In 2021, the 100th Birth Anniversary of the Heroes of the Soviet Union, spouses A.F. Solomatin and L.V. Litvyak, S.I. Kharlamov and N.V. Popova is celebrated.
Alexey F. Solomatin (1921-1943) was the squadron commander of the 296 fighter aviation regiment of the 268 fighter aviation division of the Southern Front, first lieutenant. By February 1943, A. Solomatin committed 266 combat missions, held 108 air combats, crashed 12 enemy planes in person and 15 planes in the group. The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 1, 1943, awarded first lieutenant Alexey F. Solomatin the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union for courage and valor manifested in battles with Nazi invaders.
Lydia V. Litvyak (1921-1943) was the flight commander of the 3 squadron of the 73 guards Stalingrad fighter aviation regiment of the Southern Front, guards second lieutenant. From August 1942, she committed 168 combat missions, crashed 11 enemy planes in person and 3 planes as part of a group in 89 air battles, and destroyed 2 spotting aerostats. The Decree of the President of the USSR of May 5, 1990, awarded guards second lieutenant Lydia V. Litvyak the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union for courage and heroism manifested in the struggle with Nazi invaders.
Semyon I. Kharlamov (1921-1990) was the squadron commander of the 163 fighter aviation regiment of the Belorussian Front, first lieutenant. He committed more than 575 combat missions, and shot down 4 enemy planes in person and 2 planes in the group in 85 air battles. The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of February 23, 1945, awarded first lieutenant Semyon I. Kharlamov the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union for courage and heroism manifested in battles.
Nadezhda V. Popova (1921-2013) was the squadron second-in-command of the 46 guards night bomber aviation regiment of the Belorussian Front, guards first lieutenant. During the War, Nadezhda Popova committed 852 combat missions piloting the U-2 bomber for bombing enemy personnel and equipment. The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of February 23, 1945, awarded guards first lieutenant Nadezhda V. Popova the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union for courage and heroism manifested in battles against Nazi invaders.
The postal stamps provide images of A.F. Solomatin and L.V. Litvyak; S.I. Kharlamov and N.V. Popova.
| Paper |
Printing method |
Perforation |
Format of the stamp |
Edition |
| Chalk surfaced |
Offset + security system |
Comb 12:11¾ |
50 × 37 mm |
132 thousand stamps |