Israel Fisanovich
Encyclopedia
Israel Ilyich Fisanovich ( sometimes transliterated
as Izrail Fisanovich) born 1914, died 1944, was a Soviet Navy
submarine commander and Hero of the Soviet Union
. He died when his submarine, the former was sunk in a friendly fire incident.
Fisanovich was born in a working class Jewish family in Elizavetograd (now Kirovohrad
), Ukraine, USSR. His family moved to Kharkov in 1922 where he finished high school. On leaving school Fisanovich joined the Hammer and Sickle tractor factory as an apprentice. he subsequently joined the Soviet Navy
and studied at the Frunze Military Academy where he was top cadet. As a prize he was presented with a silver watch by Defence Minister Voroshilov
.
Fisanovich joined the Baltic Fleet
in 1936 and subsequently rose to command the submarine M-84. In 1938 Fisanovich was posted to the Northern Fleet
where in 1941 he was appointed to command the submarine M-172
Fisanovich carried out 17 successful war patrols in his submarine sinking 2 warships, 10 transports and a tanker. In July 1943 he commanded a division of the submarine Brigade of the Northern Fleet.
In 1944 Fisanovich went to Britain to take command of the former HMS Sunfish which was lent to the Soviet Navy. This boat was renamed V-1 (В-1). While on passage to USSR, the V-1 was attacked in error by a Coastal Command Liberator aircraft
. Fisanovich was out of the prescribed area and dived rather than staying on the surface and sending a recognition signal. The boat was lost with all hands including the British liaison officers.
Romanization of Russian
Romanization of the Russian alphabet is the process of transliterating the Russian language from the Cyrillic alphabet into the Latin alphabet...
as Izrail Fisanovich) born 1914, died 1944, was a Soviet Navy
Soviet Navy
The Soviet Navy was the naval arm of the Soviet Armed Forces. Often referred to as the Red Fleet, the Soviet Navy would have played an instrumental role in a Warsaw Pact war with NATO, where it would have attempted to prevent naval convoys from bringing reinforcements across the Atlantic Ocean...
submarine commander and Hero of the Soviet Union
Hero of the Soviet Union
The title Hero of the Soviet Union was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded personally or collectively for heroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society.-Overview:...
. He died when his submarine, the former was sunk in a friendly fire incident.
Fisanovich was born in a working class Jewish family in Elizavetograd (now Kirovohrad
Kirovohrad
Kirovohrad , formerly Yelisavetgrad, is a city in central Ukraine. It is located on the Inhul River. It is a motorway junction. Pop. 239,400 ....
), Ukraine, USSR. His family moved to Kharkov in 1922 where he finished high school. On leaving school Fisanovich joined the Hammer and Sickle tractor factory as an apprentice. he subsequently joined the Soviet Navy
Soviet Navy
The Soviet Navy was the naval arm of the Soviet Armed Forces. Often referred to as the Red Fleet, the Soviet Navy would have played an instrumental role in a Warsaw Pact war with NATO, where it would have attempted to prevent naval convoys from bringing reinforcements across the Atlantic Ocean...
and studied at the Frunze Military Academy where he was top cadet. As a prize he was presented with a silver watch by Defence Minister Voroshilov
Kliment Voroshilov
Kliment Yefremovich Voroshilov , popularly known as Klim Voroshilov was a Soviet military officer, politician, and statesman...
.
Fisanovich joined the Baltic Fleet
Baltic Fleet
The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...
in 1936 and subsequently rose to command the submarine M-84. In 1938 Fisanovich was posted to the Northern Fleet
Northern Fleet
The Red Banner Northern Fleet is a unit of the Russian Navy that has access to the Barents and Norwegian Seas, the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, and is responsible for the defense of northwestern Russia. It was established in 1937 as part of the Soviet Navy...
where in 1941 he was appointed to command the submarine M-172
Fisanovich carried out 17 successful war patrols in his submarine sinking 2 warships, 10 transports and a tanker. In July 1943 he commanded a division of the submarine Brigade of the Northern Fleet.
In 1944 Fisanovich went to Britain to take command of the former HMS Sunfish which was lent to the Soviet Navy. This boat was renamed V-1 (В-1). While on passage to USSR, the V-1 was attacked in error by a Coastal Command Liberator aircraft
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
. Fisanovich was out of the prescribed area and dived rather than staying on the surface and sending a recognition signal. The boat was lost with all hands including the British liaison officers.
Awards and commemoration
- Hero of the Soviet UnionHero of the Soviet UnionThe title Hero of the Soviet Union was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded personally or collectively for heroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society.-Overview:...
- Order of LeninOrder of LeninThe Order of Lenin , named after the leader of the Russian October Revolution, was the highest decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union...
- Order of the Red BannerOrder of the Red BannerThe Soviet government of Russia established the Order of the Red Banner , a military decoration, on September 16, 1918 during the Russian Civil War...
(twice) - Order of UshakovOrder of UshakovThe Order of Ushakov was one of the highest naval awards of the Soviet Union among the Order of Nakhimov and it active is up to this day. Its name commemorates the Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, who never lost a battle and was proclaimed patron saint of the Russian Navy.The order was instituted during...
- Order of the Patriotic WarOrder of the Patriotic WarThe Order of the Patriotic War is a Soviet military decoration that was awarded to all soldiers in the Soviet armed forces, security troops, and to partisans for heroic deeds during the German-Soviet War, known by the former-Soviet Union as the Great Patriotic War.- History :The Order was...
- Navy CrossNavy CrossThe Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
, USA
- There is a monument to him in Kiev
- There are streets named after him in KievKievKiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
, Kharkov and PolyarnyPolyarnyPolyarny is a closed town in Murmansk Oblast, Russia, situated on the outermost western side of the Kola Bay. Population: -History:It was founded in 1896 and named Alexandrovsk in honor of Tsar Alexander III. Town status was granted to it on , 1899...