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When people think of the Soviet Air Force in World War II, they imagine rugged Yak fighters, the fearsome IL-2 Sturmovik, or vast waves of Soviet-built bombers hammering German lines. But what many forget is that one of the most beloved aircraft in Stalin’s arsenal wasn’t Soviet at all. It was American. It was the Douglas A-20 Havoc.
Fast, durable, and packing a punch, the A-20 became one of the most widely used Lend-Lease aircraft in the Soviet Union, earning a reputation as a near-perfect ground-attack and light bomber platform. At a time when the Soviet Air Force was scrambling to replace losses and modernize its fleet, the arrival of the Havoc was nothing short of a miracle.
The Soviets received over 3,000 A-20s, more than any other Allied nation. And unlike some other Lend-Lease planes that were met with skepticism or outright rejection, Soviet pilots and mechanics quickly fell in love with the Havoc. Why?
First, it was tough. Soviet pilots were used to flying aircraft that could take a beating, and the A-20 fit right in. It shrugged off small-arms fire, handled rough airstrips without issue, and had a well-armored cockpit—critical for survival over the deadly Eastern Front.
Second, it was fast. The A-20 was no lumbering bomber. It was built for speed, often able to outrun or at least keep pace with German fighters. Its agility made it an excellent low-level attacker, perfect for striking enemy convoys, troop formations, and armored columns. Soviet crews adapted it for some of the most dangerous missions of the war, including low-altitude raids deep behind German lines.
Third, it was versatile. The Soviets wasted no time modifying the Havoc for their own needs. They stripped out unnecessary equipment to make it even lighter and deadlier. They swapped out bomb loads, mounted extra guns, and even repurposed some A-20s as torpedo bombers to attack German naval forces in the Black Sea and Baltic. The Havoc became an all-purpose war machine, handling everything from reconnaissance to night bombing.
The A-20 played a key role in major battles, from Stalingrad to Kursk, flying alongside Soviet-built bombers and attack aircraft. It wasn’t just a secondary plane—it was a frontline workhorse, relied upon by some of the best Soviet bomber crews.
By the end of the war, many A-20s had been battered beyond recognition, their frames riddled with bullet holes, their engines worn from relentless use. But the Soviet pilots who flew them swore by their American-built bombers. Some even argued that the A-20 was better than its Soviet equivalents, a rare compliment in a nation known for its pride in homegrown designs.
The Havoc never got the same level of fame as some other bombers of the war. But in the hands of Soviet pilots, it became a legend—an American-built machine that fought and won in the brutal skies of the Eastern Front.