During WWII, it was common in the Soviet military to reward a superlative unit with the title 'Guards'. This helped to instill a sense of unit pride and also boosted morale, which in the early years of the Great Patriotic War, was very much needed.

The Pe-2 was a twin engine dive bomber that was quite successful in both this and the heavy fighter role as the Pe-3. The aircraft was relatively fast and provided sterling service, especially later in the war when units learned how to use it. Oddly enough, the Pe-2's initial usage by units was as a standard level bomber. This was the result of several things. First of all, there were not that many crews actually trained in the proper use of the aircraft. This was as much due to a need to rush crews into combat as it was a lack of proper training programs. Secondly few of these crews were trained in the art of dive bombing. I found it interesting that those units who did well and earned the Guards title were those whose commanders took the time to teach his crews how to properly use the airplane in a dive bombing attack. This made full use of the aircraft's design and increased its effectiveness.

It is somewhat surprising at first reading on how few of these units actually were able to be brought up to Guards status, but in hindsight, it only makes sense that those who were most successful would be the ones to earn the title.

The book opens with a look at the Pe-2 and its development. There are then three chapters on Bomber Air Regiments, Air Divisions and Air Corps. Each section tells of how the unit was able to earn distinction. Then there is an interesting section on Recce units. Apparently doing well as a recce unit takes more training and skill than one would supposed. This is followed by those naval air units that became Guards units. This is followed by a chart that shows all of the Pe-2 units and a timeline for each.

The book is superbly illustrated with period photos, many of which are successful crews and individuals, taken in the usual heroic poses. Several pages of full color profiles rounds things out including one of the rather rare radial engined Pe-2. In all, it makes for another interesting read on a subject that few have read much about. It is both entertaining and informative and a book I can easily recommend to you.

March 2013

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