WWII veterans visit to the UK, 6-10 May 2016
Colonel Nikolai Kozlov
DOB 13 March.1923. After the Krasnodar Air Force Academy, which he joined in Nov. 1940, he was commissioned in August 1942 into a PE-2 diving bomber squadron deployed on the Stalingrad Front and served as navigator. His bomber was shot down and due to the lack of new bombers after 3-month artillery training courses he assumed the role of battery commander in 76mm artillery unit of the 56th Horse Guards Regiment of the 7th Horse Guards Corps. His Regiment took part in the liberation of Ukraine, Belorussia and Poland. His unit also took part in the Battle of Kursk, the Battle of the Dnieper River and the Battle of Berlin. He has been awarded many senior military decorations including Order of the Red Banner, 4 orders of the Red Star, 2 orders of the Patriotic War, Order for the Service (3rd grade) and a Polish Order. He was conducting his duties till 1976. Doctor of Science in Technology.
Warrant officer-2 (Navy) Valentin Soldatov
DOB 22 Apr. 1929. His father was a WW1 soldier. In 1943 at the age 14 he volunteered for the Solovky Naval Cadet School of the Northern Fleet. After 10-month training courses he became a highly qualified specialist for the Soviet Navy – boatswain. His torpedo boat squadron (equipped with UK Vosper type boats and ELCO type boats made in the USA) was escorting the Arctic convoys. He has been awarded military decorations including Order of the Red Star, Order of the Patriotic War, and Medal for the defence of the Soviet Transarctic and Ushakov Medal. He was conducting his duties till 1953.
Captain (Navy) Eduard Faizov
DOB 20 Feb. 1927. In 1943 at the age 16 he volunteered for the Solovky Naval Cadet School of the Northern Fleet. After 10-month training courses he became a highly qualified specialist for the Soviet Navy – surface ships electrician. After the School he served on mine sweepers in the Black Sea Fleet and in the Danube flotilla. After the Naval Academy he was commissioned into the Baltic Sea Fleet, surface ships. He served also worked as a deputy security officer, Baltic Sea Fleet HQ. He was conducting his duties till 1975. He has been awarded Order of the Patriotic War, and Medal for the defence of the Soviet Transarctic, Ushakov Medal and some other medals.
Sergeant Petr Sagan
DOB 3 March 1927. After the liberation of Ukraine he was conscripted into the Red Army in March 1944. After short training as a gunner he served as troop commander in artillery units deployed on the 2nd Baltic Front. His artillery unit took part in the liberation of Poland and also in the Battle of Konigsberg and in the Battle of Berlin. He has been awarded military decorations including Order of the Red Star and Order of the Patriotic War and Medal for Courage. He was conducting his duties till 1951.
Petty officer (Navy) Alexander Lochagin
DOB 25 December 1928. His father was a WW1 soldier and served in the Finland Guards Regiment. In 1944 at the age 15 he volunteered for the Solovky Naval Cadet School of the Northern Fleet. After 10-month training courses he became a highly qualified specialist for the Soviet Navy – surface ships engine mechanic. After the School he served in the Amur flotilla and Pacific Fleet on gun boats. He took part in the defence of the Transarctic and in the war against Japan He has been awarded Order of the Patriotic War, Medal for the defence of the Soviet Transarctic and Ushakov Medal. He was conducting his duties till 1951.
Leading hand (Navy) Boris Davydov
DOB 2 October 1928. In 1943 at the age 14 he volunteered for the Solovky Naval Cadet School of the Northern Fleet. After 10-month training courses he became a highly qualified specialist for the Soviet Navy – surface ships helmsman. After the School he served in the Black Sea Fleet on mine sweepers. He took part in the defence of the Transarctic. He has been awarded Order of the Patriotic War, Medal for the defence of the Soviet Transarctic and Ushakov Medal. He was conducting his duties till 1951.
Private Nikolai Imchuk
DOB 20 May 1930. He is the most junior soldier of the WWII. After the outbreak of the war the German aviation bombed his orphanage in Uman, near Kiev, Ukraine. He survived and was adopted by the soldiers. He served at the Katyusha Rocket Launcher regiment. Soldiers educated him and he became a professional soldier during 1942-1945. His artillery unit took part in the liberation of Budapest and Vienna. He has been awarded Order of the Patriotic War and Medal “For the Capture of Budapest”.
Lt.Gen. Boris Tarasov
DOB 1932. Survivor of the Siege of Leningrad.
His father, a military officer went to the front on the first day of the war. The family was ecacuated from Shuvalovo, a military town near Leningrad to Leningrad: pregnant mother with four sons; their youngest sister was born in the coldest winter of the siege. Boris the eldest, 9 years old at a time, was the main caretaker & breadwinner in the family. The whole family miraculously survived the siege. On 5 April 1942 the family was evacuated from Leningrad via Lake Ladoga to Kirov region, where they lived for two years. They returned to Leningrad before the end of the war.
