Boris Gerasimovich Borodai was a Soviet fighter pilot and a prominent participant in the air battles over China. Flying an I-16, he is credited with destroying at least one enemy aircraft. For his successful engagements in China, Lieutenant Borodai was awarded the Orders of Lenin and the Red Banner.
The Great Air Battle Over Nanchang
On July 7, 1938, the first anniversary of the start of the Sino-Japanese War, a major air battle took place over Nanchang in the afternoon. Alerted, almost all aircraft – I-15bis and I-16 fighters, and SB bombers – took off almost simultaneously on intersecting courses. In that battle, the Japanese employed a rather strange tactic, sending their bombers forward without escort, while their fighters arrived later in a compact group, attacking the Chinese interceptors who were already disengaging from combat with the bombers.
That day, four Japanese bombers and six fighters were shot down. Boris Borodai, in a sudden initial attack, destroyed one bomber (other sources state that in this battle, Borodai, paired with Evgeny Vladimirov, engaged Japanese fighters and destroyed an I-96). Soviet/Chinese losses in this battle were also high: seven aircraft were shot down, and two were severely damaged.
A Distinguished Career of Service
Upon returning from China in late September 1938, Boris Gerasimovich continued his service in the Air Force. Alongside his close friend Grigory Kravchenko, he worked as a test pilot. For successfully mastering new aviation equipment, he was awarded his second Order of Lenin, by a decree on February 22, 1939.
In 1939, Borodai fought in Khalkhin Gol, flying I-16 and I-153 fighters. After the end of hostilities, he studied at the Zhukovsky Air Force Academy, where he served as a standard-bearer. With the start of the Great Patriotic War, he returned to the front.
As commander of the 2nd squadron of the 402nd Special Purpose Fighter Aviation Regiment, formed from test pilots, Captain B. G. Borodai once again demonstrated his courage and high flying skill in battles against the enemy. He died on January 1, 1942, in an air battle on the Northwestern Front, in the Kresttsy area of the Novgorod region. Other sources suggest he crashed upon landing after a reconnaissance flight, possibly wounded, near his airfield. At that time, his combat score stood at six personal victories.