Viktor Talalikhin’s Historic Aerial Ramming over Moscow Remembered 85 Years Later
Dragon Media News Desk
Russia has marked the 85th anniversary of the historic combat mission of Soviet fighter pilot Viktor Talalikhin, whose daring aerial ramming attack over Moscow during the Great Patriotic War earned him a lasting place in military aviation history.
On August 7, 1941, during an air battle over Moscow, the young Soviet pilot was flying an I-16 fighter when he pursued a Nazi German Heinkel He 111 bomber.
According to historical records, Talalikhin first opened fire on one of the bomber’s engines before using his own aircraft to ram its tail. The action became one of the best-known early aerial ramming attacks of the Great Patriotic War.
Talalikhin was wounded during the encounter but survived. The German bomber was destroyed.
For his courage, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal. Soon afterwards, at the age of just 22, he was appointed squadron commander and promoted to lieutenant.
Talalikhin continued to take part in combat missions and further distinguished himself in aerial battles. Historical accounts state that he personally shot down at least four German aircraft and shared another victory with his unit.
He was later killed in his final battle near Podolsk. Before his death, he was reported to have shot down two German Me 109 fighters.
Talalikhin was buried with military honours at Moscow’s Novodevichy Cemetery.
By order of the USSR People’s Commissar of Defence dated August 30, 1948, his name was permanently enrolled on the roster of the 1st Squadron of the 177th Fighter Aviation Regiment, the unit with which he had fought during the defence of Moscow.
Amid the fierce fighting of 1941, Talalikhin’s act of courage became a powerful symbol of determination for Soviet soldiers and civilians.
Historical records indicate that Soviet pilots carried out more than 600 aerial ramming attacks during the Great Patriotic War.
Viktor Talalikhin continues to be remembered in connection with the defence of Moscow, the history of Soviet military aviation and the courage and sacrifice associated with the Second World War.
