Fate | Axis Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.09.1941 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109 | Luftwaffe (**) | |
| 28.09.1941 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109 | Luftwaffe (**) | |
| 30.10.1941 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Hs.126B-1 W.Nr.3457 | Unknown (40% dam) | 3.(H)/32 |
| 30.10.1941 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109F-4 W.Nr.5288 | Walter Höckner (68-kills ace) | 6./JG 77 |
| 30.10.1941 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Ju.88A-5 W.Nr.4037 | 4 POWs | 1./KG 77 |
| 2.11.1941 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Hs.126 W.Nr.3186 | A. Siegel - WIA (50% dam) | 3.(H)/13 |
| 8.11.1941 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Hs.126B W.Nr.3412 | Unknown (85% write off) | 1.(H)/23 |
| 8.11.1941 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109F-4 W.Nr. 7183 | Kurt Schade (27-kills ace) | III./JG 52 |
| 24.12.1941 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Ju.88A-5 W.Nr.3122 | 4 MIAs | Wekusta 7 |
| 17.02.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Hs.126 | Luftwaffe (**) | |
| 22.07.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109F-4/R1 W.Nr.13252 | Johann Dowoby - KIA | 5./JG 52 |
| 24.07.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109 | Luftwaffe (**) | |
| 25.07.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Ju.87D-3 W.Nr.2280 | Martin Möbus - WIA (Stuka ace) | 4./StG 2 |
| 25.07.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Macchi C.200 Macchi C.200 The Macchi C.200 Saetta was a World War II fighter aircraft built by Aeronautica Macchi in Italy, and used in various forms throughout the Regia Aeronautica . The MC.200 had excellent manoeuvrability and general flying characteristics left little to be desired... |
Gino Lionello - WIA | 21° Gruppo |
| 27.07.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109 | Luftwaffe (**) | |
| 27.07.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109 | Luftwaffe (**) | |
| 27.07.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Ju.87 | Luftwaffe (**) | |
| 4.08.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Ju.87 | Luftwaffe (**) | |
| 5.08.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109G-2 W.Nr.14163 | Unknown (20% dam) | I./JG 53 |
| 5.08.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109 | Luftwaffe (**) | |
| 6.08.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109G-2 W.Nr. 13480 | Hans Röhrig (75-kills ace) | 3./JG 53 |
| 6.08.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Ju.87D-3 W.Nr.2292 | Herbert Oswald - POW | 4./StG 2 |
| 6.08.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109 | Luftwaffe (**) | |
| 6.08.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109 | Luftwaffe (**) | |
| 6.08.1942 | 183 IAP | Yak-1 | Bf.109 (by taran) | Luftwaffe (**) |
(**) = Overclaim. Not known German combat loss match this claim.
Note: In many of the dates when Baranov made his claims but no German losses in air combat are reported, in fact the Luftwaffe suffered losses, but credited them to accidents or flak.
See also
- http://airaces.narod.ru/all1/baran_md.htm (biography of Mikhail Baranov, in Russian)
- http://www.rkka.es/Otros_articulos/30_Mijail_Baranov/001_Mijail_Baranov.htm (biography of Mikhail Baranov, in Spanish)