Ostapchuk А. Air Defense Troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front in offensive operations to liberate Ukraine

Dissertation to get the degree of Candidate of sciences (History), specialty 20.02.22 - Military History. - National Defence University of Ukraine named after Ivan Chernyakhovskiy, Kyiv, 2013. On the basis of comprehensive analysis of a wide range of sources and the first time used military documents the organization and conduct of air defence troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front in offensive operations on the territory of Ukraine were revealed. In modern historical scholarship there are many significant papers that cover issues related to air defence forces in operations of the Great Patriotic War, but the number of works devoted directly to air defence troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front in offensive operations to liberate Ukraine is insufficient. Official operational and combat documents refer to (stand for represent) the bibliography sources of the thesis. The documents are related to the departments of ant-aircraft defence of the 1st Ukrainian Front, Armies and, Administrations of Flack divisions of the Headquarters reserves included in the Front. There also was scientific literature and guidance documents in the bibliography list. The author determines the conditions and factors that affected the air defence troops. From October 20, 1943 to July 27, 1944 troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front had two independent strategic offensive operations and took part in one strategic offensive operation. We describe the management and facilities of air defence troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front in these operations, reveal the features of, find out the results and consequences. The tendencies air defence troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front in offensive operations in Ukraine are specified. Keywords: air defence troops, strategic offensive operations, air strikes, the 1st Ukrainian Front, anti-aircraft artillery units, Great Patriotic War, liberate Ukraine