Mikhail Baranov, Soviet fighter ace, photographed in Stalingrad in 1942. He would later become one of the highest-scoring Soviet fighter pilots of the war with 31 confirmed aerial victories.
This photograph, taken in Stalingrad during 1942, shows Mikhail Baranov, one of the best-known Soviet fighter pilots of the Second World War. During his combat career, Baranov would be credited with 31 confirmed aerial victories, making him one of the leading Soviet aces before his death in January 1943.
By the time he received the title Hero of the Soviet Union in August 1942, Baranov had completed 176 combat sorties, personally shot down 20 enemy aircraft, and destroyed six more during attacks on enemy airfields. His achievements also earned him the Order of Lenin and two Orders of the Red Banner.
Baranov was killed on January 17, 1943, at the age of 21, when his aircraft crashed following a mechanical failure during a test flight. Despite his short career, he remains one of the most successful Soviet fighter pilots of the war.
Photographed by Georgiy Zelma, this portrait preserves the image of one of the Soviet Air Force's most accomplished pilots during the Battle of Stalingrad period and remains an important historical record of the conflict.
Technical photo data:
📝 Source of information: Unknown
📍 Location: Stalingrad, USSR
📅 Date of photo: 1942
📷 Photographer: Georgiy Zelma
Recommended literature:
- Mikhail Bykov. All Aces of Stalin, 1936–1953.
- George Mellinger. Heroes of the Soviet Air Force 1941–45.
- Christer Bergström. Stalingrad – The Air Battle: 1942 through January 1943.
- Mikhail Baranov
- Soviet fighter ace
- Stalingrad 1942
- Hero of the Soviet Union
- 31 aerial victories
- Georgiy Zelma
- Soviet Air Force
- Battle of Stalingrad
- World War II aviation
- Soviet fighter pilots