Squadron " Tarhkov ". After several months of compilation of information on the Russian squadrons, it begins to appear that the two squadrons of Chatos designated "Lacalle" and "Tarkov" did not exist as seperate units during the battle of Madrid, although there was certainly a physical separation in their two aerodromes: Algete-Azuqueca and Alcala (at least during the month of November). The following supports this thesis :
1.- The Russian fighter pilots were under the command of P.I. Pumpour. Two units existed under his control, one I-15 and one I-16. He is identified as the person in charge of I-15s in written material to Pavel Richagov.
2.- Tarkhov, until recently recognized in Spain as the head of the second squadron of I-15s, was pilot of an I-16 unit before coming to Spain , in addition, he does not appear in the lists to the pilots who came in Richagov's group.
3.- The Russian pilots of the I-15 squadron do not reflect a separation in two units during the battle of Madrid in their memoirs. Only Lacalle indicates it in his book " Myths and Truths ". |
