Semyon Sibirin Congratulates Albert Littolf After an Aerial Victory, 1943

December 29, 2025 - Reading time: 12 minutes

A rare 1943 photograph showing Soviet ace Semyon Sibirin congratulating French pilot Albert Littolf after shooting down a German aircraft while flying with the Normandie squadron.

This wartime photograph captures a rare moment of camaraderie between Allied pilots on the Eastern Front. Soviet fighter pilot Captain Semyon Sibirin congratulates French ace Captain Albert Littolf after a successful air combat mission in June 1943. Behind them stands a Yak-1B fighter of the famous “Normandie” squadron, symbolizing international cooperation during World War II.

Semyon Sibirin: Soviet Fighter Ace:

Semyon Alekseyevich Sibirin served as the commander of the 1st Squadron of the 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (18th GvIAP).

By the end of the war:

• 16 enemy aircraft destroyed personally

• 1 victory in group combat

• Awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union in July 1944

Sibirin was respected not only for his combat record but also for his leadership. Tragically, he was killed in the line of duty on 6 May 1949, several years after the war had ended.

Albert Littolf: A French Pilot on the Eastern Front:

Albert Littolf, a French fighter pilot, fought alongside Soviet forces as part of the Normandie fighter group, later known as Normandie–Niemen.

His combat record included:

• 6 confirmed personal victories

• 8 group victories

• 2 unconfirmed enemy aircraft

Notably, 10 of his 14 confirmed victories were achieved while fighting German forces earlier in the war over France, North Africa, and Crete.

Littolf was killed in air combat on 16 July 1943, just one month after this photograph was taken. He was posthumously awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class.

The Aerial Victory: Fw 189 Destroyed:

The photograph was taken shortly after Littolf shot down a German Focke-Wulf Fw 189, a twin-engine reconnaissance aircraft widely used on the Eastern Front.

The Fw 189 was:

• Highly valued for artillery spotting and reconnaissance

• Well-defended and difficult to intercept

• A frequent target for Allied fighters

Its destruction represented both a tactical success and a boost to frontline morale.

The Yak-1B and the “Normandie” Squadron:

Visible in the background is a Yak-1B fighter aircraft, flown by pilots of the Normandie squadron.

The Yak-1B was:

• Highly maneuverable

• Well-suited to Eastern Front conditions

• A key aircraft used by French pilots serving with the Soviet Air Force

The presence of the aircraft reinforces the authenticity and historical context of the scene.

International Cooperation in the Air War:

This image represents more than a single victory. It reflects:

• Cooperation between Soviet and Free French forces

• Shared risks and mutual respect among Allied pilots

• The truly international character of the fight against Nazi Germany

Such moments were rare and powerful symbols of unity during the war.

Historical Significance of the Photograph:

This photograph is historically significant because it:

• Shows identifiable Allied aces together

• Documents the Normandie squadron in active service

• Captures a personal moment amid wartime conditions

It humanizes the air war, connecting strategy and statistics to real individuals.

Photo Information:

• 📝 Source: wartime Soviet photograph

• 📍 Location: USSR

• 📅 Date: 17 June 1943

• 📷 Author: Mikhail Savin

The moment captured in this photograph reflects courage, cooperation, and the fleeting nature of wartime success. Within weeks, Albert Littolf would lose his life in combat, while Semyon Sibirin would continue fighting toward victory. Together, they represent the shared sacrifice of Allied pilots in the skies over the Eastern Front.

👉 See also: rare photographs of the Normandie–Niemen squadron and Allied fighter pilots on the Eastern Front.