Alexander Bulaev was born on September 9, 1910, at Chany station (now an urban-type settlement) in the Novosibirsk region, into a worker’s family. He completed two courses at the Omsk Institute of Railway Transport Engineers.
He joined the Soviet Army in 1934 and graduated from the Kharkov Military Aviation Pilot School in 1936. An active participant in the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-1940, A.D. Bulaev was apparently the most effective Soviet fighter pilot in that conflict. Dozens of times, he led his I-16 squadron from the ice of Karelian lakes, achieving at least 9 personal victories, though most are unconfirmed by Finnish sources. Comrades remembered him for his broad kindness, Olympic calm, optimism, and extraordinary strength.
Hero of the Great Patriotic War
From June 1941, he served on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. He commanded a squadron in one of the best aviation regiments of the Leningrad Front, the 159th Fighter Aviation Regiment (IAP). On May 16, 1942, a flight of Soviet fighters, commanded by Captain Bulaev, took off to intercept 10 Ju-88 bombers.
In the very first attack, two “Junkers” were shot down. The stunned enemy began to haphazardly drop bombs and hastily retreat westward. During the pursuit, our quartet was attacked by eight Bf-109s. In a stubborn battle, the Soviet pilots shot down two “Messerschmitts” and returned to base without losses.
In total, Alexander Bulaev personally shot down 15 enemy aircraft and 1 balloon, and destroyed another 8 aircraft in group battles. He completed over 350 combat sorties in I-16, Yak-1, La-5, and P-40 fighters.
Tragic End and Posthumous Recognition
On May 17, 1943, Alexander Bulaev died in an aviation accident; the controls of the Li-2 in which he was flying with other pilots were secured with clamps.
On September 2, 1943, he was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. During his combat career, he was awarded the Orders of Lenin (twice), the Red Banner, and the Patriotic War 1st Class. He is buried in a mass grave on the southern outskirts of the city of Volkhov.