Sovet Air Forces "Autumn Storm" Air Order of Battle
by
George Mellinger, Twin Cities Aero Historians, RART-Air Britain
(updated 01/28/2001)
- Little attention has been paid to the brief Soviet-Japanese war of August 1945, "Operation Autumn Storm" as the Soviets called it. Most of what
has been available is from the Japanese perspective. Colonel David Glantz published the Soviet Army Order of Battle as an appendix to his
two-volume book about the Soviet operation, and includes major Soviet air formations. But a detailed
presentation of the Soviet Air Order of Battle has not been available.
The basic structure of Soviet airpower changed surprisingly little during the war years. After the first exodus of units sent westward in June 1941,
for the rest of the war most units remained in place, shifting resources by transferring individual squadrons and pilots but retaining the basic
regimental and divisional structure. After Novikov reformed the Soviet air structure in the spring of 1942 the formations in the east eventually
restructured to conform to the newer Soviet pattern, but it took considerably longer, as did re-equipment with modern aircraft types. There were
still a few units operating such old aircraft as the I-16 and the SB as late as 1945, including the 888 IAP on the Kamchatka Peninsula, which kept
the I-16 until August 1945, when it finally transitioned to the P-63. The 23 TBAE in Transbaikal still had the TB-3, though it was used as a
transport and not as a bomber. Alongside the ancient aircraft, were also large numbers of the most modern types such as the Il-10 and Tu-2,
which had seen limited service in the west.
The Far Eastern air structure remained fairly stable until the defeat of Germany. Almost immediately after the German surrender, ground and
some air units began relocating to the Transbaikal and Far Eastern Fronts which would wage the war against Japan.
Air Divisions generally had three regiments, occasionally two, usually all of the same type. A notable exception were the the ShADs in the 12 Air
Army, which consisted of 2 ShAPs and 1 IAP to provide escort. It is uncertain, but possible that this same structure existed for the other ShADs
assigned to the 9 and 10 Air Armies. A similar arrangement existed in some of the naval air divisions. Statutory strength for regiments was 32
aircraft in 3 squadrons, and a headquarters flight. Squadrons had 10 aircraft, independent squadrons, perhaps a few more. Unfortunately, in
most instances it has been impossible to determine the component regiments of the various air divisions, or the specific types of aircraft flown.
Fighters appear to have been mainly Yak-9, La-5/La-7, and P-63; there is no evidence of P-40s or Hurricanes being used, though these types
cannot be ruled out. The main Front Aviation bombers were the P-2 and Tu-2, with perhaps some A-20s and a few SBs. The Li-2 (a
licence-built version of the DC-3, often with bomb bays and turret), DB-3/Il-4 and B-25 were assigned to long range bomber units. Reconnaissance
regiments and squadrons used the standard VVS fighter and bomber aircraft, particularly the Pe-2 and Yak. The Correction regiments and
squadrons flew either fighters or Il-2 Shturmoviks, including a variant specially modified for artillery spotting. Naval aviation units were organized
essentially identically to regular air force units. A special case was the Mine-Torpedo Regiment, equipped with the DB-3, Il-4 or A-20, and
tasked with dropping torpedoes and aerial mines, and also making mast level bombing attacks. Naval reconnaissance units used either
standard land-based fighters and bombers or the MBR-2, PBN and PBY-6A. Anoteher special unit was the 63 MRAE, flying the MBR-2VU
variant of the Soviet flying boat, which was equipped for radio control of remote-controlled speedboats; this weapon was used briefly during the
capture of Seisin.
To show the development of air power in the far east, the orders of battle are given for June 1 at the start of the build-up, August 1 on the eve of
the campaign, and September 1 at the end of the campaign. When possible commanders, subordinate regiments and types of aircraft as of
August 1945 have been given, where less than three regiments are listed, there were probably other regiments, as yet unidentified.
Designations:
IAK Fighter Corps
IAD Fighter Division
IAD-PVO Defense Fighter Division
IAP Fighter Regiment
OIAP Independent Fighter Regiment
OIAE Independent Fighter Squadron
ShAD Assault (Shturmovik) Division
ShAP Assault Regiment
SAD Composite Division
BAK Bomber Corps
BAD Bomber Division
BAP Bomber Regiment
BBAP Close Range Bomber Regiment
PBAP Dive Bomber Regiment
DBAD Long Range Bomber Division
DBAP Long Range Bomber Regiment
TBAE Heavy Bomber Squadron
RAP Reconnaissance Regiment
RAE Reconnaissance Squadron
DRAE Long Range Reconnaissance Squadron
KRAP (Artillery) Correction-Reconnaissance Regiment
KRAE (Artillery) Correction-Reconnaissance Squadron
KAE (Artillery) Correction Squadron
TRAD Transport Division
TRAP Transport Regiment
O/N OAPS Special Purpose Liaison Regiment
OAPS Liaison Regiment
SANAP Medical Regiment
Peregon AP Ferrying Regiment
MTAP Mine Torpedo Regiment
MRAP Naval Reconnaissance Regiment
MRAE Naval Reconnaissance Squadron
OAO Separate Avaition Flight
VU Radio control (for remotre control speedboats)
TOF Pacific Ocean Fleet
STOF Northern Pacific Ocean Fleet
OMBAP-PV Independent Border Gaurds Patrol Regiment
Gv Guards
June 1, 1945
Transbaikal Front
12 Air Army Marshal S. A. Khudyakov
245 IAD Col. G. P. Pleshchenko
781 IAP Yak-9 940 IAP Yak-9
246 IAD
70 IAP 551 IAP 718 IAP
248 ShAD Col. I. B. Savel'ev
64 ShAP Il-10 967 ShAP Il-2M 291 ShAP Il-10 51 IAP Il-10?
316 ShAD Col. A. A. Erokhin
(2 ShAPs & 1 IAP)
30 BAD
396 AP-O/N B-25C
247 BAD
56, 541 BAP
23 TBAE TB-3
12 RAP
40 KRAE
41 KRAE
Coastal Group of Forces
9 Air Army Col. Gen. I. M. Sokolov
32 IAD
249 IAD
250 IAD
251 ShAD
252 ShAD Lt. Col. V. Kh. Makarov
34 BAD Col. K. A. Mikhailov
6 RAP
464 KRAP
281 TRAP
Far Eastern Front
18 IAK 296 IAD
777 IAP
96 ShAD Col. I. A. Kochergin
75 ShAP Maj. S. A. Chernykh
140 DRAE
28 KAE
19 BAK Gen. N. A. Volkov
33 BAD
55 BAD
442 DBAP Il-4
443 DBAP IL-4
128 SAD Lt. Col. M. A. Eryomin
888 IAP I-16 410 ShAP Il-2 903 BAP SB-2, PV-1, A-20
255 SAD
19 OIAE
799 RAP
10 Air Amy Col. Gen. P. F. Zhigarev
29 IAD
554 IAP Yak-9, Yak-3
254 IAD Lt. Col. N. A. Silaev
300 IAP Yak-9T
528 OIAP
253 ShAD Lt. Col. K. T. Tsedrik
83 BAD
7 RAP
411 KRAP
344 TRAP
Anti Aircraft Defense
Transbaikal Army PVO
297 IAD-PVO
401 IAP LA-5 938 IAP Yak-7B 939 IAP
Amur Army PVO
149 IAD-PVO
3 IAP LA-5 18 IAP Yak 60 IAP 400 IAP
Coastal Army PVO
147 IAD-PVO
34 IAP Yak-9 404 IAP Yak-9 429 IAP Yak 564 IAP LaGG-3?
August 1, 1945
Transbaikal Front
115, 116, 131, 132, 133 RAE
40, 41 KAE
12 Air Army Marshal S. A. Khudyakov
190 IAD Col. V.V. Fokin
17 IAP P-63A 821 IAP P-63A (only 2 regiments)
245 IAD Col. G. P. Pleshchenko
781 IAP P-63A 940 IAP P-63A
246 IAD
70 IAP 551 IAP 718 IAP
248 ShAD Col. I. B. Savel'ev
64 ShAP Il-10 967 ShAP Il-2M 291 ShAP Il-10 51 IAP Il-10?
316 ShAD Col. A. A. Erokhin
(2 ShAPs & 1 IAP)
6 BAK Maj. Gen. I. P. Skok
326 BAD Tu-2 ? Col. V. S. Lebedev
334 BAD
12, 132, 454 BAP Tu-2
7 BAK Lt. Gen. V. A. Ushakov
113 DBAD
815, 836, 855 DBAP Il-4
179 BAD
30 BAD
396 AP-O/N B-25C
54 BAD (DBA) Maj. Gen. V. A. Shchyolkin
29 Gv BAP Li-2 117 Gv BAP Li-2 340 BAP Il-4
247 BAD
56 BAP
541 OBAP
23 TBAE TB-3
12 RAP
21 Gv TRAD Maj. Gen. I. M. Gorskii
49 Gv, 50 Gv, 51 Gv TRAP Li-2
O/N OAPS
1010 Peregon. AP
Coastal Group of Forces
9 Air Army Col. Gen. I. M. Sokolov
32 IAD
249 IAD
250 IAD
251 ShAD
252 ShAD Lt. Col. V. Kh. Makarov
19 BAK Gen. N. A. Volkov
33 BAD
55 BAD
34 BAD Col. K. A. Mikhailov
6 RAP
799 RAP
464 KRAP
281 TRAP
81 SANAP
121 OAPS
Far Eastern Front
10 Air Amy Col. Gen. P. F. Zhigarev
18 IAK
296 IAD
777 IAP
96 ShAD Col. I. A. Kochergin
75 ShAP Maj. S. A. Chernykh
140 DRAE
28 KAE
128 SAD Lt. Col. M. A. Eryomin
888 IAP P-63A 410 ShAP P-63A 903 BAP SB-2, PV-1, A-20
255 SAD
29 IAD
554 IAP Yak9, Yak-3
254 IAD Lt. Col. N. A. Silaev
300 IAP Yak-9T
253 ShAD Lt. Col. K. T. Tsedrik
83 BAD
7 RAP
411 KRAP
344 TRAP
Anti Aircraft Defense
Transbaikal Army PVO
297 IAD-PVO
401 IAP LA-5 938 IAP Yak-7B 939 IAP
Amur Army PVO
149 IAD-PVO
3 IAP LA-5 18 IAP Yak 60 IAP 400 IAP
Coastal Army PVO
147 IAD-PVO
34 IAP Yak-9 404 IAP Yak-9 429 IAP Yak 564 IAP LaGG-3?
September 1, 1945
- Transbaikal Front
115, 116, 131, 132, 133 RAE
40, 41 KAE
6 Guards Tank Army
132 Gv RAE
276 Gv OAPS
12 Air Army Marshal S. A. Khudyakov
190 IAD Col. V.V. Fokin
17 IAP P-63A 821 IAP P-63A (only 2 regiments)
245 IAD Col. G. P. Pleshchenko
781 IAP P-63A 940 IAP P-63A
246 IAD
70 IAP 551 IAP 718 IAP
248 ShAD Col. I. B. Savel'ev
64 ShAP Il-10 967 ShAP Il-2M 291 ShAP Il-10 51 IAP Il-10?
316 ShAD Col. A. A. Erokhin
(2 ShAPs & 1 IAP)
6 BAK Maj. Gen. I. P. Skok
326 BAD Tu-2 ? Col. V. S. Lebedev
334 BAD
12, 132, 454 BAP Tu-2
7 BAK Lt. Gen. V. A. Ushakov
113 DBAD
815, 836, 855 DBAP Il-4
179 BAD
30 BAD
396 AP-O/N B-25C
54 BAD (DBA) Maj. Gen. V. A. Shchyolkin
29 Gv BAP Li-2 117 Gv BAP Li-2 340 BAP Il-4
247 BAD
56 BAP
541 OBAP
23 TBAE TB-3
12 RAP
1 KRAP
7 KRAP
21 Gv TRAD Maj. Gen. I. M. Gorskii
49 Gv, 50 Gv, 51 Gv TRAP Li-2
259 OAPS
262 OAPS
1 SANAP
1010 Peregon. AP
1 Far Eastern Front
9 Air Army Col. Gen. I. M. Sokolov
32 IAD
249 IAD
250 IAD
251 ShAD
252 ShAD Lt. Col. V. Kh. Makarov
19 BAK Gen. N. A. Volkov
33 BAD
55 BAD
34 BAD Col. K. A. Mikhailov
6 RAP
799 RAP
464 KRAP
281 TRAP
81 SANAP
121 OAPS
2 Far Eastern Front
87 SANAP
256 OAPS
10 Air Amy Col. Gen. P. F. Zhigarev
18 IAK
296 IAD
777 IAP
96 ShAD Col. I. A. Kochergin
75 ShAP Maj. S. A. Chernykh
140 DRAE
28 KAE
128 SAD Lt. Col. M. A. Eryomin
888 IAP P-63A 410 ShAP P-63A 903 BAP SB-2, PV-1, A-20
255 SAD
29 IAD
554 IAP Yak9, Yak-3
254 IAD Lt. Col. N. A. Silaev
300 IAP Yak-9T
253 ShAD Lt. Col. K. T. Tsedrik
83 BAD
7 RAP
411 KRAP
344 TRAP
Anti Aircraft Defense
Transbaikal Army PVO
297 IAD-PVO
401 IAP LA-5 938 IAP Yak-7B 939 IAP
Amur Army PVO
149 IAD-PVO
3 IAP LA-5 18 IAP Yak 60 IAP 400 IAP
Coastal Army PVO
147 IAD-PVO
34 IAP Yak-9 404 IAP Yak-9 429 IAP Yak 564 IAP LaGG-3?
Pacific Ocean Fleet Air Flotilla
VVS-STOF Maj. Gen. G. G. Dzyuba
15 SAD-TOF Col. M. P. Mikhailov
17 BAP
16 SAD-STOF Col. K. D. Denisov
31 IAP LaGG-3, P-39 Maj.A. N. Gorobunov
60 ShAP Il-2M3 Lt. Col. K. N. Lunin
41 OIAP-STOF LaGG-3
42 OIAP-STOF Yak-9 Maj. B. A. Novikov
58 OIAP-STOF Maj. M. F. Samozvantsev
59 OIAP-STOF Yak-9 Lt. Col. D. E. Nikhamin
56 OShAP-STOF Il-2m3, Il-10 Maj. V. I. Nikolaev
48 ODRAP-STOF MBR-2, PBY-6A
VVS-TOF Lt. Gen. P. N. Lemeshko
7 IAD-TOF Col. I. G. Romanenko
6 IAP (22 Gv IAP 9/26/45) P-63A
17 IAP La-7
61 IAP (21 Gv IAP 9/26/45) Yak-9 Maj. P. N. Korostelev
12 ShAD-TOF Lt. Col. M. V. Bartashov
26 ShAP (26 Gv ShAP 8/26/45) Il-10 Maj. A. M. Nikolaev
37 ShAP (37 Gv ShAP 8/22/45) Il-2m3 Maj. M. N. Barbashinov
14 IAP Yak-9
38 IAP Yak-9
10 PBAD-TOF Lt. Col. S. A. Kovalenko
33 PBAP Pe-2
34 BBAP (34 Gv BAP 8/26/45) SB, Pe-2 Capt. N. I. Druzdev
19 IAP ( ? Gv 8/26/45) Yak-9
2 MTAD-TOF Maj. Gen.P. I. Suchkov
4 MTAP DB-3, Il-4 Maj. N. M. Chernyaev
49 MTAP Il-4, A-20G/H
52 MTAP (52 Gv MTAP 8/28/45) DB-3 Lt. Col. M. I. Burkin
16 IAP-TOF Yak-9
27 IAP-TOF P-39 (transferred from Northern Fleet)
39 IAP-TOF
43 IAP-TOF P-39 (Transferred from Black Sea Fleet)
45 IAP-TOF
36 MTAP-TOF Il-4, A-20G (transferred from Northern Fleet)
55 OPBAP-TOF Pe-2 Maj. F. N. Radus
16 RAP-TOF PBN-1, PBY-6A
50 MRAP-TOF (50 Gv MRAP 8/26/45) Maj. I. V. Sidin
(12 A-20, 10 DB-3, 6 Tu-2R, 1 Pe-2, 1 B-25, 15 Yak-9)
115 MRAP-TOF MBR-2
117 RAP-TOF MBR-2 Lt. Col. N. A. Belyaev
57 MRAE-TOF
63 MRAE-TOF MBR-2VU
76 MRAE-TOF
68 OAO-Amur Flotilla
2 OMBAP-PV-TOF MBR-2