Born on January 1, 1921, Vasily Ivanovich Chernenko became a Hero of the Soviet Union in 1944 and a Major General of Aviation. He participated in the Great Patriotic War from 1941, serving with the 5th (3rd Guards) IAP of the Baltic Fleet Air Force, where he commanded a flight.
Hero of the Soviet Union
From December 1941, Chernenko fought on the Leningrad and Volkhov Fronts. His war began at Lake Ladoga and ended at Bornholm Island in the Baltic Sea. During the Leningrad blockade, his unit guarded the “Road of Life” across Lake Ladoga, a crucial part of their combat operations.
Survival Maneuver over Lake Ladoga
He recounted an incident where, while intercepting a Ju-88, his lead pilot was attacked by an enemy fighter. Chernenko repelled the attacker and began pursuit, but an Me-109 then engaged him from behind, damaging his ailerons, elevator, and rudder. His aircraft became uncontrollable, unable to turn up, down, right, or left, all while over Lake Ladoga.
A smell of burning appeared in the cockpit from the engine. Chernenko prepared to parachute, but realized jumping into the October waters of the lake would be futile. He then began controlling the plane using only the throttle: adding gas made the plane climb, reducing it made it descend. One aileron on the right still worked, allowing him to turn right, and by continuing the maneuver, eventually left. He managed to reach the airfield, failing the first landing attempt but succeeding on the second. Everyone was surprised he had managed to fly and land, and his plane was repaired a week later.
Head-on Encounter with a Focke-Wulf
Another memorable event was a head-on attack against a “Focke-Wulf.” Chernenko and his wingman, pilot Ostrovsky, were on duty. An experienced German hunter frequently flew from Finland, often targeting stragglers from returning Soviet attack aircraft or finishing off damaged planes. When ordered to cover returning Il-2s, Chernenko and Ostrovsky took off to meet their own.
Chernenko noticed a plane flying behind the attack aircraft, assuming it was a lagging Il-2 needing help. As he approached, he saw it resembled an Il-2 – also “humpbacked” – but bore a swastika. They caught up, and the German reduced throttle, putting Chernenko at a disadvantage as he overshot. He decided to make a left turn while the “Focke-Wulf” was turning right.
“Vasily Ivanovich, no!” Ostrovsky cried out, realizing Chernenko was initiating a head-on attack. But the decision was made; they charged each other, opening fire. They passed within about seven meters. The German aircraft descended and landed on the water. Chernenko’s plane was also hit; upon landing, his right landing gear failed to extend due to a punctured air cylinder, forcing him to land on one wheel.
By July 1944, Chernenko had completed 235 combat sorties, personally shooting down 12 enemy aircraft and sharing 8 group kills in 37 aerial engagements. After the war, he served in command positions in naval aviation until 1983.