Born in 1920 in Borisov, Belarus, Yevyely Samuylovich Belyavin moved to Tashkent, where he lived and studied until his conscription in 1938. He worked as a fitter at a factory and pursued his passion for aviation by attending an aeroclub. His dream of flying materialized in 1939 when he successfully graduated from the Borisoglebsk School of Pilots.
A Distinguished Military Career
Belyavin was deployed to the front in November 1941, where he was appointed deputy commander of a squadron in the 80th Bomber Aviation Regiment. From that moment, he actively participated in bombing enemy positions, airfields, troop concentrations near crossings, and military echelons across the Southern, Transcaucasian, Voronezh, and Steppe Fronts.
A defining moment in Belyavin’s character unfolded on a March day in 1943. While leading a formation of 18 Pe-2 dive bombers on a mission to bomb the Kharkov-Lyubotin road, they encountered a swarm of German fighters. The situation escalated when his right wingman was shot down and the squadron commander’s aircraft sustained damage.
Bravery Under Fire
Senior Lieutenant Belyavin heroically shielded his commander’s aircraft, fending off persistent enemy fighters. With accurate fire, he managed to shoot down a “Messerschmitt,” which caught fire and exploded. Despite his plane sustaining at least thirty bullet holes, a wounded gunner-radio operator, and damaged controls, Belyavin remained calm and skillfully landed his aircraft at an auxiliary airfield, saving both the dive bomber and his entire crew.
Yevyely S. Belyavin concluded his distinguished military service in 1958, holding the rank of colonel. He subsequently resided in Minsk until his passing in 1972. In recognition of his bravery and contributions, a street in his hometown of Borisov bears his name.