| Unit Name: | 1st Guards Assault Aviation Corps (194449)----1st Assault Aviation Corps (194244) |
| Dates: | 194249 |
| Country: | Soviet Union |
| Branch: | Soviet Air Force |
| Type: | Aviation corps |
| Battles: | World War II |
| Decorations: | |
| Battle Honours: | Kirovograd Berlin; Кировоградско-Берлинский Краснознамённый орденов Суворова и Кутузова |
| Notable Commanders: | Vasily Ryazanov |
The 1st Guards Kirovograd-Berlin Red Banner Order of Suvorov and Kutzov Assault Aviation Corps (1st Gv shak) was a military formation of the Red Air Force during the Second World War, and of the Soviet Air Force until 1949. It was then renamed the 60th Guards Assault Aviation Corps, and was active until its disbandment in 1956.[1] Its primary aircraft was the Ilyushin Il-2 'Sturmovik'.
The 1st Assault Aviation Corps was formed by an NKO Order dated September 10, 1942, from the 2nd Fighter Aviation Army.[3] Part of the order establishing the corps said:
4. 1st and 2nd Fighter and the 1st Bomber Air Army - disband. Personnel and equipment used to staff the [new] air corps.
In the Battle of Kursk (Operation Citadel), General Vasily Ryazanov became a master in the use of attack aircraft en masse, developing and improving the tactics of Il-2 operations in co-ordination with infantry, artillery and armored troops. Il-2s at Kursk used the "circle of death" tactic: up to eight Sturmoviks formed a defensive circle, each plane protecting the one ahead with its forward machine guns, while individual Il-2s took turns leaving the circle, attacking a target, and rejoining the circle.[4] Ryazanov was later awarded the Gold Star of Hero of Soviet Union twice, and the 1st Assault Aircraft Corps under his command became the first unit to be awarded the honorific title of Guards. In 1943, one loss corresponded to 26 Sturmovik sorties. About half of those lost were shot down by fighters, the rest falling to anti-aircraft fire.
The 1st Assault Aviation Corps was part of the 'operational army' ((in combat) from October 17, 1942 to February 5, 1944, a period of 477 days. The corps was still part of the 'operational army' after its elevation to Guards status and remained in combat until 11 May 1945. The corps thus spent 937 days in combat.[5]