 |
Chichiko BendelianiMajor, Hero of the Soviet Union
Date of Birth: 29.01.1913
Country:  Georgia |
Content:
Early Life and Military Career
Chikhiko Kaisarovich Bendiliani was born on January 29, 1913, in the village of Chokhatauri, Georgia. He joined the Red Army in 1935 and graduated from the Kachin Military Aviation School in 1937 as a pilot. He served in the 43rd Fighter Aviation Regiment until the outbreak of World War II.
World War II
Bendiliani's combat career began in the early days of the war. In July 1941, he intercepted a group of enemy bombers and successfully rammed a Me-109 fighter, earning him the Order of Lenin. During the Battle of Stalingrad, he shot down five enemy bombers and earned the respect of his fellow pilots.
Recognition and Heroism
On August 24, 1943, Bendiliani was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his 385 combat sorties, 72 air battles, and 19 enemy aircraft downed. He became a renowned fighter ace and mentor to younger pilots.
Final Mission and Legacy
In July 1944, while leading an escort mission, Bendiliani engaged in a fierce aerial battle against six FW-190s. He shot down one and damaged another before being fatally wounded by enemy fire. Despite his injuries, he managed to land his damaged aircraft near the front line and died shortly after.
Bendiliani's memory lives on through the naming of a street in Tbilisi, a secondary school in Chokhatauri, and his permanent enrollment in the rolls of his aviation regiment. He is remembered as a courageous and skilled fighter pilot who made a significant contribution to the Soviet victory in World War II.
