Graduate of the Faculty of History of the Moscow State Pedagogical Institute. Lenin (now - Moscow State Pedagogical University). Military pilot, captain, navigator of the 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment ("Night Witches"), Hero Russian Federation... Lecturer, candidate historical sciences, docent.

Born May 5, 1922. In 1940 she entered the history faculty of the Moscow State Pedagogical Institute. Bubnova (now - Moscow State Pedagogical University), at the same time attended nursing courses. Received a profession at the beginning of the war aviation technology... Since 1943 - navigator of the 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment. Made 715 combat missions. Was nominated for the title of Hero Soviet Union, however, the idea was lost. She became the Hero of Russia in 1994.

After demobilization, she graduated from the Moscow State Pedagogical Institute named after Lenin (now - Moscow State Pedagogical University), and then, in the same place, graduate school. Since 1952 she taught at the Moscow Aviation Institute.

She passed away in 2012.

... From an ordinary master of aircraft armament, she has grown to a qualified navigator of the squadron. She perfectly mastered the technique of air navigation at night. As a navigator he is perfectly oriented. During the entire period of combat work, she had no losses in combat orientations due to the fault of the navigator service. It flies extremely boldly, not fearing either searchlights or enemy anti-aircraft fire. As a commander, he has good organizational skills and commanding skills. Skillfully leads the subordinate navigational staff. She trained and commissioned 7 young navigators. Skillfully and competently transfers his work experience to the young navigator staff. Personally, during the period of hostilities, she made 680 combat sorties for bombing at night on a PO-2 aircraft, having flown 805 hours. Dropped 94 tons of bomb load to destroy enemy motorized parts and manpower. Accurate bombing strikes in the enemy camp caused 122 strong fires, 178 explosions, destroyed and damaged 2 enemy crossings, blew up 2 ammunition depots, suppressed the fire of 3 batteries, destroyed 2 searchlights and 7 vehicles with fuel and ammunition. 450 thousand leaflets were scattered to the enemy troops, 5200 ShKAS rounds were spent on the enemy's front line. All combat missions comrade. Akimova are accompanied by exceptional efficiency. For exemplary fulfillment of the tasks of the command at the front, personally made 680 combat missions with high efficiency, shown at the same time courage, courage and heroism ... deserves a high government award - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. "

From the combat characteristics for presentation to the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, May 1945

Awards and prizes

• The order of Lenin
• Order of the Red Banner
• Two orders Patriotic War I degree
• Order of the Patriotic War II degree
• Order of the Red Star Medal For Courage
• Medal "For the Defense of the Caucasus"
• Medal "For the Liberation of Warsaw"

“It flies exceptionally boldly, fearing neither searchlights nor enemy anti-aircraft fire", as the leadership of the 46th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment described the flights of Alexandra Fedorovna Akimova during the Great Patriotic War.

The battle path of the legendary pilot began in the harsh 1941 year. The war interrupted studies at the Moscow Pedagogical Institute. V.I. Lenin. The Central Committee of the Komsomol appealed to the girls with an appeal to voluntarily go to the aviation and defend the Motherland in its ranks. On October 11, 1941, the Central Committee of the Komsomol sent to the V.I. Lenin's document, in which the leadership of the institute was asked to make a complete calculation of A.F. Akimova in connection with her mobilization to the front. In fact, no calculation was made, since the document entered the institute on October 11 late in the evening, and on October 12 it was already necessary to appear at the collection point.

The formation of the regiment, which Akimova got into, was completed already in the Volga Military District. The 588th Light Bomber Night Women's Aviation Regiment under the command of Evdokia Bershanskaya was formed in Engels, where there was a flight school. A truly stellar team gathered in the regiment: Raisa Aronova, Maria Tepikina, Nadezhda Popova, Irina Sobrova, Polina Gelman, Evgenia Zhigulenko, Natalya Meklin, Maria Smirnova, Irina Rakobolskaya, Tatyana Makarova, Vera Belik, Nina Raspopova, all of them will later become Heroes of the Soviet Union ...

At school, Alexandra Akimova was assigned to a group of armed men, appointed as a weapons mechanic. Alexandra was disappointed as she dreamed of flying. But an order is an order, and she diligently mastered a new specialty. And she mastered it well.

How the first flights worried us! And the whole regiment rallied with the concern of one, When we were expecting friends from the assignment, Each was close to us, dear.

As part of the regiment of Alexander Akimov passed a long combat path, participated in the defense of the Caucasus, the liberation of the Kuban, Crimea, Belarus, Poland and Germany. Working as a weapons mechanic, she contributed to the common cause of fighting the enemy. At the same time, she successfully mastered the specialty of a navigator. The work was intense: flights, classes in a new specialty. There was very little time left for sleep and rest.

We flew at night, and in the morning we did not sleep, In the eyes of the inflamed there was always a question: "How did we give the Fritz at night, What did the ground headquarters tell us about this?"

The result of Akimova's work as an armament mechanic is summed up in the order of the regiment commander dated March 25, 1943 on her reward, which says: caliber. Bomb armament is in excellent condition. There was not a single case of non-fulfillment of a combat mission due to the fault of the armament service. Disciplined, self-possessed, energetic commander. "

Irina Viktorovna Dryagina in her memoirs "Notes of a U-2 pilot" wrote "In our regiment, as already mentioned, in addition to the usual work - combat missions - another task was being solved: new cadres of pilots and navigators were being trained. And this business pleased Sasha. She was assigned to teach bombing theory. It was necessary to see with what perseverance and skill she taught the youth, our new "navigate"; how kindly and patiently she explained everything. Alexandra Akimova was a born teacher, she taught not only navigational business, she taught how to live, fight, think. It was not for nothing that in our regiment there were circles on philosophy, political economy, party history, and literature. No wonder Sasha and some of our other friends (Rudneva, Ryabova, Gelman) were called "theoreticians" for their passion for disputes and discussions on various issues related to everyday life, morality, philosophy, military affairs, the content of books read. Disputes were sometimes acute. "

In March 1943, Akimova's dream of flying finally came true: she was appointed first as a shooter-bombardier, and soon as a navigator. Intensive flights began. From April 1943 to May 1945 she made 715 night missions for bombing, reconnaissance and other missions. Often they had to fly 10 times a night, and on December 20, 1944, there were 17 sorties, all for bombing. Akimova considered herself obliged to work with full load: after all, she was a communist, a member of the regiment's party bureau.

And from above calmly, but accurately and accurately Irina Kashirina

The most complete assessment of Alexandra Akimova was given in her combat characteristics and presentation for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in May 1945: “From an ordinary master of aircraft armament, she has grown to a qualified navigator of a squadron. She has mastered the technique of air navigation in night conditions. had no loss of combat orientation due to the fault of the navigator service. She flies extremely boldly, not fearing either searchlights or anti-aircraft fire of the enemy. As a commander, he has good organizational skills and commanding skills. Skillfully leads the subordinate navigational staff. She trained and commissioned 7 young navigators. and competently transfers her experience of work to the young navigational staff.Personally, during the hostilities, she made 680 sorties for bombing at night on a PO-2 aircraft, having flown 805 hours. Then In the enemy camp, 122 strong fires and 178 explosions were caused by heavy bombing, 2 enemy crossings were destroyed and damaged, 2 ammunition depots were blown up, the fire of 3 batteries was suppressed, 2 searchlights and 7 vehicles with fuel and ammunition were destroyed. 450 thousand leaflets were scattered to the enemy troops, 5200 ShKAS cartridges were used up along the enemy's front line. All combat missions comrade. Akimova are accompanied by exceptional efficiency. For exemplary fulfillment of the tasks of the command at the front, personally carried out 680 combat missions with high efficiency, shown at the same time courage, courage and heroism ... deserves a high government award - the award of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. "

This view was supported by the division commander Pokayev and the commander of the 4th air army Colonel-General Vershinin, Commander-in-Chief of the North-West direction, Marshal of the Soviet Union Rokossovsky, military councils - they gave a positive conclusion, but it was lost in Moscow. And only in 1994, at the request of veterans, the Military Council of the Air Force, by the decree of the President of Russia, retired senior lieutenant Alexandra Fedorovna Akimova was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.

Congratulations to friends. From left to right: O. Yakovleva, A. Akimova, S. Amosova (Taranenko), I. Dryagin, A. Pokryshkin, O. Golubeva (Teres). 1972 year

The war ended. Alexandra Fedorovna returned to pedagogical institute, defended her thesis, for thirty years taught history at Moscow universities.

Now the girls shine with orders, Irina Kashirina

At a traditional meeting at the Bolshoi Theater. May 2, 2006. Veterans of the 46th Guards Taman Aviation Regiment.

“For Alexandra Fedorovna Akimova, uncompromisingness, endurance, firmness and the ability to defend her position, regardless of authority, have always been the law of life.

Now Alexandra Feodorovna is doing a lot of work, being a member of the board of the Russian Association of Heroes. " From the memoirs of A.V. Dryagina

Member of the Public Council from the Sokol district A.F. Akimova was congratulated by the heads of the Northern Administrative District

Akimova Sasha

Akimova Alexandra Fedorovna - former navigator of the squadron of the 46th Guards Light Bomber Night Aviation Regiment of the 4th Air Army of the 2nd Belorussian Front, retired senior lieutenant.

She was born on May 5, 1922 in the village of Petrushino, Skopinsky District, Ryazan Region, into a peasant family. Russian. After leaving school in 1939, she was immediately sent to teaching. But education was necessary, so from 1940 she studied at the Moscow Pedagogical Institute. At the same time she graduated from nursing courses.

After the outbreak of World War II, she applied for enrollment as a volunteer in the Red Army, but was sent to build defensive fortifications. Nevertheless, Alexandra Akimova achieved her goal - in October an order was issued on the formation of female aviation units, and it was Alexandra who was one of the first to be drafted into the Red Army Air Force. In the city of Engels, Saratov Region, the 588th Light Bomber Women's Aviation Regiment was formed, where Alexandra Akimova learned the difficult profession of an aviation technician.

On May 27, 1942, the regiment entered the battle on the Southern Front of the Great Patriotic War. She prepared the aircraft for combat missions, but she strove to fly herself and again achieved her goal - senior sergeant of the technical service Alexandra Akimova was transferred to the arrows-bombardiers, and in March 1943 she was appointed navigator of the aviation squadron in her regiment. Moreover, she mastered the difficult navigational business without being sent to study in the rear, at the front, and no one relieved her of her duties, she had to study in the intervals between sorties.
Senior Lieutenant Alexandra Akimova as part of the regiment defended the Don and the North Caucasus, then liberated the Krasnodar Territory, participated in heavy battles over the Blue Line and during the liberation of the Taman Peninsula, heroically fought in the Kerch-Eltigen, Crimean, Belorussian, Vistula-Oder, Berlin offensive operations.
This idea was drawn up in April 1945, and by the end of the war the number of combat sorties of Alexandra Akimova reached 710 (according to some sources - 715). On the presentation there were positive resolutions of the commander of the air army, Colonel-General K.A. Vershinin and front commander Marshal of the Soviet Union K.K. Rokossovsky, but in Moscow they did not give him a move ... After the end of World War II and demobilization from the army in October 1945, Alexandra Akimova graduated from the same Moscow Pedagogical Institute, from which she went to the front four years ago, and then graduate school with him ... And again her fate was closely linked with aviation. From 1952 to 1992 she taught humanitarian disciplines at the Moscow Aviation Institute, became a candidate of historical sciences in 1953, an assistant professor. Since 1992 A.F. Akimova is retired.

By the decree of the President of the Russian Federation of December 31, 1994, retired senior lieutenant Akimova Aleksandra Fedorovna was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation with the presentation of the Gold Star medal for courage and heroism shown in the fight against the Nazi invaders in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

Lives in the hero city of Moscow. A.F. Akimova is an active participant in the veteran and military-patriotic movement, chairman of the commission in the Moscow City Council of veterans of war, labor, the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies.

She was awarded the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner, two Orders of the Patriotic War of the 1st degree, the Orders of the Patriotic War of the 2nd degree, the Red Star, medals "For Courage", "For the Defense of the Caucasus", "For the Liberation of Warsaw" and others.

Participant of the jubilee parades on Red Square in 1995, 2000 and 2005.

From the presentation of Senior Lieutenant Akimova for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union:

“From an ordinary master of aircraft armament I have grown to a qualified navigator of the squadron. She perfectly mastered the technique of air navigation at night. As a navigator he is perfectly oriented. During the entire period of combat work, she had no losses in combat orientations due to the fault of the navigator service. It flies extremely boldly, not fearing either searchlights or enemy anti-aircraft fire. As a commander, he has good organizational skills and commanding skills. Skillfully leads the subordinate navigational staff. She trained and commissioned 7 young navigators. Skillfully and competently transfers his work experience to the young navigator staff. Personally, during the period of hostilities, she made 680 combat sorties for bombing at night on a PO-2 aircraft, having flown 805 hours. Dropped 94 tons of bomb load to destroy enemy motorized parts and manpower. Accurate bombing strikes in the enemy camp caused 122 strong fires, 178 explosions, destroyed and damaged 2 enemy crossings, blew up 2 ammunition depots, suppressed the fire of 3 batteries, destroyed 2 searchlights and 7 vehicles with fuel and ammunition. 450 thousand leaflets were scattered to the enemy troops, 5200 ShKAS rounds were spent on the enemy's front line. All combat missions comrade. Akimova are accompanied by exceptional efficiency. For exemplary fulfillment of the tasks of the command at the front, personally carried out 680 combat missions with high efficiency, shown at the same time courage, courage and heroism ... deserves a high government award - the award of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. "

Marina Chechneva

She was born on May 5, 1922 in the village of Petrushino, Skopinsky district, Ryazan region. Father - Akimov Fedor Petrovich, a peasant, was one of the organizers of the collective farm and during the war - its chairman, later worked as a teacher and director of the school. Mother - Tatiana Andreevna. Spouse - Timofey Sergeevich Manaenkov (born in 1924), veteran of the Great Patriotic War, retired captain of the 1st rank, candidate of historical sciences, associate professor. Daughters: Elena Timofeevna (born 1958), candidate economic sciences, Associate Professor of the Moscow Aviation Institute ( Technical University); Tatyana Timofeevna (born in 1963), translator from Spanish, English, Italian and Portuguese, works on television. Grandchildren: Elena, Anna, Mikhail.

Alexandra and her family lived in the village. Parents in every possible way developed her interest in learning, and her father, being already at a respectable age, himself studied at correspondence department Pedagogical Institute in Moscow and set a good example for children.

Sasha studied diligently, showed a particularly great interest in history, loved to take care of flowers, joined in work, learned to knit and sew well. She joined the Komsomol early, carried out various assignments of the organization.

In 1939 she graduated high school and was invited to work as a teacher. She taught history. In 1940 she passed competitive exams and was admitted to the history department of the Moscow State Pedagogical Institute named after V.I. Lenin. Simultaneously with her studies, she attended nursing courses: she believed that with this specialty in the event of a war, it would be easier for her to find her place at the front. Then she joined the party, was elected a member of the Komsomol committee of the institute. She took part in the work of various paramilitary circles, preparing for the defense of the Motherland.

With the beginning of the war, Alexandra Akimova went to build defensive fortifications... Here she was assigned to lead a team of students - future historians. After returning to the institute in connection with the beginning of classes, together with other students, she knocked over the thresholds of the district party committee, the Komsomol, the military registration and enlistment office and asked to send her to the front.

In the harsh days of October 1941, when the enemy stood at the gates of Moscow, People's Commissar of Defense I.V. On October 8, 1941, Stalin issued an order on the formation and preparation for combat work of female aviation regiments with the aim of using female flight technical personnel. It was envisaged to recruit them with a flight technical personnel from among the women of the Air Force, spacecraft, Civil Air Fleet and Osoaviakhim. At the same time, the Central Committee of the Komsomol appealed to the girls with an appeal to voluntarily go to the aviation and defend the Motherland in its ranks. On October 11, 1941, the Central Committee of the Komsomol sent to the Institute named after V.I. Lenin's document, in which the leadership of the institute was asked to make a complete calculation of A.F. Akimova in connection with her mobilization to the front. In fact, no calculation was made, since the document arrived at the institute on October 11 late in the evening, and on October 12 it was already necessary to appear at the collection point. Alexandra Feodorovna still keeps this document as a memory of that event.

Under the leadership of the Hero of the Soviet Union M.M. Raskova was forming women's regiments. In Moscow, the Air Force Engineering Academy named after N.E. Zhukovsky. The very next day after the call of the Central Committee of the Komsomol, students from Moscow State University, MAI, Moscow State Pedagogical Institute named after V.I. Lenin and other universities of the capital, pilots and technicians of flying clubs, Civil air fleet... Among them was A.F. Akimova. All of them were then united by one great goal - the defense of the Motherland.
The formation of the regiment, which Akimova got into, was completed already in the Volga Military District in flight school the city of Engels. The newly formed 588th Light Bomber Night Women's Aviation Regiment was armed with Po-2 aircraft. Evdokia Davydovna Bershanskaya was appointed commander of the regiment, and Evdokia Yakovlevna Rachkevich was appointed commissar (later deputy commander for political affairs). Both remained in these positions until the regiment was disbanded in the fall of 1945.

At school, Alexandra Akimova was assigned to a group of armed men, appointed as a weapons mechanic. Alexandra was disappointed as she dreamed of flying. But an order is an order, and she diligently mastered a new specialty. And she mastered it well.

On May 27, 1942, the regiment flew to the Southern Front. Then it had only two squadrons of 10 aircraft and 112 personnel. In the future, the regiment grew, and by 1943 there were already 4 squadrons in it. The regiment made 24 thousand sorties, dropped more than 3 million kg of bombs on the enemy. The regiment visited many sectors of the Soviet-German front. For the courage and dedication shown in the battles with the Nazis, he was awarded the rank of the Guards and became the 46th Guards twice-awarded Taman Night Bomber Aviation Regiment. 22 times the regiment was noted in the orders of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief I.V. Stalin.

As part of the regiment of Alexander Akimov, she went through a long combat path, participated in the defense of the Caucasus, the liberation of the Kuban, Crimea, Belarus, Poland and Germany. Working as an armament mechanic, she contributed to the common cause of fighting the enemy. At the same time, she successfully mastered the specialty of navigator. The work was intense: flights, classes in a new specialty. There was very little time left for sleep and rest.

The result of Akimova's work as an armament mechanic was summed up in the order of the regiment commander dated March 25, 1943 on her reward, which says: “Air armament mechanic, senior sergeant of the technical service Akimova Aleksandra Fedorovna, with a group of armed men, served 485 night combat missions, suspended 85 750 kg caliber. The bomb armament is in excellent condition. There was not a single case of non-fulfillment of a combat mission due to the fault of the weapons service. Disciplined, self-possessed, energetic commander. "

In March 1943, Akimova's dream of flying finally came true: she was appointed first as a shooter-bombardier, and soon as a navigator. Intensive flights began. During April 1943 - May 1945 she made 715 night sorties for bombing, reconnaissance and other missions. Often they had to fly 10 times a night, and on December 20, 1944, there were 17 sorties, all for bombing. Akimova considered herself obliged to work with full load: after all, she was a communist, a member of the regiment's party bureau.

As a navigator, Akimova was repeatedly checked by commanders on combat flights. After one of these flights, the squadron commander, who was in the role of the inspector, wrote in her flight book: “He is well oriented in the air, constantly tells the pilot the place at the moment. Above the target, he behaves calmly, takes aim carefully. The mark is “excellent”.

The most complete assessment of Alexandra Akimova was given in her combat characteristics and nomination for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in May 1945: “From an ordinary master of aircraft armament, she has grown to a qualified navigator of a squadron. She perfectly mastered the technique of air navigation at night. As a navigator he is perfectly oriented. During the entire period of combat work, she had no loss of combat orientations due to the fault of the navigator service. It flies exceptionally boldly, fearing neither searchlights nor enemy anti-aircraft fire. As a commander, he has good organizational skills and commanding skills. Skillfully leads the subordinate navigational staff. She trained and commissioned 7 young navigators. Skillfully and competently transfers his work experience to the young navigator staff. Personally, during the period of hostilities, she made 680 combat sorties for bombing at night on a PO-2 aircraft, having flown 805 hours. She dropped 94 tons of bomb load to destroy enemy motorized parts and manpower. Accurate bombing strikes in the enemy camp caused 122 strong fires, 178 explosions, destroyed and damaged 2 enemy crossings, blew up 2 ammunition depots, suppressed the fire of 3 batteries, destroyed 2 searchlights and 7 vehicles with fuel and ammunition. 450 thousand leaflets were scattered to the enemy troops, 5200 ShKAS rounds were spent on the enemy's front line. All combat missions comrade. Akimova are accompanied by exceptional efficiency. For exemplary fulfillment of the tasks of the command at the front, personally carried out 680 combat missions with high efficiency, shown at the same time courage, courage and heroism ... deserves a high government award - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. "

This idea was supported by the division commander Pokayev and the commander of the 4th Air Army, Colonel-General Vershinin, the Commander-in-Chief of the North-West direction, Marshal of the Soviet Union Rokossovsky, military councils - they gave a positive opinion, but it was lost in Moscow. And only in 1994, at the request of veterans, the Military Council of the Air Force, by the decree of the President of Russia, retired senior lieutenant Alexandra Fedorovna Akimova was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.

Marshal of the Soviet Union K.K. Rokossovsky said about the pilots of the regiment as follows: “We, men, have always been amazed by the fearlessness of the pilots. Alone in the night sky, over enemy positions, under heavy enemy fire, they found a target and bombed it. How many flights - so many meetings with death. "

In October 1945 A.F. Akimova was demobilized and immediately returned to the institute, where she continued her studies, combining it with active social work, primarily in the heroic-patriotic education of youth.

After graduating from the institute, Alexandra entered graduate school, graduated from it and defended her Ph.D. thesis. In 1952, she was sent to teach at the Moscow Aviation Institute, where she worked until her retirement in 1992.

In addition to teaching A.F. Akimova was engaged in scientific research, was approved in the academic rank of associate professor. In parallel, she took an active part in public life. She enjoyed great prestige at the institute. The students enrolled her as an honorary member of the Komsomol brigades, fulfilled the quota for her, and upon arrival at the institute reported on what they had done during the holidays.

Alexandra Feodorovna was satisfied with her work, with the exception of one thing: she always wanted to do things better today than yesterday, and tomorrow - better than today.
Alexandra Fyodorovna still does not break ties with educational institutionswhere she studied and worked.

A.F. Akimova is an activist of the veteran movement. For several years she was the chairman of the Council of War Veterans of her regiment. She did a lot to search the archives of the Ministry of Defense for documents that helped veterans to organize their retirement and other issues.

Alexandra Fyodorovna is a member of the commission on patriotic education and cultural and educational work of the Moscow City Council of War and Labor Veterans, the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies and the Moscow Committee of War Veterans. It organizes performances by prominent politicians, scientists, specialists to veterans.

As a board member of the Association of Heroes of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Russian Federation and full cavaliers Order of Glory, she actively collaborates in the Moscow City Club of Heroes of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Russian Federation and full holders of the Order of Glory.

Hero of the Russian Federation A.F. Akimova was awarded the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner, two Orders of the Patriotic War of the 1st degree, the Orders of the Patriotic War of the 2nd degree, the Red Star, medals "For Courage", "For the Defense of the Caucasus", "For the Liberation of Warsaw" and other medals. Participant in the Parades on Red Square (1995, 2000, 2005).

Recalling what she experienced during the war, Alexandra Feodorovna emphasizes that the numerous destruction she had seen on her native land called for revenge on the Nazis. And when bombarding enemy targets on our territory, every time the heart sank with pain: after all, bombs fell on their native land. And for this, too, it was necessary to take revenge on the fascists. Therefore, there was a constant desire to fight.

Akimova Alexandra Fedorovna - navigator of the aviation squadron. Participant of the Great Patriotic War. She was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. She has been awarded many medals and orders.

Family

Hero of the Russian Federation Akimova Alexandra Fedorovna was born in the twenty-second year, on May 5, in the Ryazan region, in the Skopinsky district, in the village. Petrushino. Mother - Tatiana Andreevna. Alexandra's father, Fyodor Petrovich, was a peasant and, together with his neighbors, took part in organizing the collective farm. During the war years he was chairman. And after the end of the Great Patriotic War, he got a job at school. He was a teacher and director at the same time.

Childhood

Akimova Alexandra Fedorovna, whose biography is full of many heroic events, spent her childhood in the village where she was born. Her parents instilled in her an interest in learning from childhood. And Alexandra's father was an example for her, studying at the Moscow Pedagogical Institute. Despite the fact that he was already an adult, he continued to receive education.

Alexandra studied very well. She was diligent and punctual. I was very interested in the history of my country. She was hardworking. She loved flowers very much and took care of them with great pleasure. I learned to sew and knit perfectly. She joined the Komsomol early and perfectly fulfilled the assignments entrusted to her.

Education

Akimova Alexandra graduated from high school in 1939. But she understood that it was necessary to get further education. Therefore, after a year I passed entry exams and entered the Moscow State Pedagogical Institute. Lenin, at the Faculty of History. At the same time she studied as a nurse, attending special courses.

Work and party activities

After graduation, Alexandra worked as a history teacher. While studying at the Pedagogical Institute, she joined the party. She was an active member of the Komsomol of the university. She took part in many military circles. When the war began, Akimova was sent to Mozhaisk to build defensive fortifications.

There she began to lead a brigade of history students. When Alexandra returned to the pedagogical institute to finish her studies, she, along with other students, went to the military registration and enlistment office, the district party committee and other organizations that could help in her desire to go to the front.

Alexandra gets into an aviation regiment

In 1941, the enemy stood near Moscow itself. Stalin announced the training and formation of female aviation regiments. They were supposed to include women from the Air Force, Osoaviakhim, KA and Civil Air Fleet. Then the Komsomol appealed to all the girls with a proposal to go to serve in the aviation. Akimova Alexandra immediately seized the moment and became a volunteer. After that, they sent a document according to which Akimova was to receive a full payment.

She was heading to the front. But they did not have time to calculate it, since it was supposed to arrive at the collection point the next day. However, at that time she was least interested in money, her main dream came true - at last she could go to war.

Formation of women's regiments

The formation of women's regiments took place under the leadership of the Assembly point in Moscow. Military Academy them. Zhukovsky. Many students, technicians and pilots from flying clubs came to the regiments, among the volunteers one of the first was Akimova.

The formation of regiment No. 588, to which Alexander was attached, was completed in the Saratov region, at the flight school named after A. Engels of the Volga Military District. The regiment was a night light bomber regiment. Po-2 aircraft were allocated for him. Evdokia Bershanskaya became the regiment commander. Commissioner - E. Rachkevich.

Alexandra goes to the front

Alexandra was assigned to one of the groups as a weapons mechanic. Akimova was very upset, because she dreamed about But she could not disobey the order and began to diligently master a new profession. Under Engelskaya VAShP, courses for masters of aircraft weapons were created. On them, Alexandra received an additional profession of an aviation technician. So Akimova Alexandra Fedorovna, whose photo is in this article, ended up at the front.

In 1942, on the twenty-seventh of May, she flew for the first time on a combat mission. There were two squadrons in her regiment. Each has ten aircraft and 112 personnel. Subsequently, this number was doubled.

Alexandra's regiment

The women's aviation regiment, in which Alexandra served, was called by the Germans "night witches". The planes on which the girls flew were considered training or liaison before the war. But this was in the hands of the Russian army, since the Nazis at first did not consider these flying machines as combat units at all.

But the Germans quickly changed this opinion. And very soon for one shot down plane in Germany they gave not only a cash bonus, but also an extraordinary vacation. The pilots inflicted such precise "sniper" strikes on the fascist positions that the Germans had to take very seriously the female air regiments.

During its existence, the regiment took part in many battles. Alexandra's regiment flew twenty-four thousand sorties and dropped more than three million bombs on the enemy. Subsequently, this regiment began to be called the 46th Guards. And two orders soon appeared on his banner. The regiment was assigned honorary title "Tamansky". Stalin, who was the USSR Armed Forces, noted in the orders the female aviation regiment in which Alexander Akimova served twenty-two times, expressing gratitude for the courage and courage of the pilots.

Military service

In the regiment, as a military leader of Akimova, Alexandra went through a harsh military path. She took part in the liberation with the troops of the Kuban, Crimea, Poland, Germany and Belarus. Alexandra took part in the hardest battles during the liberation of the Taman Peninsula from the Nazis, in the Blue Line, in the Kerch-Eltigen and Berlin offensive operations.

Alexandra worked as an armament mechanic and at the same time learned a new specialty - navigator. She worked for wear and tear, in constant stress. There was almost no time left for rest and sleep. Moreover, she had to receive a new profession immediately at the front. Training in the rear was out of the question. There was not enough time for everything.

As a result, Akimova was awarded for her work. She served 485 sorties and hung over 85,000 bombs of various calibers on aircraft. Alexandra always kept her weapons in excellent condition. There was never a case of failure to complete the task. Akimova was assessed as a disciplined, self-possessed and energetic commander.

Dreams Come True

In 1943, Alexandra's dream came true. She was appointed a shooter-bombardier, then a navigator. And the constant flights began. From April 1943 to May 1945, Soviet military leader Aleksandra Fedorovna Akimova made 715 night flights: reconnaissance, bombing and others. Sometimes she flew out ten times in one night. She even performed seventeen once. Akimova always flew with full load.

She was checked many times by the commanders and always only praised her, giving her an "excellent" mark. Alexandra has grown from an ordinary foreman to a skilled navigator. She was an excellent flyer even at night. Over the entire period of work, I have never lost my orientation. Akimova Alexandra flew without fear of fire and searchlights. She had excellent organizational skills and skills necessary for a commander. She skillfully led the combat personnel.

Trained seven qualified navigators. She skillfully passed on her great experience. Alexandra herself flew 805 hours of bombing. Dropped ninety-four tons of deadly cargo on the enemy. Thanks to her precise strikes, 122 large fires, 175 explosions occurred. Akimova destroyed by her efforts two enemy ferries, the same number of ammunition depots. Thanks to Alexandra, the fire of three batteries was suppressed, seven cars and two searchlights were destroyed.

Rewarding

For faithful service and combat activities Akimova was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The nomination for this award was confirmed by the division commander Pokayev, Colonel-General Vershinin, Marshal of the Soviet Union Rokossovsky and military councils. But the awarding ceremony was at first lost in Moscow, and they remembered about it only in 1994 thanks to the petition of the veterans. Russian President Boris Yeltsin awarded Akimova the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.

Post-war time

In 1945, the Soviet military leader Akimova Alexandra was demobilized. She returned to college and continued her studies, combining it with work. Mainly to educate patriotism. After graduation, Akimova entered graduate school. She brilliantly defended her thesis.

In 1952 Alexandra was sent to work as a teacher at the Moscow Aviation Institute. She worked there until 1992, until she retired. In addition to teaching Akimova Alexandra Fedorovna, Hero of Russia, she was engaged in scientific research and received an associate professor's degree.

Social activity

At the same time, she actively participated in public life. At the institute where Alexandra taught, she enjoyed great respect and authority. Students considered her an honorary member of the Komsomol brigades and reported to her what they had done during the holidays.

Akimova Alexandra Fedorovna, whose awards were deservedly received, even after retiring, continued to work actively. She contacted the educational institutions in which she worked or studied.

Alexandra Feodorovna is an activist in the veteran society. For several years she led the Council of Veterans of her regiment. She did a lot for the Ministry of Defense - she found documents in the archive that helped in pension and other issues.

Akimova Alexandra Fedorovna was a member of the Commission on patriotic education of youth. And also participated in the cultural and educational work of the Moscow Council of Veterans. She organized speeches by politicians, scientists and various specialists from different fields.

Awards

Akimova Alexandra participated in all parades on Red Square. And she received many awards for her activities in war and peacetime:

• Orders: Lenin, Red Star, Red Banner and Patriotic War of the second degree.
• Medals: "For the Liberation of Warsaw", "For Courage", "For the Defense of the Caucasus" and many others.

Patriotism

Alexandra Akimova, recalling the war years, all the time emphasized that the seen destruction of her native land, crippled fate and murder - all this fueled her revenge on the Nazis. And with every bombing, her heart skipped a beat with unbearable pain. And for this it was necessary to take revenge on the Germans. Therefore, the constant desire to enter into battle with them did not disappear, but was fueled by a new surge of hatred for the fascists.

Personal life

Akimova Alexandra married Manaenkov Timofey Sergeevich. He is also a participant in the Great Patriotic War, captain of the first rank (retired), associate professor and They had two daughters in their marriage - Elena Timofeevna (now a candidate of sciences and associate professor of the Moscow Institute of Aviation) and Tatyana Timofeevna (now a translator foreign languages, works on television). Akimova Alexandra has three grandchildren.

The last days

Until the death of Alexander Akimova, she lived and worked in Moscow. She died in 2012, December twenty-ninth. She was buried at