Soviet pilot who risked his own life to help China

File photo of Anton Gubenko. [Photo exclusively provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A Soviet pilot, nicknamed aerial tank, helped China shoot down seven Japanese aircraft during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

Born on Feb 12, 1908, Anton Gubenko was sent to China on March 13, 1938.

Eighteen bombers and 36 fighters belonging to Japan's Air Force raided Central China's Wuhan city on May 31, 1938. He shot down one of the enemy's fighters but ran out of ammunition. Undeterred, he crashed his jet into the enemy's plane, and destroyed it. Although Gubenko's plane suffered damages, he was able to return safely.

For his feat, Gubenko gained fame throughout the Chinese Air Force, and he was awarded the Golden Order of the Republic of China.

After Gubenko's return to the Soviet Union in August, 1938, he was decorated with the Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union on Feb 22, 1939.

Gubenko was killed in a flying accident on March 31, 1939.

The photo is exclusively provided to chinadaily.com.cn by Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and cannot be used without permission.