Etoile Rouge Contre Croix Noire

An experienced pilot, Vasily Emelianenko flew one of the Soviet Union's most feared aircraft during the Second World War: the Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik. This heavily armoured aircraft was virtually unrivalled in terms of firepower, but it was slow to manoeuvre and an easy target for fighters. The Il-2 had to attack enemy targets at very low altitude, which resulted in enormous losses in both equipment and personnel. It is therefore not surprising that after 80 combat missions against the Germans, he received the highest distinction: the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.