Anna Timofeeva (maiden name - Egorova) was born in Voldovo village, T'ver Region, Russia. She began her career in aviation in 1934, joining the flying club of a subway construction company. Following that, the author graduated from a flight school as a navigator. Upon the outbreak of war, Anna Egorova joined the 130th Independent Liaison Squadron of the 'Southern Front' as a pilot. After completing 130 combat missions in the liaison squadron flying the U-2 biplane, she joined the 805th Sturmovik (Ground Attack) Air Regiment. Successfully completing about 70 more combat missions, Anna Egorova advanced from an ordinary pilot to the executive officer of the Squadron, and then was appointed Regimental navigator. Flying on a mission over Poland in late 1944 the author was shot down over a target by German flak. Severely burned, she was taken prisoner. After surviving in a German POW camp for 5 months, she was liberated by Soviet troops. After experiencing numerous humiliations as an 'ex-POW' in 1965 the author finally received a top military award, a long-delayed 'Golden Star' with honorary title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union'.
"...a very insightful slice of Russian thinking....this woman's treatment still manages to shine through brightly with her courage and honesty."--Windscreen, Winter 2011
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