In 2021, the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Heroes of the Soviet Union, the spouses A. F. Solomatin and L. V. Litvyak and S. I. Kharlamov and N. V. Popova, will be celebrated.
Alexey Frolovich Solomatin (1921-1943)-squadron commander of the 296th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 268th Fighter Aviation Division of the 8th Air Army of the Southern Front, senior lieutenant. By February 1943, A. Solomatin had made 266 sorties, conducted 108 air battles, personally shot down 12 and 15 enemy aircraft in a group. By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 1, 1943, Senior Lieutenant A. F. Solomatin was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage and bravery in the battles against the Nazi invaders.
Lydia V. Litvyak (1921-1943) — flight commander of the 3rd Squadron of the 73rd Guards Stalingrad Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 6th Guards Don Fighter Aviation Division of the 8th Air Army of the Southern Front, Guards junior lieutenant. Since August 1942, it has made 168 sorties, in 89 air battles shot down personally 11 and as part of a group of 3 enemy aircraft, destroyed 2 spotter balloons. By the decree of the President of the USSR of May 5, 1990, for the courage and heroism shown in the fight against the Nazi invaders, Guards Senior Lieutenant L. V. Litvyak was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Lydia Litvyak met Alexey Solomatin, her future husband, in the winter of 1943, when she was transferred to the 296th Aviation Regiment. They were married in March. Their family life consisted of meek meetings between combat missions and did not last long: both died while performing combat missions.
Semyon Kharlamov (1921-1990)-commander of the aviation squadron of the 163rd Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 229th Fighter Aviation Division of the 4th Air Army of the Belarusian Front, senior lieutenant. He made more than 575 sorties, in 85 air battles he shot down 4 enemy aircraft personally and 2 in a group. By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of February 23, 1945, Senior Lieutenant S. I. Kharlamov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for his courage and heroism in battle.
Nadezhda Popova (1921-2013) - Deputy commander of the air squadron of the 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment of the 325th Night Bomber Aviation Division of the 4th Air Army of the 2nd Belorussian Front, senior lieutenant of the Guards. During the war, she made 852 combat sorties on a U-2 bomber for bombing attacks on enemy personnel and equipment. By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of February 23, 1945, for the courage and heroism shown in the battles with the Nazi invaders, the Guards senior Lieutenant N. V. Popova was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Nadezhda Popova and Semyon Kharlamov first met in August 1942: she was returning to the unit, during a combat mission, having lost her plane, he was heading to the hospital after being wounded. Until the end of the war, they had a few casual meetings. They became married after the Victory.
The postage stamps depict A. F. Solomatin and L. V. Litvyak; S. I. Kharlamov and N. V. Popova.
In addition to the issue of postage stamps, envelopes of the first day were issued and special postmarks were made for Moscow, St. Petersburg, Volgograd, Kaluga, Saratov and Oryol.
Artist-designer: S. Ulyanovsk.
Nominal value: 40 rubles. each plot.
Stamp size: 50×37 mm, sheet size: 170×174 mm.
Product form: sheets with decorated margins of 12 (3×4) stamps.
Circulation: 132 thousand stamps (11 thousand sheets).
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