Long Range Aviation - Creation

Creation

The first three Air Armies, designated Air Armies of Special Purpose were created between 1936 and 1938. 2nd Army was created on 15 March 1937 in the Far East. Somewhat later, the 3rd Air Army was created in the North Caucasus Military District. On 5 November 1940 these were reformed as the Long Range Bombardment Aviation of the Stavka of the Red Army (until February 1942) due to poor combat performance during the Winter War with Finland.

The force was created on 5 March 1942 to meet strategic objectives: bomb strikes on administrative, political and military targets deep in the enemy's rear, the enemy of transportation violations, destruction warehouses in close behind the bombing of the enemy on the line of Front and for strategic operations. ADD was placed under the command of Alexander Golovanov. In addition, ADD (including its member Civil Air Fleet of the USSR) is widely used to support guerrillas in the occupied territory of the USSR and Yugoslavia.

Throughout its existence, the LRA was part of the Reserve of the Supreme High Command (RVGK). It only received orders from the Supreme Commander, Iosef Stalin. The basis of the combat fleet were long range Ilyushin Il-4 bombers, though Petlyakov Pe-8s and other aircraft were later used.

During the Battle of Stalingrad, the LRA, having taken crippling losses over the past 18 months, was restricted to flying at night. The Soviets flew 11,317 night sorties over Stalingrad and the Don-bend sector between 17 July and 19 November 1942. These raids caused little damage and were of nuisance value only.

Five long range bomber corps were established which had in service at various times nearly 3000 aircraft, of which war - about 1800. Pilots of heavy aircraft struck the cities of Danzig, Konigsberg, Krakow, Berlin, Helsinki and others. The LRA took an active part in the operations in the Baltic States. On March 9, 1944 about 2000 and 1500 explosive incendiary bombs were dropped on residential areas of Tallinn. Results of two Soviet air raids: 40% of the destroyed building, 463 dead, 649 injured and about 20,000 homeless citizens. Especially hard hit Harju Street, was bombed and the theater "Estonia", which had just started the concert. From 6 to 8 March 1944 the historical part of Narva was virtually wiped out, in the same month were bombed Tartu, Tapa and Jõhvi. In the period July–December 1944, the LRA made more than 7,200 sorties, dropping about 62,000 bombs with a total weight of 7,600 tons.