Novikov, Aleksandr

Born Nov. 6 (19), 1900, in the village of Kriukovo, now in Nerekhta Raion, Kostroma Oblast; died Dec. 3, 1976, in Moscow. Soviet military figure, chief marshal of aviation (1944). Twice Hero of the Soviet Union (Apr. 17, 1945, and Sept. 8, 1945); professor (1958). Member of the CPSU from 1920.

Novikov joined the Red Army in 1919 and fought in the Civil War (1918–20). He graduated from Vystrel, the higher infantry school of the Red Army, in 1922 and from the M. V. Frunze Military Academy in 1930. In 1938 he became chief of staff of the air forces of the Leningrad Military District. During the Soviet-Finnish War (1939–40) he served as chief of staff of the air forces of the Northwestern Front. In 1940 he was made commander of the air forces of the Leningrad Military District, and after the start of the Great Patriotic War of 1941–45, chief of staff of the air forces of the Northern Front (renamed the Leningrad Front in August 1941). From February to April 1942 he was first deputy commander and from 1942 to 1946 commander of the air forces of the Soviet Army. In 1942 and 1943 he was also deputy people’s commissar of defense.

Novikov coordinated aviation combat on several fronts. He fought in the battles of Leningrad, Stalingrad, and Kursk; in the operations to liberate the Ukraine, Byelorussia, and Poland; in the Berlin operation; and in the campaign resulting in the destruction of the Japanese Kwantung Army.

After the war, in 1953, Novikov became commander of long-range aviation, simultaneously serving as deputy commander in chief of the air force in 1954 and 1955. In 1956 he went into the reserves for reasons of health.

Novikov was a deputy to the second convocation of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. He was awarded three Orders of Lenin, three Orders of the Red Banner, three Orders of Suvorov First Class, the Order of Kutuzov First Class, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the Order of the Red Star, various medals, and several foreign orders.