The Soviet crew of the A-20 “Boston” torpedo carrier from the 1st Guards Mine-Torpedo Aviation Regiment of the 8th Mine-Torpedo Air Division of the Air Force of the Baltic Fleet – pilot Alexander Gagiev, navigator R.S. Demidov and the gunner-radio operator V. Sokolov against the background of his plane.
Five days before this photo, Alexander Gagiev with his navigator Demidov drowned an enemy sea transport of a displacement of 4,000 tons, and Sokolov shot down an enemy fighter. The day before the photo, the crew of Gagiyev drowned an enemy sea transport with a displacement of 6,000 tons.
In total during the time of participation in combat operations, the Soviet crew of the pilot Alexander Gagiev and navigator Demidov carried out 106 sorties, sank 6 enemy sea transport with a total displacement of 27,500 tons, and several transports, warships and boats were damaged. During the missions, 60 torpedoes were struck, 20 bombings were carried out, 26 minefields were fired. In March 1945, Alexander Gagiev and Demidov were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Location: Panevezys, Lithuanian SSR, USSR
Time when the photo was taken: September 19, 1944
Author: Sergey Shimansky