Yekaterina Budanova facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yekaterina Budanova
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Nickname(s) | Katya |
Born | 6 December 1916 Konoplanka, Smolensk Governorate, Russia |
Died | 19 July 1943 Novokrasnovka, Luhansk Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
(aged 26)
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ |
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Years of service | 1941–1943 |
Rank | Captain |
Awards | Hero of the Russian Federation |
Yekaterina Vasilyevna Budanova (also known as Katya) was a brave fighter pilot in the Soviet Air Force during World War II. She was born on December 6, 1916, and sadly passed away on July 19, 1943. Katya is often seen as one of the world's top female fighter pilots, meaning she shot down many enemy planes. She is usually given credit for five or more victories in the air.
Contents
Early Life and Learning to Fly
Katya Budanova grew up in a farming family in a village called Konoplanka, in Russia. She was a very good student in elementary school. However, she had to stop her studies when her father passed away. She started working as a nanny to help her family.
When she was thirteen, Katya moved to Moscow to live with her sister. There, she got a job building airplanes in a factory. This job sparked her interest in flying. She joined a flying club and learned how to use a parachute. By 1934, she earned her pilot's license. Just three years later, in 1937, she became a flight instructor, teaching others how to fly. Before the war, she even flew in several air shows, piloting a single-seater plane called the Yakovlev UT-1.
Fighting in World War II
When Germany attacked the Soviet Union in June 1941, Katya joined the military air force. She was assigned to the 586th Fighter Aviation Regiment. This was a special group made up only of women pilots, started by Marina Raskova. They flew Yak-1 planes.
At first, all women pilots were put into three all-female units. These units were made up of women who had been flight instructors or members of flying clubs before the war. The 586th Regiment started flying combat missions in the spring of 1942. Katya flew her first battle flights covering railway lines near Saratov.
As the Battle of Stalingrad became very intense, there weren't enough male pilots. Seeing how skilled these women were, the Soviet leaders decided to send some of the best female pilots to join male pilot groups. So, on September 10, Katya Budanova, along with Lydia Litvyak and others, was sent to the 437th Fighter Aviation Regiment. This group was fighting over Stalingrad. The commander of the 437th was at first unsure about women pilots. But soon, Katya became known for her brave attacks and excellent flying skills.
First Victories
Some historians say Katya shot down her first enemy plane, a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter, on September 14, 1942, while flying with Lydia Litvyak. Another record says that on October 2, 1942, Katya achieved her first two solo victories. She shot down a Junkers Ju 88 bomber and another Messerschmitt Bf 109. However, her aircraft mechanic, Inna Pasportnikova, wrote that Katya's first victory was on October 6, when she attacked thirteen Ju 88 bombers and downed one.
From October 1942 to January 1943, Katya and Lydia Litvyak served in the Stalingrad area with the special 9th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. This regiment was made up of top pilots. One of them, Vladimir Lavrinenkov, remembered Katya as "tall, kept her hair cut short,... and in her flightsuit hardly stood out from the fellows." He said she was a "cheerful, lively character" and an excellent pilot.
An order came to send the women pilots back to their original all-female unit. But Katya and Lydia asked their commander, Lt.Col Shestakov, if they could stay with the 9th Guards Regiment. They were allowed to remain for over three months. On December 10, Katya shot down two Messerschmitt Bf 110 planes. This was her first time shooting down two planes in one day. In the following months, she was credited with shooting down several more enemy aircraft.
Later Missions and Recognition
In January 1943, Katya and Lydia moved to the 296th Fighter Aviation Regiment (later called the 73rd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment). They continued to fly the Yak planes. It was with this regiment that Katya achieved most of her combat victories. She was chosen to fly with the commander, Nikolai Baranov.
Katya was soon given permission to go "solo hunting." This was a special honor given to pilots who were very aggressive and successful in finding and attacking enemy planes on their own.
On February 10, 1943, near Rostov on Don, she helped shoot down a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 plane. On February 23, she received the Order of the Red Star award for her bravery. On March 9, 1943, she claimed another Bf 109 with Lieutenant Oleg Filipchenko.
In April 1943, a popular magazine for young adults called Ogoniok featured Katya Budanova and Lydia Litvyak on its cover. The article talked about their achievements, celebrating their teamwork rather than just their individual successes.
Katya's Last Mission
On July 19, 1943, Katya flew her final mission near Novokrasnovka. That morning, she took off to protect a group of bombers. Near Antratsit, she got into a fierce dogfight with several Bf 109s.
Her aircraft mechanic, Inna Pasportnikova, later remembered what happened:
"She saw three Messerschmitts attacking our bombers. Katya bravely attacked them to draw them away. A desperate fight happened in the sky. Katya managed to aim at one enemy plane and hit it with bullets. This was the fifth plane she shot down by herself. Katya's fighter quickly went up and then swooped down on a second enemy plane. She hit it with bullets, and the second Messer, trailing black smoke, flew away to the west. But Katya's plane, with its red star, had been hit; flames were already licking at the wings."
Katya managed to put out the fire and land her damaged plane in an area between the two armies. By the time local farmers came to help her out of the aircraft, she had already passed away. They buried her near the village of Novokrasnovka. The pilot who shot her down was either Georg Schwientek or Emil Bitsch, both German aces who claimed a Yak-1 in that area on that day.
Awards and Honors
Katya Budanova was recognized for her bravery and service:
- Order of the Red Star (February 17, 1943)
- Order of the Patriotic War 1st class (July 22, 1943)
- Hero of the Russian Federation (October 1, 1993) - This highest honor was given to her many years after her death.
See also
In Spanish: Ekaterina Budánova para niños
- List of female Heroes of the Russian Federation