The biography of this man is a chronicle of the exploits and dreams of our grandfathers. Anatoly Serov had the most heroic and romantic profession, his wife was one of the most desirable women of the era, boys wanted to look like him. He did not live to see World War II, but his widow from movie screens urged women to believe that their husbands and lovers were alive, wait for them and believe in victory.
Childhood
Tolya was born in 1910 in the Perm province in a large family of a miner. His father was a highly skilled specialist and fighter for justice. This combination did not allow the master to be sentenced to hard labor for beliefs, but Konstantin Serov was also on the list of unreliable. The revolution of 1917 opened up new prospects for the miner - he was appointed head of the quarry in the village of Bogoslovsk, where he moved with the whole family.
The city of Karpinsk. Until 1933, it was called Theological
The son of a miner did not like schooling until a teacher in one of the lessons told how in the Middle Ages a certain Sagittarius Ivan Serov made wings and was able to fly on them. The boy immediately decided that this hero was his ancestor, and he simply must become a pilot. To prove his opinion, Tolya made an unsuccessful attempt to repeat the accomplishment of the legendary archer. He was scolded, and later sent to study as a steelworker.
Way to dream
In 1929, along the line of the Komsomol, 3 trips to the Joint Theoretical School for Pilots and Aviation Technicians in Volsk came to the factory where Serov worked. Anatoly had a dream and a number of sporting achievements, and he was sent there to receive education. In 1931, the pilot Serov got into operation of the 1st fighter squadron, which was based in Gatchina. Now Tolya has a new goal - to become no worse than the famous Valery Chkalov.
Valery Chkalov - idol of Anatoly Serov
In 1933, the young aviator was transferred to the Far East. Here he not only improves his aerobatics, but also teaches him youth. After 2 years, this seemed not enough for Anatoly Serov - he filed a report asking him to be sent to study at the Air Force Academy. Professor N. E. Zhukovsky. This time, study did not go, it was boring at the desk. In 1936, our hero asked for test pilots and was sent to the Red Army Air Force Research and Test Institute.
Spain
News from the war-torn Spain did not give rest to the brave pilot - he was obliged to fight there against fascism. Anatoly Serov again turned to the command with a request that was immediately granted - the Soviet Union helped the Spanish anti-fascists by sending military specialists to the country. At the beginning of 1937, a former tester, and now the fighter was seconded to a hot spot.
Republican fighters. Spanish Civil War
Immediately after arrival, the pilot was not allowed to participate in the battles, and the first combat flight ended unsuccessfully - he got into a battle with superior enemy forces and lost the car. The commander of the Republican Air Force threatened to send Serov back to the Union, but in the Brunet offensive operation, the aviator proved his skill. Anatoly did not relax, having earned the trust and respect of the command, he began to develop new tactics for fighter aircraft - night flights.
Love
The career of a brave pilot made a rapid take-off: in the summer of 1937 he became commander of the 1st fighter squadron. The following year he returned to his homeland, where he was awarded the Gold Star of a Hero of the Soviet Union and received the rank of brigade commander. Anatoly's dream come true to meet Valery Chkalov. Only one thing was missing - the beloved woman. Visiting the legendary aviator Anatoly Lyapidevsky, Serov met a young actress Valentina Polovikova.
Anatoly and Valentina Serov
The wedding was played a few days after meeting. The personal life of the Soviet ace was like a fairy tale and attracted the attention of not only friendly people. Valentine will not be called the most ideal wife. Having connected her life with art, she devoted all her time to creativity and paid little attention to the family, and after the death of her husband she was able to meet love again. Whether this was true, or the new happiness of the widowed actress was cutting eyes, was not known to the gossips.
