Vasili Yanchenko
Encyclopedia
Praporshik Vasili Ivanovich Yanchenko was a World War I flying ace
credited with 16 aerial victories. He was the second ranking Russian ace, trailing only Aleksandr Kazakov
. Yanchenko flew on the Eastern Front
, gaining his first victory on 25 June 1916, and his last on 14 October 1917.
Yanchenko was an engineer. He began in two-seater reconnaissance airplanes but progressed to the fighters of the 7th Corps Detachment by early 1916. He used a Nieuport 11
to open his victory list on 25 June 1916, sharing his win with fellow ace Ivan Orlov
. He also split his second win with Orlov, on 4 October, but scored on his own on the 18th. Yanchenko would not score again until 7 March 1917, when he teamed up with Donat Makeenok
. On 13 April, Yanchenko would use a Morane-Saulnier H
to share a couple of victories with Makeenok and Juri Gilsher
. He then used a Nieuport 17
for his seventh win, on 27 June 1917. He then switched back to a Nieuport 11, and between 2 July and 23 September, added seven more wins. He transferred to the 32nd Corps Detachment in late September, and used a Nieuport 23 for his last two victories, on 8 and 14 October.
Yanchenko would go on to serve with the White Russians
in 1919 and 1920. After that, he emigrated to the United States, worked as an engineer, and took up citizenship.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with 16 aerial victories. He was the second ranking Russian ace, trailing only Aleksandr Kazakov
Aleksandr Kazakov
Alexander Alexandrovich Kazakov was the most successful Russian flying ace and fighter pilot during the First World War.-Pre World War I:Born to a Russian noble family in Kherson Governorate, Kazakov graduated from Yelizavetgrad...
. Yanchenko flew on the Eastern Front
Eastern Front (World War I)
The Eastern Front was a theatre of war during World War I in Central and, primarily, Eastern Europe. The term is in contrast to the Western Front. Despite the geographical separation, the events in the two theatres strongly influenced each other...
, gaining his first victory on 25 June 1916, and his last on 14 October 1917.
Yanchenko was an engineer. He began in two-seater reconnaissance airplanes but progressed to the fighters of the 7th Corps Detachment by early 1916. He used a Nieuport 11
Nieuport 11
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Angelucci, Enzio, ed. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. New York: The Military Press, 1983. ISBN 0-517-41021-4....
to open his victory list on 25 June 1916, sharing his win with fellow ace Ivan Orlov
Ivan Orlov
Orlov, Ivan Efimovich was a philosopher, a forerunner of relevant and other substructural logics, and an industrial chemist. The date of his death is unknown but is believed to have occurred no earlier than 1936.-Education and Scientific Career:Orlov studied at the Natural Sciences Faculty of...
. He also split his second win with Orlov, on 4 October, but scored on his own on the 18th. Yanchenko would not score again until 7 March 1917, when he teamed up with Donat Makeenok
Donat Makeenok
Poruchik Donat Aduiovich Makeenok was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories. He was the only Polish-born ace to fight against the Central Powers....
. On 13 April, Yanchenko would use a Morane-Saulnier H
Morane-Saulnier H
-References:...
to share a couple of victories with Makeenok and Juri Gilsher
Juri Gilsher
Cavalry Second Lieutenant Juri Vladimirovich Gilsher was a Ukrainian Russian fighter ace of World War I. Initially a cavalryman, but then an airman, Gilsher scored five victories between April and July 1917 before being killed in action on 20 July, tied for twelfth on the list of Russia's...
. He then used a Nieuport 17
Nieuport 17
|-Specifications :-See also:-Bibliography:* Bruce, Jack. "Those Classic Nieuports". Air Enthusiast Quarterly. Number Two, 1976. Bromley, UK:Pilot Press. pp. 137–153....
for his seventh win, on 27 June 1917. He then switched back to a Nieuport 11, and between 2 July and 23 September, added seven more wins. He transferred to the 32nd Corps Detachment in late September, and used a Nieuport 23 for his last two victories, on 8 and 14 October.
Yanchenko would go on to serve with the White Russians
White movement
The White movement and its military arm the White Army - known as the White Guard or the Whites - was a loose confederation of Anti-Communist forces.The movement comprised one of the politico-military Russian forces who fought...
in 1919 and 1920. After that, he emigrated to the United States, worked as an engineer, and took up citizenship.