Flyer N. Jevlampjeva 25thJubilee
One of the older Latvia flyers from Kuldiga, Nikolajs Jevlampjevs recently marked his 25-year long service to aviation.
He began in late 1913 in Germany , when he joined flying Melli Bezes' led aviation school Johannistal by Berlin . That time Jevlampjeva's teacher was Latvian Otto Balodis, who our celebrant gave his first air christening. At the World War beginning, Jevlampjevs returned to his homeland, but already in 1914, 5th of August joined the Peterpil Polytechnic Institute, aviation section, where he took an aviation theory course, After the course was finished he was commanded to attend Sevastopole Aviation School , which was looked upon as the premier flying school in all of Russia . Jevlampjevs finished the school May 1915 and was sent to the Baltic Fleet, where he joined the sea flying squadron. But knowing Jevlampjevs distinguished ability; the commanders placed him in the building trade where he wandered around as Peterpils Airplane Factory seaplane construction leader. He followed the hydroplanes construction and attempted to identify the many construction mistakes.
When this job was finished, Jevlampjevs followed his desire to take part in combat and from 1915 until 1917 he joined the Baltic Sea Hydroplane Squadron where he did many flights across Bay of Riga and Kurzemes shores, bombed German hydroplane base at lake Engures and surviving air combat with invaders.
1916, Jevlampjeva luckily destroyed a German hydroplane with 2 flyers. This distinguishing occurrence happened by Ronu Island and at that time Jevlampjeva earned him respect.
German flyers soon learned their adversaries name and airplane number and they put all attempts in trying to eliminate him, But Jevlampjeva speed and luck saved him and he left this area. In 1917 summer he was given the job of training and prepare flyers to attack Danzig at its harbor. Jevlampjevs gathered 20 distinguishing sea flyers and started the training. In three months time the training ended and they began air attacks, which surprised all of the world (at that time this was thought as a fantasy). But at that time Russian leadership didn't have faith in Jevlampjeva plans so he left his squadron and joined a pilots school, which trained figure and trick flying and between training he gained two Russian records of altitude with hydroplane (with passengers).
After the Russian collapse Jevlampjeva returned to Latvia and joined as flyer in the Latvian Air force. Several years later he helped start Navy aviation division, which he trained and for a long time led this young unit, until 1926.
But also Jevlampjeva kept continuous connections with aviation by requesting duties with aviation organizations. Later, started Air force Reserves and in Kulidga was commander of two Reserve squadrons.
After 25 years, 2000 hours in the air is not capable of dousing the enthusiasm that now can be found many a time in his sixth airplane and heading for the next flight.
One must admire Jevlampjeva endurance —so long serving the capriccios merciless world of aviation.
Serving 25 years, flying 2000 hours and “not losing heart”.
The celebration took place 9th of July 1938, in Kludge and was attended by his friends who gave him a silver goblet for his endeavors.
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SPARNOTA LATVIJA: august 1938