Pavel Vasilievich Rychagov was the Commander of the Soviet Air Forces for a brief time from 28 August 1940 to 14 April 1941.
10 Facts About Pavel Rychagov
1.
2.
Pavel Rychagov was removed from that position shortly before Operation Barbarossa and the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, and was executed in a purge of the Red Army several months later.
3.
For five years, Pavel Rychagov was an ordinary fighter pilot, building up skills before becoming commander of an aviation squadron in Kiev Military District.
4.
On 28 October 1936, Pavel Rychagov, leading a group of 15 Soviet pilots flying 25 Polikarpov I-15 aircraft, landed in Cartagena, Spain.
5.
Pavel Rychagov stayed on to fight into the spring of 1937.
6.
Pavel Rychagov returned to the Soviet Union in 1937 for a short time, where he was promoted to Brigadier General at the young age of 26.
7.
Pavel Rychagov directed operations in the Winter War against Finland.
8.
Pavel Rychagov was promoted to Lieutenant General several months later.
9.
Pavel Rychagov was appointed Head of Red Army Air Force Administration and became a member of the Red Army Chief Military Council, a predecessor of the Stavka.
10.
Pavel Rychagov was tortured and executed on 28 October 1941 along with his wife, air force Major Mariya Nesterenko.