The Zonal State Archives in Orsha presents a virtual exhibition, «Soldiers of the Sky»

As part of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War, the Zonal State Archives in Orsha presents a virtual exhibition, «Soldiers of the Sky».

The exhibition uses photographs and materials from the photo album of the «523rd Orsha Red Banner Order of Suvorov, Kutuzov, and Alexander Nevsky Fighter Aviation Regiment».

The photo album includes 84 photographs reflecting the exploits of the defender pilots during the Great Patriotic War and the history of the regiment in the post-war period.

The 523rd Fighter Aviation Regiment was formed in September 1941 on the basis of the 3rd Squadron of the 274th Fighter Regiment. It was armed with LaGG-3 fighters.

During the preparation for the Belarusian operation, the regiment conducted active continuous reconnaissance of the northwest of Belarus, the areas of Orsha, Vitebsk, and later Minsk. For distinction in the battles for the capture of the city and the operationally important railway junction of Orsha, by Order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the USSR dated 06.07.1944 No.0182, the 523rd Fighter Aviation Regiment was awarded the honorary title «Orsha».

The exhibition is addressed to a wide range of people: schoolchildren, students, local historians, teachers and all those interested in the history and culture of the region.