Biplane fighter aces

Soviet Union

Major Aleksandr Nikolaevich Sokolov

1919 – 14 April 1945

Aleksandr Sokolov was born in 1919.

When Germany invade the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, Sokolov served in 160 IAP, flying Polikarpov I-153s.

After claiming one victory in the I-153, Sokolov was posted away from 160 IAP in July.

He was posted to 193 IAP in October, flying LaGG-3s with this unit.

On 11 October, he claimed a Do 215 in a “taran” ramming attack.
This claim isn’t recorded in any operational material or squadron records but only in his award material.

He left 193 IAP in August 1942 and was posted to 2 GIAP in October the same year. With this unit he flew La-5s.

He left 2 GIAP I January 1944 when was posted to 482 IAP and with this unit he flew La-5s and La-7s.

Sokolov was killed in an aircraft crash on 14 April 1945

At the time of his death, Sokolov was credited with 1 biplane victory and a total of 7.
During his career he had been decorated with the Order of the Red Banner and the Order of Patriotic War, 1st Class.

Claims:
Kill no. Date Time Number Type Result Plane type Serial no. Locality Unit
  1941                
1 11/07/41   1 He 111 Destroyed Polikarpov I-153   Smolensk area 160 IAP
2 11/10/41   1 Do 215 (a) Destroyed LaGG-3   Maksimovo-Torzhok 193 IAP
  01/11/41   1/? Fi 156 (b) Shared destroyed LaGG-3   Tridubye 193 IAP
3 28/12/41   1 Ju 88 Destroyed LaGG-3   Martynovo 193 IAP
  1942                
4 20/03/42   1 Bf 109 Destroyed LaGG-3   Burgovo-Rzhev 193 IAP
5 14/08/42   1 Ju 88 Destroyed LaGG-3   Rzhev airfield 193 IAP
  1943                
6 16/07/43   1 FW 190 Destroyed LaGG-3   Gnezdilovo 2 GIAP
7 06/08/43   1 FW 190 Destroyed LaGG-3   Abalmasovo 2 GIAP

Biplane victories: 1 destroyed.
TOTAL: 7 and 1 shared destroyed.
(a) Claimed in a “taran” ramming attack.
(b) Claimed as a “Storch”.

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




Last modified 26 October 2018