Alexander Novikov
| Alexander Novikov | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Native name | Алекса́ндр Алекса́ндрович Но́виков |
| Birth name | Alexander Alexandrovich Novikov |
| Born |
November 19, 1900 Nerekhta, Kostroma Oblast, Russian Empire |
| Died | December 3, 1976 (aged 76) Moscow, Soviet Union |
| Allegiance |
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| Years of service | 1919 — 1946, 1953 — 1958 |
| Rank | Chief marshal of the aviation |
| Commands held | Soviet Air Force |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | |
Alexander Alexandrovich Novikov (Russian: Алекса́ндр Алекса́ндрович Но́виков; November 19 [O.S. November 6] 1900 – December 3, 1976) was the Chief marshal of the aviation for the Soviet Air Force during Russia's involvement in the Second World War. Lauded as "the man who has piloted the Red Air Force through the dark days into the present limelight" and a "master of tactical air power", he was twice given the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, as well as a number of other Soviet decorations.
A gifted air force commander and one of the leading men of the Soviet armed forces, Novikov was involved in nearly all exploits of the air force during World War II and was at the forefront of developments in command and control and of air combat techniques. After the war, Novikov was arrested by order of the Politburo, and was forced by NKVD chief Lavrentiy Beria into a "confession" which implicated Marshal Zhukov in a conspiracy. Novikov was then imprisoned until the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953, whereupon he became an avionics teacher and writer until his death.
Novikov was born in Kryukovo, a village in Nerekhta, in Kostroma Oblast. In 1919 he became an infantryman in the Red Army, and in 1920 became a party member.
He served in the 384th regiment of the Russian 7th Army, helped put down the Kronstadt uprising in March 1921, and he served as a platoon commander during anti-guerrilla fighting in the Caucasus in 1922. Having graduated from the Frunze Military Academy in 1930, Novikov moved to the air force in 1933, and served as chief of operations until 1935, when he took command of a light bomber squadron.
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