Talgat Begeldinov Attack pilot, twice Hero of the Soviet Union Date of Birth: 05.08.1922 Country: Kazakhstan

Biography of Talgat Begeldinov

Talgat Begeldinov, a Soviet pilot and twice Hero of the Soviet Union, was born on August 5, 1922, in the village of Mai-Balyk in the Akmolinsk region. He spent his childhood and youth in Frunze, which is now Bishkek. At the age of 16, he joined an aeroclub and took his first flight, realizing that the sky was his true calling. He graduated from the Saratov and Orenburg Military Aviation Schools.

In January 1943, Talgat arrived at the Kalinin Front, beginning his military career as an Il-2 attack aircraft pilot in the 800th Assault Aviation Regiment of the 296th Aviation Division. Even in his first encounters with enemy aircraft, he emerged victorious. However, during one mission, Begeldinov did not return. He was presumed dead after a confrontation with a group of enemy bombers accompanied by fighters.

Begeldinov managed to escape but soon encountered two more enemy fighters. Knowing that fighting them on a malfunctioning plane was impossible, he began to maneuver. However, he was trapped by the fighters and his aircraft was shot at until the engine caught fire. Begeldinov and his gunner Yakovenko had to bail out, suffering serious injuries. They found themselves behind enemy lines and it took them 15 days to return, during which they lost Yakovenko.

In the spring of 1943, Begeldinov participated in battles near Staraya Russa. Together with his fellow pilots, they broke through a formation of 60 enemy planes, successfully attacking their main targets. After their attack, they were once again met by enemy aircraft. In a fierce battle, Begeldinov shot down one of the enemy fighters, which turned out to be a pirate who had been terrorizing Belgium and France. The enemy pilot refused to believe that he had been shot down by a young pilot.

In September 1943, Begeldinov demonstrated his skills as an attack aircraft pilot in the aerial battles over the Dnieper River. Alongside a group of fighters, they destroyed six out of thirteen enemy bombers, while Begeldinov targeted enemy ground forces. His actions were captured by aerial cameras.

On October 26, 1944, Talgat Begeldinov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. By that time, he had completed nearly 200 combat missions, striking fear into the hearts of the enemy.

Begeldinov also took part in the Battle of Berlin. Breaking through the enemy defenses at low altitude, his group destroyed eight barges with tanks on the Teltow Canal.

In total, Begeldinov flew 305 combat missions, conducting reconnaissance and attacking enemy fortifications, airfields, railway junctions, river crossings, and enemy troop and equipment concentrations. He personally shot down seven enemy aircraft in battles on the Kursk Bulge, Ukraine, Jassy-Kishinev, Berlin, and Prague operations.

After the war, Begeldinov graduated from the Military Aviation Academy in 1950 and served in the Soviet Armed Forces until 1956. He then served as a senior inspector and deputy chief of the Civil Aviation Department of the Kazakh SSR from 1957 to 1970. In his spare time, he pursued his passion for architecture and construction, studying at the Moscow Engineering and Construction Institute.

Talgat Begeldinov actively participates in public life in the Republic of Kazakhstan, promoting patriotism and friendship among the younger generation. He is the president of the International Foundation named after him, which collaborates with various governmental and non-governmental organizations in Kazakhstan and abroad. Begeldinov has also authored several books, including "Ily Attacks," "305 Raids," and "Air Battle."

In addition to being a double Hero of the Soviet Union, Talgat Begeldinov has been awarded the Order of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner, Orders of the Patriotic War of the 1st and 2nd degrees, the Order of the Red Star, the Order of Alexander Nevsky, the Order of Glory of the 3rd degree, and numerous other domestic and foreign awards and medals.

Talgat Yakubekovich, who is in love with his native nature, spends his time gardening and has recently taken up beekeeping. He currently resides in Almaty.