Photo of the first twice Hero of the Soviet Union B.F. Safonov

A very rare picture in excellent condition. Size 115*164 mm. With a comment tag in English "Northern Fleet. Hero of the Soviet Union Major Safonov, awarded the Honorary Flying Cross" ("The Northern Fleet. Hero of the Soviet Union Major Safonov who has been decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross»). Size 111*169 mm. Apparently, the picture was taken in March 1942, when four North Sea pilots (and among them B. F. Safonov) for cooperation in the framework of Operation Benedict to equip the Soviet Air Force with British aircraft, the head of the British mission, Lieutenant General MacFarlane, awarded the highest aviation Order of Great Britain - the Cross "For Outstanding Flying Merits". Guarantee of authenticity.

Boris Feoktistovich Safonov (August 13 [26], 1915 — May 30, 1942) was a Soviet fighter aviation ace of the Navy, a participant in the Great Patriotic War, twice Hero of the Soviet Union (09/16/1941, 06/14/1942). The first twice Hero of the Soviet Union, who earned this title during the Great Patriotic War, the best Soviet fighter pilot of 1941-1942. Guards Lieutenant Colonel (04/22/1942).

Boris Safonov was born on August 26, 1915 (August 13 according to the old calendar) in the village of Sinyavino, now the Plavsky district of the Tula region. After graduating with honors from the seven-year-old, he entered the Tula railway school of the Federal Law, joined the Komsomol in 1930, studied at the glider school. Among the best cadets, he was enrolled in the Tula Osoaviakhim Pilot School, where his instructor was Valentina Grizodubova, who later became a Hero of the Soviet Union. He graduated from this school in 1933. In August 1933, he was drafted into the Red Army and enrolled as a cadet in the 1st military School of pilots named after A. F. Myasnikov (Kacha). After graduation, from December 1934, he was sent as a pilot to the 7th separate Aviation Squadron named after him. Dzerzhinsky 2nd Aviation Brigade of the Belarusian Military District (later the 106th Fighter Squadron named after Dzerzhinsky, and then the 15th Fighter Aviation Regiment named after F. E. Dzerzhinsky of the 40th Aviation Brigade). Soon he was promoted and became an instructor of the squadron's parachute service. Since July 1938 — assistant to the military commissar of the squadron for Komsomol work of the 15th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 70th Air Brigade of the Air Force of the Belarusian Special Military District.

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, he distinguished himself in aerial battles with the Luftwaffe. By the beginning of January 1942, B. F. Safonov was awarded two Orders of the Red Banner (July 14 and November 8, 1941). On September 15, 1941, seven fighters led by Safonov engaged 52 enemy vehicles. The result of the battle was 13 enemy planes shot down, and our seven returned to their airfield without losses. On September 16, 1941, he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. In October 1941, the SF Air Force Command entrusted Major Safonov with the newly formed 78th Fighter Aviation Regiment equipped with British Hawker Hurricane aircraft. On January 15, 1942, B. F. Safonov was awarded the third Order of the Red Banner.

On May 30, 1942, Lieutenant Colonel B. F. Safonov, being already the commander of the 2nd Guards Mixed Red Banner Aviation Regiment of the SF Air Force, flew at the head of a flight of fighters to cover a caravan of PQ-16 ships going to Murmansk. During the battle with superior enemy forces, the link broke up, and Boris Safonov was left alone. He radioed that he had shot down three Yu-88 bombers, after which the connection with him was cut off. His last words were: "The engine is knocked out, I'm going to be forced." The exact cause of Safonov's death is unknown. According to one version (later announced officially), his "Kittyhawk" crashed due to engine problems. It is also possible that Safonov's plane was shot down by defensive fire from bombers, which was recorded in the operational summary of the 2nd GCAP for May 30. Sailors from one of the ships saw how a single "Kittyhawk" went into a steep dive, crashed into the water and quickly sank.

In total, during the fighting, Boris Safonov made 234 sorties, personally shot down 20 enemy aircraft (including 6 presumably) and 5 in the group. In the literature, higher numbers of his victories are also widespread, for example, up to 30 personal victories. The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR by Decree "On awarding the Hero of the Soviet Union Lieutenant Colonel Safonov Boris Feoktistovich with the second Gold Star Medal" dated June 14, 1942 for "exemplary performance of combat missions of the command at the front of the fight against the German invaders, giving the right to receive the title of Hero of the Soviet Union" awarded Boris Safonov with the second Gold Star medal with the order "to build a bronze bust and install it on a pedestal in the homeland of the recipient". The presentation for the award was sent even before Safonov's death. In 1943, the first bust of the hero was installed in the village of Vaenga (now the city of Severomorsk).