In early June 1942 a whole fighter division equipped entirely with Hurricanes, 235 IAD became part of 8 VA (8th Air Army). The unit was commanded by Lt. Col. I. D. Podgorniy. It comprised 46, 191, and 436 IAP. On 25 June it was joined by 180 IAP equipped with 20 Hurricanes. All those regiments, apart from 191 IAP, have been trained at Ivanovo. In order to facilitate rapid conversion to the British equipment, 3 British pilots and 16 fitters were present at Ivanovo. When moving to the front line, the division was largely equipped with aircraft fitted with the Soviet armament, or Mk IIC aircraft. It entered combat north of Kharkov. During the first five days of fighting the entire unit claimed 29 aircraft shot down. The largest number of victories was claimed by 436 IAP (20 kills), it was commanded by Major A. B. Panov. Apart from air combats and air defence, the regiments were also tasked with ground attack duties. During these missions Hurricane caused substantial losses among the enemy, as well as sustaining severe losses themselves. On 16 July 12 Hurricanes of 191 IAP destroyed a motorised column on the road Velikiy Burluk-Noviy Oskol. In heavy fighting, with constantly changing unprepared landing grounds, the Hurricanes started to wear out rapidly. For example 436 IAP changed airfields no less than 12 times within 2 months. On 22 July 1942 two surviving Hurricanes of 191 IAP were handed over to a neighbouring unit. Two days later also 46 and 180 IAP were sent back for replenishment at Ivanovo. All the surviving and serviceable aircraft were assembled in 436 IAP. On 1 August 1942 8 VA had a total of 11 Hurricanes, of which only 3 combat-ready. During the rapid retreat of the Russians, all remaining Hurricanes were destroyed by own ground personnel at Kalch-on-Don airfield. Between 13 June and 30 July 1942 pilots of 235 IAD claimed 69 enemy aircraft destroyed. During that period the regiments lost 54 Hurricanes in combat and in accidents.
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