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Anatolij BrandiusBomber pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union
Country:
 Ukraine |
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Biography of Anatoly Brandys
Anatoly Yakovlevich Brandys was a Soviet bomber pilot and a Hero of the Soviet Union. He was born into a working-class family and was of Ukrainian nationality. In 1940, he enrolled in the Dnepropetrovsk Military Aviation School, and at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, he was transferred to the Perm Aviation School for Stormtroopers. In August 1943, he was sent to the Southern Front and participated in battles in Ukraine, Crimea, Belarus, and near Konigsberg. Throughout the war, he completed 228 combat missions, destroying a significant amount of enemy military equipment and personnel. On February 23, 1945, Anatoly Yakovlevich Brandys was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet. On June 29, 1945, he was awarded a second Gold Star medal. He was also honored with numerous orders and medals.
After the war, Brandys successfully graduated from the Red Banner Military Aviation Academy and then the General Staff Academy. He commanded aviation units and formations. Currently, Brandys, with the rank of a candidate of military sciences and associate professor, continues to serve in the Soviet Army.
The Beginning of the War
At the prefrontal airfield for young pilots who had just graduated from aviation school and gained some combat experience in a training regiment, Anatoly Brandys was warmly welcomed. Everything was done to make them feel like members of a friendly team and quickly integrate into combat work. The commander introduced himself to each of the newly arrived pilots, introduced them to the personnel of the regiment, and told them about the heroic deeds of the most distinguished comrades. "Now, get to know the airfield, the flying area," he concluded. "Make sure to talk to the combat pilots. They can tell you a lot. It will come in handy. You won't have time to get bored, the front is not far away. Can you hear it?" The commander raised his hand, demanding attention, and everyone heard the dull sounds of artillery bombardment. Yes, the front was indeed close. Among the young pilots standing in formation was Anatoly Brandys. He listened attentively to every word of the commander. He wanted to quickly grasp all the nuances of combat work, to learn the "secrets" of tactical maneuvers of the stormtroopers.
First Combat Mission
Evening came. The pilots who had returned from their combat missions shared their impressions, loudly discussing various circumstances of the aerial battle and criticizing individual pilots for mistakes and misses made during the flight. Anatoly spent these days preparing intensively for the start of combat work. During this time, he made several control and training flights, practiced shooting and bombing at training targets, and showed good results. The squadron commander was pleased. "If you fly like this, you will fight well," he told the pilot. "The main thing is to be attentive in flight, not to lose sight of the leader, and to watch all his actions. You won't have to wait long for combat missions. One of these days, Brandys was summoned by the regiment commander, N. Lyakhovsky. "How are you feeling, eagle? Not bored?" the commander asked with a smile. The commander inquired about the pilot's well-being, his knowledge of the combat area, and the situation on the front. "Tomorrow, you will have your first combat mission," he said, making sure the novice was ready. "Be attentive. The flight leader will give you detailed instructions." The airfield was bustling with activity as the planes were prepared for the upcoming combat mission. The technical staff worked tirelessly, striving to ensure that all the planned aircraft took off. They patched up bullet holes in the wings and fuselages, fixed any engine malfunctions that were discovered. Pilots also worked alongside the technicians. This camaraderie and mutual assistance allowed them to achieve what seemed impossible.
With a special mood, Anatoly worked on the familiar plane, marked with tail number 24, on that day. He decided to check everything himself: he tested the engine, inspected the bombing and gunnery equipment, the cockpit, and its fittings. He really wanted the first combat mission to go smoothly.
At dawn, the group of stormtroopers took off and set course to the west. At first, everything went well, but when the planes were far from the airfield, the engine started to falter. And yet, Brandys had tested the engine the day before. Anxiety overcame Anatoly. What to do? Should he return without completing the first combat mission? With great difficulty, Anatoly found a mode in which the engine worked better, but he fell behind the group. "Even if it's just me, I will reach the target and drop the bombs," the pilot thought, especially since the target was already close. Staring ahead, where clouds of bomb explosions could already be seen - the result of the attack by our stormtroopers, Anatoly encouraged himself: "There will be a target for me too." After striking the concentration of enemy tanks, the group turned around and headed back to the airfield. By that time, Brandys was just approaching the target area. The enemy opened heavy fire on him. Spotting a concentration of tanks camouflaged among sunflowers, Anatoly made a shallow dive. The engine reminded him of its problems again. But the enemy tanks were clearly visible through the front windshield. It was time! Understanding the situation, Anatoly decided to drop the bombs in one pass. He forcefully pulled the emergency bomb release lever back until it stopped and pulled the lightened aircraft out of the dive. Gaining engine speed and maneuvering at low altitude, Brandys safely left the target area. On the way back, he caught up with another group of stormtroopers who were returning after completing their mission and flew with them back to the airfield. "Why didn't you return?" the commander asked after landing, listening to Brandys' report. "I thought I could accomplish the mission," Anatoly replied.
For his persistence in fulfilling the combat mission, the commander praised the pilot but advised him not to take risks and return to the airfield in similar situations.
Further Combat Missions
Time passed, and Brandys had already completed many successful combat missions. Our troops were advancing to the west, and the familiar Dnepropetrovsk was ahead. The city was awaiting liberation. The task was received: to strike a blow on the enemy railway convoy north of Melitopol. On the approach to the target, the group was attacked by enemy fighters. A dogfight ensued. At the most intense moment, the machine gun on Brandys' plane stopped working. "The machine gun has jammed!" Air gunner A. Karimshakov excitedly reported to the commander. "Try to reload!" the commander replied and began to maneuver the aircraft sharply, trying to escape the precise fire of enemy fighters. The Germans wanted our stormtroopers to break formation. But the pilots strictly held their positions. After dropping bombs on the enemy convoy and firing at it with cannons, the group safely returned to their airfield. The destroyed convoy blocked the railway section for a long time. Once again, the commander commended Brandys for his courage and initiative.
As our troops advanced in the southern regions of Ukraine, the squadron in which Brandys served delivered strikes against the remaining enemy forces in Crimea. Enemy fighters often ambushed our stormtroopers, attempting to attack them. But the "Ilyushins" repelled their attacks with their powerful firepower and often shot down enemy fighters. Bonded by strong camaraderie, the pilots of the squadron repeatedly emerged victorious from difficult situations.
One day, the squadron, under the command of the experienced pilot Leonid Bedy, with Brandys as his deputy, received an assignment to strike the enemy airfield south of Jankoy. The enemy met the stormtroopers with heavy fire. Maneuvering in the gaps between shells, the group broke through to the target. There were many enemy planes on the outskirts of the airfield. "Attention! Attack!" Bedy commanded, and the stormtroopers dove in. Engrossed in the attack, Brandys did not notice the shells exploding near his plane. He opened fire from his cannons and machine guns. On the way out of the dive, he dropped the bombs. His aircraft shot up into the sky, and the group departed from the target. The enemy planes at the airfield were engulfed in flames. A bomb depot exploded due to a direct hit.
Brandys' plane was heavily damaged in this battle. There were numerous bullet holes visible on the wings, and pieces of the fuselage had been ripped off in several places. But the engine was working well, and it was still possible to fly. The commander's plane, on the other hand, had its radiator punctured, and coolant had flooded into the cockpit. Anatoly saw the commander's landing. The steppe offered no cover, and the enemy was nearby. The village of Aleksandrovka, where the Nazis had settled, was not far away. They had already started rushing to the landing site upon spotting the plane. What to do? Leave the commander behind? No! An immediate decision was made - to land next to him, pick up his crew, and take off together. It was dangerous to land on a damaged plane, but it was possible in the steppe. Anatoly climbed higher and ordered the junior lieutenant Berestnev to land next to the commander. Berestnev skillfully landed next to Bedy's plane, picked up his crew, and took off, while Brandys, with the wingman covering the operation from the air, set fire to the abandoned airplane using his guns.
Thus, the renowned pilot and beloved commander, Leonid Bedy, was saved. For rescuing the commander, pilot Berestnev was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.
In Crimea, Anatoly Brandys often had to fly in pairs with his wingman on "hunting" missions or reconnaissance flights. He provided valuable information about the enemy to the command. In these flights, Brandys destroyed important individual targets. He flew over the ruins of Sevastopol many times. Each time, he thought about the suffering inflicted on its residents and the courage and heroism they displayed. And when Brandys attacked the enemy on the famous hills of Sevastopol, dealing devastating blows to the enemy's ships, he always repeated: "For you, Sevastopol, for you, Sevastopol heroes!"
Anatoly Brandys earned a great combat experience throughout the war, which he generously shared with the younger generation. By the end of the war, he became a captain and the commander of a squadron. Many experienced pilots and masters of stormtrooper attacks grew up under his leadership.
Anatoly Brandys experienced joyous days during that time. Victory Day became a double celebration for him: for his courage, bravery, and heroism, he was awarded a second Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union.
As the "Gates of Germany" were called the Eastern Prussia in those days. The military road led Anatoly Brandys there. This is where he became famous as a master of stormtrooper strikes on enemy airfields. He was entrusted with the most difficult tasks, and he carried them out with honor.
The most challenging task faced by pilots was the storming of Konigsberg. The enemy had concentrated a large number of anti-aircraft guns in the city, positioning them between buildings, which hindered the actions of our aviation. Brandys showed his skill here as well. He applied a new tactic for combating anti-aircraft artillery. It involved striking it from low altitudes, from a glide. The capabilities of the guns were limited because the surrounding buildings reduced the range of fire. This tactic yielded results. Our aviation's losses sharply decreased, and its effectiveness increased.
Having traveled a long and difficult path of war, Anatoly Brandys accumulated immense combat experience, which he shared generously with the youth. By the end of the war, he had become a captain and the commander of a squadron. Many experienced pilots and masters of stormtrooper attacks grew up under his leadership. Victory Day was a joyous occasion for Anatoly Brandys. For his courage, bravery, and heroism, he was awarded a second Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union.
