Soviet Fighter LaGG-3 No. 915 "For Soviet Georgia": Unity Through the Skies

August 9, 2025 - Reading time: 6 minutes

Soviet LaGG-3 fighter No. 915 from the 88th Fighter Aviation Regiment, North Caucasus, 1943, with the inscription "For Soviet Georgia," a symbol of unity during WWII.

Captured in the North Caucasus during the summer of 1943, this photograph showcases the Soviet LaGG-3 fighter aircraft with the tail number 915. This aircraft, like its sister aircraft from the same unit, bears the inscription "For Soviet Georgia" ("Sabtchota Sakartvelo"), a symbol of the collective effort made by the Soviet republics in the fight against the Nazi invaders.

The 88th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Red Air Force flew these aircraft, which were purchased with funds from the laborers of Georgia. The inscription highlights the vital role played by Georgia in the broader war effort, both materially and through moral support. These unique LaGG-3s, which carried such inscriptions, served as a testament to the unity among the republics of the Soviet Union during the brutal years of World War II.

The three-digit tail numbers on these aircraft were a rarity in the Soviet Air Force, as most aircraft had different numbering schemes. The placement of the tail number on the vertical stabilizer further distinguishes these planes, making them highly recognizable among the fleet.

This particular LaGG-3 aircraft, like the others, was part of the air unit tasked with defending the Soviet skies against Axis forces. The close bond between the 88th Fighter Aviation Regiment and the people of Georgia is immortalized in the distinctive Georgian inscription, reflecting the profound inter-republic solidarity that was crucial to the success of the Soviet war effort.

Technical photo data:
📝 Source of information: Unknown
📍 Location: North Caucasus, USSR
📅 Date of photo: April-May 1943
📷 Photographer: Unknown

LaGG-3 Soviet fighter
Soviet Georgia WWII
88th Fighter Aviation Regiment
Georgian inscription WWII
LaGG-3 fighter aircraft
North Caucasus WWII
Soviet air force WWII
"Sabtchota Sakartvelo" aircraft
Soviet WWII solidarity
Soviet aviation history