Report to Commander of the 169th Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment. Two pages from a notebook, 6 ½" x 8 ¼". Pligin reported that he had been sent on a "government assignment" in July 1939 and, upon return on 8 June 1940, could not find his flight records which he had left with the staff of the 42nd Long Range Bomber Regiment. Pligin meticulously listed his entire service record as a pilot: dates, his position, military unit and, types of planes he flew and the number of daytime and nighttime flight hours. He concluded with a reques

Report to Commander of the 169th Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment. Two pages from a notebook, 6 ½" x 8 ¼". Pligin reported that he had been sent on a "government assignment" in July 1939 and, upon return on 8 June 1940, could not find his flight records which he had left with the staff of the 42nd Long Range Bomber Regiment. Pligin meticulously listed his entire service record as a pilot: dates, his position, military unit and, types of planes he flew and the number of daytime and nighttime flight hours. He concluded with a request to locate his original flight record documents or issue a new set of them.

According to Pligin's report, from January 1939 to June 1940, he served as Military Commissar (senior political officer) of the 2nd Air Squadron, 42nd Long Range Bomber Regiment, 2nd Special Air Army, one of three such Air Force armies subordinated directly to the People's Commissar of Defense and designated for "special operations." АОН-2 ("AON-2", Russian abbreviation for "2nd Special Air Army"), was formed in 1937 in the Soviet Far East and originally was based on the airfields near the city of Khabarovsk. Looking back at the military conflicts of that period in that region, this very vague moniker "government assignment" could refer only to the assistance by "volunteer" Soviet pilots and mechanics provided to China against Japanese aggression. A veritable army-strength force which Stalin later called "a small group of volunteer pilots" speaking with a Japanese minister. According to the Kamerton online historical journal, by mid-February 1939 this "small group" numbered 3,665 Soviet military advisors, specialists, pilots and mechanics flying and maintaining over 1,300 airplanes: I-15 and I-16 fighters, and SB and TB-3 bombers. Similarly, if a little later, the American Volunteer Group (AVG), popularly known as the Flying Tigers, was formed in 1941 to assist Chiang Kai-shek in fighting against the Japanese as advisers, observers, and even recruiters for the Chinese Air Force. They did not see combat until mid-December 1941, and were disbanded in early July 1942. While in China, they had to operate very cautiously since the US was neutral at that time.

In very good condition. The edges and corners are slightly frayed; the paper is moderately and evenly age-toned and shows minimal soiling and storage wear. Pligin's handwriting and the resolution of the regiment commander are crisp, clear, and perfectly legible.

Health Status Report compiled by the medical commission of the 17th Air Army, recording a comprehensive examination of Pligin's physical condition performed at the end of February 1945. The commission included a surgeon, neurologist, psychiatrist, otolaryngologist, and ophthalmologist. The commission concluded that Major Pligin had gastritis and was fit for piloting airplanes.

Two pages, front and back, measuring 8 ¼" x 11 ½". In good condition: moderate wear to the corners, edges, and fold lines. The paper is age-toned, and slightly soiled along the edges. It is also thin enough for some of the writing to seep through the paper and be somewhat visible on the other side. Most importantly, all the printed and handwritten entries are clear and perfectly legible.

Health Status Report, 5 October 1946, completed by a commission of the Odessa Military District hospital. By that time Pligin had the rank of lieutenant colonel and, judging by the commission's findings, was not in good health. Complaints included weakness, fatigue, pains in his legs, irritability, and some others. Bloodwork showed traces of typhus and malaria. Based on their findings, the commission prescribed a month-long furlough which was approved by the Medical Commissar of the Odessa Military District.

In very good condition. Single page, front and back, measuring 6 ¼" x 8 ½". The paper is mildly wrinkled along the edges and shows tears to the left margin incurred when it was removed from the file, not reaching the textual material. A couple of tears to the right and top edge are even less obvious and not detractive. All the printed, handwritten, and stamped entries are clear and legible.

The Russian military archival site pamyat-naroda.ru shows that Vasiliy Pligin fought well during the Patriotic War and received several high decorations: Order of the Red Star in August 1942 for his actions as a pilot and political officer; Order of the Patriotic War 2nd cl. in June 1944, mostly for maintaining high morale among the troops of his 370th Nighttime Bomber Air Regiment but also for 17 personal nighttime sorties; Order of the Patriotic War 1st cl. in May 1945 for his achievements as a political officer over the time of his service in WW2. He was also awarded with the Medal for Combat Service, a second Order of the Red Star, Order of the Red Banner, and Order of Lenin for length of service.

Please note that the pen in our photo is for size reference.
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