Endel Puusepp
Encyclopedia
Endel Puusepp or Endel Pusep (May 1, 1909 - June 18, 1996) was a Soviet
Estonian World War II
pilot who successfully completed over 30 night-time long-range bombing missions against Nazi Germany
. He was a recipient of the Hero of the Soviet Union
award for flying a high-ranking Soviet delegation over the front line
from Moscow
to Washington, D.C.
and back to negotiate the opening of the Western Front
.
Endel Puusepp was born into a family of Estonian peasants living in Siberia
(Yenisei Governorate). His parents moved there, drawn by an offer of the Russian government to be given as much land as they could manage to cultivate. Thus, thousands of Estonians and Latvians settled in Siberia and built khutor
s where they preserved their language and culture. Ever since early childhood, Puusepp dreamed of becoming a pilot. His parents, however, envisaged a different career for him: either a teacher or an agronomist
. Having completed 7 grades of school, Puusepp moved to Leningrad
to study at the Estonian-Finnish Teachers' College.
and later in Orenburg
. He stayed at the latter as a flight instructor, having graduated. He was later transferred to a newly-formed squadron specializing in blind flying (using only the airplane's instruments due to limited visibility).
, which disappeared in the Arctic
. The North captivated Puusepp so much that he decided to stay and work there. He flew to the ice station North Pole-1
on several occasions and visited other Soviet Arctic stations. He was also involved in creating optimal routes for ships and in observing the movements of ice. While on one of these missions over the Kara Sea
, Puusepp learned about the onset of the Operation Barbarossa
. Having landed, Puusepp requested a transfer to the front line.
On August 8, 1941, under the command of Mikhail Vodopianov
, Puusepp participated in his first bombing mission. After successfully dropping bombs on Berlin
and while returning to the home base, his airplane was heavily damaged by anti-aircraft artillery, resulting in an emergency landing in Estonia
, then occupied by the Nazis. Upon exiting the plane, the crew encountered a frightened shepherd
boy. Puusepp, who did not forget his native Estonian
was able to find out the location of the Nazi troops from him and avoid being captured, safely returning to Soviet-controlled territory. By April 1942, Puusepp completed 30 nighttime long-range bombing missions against Berlin, Danzig, and Königsberg
.
By that time, the Soviet Union was involved in negotiations with the Allies
concerning the opening of the Western front. It was decided to send a Soviet delegation headed by the Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov
, first to Great Britain
and then to the United States
. Puusepp was chosen to be the pilot for this unprecedented and highly risky operation, involving flying over the front line and enemy-controlled territories. On May 29, 1942, after stopping in Tealing
, Prestwick
, Reykjavík
, and Goose Bay
, the Petlyakov Pe-8
plane with the Soviet delegation on board landed in Washington. Returning home was even more perilous. The Nazis were certainly aware of the completed negotiations, and intended to intercept the delegation on its way back. A ruse was employed involving reports published by the Soviet press, announcing the successful return of the Soviet delegation. It was only after this act of disinformation that the airplane set course for Moscow. For successful completion of the mission, Puusepp was given the Hero of the Soviet Union award. Upon receiving it, he remarked, surprised, that he didn't do anything extraordinary.
He continued bombing missions against the enemy troops in Stalingrad, Kursk
, Oryol
, and Belgorod
. During one of the missions, Puusepp sustained a shrapnel injury of his spine and had to undergo 5 surgeries. He never fully recovered and retired from the Soviet Air Force
in 1946 at the rank of colonel
.
, where he was appointed head of the Central Board of Road Transport of the Estonian SSR. In 1950, he was elected Vice Chairman of the Supreme Soviet
of the Estonian SSR and later worked as Minister of Social Insurance of the republic.
Endel Puusepp died on June 18, 1996. He is buried at the Metsakalmistu cemetery in Tallinn.
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
Estonian World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
pilot who successfully completed over 30 night-time long-range bombing missions against Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
. He was a recipient of the Hero of the Soviet Union
Hero of the Soviet Union
The title Hero of the Soviet Union was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded personally or collectively for heroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society.-Overview:...
award for flying a high-ranking Soviet delegation over the front line
Front line
A front line is the farthest-most forward position of an armed force's personnel and equipment - generally in respect of maritime or land forces. Forward Line of Own Troops , or Forward Edge of Battle Area are technical terms used by all branches of the armed services...
from Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and back to negotiate the opening of the Western Front
Western Front (World War II)
The Western Front of the European Theatre of World War II encompassed, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and West Germany. The Western Front was marked by two phases of large-scale ground combat operations...
.
Early life
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
(Yenisei Governorate). His parents moved there, drawn by an offer of the Russian government to be given as much land as they could manage to cultivate. Thus, thousands of Estonians and Latvians settled in Siberia and built khutor
Khutor
Khutor or khutir is usually taken to refer to a single-homestead rural settlement of Eastern Europe.In Cossack-settled lands that encompassed today's Ukraine, Kuban, and the lower Don river basin the word khutor was used to describe new settlements which had detached themselves from stanitsas...
s where they preserved their language and culture. Ever since early childhood, Puusepp dreamed of becoming a pilot. His parents, however, envisaged a different career for him: either a teacher or an agronomist
Agronomist
An agronomist is a scientist who specializes in agronomy, which is the science of utilizing plants for food, fuel, feed, and fiber. An agronomist is an expert in agricultural and allied sciences, with the exception veterinary sciences.Agronomists deal with interactions between plants, soils, and...
. Having completed 7 grades of school, Puusepp moved to Leningrad
Leningrad
Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
to study at the Estonian-Finnish Teachers' College.
Aviation career
After completing one year of studies at the teacher's college, Puuseep transferred to a pilot's school, first in VolskVolsk
Volsk is a town in Saratov Oblast, Russia, located to the northeast from Saratov, on the right bank of the Volga River, opposite the mouth of the Bolshoy Irgiz, the Volga tributary. Population:...
and later in Orenburg
Orenburg
Orenburg is a city on the Ural River and the administrative center of Orenburg Oblast, Russia. It lies southeast of Moscow, very close to the border with Kazakhstan. Population: 546,987 ; 549,361 ; Highest point: 154.4 m...
. He stayed at the latter as a flight instructor, having graduated. He was later transferred to a newly-formed squadron specializing in blind flying (using only the airplane's instruments due to limited visibility).
Polar aviation
By 1938, Puusepp was an established pilot, proficient in blind flying. Even earlier, he participated in the operation to locate the plane of Sigizmund LevanevskySigizmund Levanevsky
Sigizmund Aleksandrovich Levanevsky was a Soviet aircraft pilot of Polish origin and a Hero of the Soviet Union .-Life and career:...
, which disappeared in the Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
. The North captivated Puusepp so much that he decided to stay and work there. He flew to the ice station North Pole-1
Soviet and Russian manned drifting ice stations
Soviet and Russian manned drifting ice stations are important contributors to exploration of the Arctic. The stations are named North Pole Soviet and Russian manned drifting ice stations are important contributors to exploration of the Arctic. The stations are named North Pole Soviet and...
on several occasions and visited other Soviet Arctic stations. He was also involved in creating optimal routes for ships and in observing the movements of ice. While on one of these missions over the Kara Sea
Kara Sea
The Kara Sea is part of the Arctic Ocean north of Siberia. It is separated from the Barents Sea to the west by the Kara Strait and Novaya Zemlya, and the Laptev Sea to the east by the Severnaya Zemlya....
, Puusepp learned about the onset of the Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
. Having landed, Puusepp requested a transfer to the front line.
World War II
Mikhail Vasilyevich Vodopianov
Mikhail Vasilyevich Vodopianov was a Soviet aircraft pilot, one of the first Heroes of the Soviet Union, and a Major General of the Soviet Air Force....
, Puusepp participated in his first bombing mission. After successfully dropping bombs on Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and while returning to the home base, his airplane was heavily damaged by anti-aircraft artillery, resulting in an emergency landing in Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, then occupied by the Nazis. Upon exiting the plane, the crew encountered a frightened shepherd
Shepherd
A shepherd is a person who tends, feeds or guards flocks of sheep.- Origins :Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations, beginning some 6,000 years ago in Asia Minor. Sheep were kept for their milk, meat and especially their wool...
boy. Puusepp, who did not forget his native Estonian
Estonian language
Estonian is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1.1 million people in Estonia and tens of thousands in various émigré communities...
was able to find out the location of the Nazi troops from him and avoid being captured, safely returning to Soviet-controlled territory. By April 1942, Puusepp completed 30 nighttime long-range bombing missions against Berlin, Danzig, and Königsberg
Königsberg
Königsberg was the capital of East Prussia from the Late Middle Ages until 1945 as well as the northernmost and easternmost German city with 286,666 inhabitants . Due to the multicultural society in and around the city, there are several local names for it...
.
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
concerning the opening of the Western front. It was decided to send a Soviet delegation headed by the Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov
Vyacheslav Molotov
Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov was a Soviet politician and diplomat, an Old Bolshevik and a leading figure in the Soviet government from the 1920s, when he rose to power as a protégé of Joseph Stalin, to 1957, when he was dismissed from the Presidium of the Central Committee by Nikita Khrushchev...
, first to Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and then to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Puusepp was chosen to be the pilot for this unprecedented and highly risky operation, involving flying over the front line and enemy-controlled territories. On May 29, 1942, after stopping in Tealing
Tealing
Tealing is a village in Angus in eastern Scotland, nestled at the foot of the Sidlaw Hills. It is just north of the city of Dundee and south of Forfar. With a population of just over 500, scattered across of fertile farming land, it has several large working farms mixed in with lots of...
, Prestwick
Prestwick
Prestwick is a town in South Ayrshire on the south-west coast of Scotland, about south-west of Glasgow. It adjoins the larger town of Ayr, the centre of which is about south...
, Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, and Goose Bay
Goose Bay
Goose Bay may refer to:* Happy Valley – Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada* Goose Bay , Canada...
, the Petlyakov Pe-8
Petlyakov Pe-8
The Petlyakov Pe-8 was a Soviet heavy bomber designed before World War II, and the only four-engine bomber the USSR built during the war. Produced in limited numbers, it was used to bomb Berlin in August 1941. It was also used for so-called "morale raids" designed to raise the spirit of the Soviet...
plane with the Soviet delegation on board landed in Washington. Returning home was even more perilous. The Nazis were certainly aware of the completed negotiations, and intended to intercept the delegation on its way back. A ruse was employed involving reports published by the Soviet press, announcing the successful return of the Soviet delegation. It was only after this act of disinformation that the airplane set course for Moscow. For successful completion of the mission, Puusepp was given the Hero of the Soviet Union award. Upon receiving it, he remarked, surprised, that he didn't do anything extraordinary.
He continued bombing missions against the enemy troops in Stalingrad, Kursk
Kursk
Kursk is a city and the administrative center of Kursk Oblast, Russia, located at the confluence of the Kur, Tuskar, and Seym Rivers. The area around Kursk was site of a turning point in the Russian-German struggle during World War II and the site of the largest tank battle in history...
, Oryol
Oryol
Oryol or Orel is a city and the administrative center of Oryol Oblast, Russia, located on the Oka River, approximately south-southwest of Moscow...
, and Belgorod
Belgorod
-Twin towns/sister cities:Belgorod is twinned with: Wakefield, England, United Kingdom Herne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia Opole, Poland Vyshhorod, Ukraine Kharkiv, Ukraine-External links:...
. During one of the missions, Puusepp sustained a shrapnel injury of his spine and had to undergo 5 surgeries. He never fully recovered and retired from the Soviet Air Force
Soviet Air Force
The Soviet Air Force, officially known in Russian as Военно-воздушные силы or Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily and often abbreviated VVS was the official designation of one of the air forces of the Soviet Union. The other was the Soviet Air Defence Forces...
in 1946 at the rank of colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
.
Later years
After the war, Puusepp moved to TallinnTallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
, where he was appointed head of the Central Board of Road Transport of the Estonian SSR. In 1950, he was elected Vice Chairman of the Supreme Soviet
Supreme Soviet
The Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union was the Supreme Soviet in the Soviet Union and the only one with the power to pass constitutional amendments...
of the Estonian SSR and later worked as Minister of Social Insurance of the republic.
Endel Puusepp died on June 18, 1996. He is buried at the Metsakalmistu cemetery in Tallinn.