Alexander Pokrishkin

Alexander Pokryshkin

Alexander Pokryshkin was a great military man. He was a wonderful pilot. He got the title of a hero of the Soviet Union three times. Pokryshkin was the first person to get the award three times. Moreover he was given those awards during the wartime.

Alexander Pokryshkin had 59 personal victories. He was not only an excellent pilot but he was also a brilliant tactician. He got orders for his courage. After the war he was the Marshal of the Soviet Air Force. He was the member of the Supreme Soviet in the Soviet Union.

Pokryshkin

Alexander Pokryshkin was born in Novonikolaevsk on 6 of March in 1913 in the family of a factory worker. He lived in a poor part of the town. He was interested in learning and his nickname was "Sashka-engineer". He became interested in aviation when he was 12 years old. In 1928 he finished school successfully. In 1930 he left home and entered a local Technical college. After that he worked as a steel worker. Next he volunteered for the army and studied at an aviation school. But he trained not as a pilot but as an aircraft mechanic. But then he entered flight school and successfully graduated in 1939 and became a military pilot.

Alexander with airplane

The war began when he was in Moldavia. Pokryshkin fought in very difficult conditions but he managed to develop his new method and tactics. At the beginning of the war he tried hard to change the old soviet tactics which caused huge losses. That nearly cost him his career.

After the War he was also very active. Alexander wrote four books about his war-time experiences. He also worked in civilian organizations. His main task was to prepare young men to serve in the army. Pokryshkin was given a lot of awards and honours for his activity. He died on November 13,1985 in Novosibirsk. People of Novosibirsk remember that great person. A street, a square and a subway station in Novosibirsk are named after Aleksander Pokryshkin.

Alexander Pokryshkin is a hero for me because he did a lot of good things for Russia not only during the War but also after the War.

When I look at his monument I want to be as useful for my country as Pokryshkin. Novosibirsk is my home town and I am proud that such a great man was also from Novosibirsk.