Karmanov Athanasius

Karmanov Athanasius G. was born January 18, 1907 in the Belarusian village Starokosteevo in a peasant family. Graduated 5 classes in the village Ardatovka Tuimazinsky district. Before conscription worked in agriculture. Since 1929, he served in the Red Army.

Member of the CPSU since 1938. Participated in the Russo-Finnish War, where he performed more than 50 combat missions. During one of them saved the life of combat comrade - a pilot Morozova, which flew in pairs. Finnish skiers have already approached the downed plane Morozova, when Karmanov landed next to his I-16, took a comrade and took to the air. For participation in the Russo-Finnish war pocket was awarded the Order of the Red Star.

By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Karmanov served in Moldova, where he commanded a squadron of 4-th Fighter Wing. June 22 after the signal on the air attack 10 Soviet-16 fighters took off. They moved towards the 85 German bombers. Karmanov sent a squadron of attack. Around 4:30 am, he knocked down the first plane, then three more bombers. In a panic, the German planes flew at each other, carrying out three collisions in the air.

June 23 Squadron under the command of Karmanova met 20 S-87 bombers, escorted by Messerschmitt. Karmanov shot down in this battle 2 Messerschmitt, and when run out of bullets - rammed a third. July 17, 1941 was compiled awards sheet for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, but the very title was conferred posthumously on Mar. 27, 1942.

Tomb Karmanova located in Chisinau. His name in 1964 was named the street in the area Riscani (former school). After the collapse of the USSR, it was renamed the street Riscani.