A Russian woman who travelled to Perthshire to find out more about her grandfather’s secret wartime mission to Scotland has thanked those who helped with her quest.
Anna Belorusova discovered that Peter Kolesnikov served at the RAF base at Errol with Squadron 305 for a year during the war.
He fought in many battles of the Second World War, including the siege of Leningrad, but little was known of his trip to Scotland.
As Ms Belorusova delved into the past she discovered that despite the presence of 60 Russian pilots, navigators and engineers in the Carse of Gowrie, why they were there was shrouded in mystery.
However, it emerged the Russians were being trained in the use of Albemarles, British-built aeroplanes, and although under the watchful eyes of KGB officers, managed to make friends with their British counterparts.
Particularly helpful to Ms Belorusova was Eileen Moran of the Local History Centre in Dundee Central Library, who was able to locate two Courier articles relating to the Soviet airmen.
Ms Belorusova was full of praise for the help she received in locating the cuttings, which held a surprise for her.
“When I looked at it I immediately saw my grandfather in the group photograph,” she said. “That finding alone was worth my trip to Scotland, I was deeply astonished.”
The family of the late John Campbell from Dundee passed on his written account of serving at Errol with the Russians.
At first he could not believe how lucky he was to be posted just 12 miles from his home in Dundee, but said the security was so tight he “might as well have been in the Arctic Circle”.
Local aviation enthusiast Bradley Borland (69), who worked at Errol Airfield, showed Ms Belorusova artefacts from the war, including the RAF station bell.
Towards the end of the war Mr Kolesnikov had a stroke that left him disabled, and he died in 1948 aged 42.
Part of Ms Belorusova’s visit included an emotional journey to Errol airfield, and while she is grateful to all who have helped, she would still appreciate any more information.
She will be returning to the area her friend Helen Murray Threipland lives at Fingask Castle, Rait and is still keen to learn of any further memories of her grandfather and his colleagues during their posting to Scotland.