The Story of the Forgotten Bomber That Saved WWII

As the Germans advanced toward Russia during World War II, the Soviet Union found itself in a dire situation. The Soviet Air Force, struggling to keep pace with the superior aircraft of the German forces, desperately needed a new weapon to turn the tide of the war. This is where Andrei Tupolev, one of the most renowned aircraft designers in the Soviet Union, entered the scene. However, Tupolev was not in a typical design office. Like many other Russian engineers and scientists of that era, he was imprisoned for crimes against the state. From within the confines of his prison cell, Tupolev would go on to design a bomber that would play a crucial role in the Soviet victory, yet remain largely forgotten in history.

The Tu-2: Andrei Tupolev’s Creation under Confinement

The Soviet Union, facing increasing pressure from the German military, was forced to acknowledge that its air force was outmatched. The aircraft in use were quickly becoming obsolete, unable to compete with the modern and powerful planes of the German forces. The Soviet Air Force needed a medium-sized bomber that could carry a significant bomb load and match the speed of a single-seat fighter. With few options left, Soviet officials turned to Andrei Tupolev, who had been in prison for over a year. Despite his imprisonment, Tupolev was still recognized as one of the Soviet Union’s most talented aviation engineers.

Tupolev’s arrest was part of a broader crackdown by the People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD), where thousands of scientists and engineers were imprisoned on charges of conspiracy against the state. While many of these prisoners were subjected to hard labor, Tupolev was somewhat fortunate. He was placed in a special prison camp in Moscow, known as a sharashka, where the Soviet Union’s top aircraft designers were gathered. This camp was established by Lavrentiy Beria, Stalin’s Commissar for Internal Affairs, who recognized the need for skilled designers to develop new military technology.

Beria tasked Tupolev with leading a team to design a new bomber. Initially, Beria requested a four-engine dive bomber, but Tupolev managed to convince him that a high-speed twin-engine bomber would be more suitable for the impending conflict. Working under immense pressure and constant surveillance, Tupolev and his team faced significant challenges. They were not even allowed to sign their sketches, and the political climate made their work even more perilous. Despite these difficulties, by mid-1938, Tupolev and his team had designed what would become the Soviet Union’s most important bomber of World War II: the Tu-2.

The Birth and Evolution of Aircraft 103: The Tu-2’s Early Days

By February 1940, the design of Aircraft 103 was complete. This aircraft was an all-metal, mid-wing monoplane powered by two 1,400-horsepower Mikulin AM-37 V-12 engines. The first prototype, known as ANT-58, took to the skies on January 29, 1941, with test pilot Mikhail Nukhtinov at the controls. After resolving some minor issues, a second prototype was built with a larger cockpit and a new tail turret. This version, which first flew on May 18, 1941, was the first to enter production.

However, the outbreak of war with Germany forced the Soviet Union to prioritize the production of fighter aircraft like the Yakovlev Yak-1. As a result, only 19 units of the Tu-2 were produced before the factory shifted its focus. Despite this setback, Tupolev continued to refine the design, leading to the creation of the first full-scale production version of the Tu-2.

In the fall of 1942, the first three Tu-2 bombers were delivered to a military air force unit for training. The aircraft proved to be a valuable asset, with a top speed of 380 miles per hour, a range of up to 1,250 miles, and a service ceiling of nearly 30,000 feet. The Tu-2 was versatile, capable of performing multiple roles, including air-to-air combat, ground attack, and reconnaissance. It could be equipped with various weapons, including machine guns, cannons, bombs, and torpedoes. The standard crew consisted of a pilot, navigator, gunner, and radio operator, though the crew configuration could be adjusted based on the mission.

The Tu-2’s Rise to Prominence and Impact on the Eastern Front

The success of the Tu-2 was so significant that Tupolev and his entire team were released from prison. In recognition of his contributions, Tupolev was awarded the prestigious Stalin USSR Prize. The aircraft, designed to rival the German Junkers Ju-88, entered combat in the spring of 1942. It quickly proved its worth as the Soviet Union faced the full force of the German military.

As the Germans pushed into Soviet territory in June 1942, the Soviet industry was forced to relocate production lines to Central Russia. Despite these challenges, the Tu-2 bombers were produced and deployed in time to participate in the fall of 1942 over Velikiye Luki, a town occupied by German forces. The Tu-2 flew over 46 sorties in just two months, becoming the Soviet Union’s second most important twin-engine bomber after the Pe-2.

Soviet pilots quickly grew to appreciate the Tu-2’s durability and resilience, particularly in the harsh Russian winters. The aircraft was capable of sustaining significant damage and still completing its mission, making it invaluable in combined operations that required air support in all weather conditions. The Tu-2 played a key role in Operation Uranus, a major Soviet counterattack on the Eastern Front that led to the encirclement and eventual surrender of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad.

The Tu-2’s Pivotal Role in the Later Stages of World War II

By January 1943, the Soviets had launched an assault on the last German-held airport, cutting off vital supply lines and forcing the German forces to surrender. The Tu-2 continued to prove its worth, flying another 47 sorties in February 1943, targeting airfields and rail junctions. Despite some maintenance challenges due to the bomber’s complexity, Soviet aircrews consistently demanded more Tu-2s, as no other aircraft could match its performance, firepower, and bomb capacity.

The success of the Tu-2 led to the reopening of a factory in Omsk for its production. Andrei Tupolev continued to refine the design, resulting in the Tu-2S, a simplified version that first flew on August 26, 1943. This model featured more powerful engines and became the definitive version of the Tu-2. The aircraft was so valued that it was used in all major battles toward the end of the war, playing a crucial role in the Red Army’s advance into German territory.

By the end of World War II, a total of 1,111 Tu-2 bombers had been delivered to the Soviet Air Force. The aircraft’s loss rate was remarkably low, with only one aircraft lost for every 46.5 sorties. The Tu-2 was recognized as the best Soviet bomber of the war, earning a place in history as a key factor in the Soviet victory over Germany.

The Tu-2’s Legacy: Post-War Service and Lasting Impact

The Tu-2 remained in service with the Soviet Air Force long after the war, undergoing numerous updates that kept it competitive with other aircraft. By 1948, an additional 1,416 units had been produced. The Tu-2 also served as a testbed for various power plants and jet engines, demonstrating its versatility and enduring value. It remained in service with the Soviet bombing group, the V-VS, until 1955, and was exported to several allied nations during the Cold War.

Surplus Tu-2s were provided to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force, where they were used in the Chinese Civil War for ground attack, reconnaissance, and liaison missions. Some of these aircraft remained in frontline service into the 1980s, a testament to the durability and effectiveness of Tupolev’s design.

The Tu-2, one of the few World War II aircraft to continue service long after the conflict ended, was eventually given the NATO code name “Bat.” Despite its significant contributions to the Soviet war effort and its long service life, the Tu-2 remains a largely forgotten legend of World War II.