The Local State Archives in Bobruisk presents an album of drawings and photographs depicting the combat path of the 54th Aviation Bomber Regiment in World War II

The Local State Archives in Bobruisk presents an album of pictures and photographs showing the combat path of the 54th Aviation Bomber Regiment during WWII. The album was created by the military personnel of the regiment, who served combat aircraft and in their free minutes illustrated the combat path of their unit from the first days of the war till the Victory in May 1945. In 1944 the 54th regiment took part in the Bobruisk operation, bombarding enemy manpower and equipment.

The unique album was kept by one of its authors, Sergey Ryabkov from Bobruisk. As a technician-lieutenant Ryabkov was drafted into the air force in 1937 and served as a technician in the 54th Klin Red Banner Kutuzov Order 3rd Class Bomber Aviation Regiment throughout the war, served 105 combat flights, for which he was awarded orders and medals, including the Order of the Red Banner. Ryabkov met the victory in Berlin. The album’s illustrations have preserved the names of another three artists, his fellow-soldiers: F. Nechiporenko, G. V. Zakharenko and aircraft mechanic S. N. Baboshin.

The album pages describe the large and small frontline operations in which the regiment took part, with the figures of the damage inflicted to the enemy.

The 54th regiment actively participated in the liberation of Belarus. Bombers struck the enemy in the Mozyr-Klinkovichi operation in the winter of 1944 and in the summer operation during the liberation of Bobruisk. The significant milestones of the regiment’s military path were its participation in the Warsaw operation at the beginning of 1945 and in the battle for Berlin.

Collection of small-volume fonds of personal origin F. 366 OP. 4 DD. 1, 3, 4.