Twice Hero of the Soviet Union Talgat Begeldinov: biography

Every year in Russia, there are fewer veterans of the most terrible war in the history of mankind, the real heroes of our time, people who fought for the freedom of our country, sparing no loss of oneself and their lives. So, in 2014, one of the outstanding stormtrooper pilots, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, a unique man, is Talgat Begeldinov, twice Hero of the Soviet Union. He did not want to take to the flight school for a long time, referring to a small growth and a young age, and he was able to prove that for real courage there are no restrictions.

Biography

In his homeland in Kazakhstan, he had already become a legendary person for a long time, even in his old age he did not cease to actively participate in the public and political life of his people, he became one of the organizers and was the president of a charity fund that helps veterans and their families.

In Kazakhstan, any schoolboy knows where Talgat Begeldinov was born, he honors the hero's memory and tries to pass it on to the next generation. He was born on August 5, 1922 in the small village of May-Balyk, Akmola region, but later the family moved to Frunze, which is now renamed Bishkek and is the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The family lived poorly, the father and mother left their native village because of a shortage of land, were interrupted by small earnings. With his parents, the boy lived up to 6 years, then for some time he was brought up in the family of his childless uncle, it was a tribute to the ancient tradition.

Some sources dispute the birth of Begeldinov, calling it Kyrgyzstan's homeland, but, by and large, this is not so important, Talgat Yakubekovich is one of the few people who can be called a man of the world.

Love to the sky

By the age of 16, a jaunty youth, impressed by the feats of the book heroes of the novel Two Captains, dreamed only about planes, combat flights and the sky. In the city of Frunze was flying club, but Talgata did not immediately want to take, for his years he was quite small and only slightly visible from the cab. But he was accepted, and for a young man difficult days begin, it was necessary to combine school and study in an aero club, besides it was required to help the family. Lived very poorly, the clothes were plain, there was not enough money for food, so Talgat Begeldinov had to get a job.

The young man for a long time hid his passion from his father, because he dreamed of seeing his son as a doctor. However, soon Talgat was able to prove both parents and instructors that he could be not just a pilot, but a courageous and stubborn person. The way to getting a diploma in an aero club for a peasant boy was not easy, he was not taken seriously for a long time, humiliated, and even survived, but Begeldinov sustained a blow, passed all the exams with distinction and even learned a public instructor.

The War Begins

Talgat understands that he can no longer live without the sky and airplanes, and soon he had a unique opportunity to continue flying education. The commission for the selection of cadets for the Saratov Flight School arrived at the flying club, Begeldinov was immediately selected, and in 1940 he went to Saratov, not even suspecting that he could not return to his homeland for many years.

Talgat Yakubekovich Begeldinov in the school had many times to face a disparaging attitude to his growth and nationality, but here he will receive the first serious school of life and extensive experience in flying on different vehicles. Young cadets from the first days of the war were already bursting into battle, but the commanders insisted on the professional training of the pilots, they did not want to send the fledgling youths to the front for certain death.

Introduction to IL-2

A few months later, Begeldinov sought a transfer to the bomber aviation school near Orenburg, where the young man quickly mastered heavy cars and soon received the rank of corporal.

But even here the young pilot was not released immediately to the front, along with other cadets he helped in the school on the economic side. They planted potatoes, raised cows and pigs, all food was sent to the soldiers on the front line. Soon he was transferred to a fighter school, where Talgat got acquainted with his future "iron horse", the famous IL-2. Already then legends were made about him, and all the pilots wanted to sail the sky only on it.

At the front

Finally, in the school came the order to detach part of the fighters to the front, among them was Talgat Begeldinov. Acquaintance with the war took place near Tver, where young people learned that those with whom they talked several hours ago, rarely return to the base. The battles were serious, even the skilful aces of the sky died, but here they are nineteen-year-olds with a minimum number of flying hours. No one was frightened, and Talgat and his comrades were torn to the front, into the thick of battles.

But even here the command for several weeks made it necessary to carry out training flights and to shell the imaginary enemy. Finally, military weekdays started, several sorties a day, first in a group with other planes, then individually Talgat Yakubekovich destroyed trains, echelons, tanks, anti-aircraft guns and other strategic points of the home of the nazis.

Hero of the Soviet Union

On one of these combat missions, Begeldinov was able to attack a German "Messerschmitt" on a bomber and shoot him down. The Soviet press wrote about the heroic deed of the young sergeant, the shot down German turned out to be an important figure, he had over one hundred planes destroyed, the German officer could not believe for a long time that he was shot down by a young sergeant. For this flight, Talgat will receive the Order of the Patriotic War of the Second Degree.

In his military life there will be hundreds of stories related to the combat reconnaissance, the leadership of the column bombers, the attack of German stormtroopers, etc. In early 1943, Talgat Begeldinov entered into an unequal battle with nineteen "Messerschmitts" and was forced to land in the rear of the enemy, Together with their gunner, they two weeks went out to their own.

His first medal "Gold Star" and the title of Hero of the Soviet Union Talgat Yakubekovich deserved in 1944, the aircraft under his leadership bravely defended the city of Kirovograd and Znamenka. The pilot himself then shot down four enemy stormtroopers. The second time he was awarded the same title, he was awarded a year later, when thanks to a skillful and thought-out strategy his squadron was able to destroy large clusters of enemy equipment and infantry.

Postwar years

Talgat Begeldinov, Hero of the Soviet Union, fought only two years, but during this time, 305 combat sorties, a lot of downed planes and hundreds of accomplished command tasks were in his assets. He participated in the battles for Berlin, passed among thousands of soldiers across Red Square and returned to his native Bishkek as a real hero.

In difficult postwar times, he decided to continue his studies and entered the Red Banner Air Force Academy in Moscow. Even at the front, Talgat Begeldinov joined the Communist Party and became an active participant in party congresses and events. In 1945, residents of the Makinskaya region, his small homeland, were elected to him as a deputy, Begeldinov gladly went to his native land and met with his constituents. Residents of the region, from which his father once had to leave because of a shortage of land, now met Talgat with cries of joy and recognition.

Participation in public and political life

Political activity had to be combined with the command service in the Soviet Air Force. Despite the fact that Talgat Yakubekovich was suspended from flights for health reasons, he worked for many years in civil aviation. After retiring to the reserve, he continued to work in Kazakhstan, was engaged in creating a runway in major cities of the country, several times elected deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

Begeldinov Talgat - a pilot, twice GSU, possessed a restless nature, and prompted him to graduate additionally from the Moscow Engineering and Construction College and for several years to head various departments in the State Construction Department of the Kazakh SSR.

Literary Activity

Talgat Yakubekovich lived a long, bright life, never gave in to difficulties, everything always went to the end. His way can be called an example for the younger generation, he himself often met with youth, told about the exploits of the war and the strength of the spirit of the Soviet people.

His memories of the difficult path to the profession of the pilot, fighting everyday life and post-war time, he outlined in the book "Il attacking", published in 1966. The book became very popular not only in Kazakhstan, but also in the whole territory of the USSR. The feat of Talgat Begeldinov formed the basis of many television programs, documentaries and feature films.

Memory

According to the memoirs of friends and colleagues, twice Hero of the Soviet Union was easy to handle, friendly, always helping everyone who came to him for help. In peacetime, carried away by the breeding of bees, his apiaries were famous throughout the district.

Public recognition and people's love Talgat Yakubekovich Begeldinov felt during his lifetime. Journalists even during the war often interviewed the famous Soviet attack aircraft. In tribute to the memory of his exploits and the general victory on May 9, 2000, a bronze bust was placed in the city of Kokshetau, the famous hero of the Great Patriotic War.

His name today is the Aktyubinsk Military Institute of the Air Force of the Russian Federation, as well as the Republican Military Boarding School in Karaganda, to which he often helped in the framework of charity events.