Biplane fighter aces

Soviet Union

Major Mikhail Timofeyevich Mirnov

1912 –

Decorations
Date Decoration Note
21/02/42 Order of the Red Banner 1st
19/09/43 Order of the Red Banner 2nd
03/11/44 Medal ”For Military Merit”  
28/04/45 Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class  
15/11/50 Order of the Red Star  
05/11/54 Order of the Red Banner 3rd

Mikhail Mirnov was born in 1912.

When Germany invaded the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, starshiy leitenant Mirnov served in 270 IAP. This regiment was equipped with Polikarpov I-153s.

In January, the regiment was moved to the Crimean Front.

In August 1942, Mirnov was posted away from 270 IAP

In August 1943, he was posted to 516 IAP.
This regiment operated on the Steppe Front and was equipped with Yak-1s.

On 7 August 1943, Mirnov and Ivan Sapozhnikov claimed one Ju 87 each over Gostishchevo.
Later the same day, Sapozhnikov claimed a Bf 109 over Bykovka.

On 5 February 1944, 516 IAP became a guard’s regiment and renamed to 153 GIAP.
During the same month, Mirnov was posted away from the regiment when he was posted to HQ of 259 IAD where he remained until the end of the war.

Major Mirnov ended the war with 1 biplane victory and a total of 5.
These had been claimed during 83 combat missions (as of 21 April 1945).

Claims:
Kill no. Date Time Number Type Result Plane type Serial no. Locality Unit
  1942                
1 20/01/42   1 He 111 Destroyed I-153   NW Sem' Kolodezey 270 IAP
  1943                
2 07/07/43   1 Ju 87 Destroyed Yak-1   Gostishchevo 516 IAP
3 08/08/43   1 Bf 109 Destroyed Yak-1   Steppe Front 516 IAP
4 21/08/43   1 Bf 109 Destroyed Yak-1   Lyubotin 516 IAP
5 06/09/43   1 FW 190 Destroyed Yak-1   Borki 516 IAP

Biplane victories: 1 destroyed.
TOTAL: 5 destroyed.

Sources:
All aces of Stalin 1936-1953 – Mikhail Bykov, 2014
Soviet Aces 1936-1953
Soviet Fighter Pilots 1936-1953 - Mikhail Bykov




Last modified 06 April 2021