The Il-2 is a reconstruction of an aircraft flown by Soviet ground attack ace Guards Jr. Lt. Talgat Begeldinov. Begeldinov served with the 144th Guards Air Assault Regiment and completed over 300 sorties by the end of the war. Their insignia was a white lightning and their aircraft were decorated with a white ring.…
A Guards designation was awarded to units who distinguished themselves in combat. These battle-hardened veterans were the elite of the Soviet forces and more than a match for anything that the Nazis could muster. The first Guards title was awarded to two rifle divisions (107th and 120th) for destroying the German salient…